Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Snake River Dam Scenario
Episode #45: Stranger Things Have Happened (9/25/00)
see note 2
Nick: It's hardly surprising that his main goal in life is to protect the only social institution that has ever exerted itself on his behalf.
Nick is aware that much of said exertion has been ill-conceived, half hearted, or both, but that doesn't change Arat's perception of it.
Wise Snake shrugs.
Wise Snake: Maybe it isn't.
Wise Snake supposes Nick is right, although it must have sent the Tecton bureaucratic types into a frenzy of speculation when Snake was first identified as Arat's daughter.
Nick: Snake, he's your father. And however inadequate a father he might be, he does feel a certain responsibility towards you.
Nick: A responsibility to give you a chance at the one good thing in his own life--and a responsibility to make sure that you do no harm to it.
Wise Snake: The Tecton doesn't have to worry about me.
Nick: Doesn't it?
Wise Snake: No.
Wise Snake thinks Nick should know that after all this time.
Wise Snake doesn't find it a terribly big deal that he doesn't though.
Nick: It should simply write off having one of its more competent channels poisoned?
Nick is well aware, after his time in Capitol, of just how rare competent channels are, in the Tecton.
Wise Snake: Shouldn't it? [curiously]
Wise Snake: It writes off plenty of other things.
Nick: If you had attacked him, as you did before, they'd probably have overlooked it. But arranging for a rather nasty poison to be shipped in, and then adulterating his tea with it, shows a bit more premeditation than they could dismiss.
Wise Snake: So does what Neptude's done to him. [points out]
Nick: You know very well that Neptude hasn't got the brains to plan anything half as damaging as making Arat train Pylor proved.
Nick: And Pylor might well have made it and become useful, if you hadn't meddled.
Wise Snake looks skeptical.
Wise Snake: Might have.
Nick: With your meddling, neither one of them had a chance to succeed.
Wise Snake is of the opinion that Pylor would have gone on the way he was for a long time, and that Nick agreed with her fully at the time, and is only whining about it in hindsight.
Wise Snake: Is that your new party line? [somewhat disgustedly]
Wise Snake: You can't even be true to yourself.
Nick: Why, Snake? There's so much you could build. Why have you chosen to destroy instead?
Wise Snake blinks at this uncharacteristic display of melodrama.
Wise Snake: Why indeed? [rhetorically]
Wise Snake walks off into the woods, to take care of some other business.
Nick looks after her for a moment, then adjusts his scarf and heads for Arat's office.
Jeniard: Don't... here, let me hold that.
Jeniard plucks the pen out of Arat's hand, and pushes the fruit plate more squarely in front of him.
Jeniard places the pen in his pocket, and resumes what he'd been doing: rebraiding the end of Arat's braid, which had somehow come loose.
Arat is more than a little annoyed by Jeniard taking his pen when he is trying to work.
Arat presses his lips together for a moment, until the urge to snap at his "assistant" becomes controllable.
Arat then zlins about for a replacement pen within arm's reach.
Nick pauses to remove as much mud as possible from his boots before entering Arat's office.
Nick is well aware that dried mud becomes dust, which in turn means an even higher than normal fatality rate among Arat's handkerchiefs.
Nick opens the door without signaling, as is his prerogative as Arat's Donor, knowing that the door is not insulated enough to prevent Arat from knowing he's there anyway.
Jeniard: You should eat your apples. There are starving children out in the camps who would give their right eye for those.
Arat stiffens, as he realizes Nick would have heard that.
Arat wishes Jeniard would shut up.
Jeniard: Ooh, you're so tense. [drops the braid and begins to knead Arat's shoulders. He knows Nick is there, he just doesn't mind.]
Jeniard: Hi Nick.
Nick glances at the apples as he removes hat and scarf, thinking that Arat and Snake have much more in common than either would ever dream of admitting.
Nick: Hello, Jeniard. Arat.
Nick removes his coat, and retrieves the packet of adulterated #3.
Nick discreetly moves to the tea table.
Nick: Tea, Jeniard?
Jeniard: Thank you, Nick.
Nick starts measuring out Lilac Passion for himself and Jeniard, and a conservative dose of the adulterated #3 for Arat.
Arat wants to ask something like "how was she?" but can't think of any way to do it that isn't ridiculous.
Nick pours water, then hands one of the aromatic mugs to Jeniard.
Nick: Here you are.
Nick sets the #3 in front of Arat.
Nick: This is a new batch, apparently. I made it a bit weak, just in case the dosage is off a bit.
Nick doesn't add, and in case it's been adulterated with something that isn't Farris-safe.
Nick: Let me know if you require more, before the usual time.
Arat grimaces, but nods.
Arat: Very well.
Nick is being as matter-of-fact about the whole matter as he can, which isn't as much as he would prefer.
Nick retrieves his own tea and sits near Arat's desk, trying to offer what ~~ comfort ~~ he can.
Nick: Snake seemed... almost herself, today. Not so intent on vengeance.
Arat picks it up and takes a cautious sip. It tastes much like it has in the past, that is to say not quite like normal #3.
Nick wonders if she has been keeping too busy to indulge in her usual array of recreational pharmaceuticals.
Jeniard pauses a moment in his shoulder-kneading, so he doesn't make Arat spill tea down his chin.
Jeniard has a vested interest in Arat's mood not getting any worse - as does everybody else who will have to deal with him today.
Jeniard looks down and notices that the half-rebraided braid is slowly unmaking itself, the springy Farris hair refusing to remain neatly arranged without a binder there to enforce the exercise.
Jeniard catches it before it can unwind any farther, and starts methodically cinching it up again.
Nick is aware that Snake has already managed to get a revenge on Arat that will last the rest of his life.
Arat: Did she?
Arat frowns thoughtfully.
Arat slips a sliver of apple off the plate with a pair of dorsals, mainly because he thinks neither Nick or Jeniard is paying any attention.
Nick: That's how it seemed to me. I've misjudged her before, though.
Arat glances at Nick.
Arat finds Nick's phrasing curious, but doesn't know how to interpret it.
Arat zlins him thoughtfully, while ingesting half a slice of apple.
Arat: [don't try this at home.]
Nick is (to Farris laterals, at least) feeling the same ~~ guilt ~~ that he has every time he has to contemplate Arat's situation.
Nick realizes what Arat is doing, and gets ahold of himself, well aware that guilt will solve nothing and make Arat miserable.
Arat: As have I.
Nick smiles wryly.
Arat isn't exactly the best person for assuaging a person's feelings of guilt; as far as he is concerned, his admission of having done it himself should be more than enough for Nick, since everybody (including Nick) ought to know that Arat is nearly infallible.
Nick: She did say that the Tecton has nothing to fear from her.
Nick: I think she even meant it. At least for now.
Arat thinks that could be interpreted a number of different ways. For example, it could mean that she meant no harm -- or it could mean that she meant to do her worst, but didn't expect to make much impression above the Regional Controller level.
Arat zlins Nick for his feelings about Snake.
Nick's feelings about Snake are a decidedly mixed muddle of ~~ personal failure combined with the numbness of loss ~~
Nick looks around the room for a distraction, and his eyes light on the cap and scarf.
Nick's nager ~~ warms ~~ at the sight.
Arat shakes himself, as Nick's shift of attention snaps him out of his stare.
Arat realizes he is holding half a slice of apple to his lips.
Arat replaces it on the plate, and resumes looking for a pen, a bit self-consciously.
Jeniard: I'm so glad you like them, Nick.
Jeniard is wrangling the end of the braid. There is definitely a trick to making it neat.
Jeniard is so glad Nick doesn't prefer his headgear as tight as his pants!
Jeniard thinks Arat would throw himself off of a cliff after weeks of working with a Donor with a head ache and constricted breathing.
Nick smiles.
Arat: You know, I heard a very odd rumor today. [conversationally]
Nick looks at Arat inquiringly.
Arat hopes neither of them can confirm this.
Jeniard: If it's the one about me and that hunky military commander, I plead the 5th!
Jeniard winks at Nick.
Nick chuckles.
Arat presses his fingers briefly to his forehead.
Arat: These rumors concerned the possibility of a Narosian outreach program... here?
Nick looks surprised.
Nick: Where did you hear that?
Arat looks pained.
Nick's surprise is more at Arat's hearing about it, than at the possibility of such a program.
Arat: An aid worker told Mepig in the remote temporary SC site. When she was making her report. She mentioned it casually, and he asked her for more information.
Arat: Reportedly Riyyh has sent a number of inquiries to the members of various organizations, in an attempt to find out what sort of aid is required most.
Arat: It is not clear whether such a program is under serious consideration or not.
Nick sips his tea thoughtfully.
Arat thinks it is also not clear whether this 4th-party story has been badly distorted on its path to his ears.
Nick: Riyyh has been concerned about conditions up here.
Nick: And in his last letter, he did mention that he hoped to see me before too much longer.
Nick: I didn't think that he meant that literally, at the time, but....
Nick starts to think through the implications.
Arat's expression and nager grow stormy as he thinks through the implications.
Arat: I see.
Jeniard pats the completed braid down on Arat's back and then studiously takes his empty tea cup to the tea area.
Jeniard always becomes studious and quiet when Riyyh is mentioned.
Nick: Perhaps I should write him? Describe the lack of amenities, the primitive accommodations, the fact that mules must be used instead of horses?
Nick has traveled with Riyyh before, and knows how much he hates even the sort of travel that involves luxury hotels and Vanity.
Arat: It would seem the most prudent and... kindest... course of action.
Arat wants to know why, after taking his job (albeit without having planned to) Riyyh is now coming to torment him here of all places.
Arat isn't the type to enjoy watching another suffer enough to want to suffer Riyyh's presence in order to do so.
Arat can just imagine it. No, he refuses to.
Arat presses his fingers to the bridge of his nose, the headache coming back at double-strength.
Arat: Certainly he will not come in person. [rationalizes]
Nick sips his Lilac Passion again; somehow, it helps him anticipate how Riyyh will respond.
Arat: He will no doubt send lesser members of his House, perhaps those who have caused trouble in other locations.
Arat is well aware of how Naros picks remote program people; he had to put up with a bunch of them in Capitol.
Nick doesn't share Arat's dislike of Riyyh, and thus is able to be a bit more objective.
Nick being second-generation "related" doesn't hurt, either.
Nick: Riyyh only agreed to stay in Capitol until harvest.
Nick: And when the harvest season is over at Naros, he will probably start traveling to the outreach programs, again.
Nick: It's the only way he can give Anmyn the space she requires to grow into her position as his heir.
Arat: This site may be inaccessible once winter sets in.
Nick: There is that.
Arat had had only negative worries about that before.
Nick makes a note to mention early winters in his letter to Riyyh.
Jeniard: More tea, Nick?
Nick: And bringing in any extra people will be a strain on limited resources.
Jeniard holds up the jar of Lilac Passion.
Jeniard: We're almost out. [apologizes]
Nick smiles and holds out his mug to Jeniard.
Jeniard takes the mug.
Nick: If I'm writing Riyyh anyway, I might as well ask him to send some more tea.
Nick hadn't been counting on having his private tea stash becoming the general supply, but nobody seems very interested in drinking #3 recently.
Jeniard: Great!
Nick: There are probably several new flavors by now.
Jeniard notices Arat's flash of irritation and becomes more subdued.
Jeniard: Er... yeah.
Jeniard hands Nick's mug back, refilled, with an apologetic little smile.
Nick's own lips quirk upwards as he takes the cup, admitting his share of responsibility for Arat's irritation.
Nick supplements his usual support with a bit of the ~~ warm contentment ~~ that comes from being inside, reasonably warm and dry, sipping a hot drink, when it's chilly and muddy outside.
Arat picks up his own tea in response.
Arat can't quite be contented while sipping it, though; something to do with the ingredients.
Nick takes a closer look at Jeniard and blinks.
Nick: What's that on your pocket?
Jeniard looks down.
Jeniard: Oh, shen!
Jeniard plucks the pen out of his pocket, then inspects the ink stain ruefully.
Arat holds out his hand for the pen, his sense of humor clearly not engaged.
Arat's attitude appears to be one of "you shouldn't have taken it in the first place, now give it here."
Jeniard wipes the pen off on a napkin and brings it to Arat, somewhat contritely.
Jeniard: ["somewhat" only, however]
Jeniard sighs and thinks, well at least he had a bite!
Nick looks at the plate of apple a bit wistfully.
Nick knows better than to eat any of it, however, at least until Jeniard has given up on getting it down Arat.
see note 1
Edka is waiting for Jeniard as the channel leaves the improvised Tecton administrative center.
Edka: Jeniard, have you got a moment?
Jeniard looks at Edka, startled.
Jeniard: Sure.
Jeniard hadn't minded the first few approaches, but is starting to wonder if Edka is taking too much of his time.
Jeniard wouldn't want there to be any Aratly backlash.
Edka is a bit more ~~ serious ~~ than curious, today.
Edka: My crew has a supply problem that you might be able to help us with.
Edka falls into step beside Jeniard.
Jeniard: It has?
Jeniard: I mean, I might?
Edka: I hope you can.
Edka: We had a small problem with the tent that houses our less dangerous supplies.
Edka: Nothing sinister--a branch fell and tore the roof.
Jeniard wonders what this has to do with him, even as he listens attentively with his hands pressed together solicitously.
Jeniard has a lot of practice at this combination, having lived with Arat for some 20 years.
Edka: But the leak wasn't discovered until this morning, and by then some of our supplies were wet.
Edka: Most of it will dry out in time, at least well enough to use.
Edka: But to blast safely, the cotton we use on the fuses must be perfectly dry.
Edka: Surely in all the medical supplies that are being shipped up here, there is at least some dry cotton?
Edka: For swabbing injuries, if nothing else?
Jeniard looks scandalized.
Jeniard: You want sterile medical supplies to use as construction materials?
Jeniard can't believe his ears.
Jeniard: But, can't you dry it over a fire or some such?
Edka: That's risky; it's hard to get it to dry evenly.
Edka: And if some charges go off, while others don't, it's much more difficult to keep the blasts going smoothly.
Edka: More dangerous, too.
Jeniard: And you suppose that giving you all of our medical supplies will cause fewer injuries??
Edka realizes that there has been a major misunderstanding.
Edka: Not all, by any means. All we require is one box of dry cotton swabs, to keep us working safely until our next batch of supplies arrives.
Edka: We can even let you have our dampened box in exchange--they'll be good enough for some of your uses, even if they aren't dry enough for us.
Jeniard: ~~flabbergasted~~
Jeniard: You want us to give you sterile hospital cotton swabs to use for blowing things up, while we use damp, contaminated industrial grade swabs for caring for the injured construction workers???
Jeniard is glad Edka didn't approach Arat about this.
Edka: If you don't have a use for them, we can find somewhere else to get rid of them. What's important is not having the blasting stop for a week, while we wait for dry cotton to be shipped in.
Edka: That would not please Mr. Birch.
Jeniard: But supplies are short enough as it is!
Edka: Would giving us one crate of dry swabs really cost more lives than a blasting accident or three?
Edka: Because using wet cotton will cost lives, Hajene.
Edka may not know much about hospital-grade sterility, but he does know how nasty explosives can get, when they go off in an unplanned fashion.
Jeniard wonders what kind of idiot would go on with the blasting even if he didn't think it was safe.
Jeniard also notices that the request has been upped from a box to a crate.
Jeniard puts his hands on his hips and glares at Edka.
Jeniard: Well, I'll see what we can do. But only if they can really be spared.
Edka: I appreciate that.
Edka hadn't expected quite so vigorous a protest to his request.
Jeniard turns and hurries off, before any additional requests can be composed.
Notes:
1) A short time passes between these two scenes. [return]
2) This scene is a continuation from the previous episode. [return]
Go on to Episode #46: In Through the Outdoors
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