Sime~Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #176: That's Not My Department (11/14/99)
Vee marches up the wide curved red-carpeted staircase of the Sunrise Hotel to the second floor.
Vee is a wiry renSime woman, about 30 natal years, with short-cropped blonde hair.
Vee wears a crisp skirt and jacket the same blood-red as the carpet on the floor.
Vee finds the door where the desk clerk said the Sectuib in Naros was registered.
Vee tries to zlin inside the room but the insulation is too good.
Vee signals at the door.
Riyyh looks up at the signal; he hadn't been expecting anybody.
Riyyh: Why, I wonder who that could be.
Riyyh gets up and goes to answer the door.
Vee waits impatiently, foot tapping.
Vee signals again, with more force.
Riyyh is dressed in a silk robe and looking adorably rumpled, since he only just got out of bed... about 2 hours ago.
Riyyh opens the door.
Riyyh: Hello...?
Riyyh takes in the look and the impatient nager, and immediately becomes more innocent looking in response.
Vee: Respect, Sectuib ambrov Naros.
Vee: Might I have a few moments of your time?
Vee: I am Vee Para, Private Investigator.
Vee: I would like to ask a few questions . . .
Riyyh: Oh, my.
Riyyh looks a bit nervous.
Riyyh: Of course.
Vee: I understand that you have been traveling recently.
Riyyh: Why yes, I have.
Riyyh: Please, would you like to come in and sit down?
Riyyh: Some tea, perhaps?
Vee: Yes, I would be honored. Thank you very much!
Vee follows Riyyh into the hotel room.
Riyyh would have offered anyway, but in this particular case he'd like to get out of the drafty doorway as well.
Riyyh closes the door and then goes to fetch some tea.
Riyyh: I keep the water hot, you see, just in case.
Vee scans the room, noting all the details.
Riyyh isn't sure what she is questioning him about, but decades of being Naros' Sectuib have honed his redirection skills to a keen edge.
Vee saunters over to take a peek at any papers or books within view.
Riyyh was in the middle of writing some letters home to Naros and also to some of the outreach programs.
Riyyh zlins her looking at them and wonders what this is about.
Vee also surveys the Sectuib's closet and luggage for clues about his lifestyle and current activities.
Riyyh's lifestyle appears to be just-getting-by-but-accustomed-to-extravagance, and current activities seem to be limited to letter writing and trying on different clothing.
Riyyh, who has finished preparing the tea, stands there looking rather perplexed with a teacup in his hand, wondering why she is looking at everything so carefully.
Vee, satisfied that she has gleaned all that is possible, seats herself in an armchair.
Vee's red skirt rides up at least to mid-thigh.
Riyyh comes over to give her the tea, and then sits down in the chair facing hers.
Vee smiles at the approach of the tea.
Riyyh: I am sorry I wasn't more prepared. You see, I wasn't expecting to go out until the afternoon. [smiles apologetically]
Vee: ~~ professional welcome ~~
Riyyh in fact means the late afternoon, since it's early afternoon now.
Vee: Oh, no problem at all! You are most courteous to see me at all!
Riyyh beams, reassured by her reaction.
Vee takes the tea and sips with appreciation.
Riyyh is always eager to please.
Vee: To get back to business...
Vee: Several weeks ago, I understand you stayed at the Red Roost Inn.
Riyyh: Yes, we did.
Vee: I have been in contact with the proprietor there, N'vet Ronser.
Riyyh feels naturally sympathetic.
Vee: He says that one of the guests was in difficulty and you were required to serve him emergency transfer.
Riyyh: Yes, I was.
Vee: Could you describe this Sime to me?
Riyyh thinks back.
Riyyh: A very friendly fellow, though a bit confused.
Riyyh smiles fondly.
Riyyh: A bit into the shiltpron, more than to my taste to be honest.
Vee: Did he tell you his name?
Riyyh: He did, although I must confess I didn't take it to heart, as he told me a number of other things which were surely in jest.
Riyyh: He said his name was Ambrose.
Vee: Ahhhh.
Riyyh's eyes widen at the recognition.
Riyyh: Do you know him?
Vee: Well, I'm trying to determine if you met the same Ambrose I am searching for.
Riyyh: Pretends to be a Farris traveling with a Companion?
Riyyh assumes there couldn't be two such.
Riyyh rather hopes not, anyway.
Vee: ~~ wryly humorous ~~ Yes, that Ambrose.
Vee: I realize this is confidential but it could be important.
Vee: Were you able to get a transfer into him?
Riyyh: Of course. ~ surprised ~
Riyyh: He wouldn't have lived a moment longer if I hadn't.
Vee: ~~ relief ~~
Riyyh: They found him very near attrition.
Riyyh: It is a lucky thing I was in the hotel at the time, as the town was too small for its own Sime Center.
Vee: N'vet Ronser said you had, but I am glad to have his opinion validated by a professional.
Riyyh wonders what other possible explanation there could be.
Riyyh: Of course. [smiles]
Vee: ~~ intense ~~ Did Ambrose say anything about where he was going next?
Riyyh: I was understandably reluctant to leave him, and only did so because he said he was going to board a train for Bender Cove in the near future.
Vee: ~~ excitement ~~
Riyyh: I am certain it would be difficult to avoid reaching Bender Cove within the month, even with the inevitable delays and stayovers.
Vee: Bender Cove? Did he say why he was going there?
Vee's tea cools as her attention is focused on her objective.
Riyyh: Oh dear, I believe he thought he was assigned to the Lower Sime Center there, to work.
Vee groans.
Riyyh: I am rather hoping he does go there, as they would certainly know how to help him.
Riyyh: Would you like me to rewarm your tea? [kindly]
Vee: I'm not familiar with their reputation. Do they have psychological specialists on staff?
Riyyh is feeling much more relaxed and interactive now that he knows the investigation doesn't have anything to do with him personally.
Riyyh: Why yes, they do, and it also has a reputation as a Center where difficult cases are sent.
Riyyh: Of course, they're usually really channels, but I am sure they will know what to do.
Vee: No, thank you. Now that I have a lead, no time to waste!
Vee: I guess I'm on my way to Bender Cove!
Riyyh: I wish you the best of luck.
Riyyh smiles.
Riyyh does like making people happy.
Vee: Thank you, Sectuib Riyyh, for all your help.
Riyyh: It was my pleasure.
Riyyh means it.
Vee hands Riyyh a business card.
Riyyh: I am glad to know Ambrose does have somebody looking after him.
Riyyh accepts the card.
Vee: I am based in Capitol-- V.P., P.I. Inc.
Vee: If you ever require confidential investigation, keep me in mind!
Riyyh: Thank you.
Vee: And thank you again!
Vee stands and leaves briskly, showing a firm pair of buns under the tight red skirt.
Vee closes the door behind her.
Riyyh admires the rear view, and the spirit, as she leaves.
Riyyh smiles fondly, then sighs to himself.
Riyyh: Well, I hope she does find him.
Riyyh returns to his letters and his own tea.
Buggfa is hiding out in a small lesbian cafe after being pestered by Nick for the 3rd time.
Buggfa has gotten a few strange looks, but since he's buying stuff and not bothering anybody, there hasn't been a fuss.
Buggfa's vacation has taken a definite change for the scary since the Rogue Donor began trying to talk him into traveling with him and his channel. All in the interests of "self-improvement", of course.
Buggfa is well aware of what his managers would do to his "self" if they heard he'd even been in contact with Nick, much less went anywhere with him.
Buggfa is counting the hours (56 at this point) until his train ticket becomes valid.
Lalique opens the door to the cafe and peers within the dim interior.
Lalique is a svelte Gen woman of about 30 natal years.
Buggfa is writing a song about being tempted by demons who sincerely believe they are helpful.
Buggfa glances up as Lalique enters, then can't decide whether to be concerned or not.
Lalique wears dark jeans and a formfitting dark angora sweater.
Lalique wears shades and has a floppy wide-brimmed hat that covers her hair.
Buggfa self-consciously covers the lyrics with his hand, as if his own physical appearance wasn't a dead giveaway as to his identity.
Buggfa aside from being the only male in the place, and having had his face plastered all over teenagers' walls from here to Gulf Territory, was in her shiltpron parlor only a few days ago.
Lalique scans the cafe cautiously and spots Buggfa.
Buggfa looks away, a bit too late.
Lalique slinks over to the counter and orders a cappuccino as she appraises the other customers.
Lalique waits for Buggfa to glance back, and then nods at him.
Buggfa wonders what she wants from him.
Buggfa wishes she'd just come over if she's going to.
Buggfa's drummer calls the circling-and-lurking-before-pouncing form of fannish behavior "the shark treatment".
Lalique surveys the establishment again, and then moves to Buggfa's table and slips into a chair.
Lalique: Good to see you once more.
Buggfa: Yeah, thanks for bailing me out that time, I appreciate it.
Buggfa folds up the napkin with the lyrics on it and sticks it in a pocket of his leather jacket.
Lalique: I was sorry we didn't have a chance to talk. But I know how it is. I'll leave, if you'd really rather not be bothered.
Buggfa: Well, hey, I was just kinda sitting here anyway.
Lalique smiles warmly.
Lalique: Do you get mobbed like that all the time?
Buggfa: Yeah, not so much when I'm on vacation like this, though. It's worse when we're official.
Buggfa can pass for an ordinary kid when people's minds aren't on TBT. The problem comes in when he encounters people who have TBT on their mind all the time.
Lalique: I hate to tell you, but if you are trying not to be noticed, this is not the place to do it.
Buggfa smiles reluctantly.
Lalique: You are conspicuously male in here.
Buggfa: I'm avoiding someone.
Lalique: Ahhh.
Buggfa: I knew he wouldn't come in here.
Buggfa actually wouldn't' put it past Nick to follow him in here, but he is hoping Nick would assume Buggfa wouldn't go in here.
Buggfa: Anyway, it doesn't bother me, at least I know no one's going to try to jump my bones.
Buggfa makes a feeble joke.
Lalique laughs.
Lalique: Someone in particular?
Buggfa: One of those guys who was there at the club. I know him from another place, and I don't want to see him.
Lalique: Well, yes, you are pretty safe here... from women.
Lalique: I have been a shiltpron performer since my first year after Establishment.
Lalique: One is always the focus for fantasies.
Lalique: It's part of the job.
Buggfa: I've been a singer since I was seven.
Lalique nods.
Buggfa: I do what they tell me. Usually I'm protected from the worst of it, but then there's the odd times when nobody's around.
Buggfa's mother doesn't seem to comprehend that vacations can be much more stressful than touring, given the right conditions.
Lalique: Where did you study nageric projection?
Buggfa: Oh, well, I had some tutoring, but mostly it just kind of came to me.
Buggfa: I think I was already doing it before I had a real nager. It's part of performing for me.
Lalique: Your music is very powerful.
Buggfa: Thanks.
Buggfa smiles the smile people like to see.
Buggfa doesn't take these sorts of compliments very personally though, because most of the hit songs were vetted by song "doctors" employed by the label, and the image and the packaging was all done by the label as well.
Lalique: But I've always wondered....
Lalique: Your songs show transfer as an agonizing experience . . .
Buggfa: I try to write from life, because it's hard for me to guess what other people's experiences might be. I think the music is more honest that way.
Buggfa: [stock answer]
Buggfa: Some people take that too far and think they should get burned too, but that's not what it's supposed to be about.
Lalique: What is it supposed to be about?
Buggfa: It's just about what happened to me. And sometimes to other people. You have to watch out when people come up to you with stories about how it's safe and everything is OK.
Buggfa: A lot of kids don't know what's up after they've Established. They'll believe anything a good looking renSime says.
Lalique gives Buggfa a wry smile.
Buggfa wonders what's so funny.
Lalique: So you yourself feel no desire for transfer?
Buggfa's eyes widen.
Buggfa: Transfer? No way.
Lalique: Do you understand that your music makes Simes want you, and stimulates their most aggressive reactions?
Buggfa: Yes, that's how they want it. It sells more records.
Buggfa thinks this is just par for the course.
Lalique sighs.
Lalique: Well, I guess it would.
Buggfa has been told what to do by record executives since he was a child, and has always been completely compliant.
Lalique: And no one has ever taught you how to handle a berserking Sime?
Buggfa: Shen, no. That's not my department at all.
Lalique: Is there a department for that? ~~ puzzled ~~
Buggfa's job is to keep the audience from noticing it happened while the security thugs deal with the renSime.
Buggfa: Yeah, there are security guys. They keep an eye out for anybody getting out of hand.
Buggfa: Split up people who start to get too into the transfer songs and stuff.
Lalique shakes her head in amazement.
Lalique: Well, you are living dangerously, my dear.
Buggfa: That is show business, I guess.
Buggfa seems kind of glum.
Lalique: Where I grew up, trained Donors were the only Gens permitted to learn the shiltpron.
Buggfa: Hey, you don't see me touching one of those on stage. I know my limitations.
Buggfa: I let Rocky and Tarzan handle the heavy work.
Lalique: How did you say it... security problems are inevitable.
Lalique: A Gen singing with a shiltpron accompaniment is an even more powerful instrument.
Buggfa: Yeah.
Lalique shrugs.
Lalique: Well, I hope your security staff are well paid.
Buggfa: I can't do it, because of my nerves.
Lalique: Oh? ~~ inquiring ~~
Buggfa: Because of the burn. I don't always know what I'm going to get with the shiltpron unless I keep it really tame.
Lalique nods.
Buggfa: But see, they have it all worked out. With my two buddies accompanying me, I can concentrate on the lyrics.
Buggfa trusts "them" to know what is best.
Buggfa: Anyway, they're really wizards on the shiltpron. They keep up with all the latest techniques and things, I don't think I could have that kind of dedication.
Buggfa isn't obsessive enough for one thing.
Lalique: I really like your music. It's very vital. But I am concerned for you as a person.
Buggfa: You were knocking them dead the other night.
Buggfa changes the subject.
Buggfa: You must be packing some nager.
Lalique smiles.
Lalique: I trained for a while at Logan's Genfarm. You might consider that, if you ever decide to improve your control.
Buggfa is used to people thinking he's in charge of what he does with his career.
Buggfa: Oh yeah? I'll remember that.
Lalique: Knocking them asleep was more like it the other night.
Lalique: Boy the manager was teed off.
Buggfa: Using Nick's nager was a brilliant move, though a bit rash if you ask me. Not every audience will tolerate that treatment.
Buggfa: Not that I don't appreciate what it did for me, mind you.
Lalique: Well, I didn't expect to have help, but I certainly know how to improvise.
Buggfa: That's cool.
Lalique: That Gen could certainly ripple the ambient.
Buggfa: He's a Donor.
Buggfa: I saw him last year hanging out with a Farris.
Buggfa prudently leaves out several details.
Lalique: The way he was protecting the Sectuib, I thought he might be a Companion at Naros, but Riyyh said he is not a member?
Buggfa tries to think back.
Buggfa: No, I didn't think he is.
Buggfa: He's more of a loose cannon if you know what I mean.
Lalique: And you said something about two screaming women?
Buggfa: I don't associate with that type if I can help it. [adds quickly]
Lalique smiles smokily.
Lalique: No you prefer to associate with pain-nager maddened renSimes.
Buggfa: No, I don't.
Buggfa wonders why nobody can believe that a rock star can be just a normal guy who wants a normal donation and doesn't want to jump in bed with just anybody.
Lalique: Ah, yes, your security team does the associating.
Lalique: And why can't they deal with this -- person -- you are hiding from in here?
Buggfa: Because I'm on vacation and they aren't around.
Buggfa: Anyway, it isn't a security issue, it's a publicity issue.
Buggfa: I don't need rogues chasing me, it looks really bad.
Lalique: Publicity issue?
Buggfa: People keep thinking because I let myself get talked into something once, that I must be sympathetic to those rogues who burn kids for money. I'm not like that at all. And the label frowns on that kind of image.
Buggfa: And this Nick guy, he actually used to hang with one of those rogues who really did that stuff. So he's a double no-no.
Lalique: Why would a Donor chase you?
Buggfa sighs.
Buggfa: He wants me to go with them.
Lalique: With Sectuib Naros?
Buggfa: He wants me for a project for his new channel to work on. Yeah, that's the guy.
Lalique: Well, surely the Sectuib of such a venerable House is no rogue.
Buggfa: Well, yeah, but....
Buggfa: I don't know, I don't have access to anybody to ask about this.
Buggfa: I can't just run off and do crazy stuff.
Buggfa: And besides, a stint in rehab isn't exactly my idea of vacation.
Lalique: Rehab?
Buggfa: Well, that's what they want to do. Make it so I can donate without pain and fear.
Lalique: And you don't want that?
Buggfa: I can't just run off with these two guys!
Buggfa can't understand why nobody can see this.
Buggfa: I mean, in a Tecton Sime Center, on a regular schedule, I could understand.
Lalique: The Sectuib of a House is not a... guy.
Buggfa: Well, he's a famous guy. But I mean, it has to be more formal than this.
Lalique: Why would you think the Sectuib of a House would be less trustworthy than a duty channel in a Sime Center?
Buggfa: My label will freak if they know that Nick Reckage character has anything to do with it. He's infamous, he's even been in the paper for running off from the Tecton.
Buggfa: And hanging out with that Snake woman.
Lalique: Ahh... the publicity thing.
Lalique: Yes, I have heard about the incident.
Buggfa: Publicity is important.
Buggfa can say this with complete sincerity, since it's run his life for 10 years.
Lalique: And Naros is protecting Nick? Sectuib said Nick was his son.
Lalique: ~~ light dawns ~~
Buggfa: And his grandson as well. And if you think that's amazing, you should have seen his grandmother. The old bat was a menace.
Buggfa: Remember the two crazy women? Snake, and Nick's grandmother Prunida.
Buggfa shudders.
Buggfa: No thank you. I am staying far away.
Lalique: ~~ thinking frantically there must be an angle here that I can make use of, if I can figure it out ~~
Lalique: And Snake... she was the Farris that you spoke of?
Buggfa: Yeah.
Buggfa rubs his forearms.
Lalique: Isn't she still in custody?
Buggfa: Shen, I hope so.
Buggfa: What it was like to be in her hands, knowing what she did to all those poor kids....
Buggfa actually wrote a song about it, called "in the clutches of the beast", but was not permitted to use it.
Buggfa's label had hush hushed the whole mountain village thing.
Lalique: Did she hurt you?
Lalique: ~~ the hush-hush job was effective; has heard not a hint of this story ~~
Buggfa: No.
Buggfa: But if I'd had any other choice, I'd have donated somewhere else, and that is the truth.
Lalique nods.
Buggfa had done a lot of other things he didn't like too, like play Logan classics. Buggfa doesn't mention that since Lalique is obviously a fan.
Lalique: I can understand you're not wanting to associate with rogues.
Lalique: But I think rehab is a good idea.
Buggfa: Yeah, me too. In the right place at the right time.
Buggfa: This doesn't seem like either one, to me, and I can't get ahold of anybody else to find out.
Buggfa: So I'm sticking to my itinerary so everybody knows where I am.
Lalique: I know Householdings and I know shiltpron performing.
Lalique: A star like you can do anything you like . . .
Lalique: But it's dangerous for you to perform the way you do without the slightest conscious nageric control.
Lalique: That's a lot more dangerous than any kind of rehab.
Lalique: Someday you'll get caught without your Security squad and some berserker will finish the job.
Lalique: Just some advice from someone who's been around the block a time or two.
Lalique shrugs.
Buggfa stares at Lalique.
Lalique: It's your life, of course.
Buggfa: Yeah, I guess it is.
Buggfa thinks Lalique can't know how it really is.
Buggfa: Well, thanks for the advice.
Lalique smiles.
Lalique: Well, listen to me preaching.
Lalique: I must be getting old and gray!
Lalique looks around.
Buggfa is glad she didn't decide to give him the details of the times she went around the block, as he has quite enough on his mind as it is.
Lalique can pick up on the non-verbals very well.
Lalique: Well, thank you for satisfying my curiosity.
Buggfa: No problem. Thanks for helping me out.
Lalique: Forgive the mother hen act. If you want to jam while your in town, or just talk or have a good time, look me up!
Buggfa smiles a little more genuinely.
Buggfa: Thanks.
Buggfa: Maybe I will.
Lalique scans the cafe again. Her connection hasn't showed.
Lalique: Good meeting you! Take care.
Lalique puts her dark glasses back on and leaves the cafe.
Buggfa sits there trying to decide if having nobody official to tell him what to do is the best part, or the worst part, of being on vacation.
Buggfa fishes the napkin back out of his pocket and inspects it for available space for more writing.