The District Controller's Office story really begins with Householding Naros Episode #115, when Riyyh first receives a letter from Darrel. See also the episodes regarding Darrel's first days at Naros: #121, #122, #123, #124, and #125.

Episode #1: Lucky Lackey (3/8/99) (Householding Naros #126) Sosu Mulla arrives at Naros, sent by the District Controller's Office to find out what the Narosians know about Darrel. She is astonished to discover that Darrel is actually there. She is also pleasantly surprised at how cooperative Riyyh seems to be.

Episode #2: Got Honey? (3/9/99) (Householding Naros #127) Morning finds Mulla and Riyyh discussing Darrel... in bed. They are interrupted, however, when Veschapo and Turros barge in and continue a blistering argument on the subject of who's in charge on the farm.

Episode #3: Summary of Errors (3/11/99) Sosu Mulla returns and gives her report to Controller Arat. Arat is not at all impressed by her handling of the situation. Later, Mulla and Arat's assistant Jeniard compare notes on Naros and Riyyh, and Mulla realizes she's been had. So to speak.

Episode #4: Tiarala (3/12/99) (Householding Naros #130) Coadly, Mulla's supervisor, has a brief meeting with Arat. Meanwhile, Tiarala ambrov Imil has arrived at Naros, ahead of a channel collection team coming to pick up Darrel. Tiarala knows exactly how to handle Riyyh, although even she can't get him to sign certain forms.

Episode #5: Form Follows Fashion? (3/14/99) (Householding Naros #131) Tiarala still hasn't managed to get Riyyh to give her a selyn usage report for Naros, but she does find another use for him. District Controller Arat interviews a very nervous Darrel.

Episode #6: Personnel Miner (3/15/99) Darrel feels cautiously optimistic after meeting his new Donor, Lemuse. Ekwoo Domle from the Tecton's Diplomatic Office makes unreasonable demands of Arat, which do not bring about the desired response. Arat's Donor Beni tries to get him to relax afterward, also with little luck.

Episode #7: You Blow my Mind, Baby (3/18/99) Darrel and Lemuse share transfer. An old friend of Jeniard's, Vannial, unexpectedly comes to visit. Arat isn't sure what to make of him.

Episode #8: Up-Suckery (3/19/99) Vannial, Jeniard, Arat and Beni do lunch in the Executive Lounge.

Episode #9: Magic Armor (3/21/99) Beni tries a radical Donoring technique: doing what Arat wants whether he wants it or not. Darrel and Lemuse have a meeting with Arat. Darrel is scared out of his wits but Lemuse thinks it went well. Then again, she would.

Episode #10: Day of Breakthroughs (3/22/99) Jeniard wakes Beni in the middle of the night to find out what he did to offend Arat. The trouble is, Beni has no idea. The next morning, a triumphant Tiarala returns from Naros, having accomplished all of her assigned goals. Beni's strategy of withholding unrequested support finally pays off when Arat breaks first and admits he needs help. They come to what will hopefully be a working compromise for the future.

Episode #11: Shades of Brown (3/23/99) Lemuse surprises Darrel by redecorating his bedroom more to his... tastes. Arat gets his ass chewed by Regional Controller Neptude for not having handled Ekwoo Domle better.

Episode #12: Birds (3/26/99) Arat, incensed when Naros fails to communicate regarding erroneous information on their selyn usage form, resorts to sending his own Donor to investigate. Beni doesn't like it, but reluctantly obeys. Darrel meets Sosu Mileay, who is a First Order Donor but sure doesn't seem like one. Darrel takes time during his break to make some preparations for telling stories to the children in the burn ward. Fortunately he doesn't get caught! Well, mostly he doesn't get caught.

Episode #13: The Message Trap (3/30/99) Sosu Beni arrives in Naros, determined to get a selyn usage form properly filled out by Riyyh.

Episode #14: Mind Control (4/1/99) Beni returns from Naros, victorious. If he had expected praise from Arat, he probably shouldn't have still smelled like Riyyh's massage oil. Darrel is interviewed by Dr. Chleed, an Out-Territory psychologist. She is perplexed by his reaction to, among other things, a small picture of a garden. Ekwoo Domle of the Diplomatic Corps gets his revenge when Arat is forced to be nice to Dr. Roosle, another Out-Territory psychologist... but Arat finds a way to turn the situation to his advantage.

Episode #15: The Truth Comes Out (4/3/99) Arat admits he sent Beni away so Regional Controller Neptude wouldn't get a chance to talk to him.

Episode #16: Special Requests (4/6/99) Ekwoo Domle tries to play hardball with Arat Farris and discovers he isn't ready for the majors yet.

Episode #17: Neptude (4/9/99) Beni comforts Arat as it becomes clear that Neptude's reassignment of Jeniard has been hard on the channel. Neptude receives Arat's letters demanding and begging for Jeniard's return, and is not particularly impressed. Tuib Hamish of the Diplomatic Wing arrives to berate Neptude for Arat's handling of Ekwoo Domle and diversion of Dr. Roosle, but ends up leaving in a hurry when the subject of Dr. Roosle's being allowed into Sime Territory high field comes up.

Episode #18: Primal Dance (4/13/99) Arat receives bad news about who he's been assigned to for transfer: Sosu Pylor. But before the bad news arrives in person, Prunida barges into Arat's office carrying a semi-conscious Nick Reckage. She says that Wise Snake is dead and demands a reward for turning Nick in. Controller Seruffin decides that the best way to convince Nick that the Tecton is the new life for him is to reassign Arat to him.

Episode #19: Shackled to the Prisoner (4/14/99) Arat and Nick enjoy an excellent transfer, after which Arat, to Nick's surprise, crashes out. The next day, Controller Seruffin grills Arat as to how it went. It's Arat's turn to be surprised when Seruffin decides to assign him to Nick long-term.

Episode #20: Pseudosignments (4/20/99) Regional Controller Neptude brings Jeniard back to assist Arat in his administrative duties while he's tied up rehabilitating Nick Reckage. Arat, who has been working with Nick a little bit without letting on they are officially assigned, asks if the Donor is willing to assist him with more difficult work.

Episode #21: Loose Lips (4/26/99) Nick boggles when he learns that he is actually getting paid for his time and selyn. Controller Seruffin comes by to zlin Nick for himself, and accidentally spills the beans regarding the Tecton's recruitment effort.

Episode #22: The Honeymoon (4/27/99) Nick takes advantage of an unguarded moment to leave the building and go shopping for some clothes, causing a number of people to freak out. Afterward, he tries to reassure Arat that he is seriously considering a Tecton pledge.

Episode #23: Hoi Polloi (4/29/99) Nick talks Arat into taking an actual walk, which means going outside of the building. Arat becomes increasingly stressed, while Nick feels more relaxed than he has in a while.

Episode #24: Invitation to Exhibition (5/16/99) Encouraged by signs of civilization in Nick, Controller Neptude asks Arat to bring Nick to an important social function so curious muckety-mucks can ogle and zlin. Arat, who hadn't planned on Nick's debut coming quite so soon, assesses the Donor's current state of mind and realizes there will be a lot of work involved in preparing the him for the occasion.

Episode #25: Noblesse Oblige, Part I (5/18/99) In an attempt to illustrate to Nick what a high order Donor's proper role in society is, Arat coaxes Darrel into divulging his views on leadership.

Episode #26: Noblesse Oblige, Part II (5/20/99) After hearing the rest of Arat's interview of Darrel, Nick is still not convinced. However, he agrees to give high society a try anyway.

Episode #27: Quasi-Uncle (5/23/99) After dressing Nick suitably, Arat takes him outdoors(!) to attempt to find him a place to live that they will both find acceptable.

Episode #28: Shabby  (5/24/99) In a continuation of the previous episode, Nick gets his hair cut and is outraged by the results. Then he and Arat look at two apartments for rent. Arat ixnays the first one but approves of the second one, a Victorian owned by an old lady named Gracilla.

Episode #29: The Exclusive (5/25/99) Controllers Neptude and Arat discuss Nick's future, as Jeniard looks on cynically. Nick's beloved pair of super tight pants disappear, causing him (indirectly) great loneliness. Later, Nick discusses Arat with Jeniard. Jeniard is appalled when he learns that Nick is still not planning to pledge.

Episode #30: Cinder-Reckage at the Ball (5/28/99) (Householding Naros #137) Nick is terrified by his first posh soirée.

Episode #31: The International Language of Being Scared Silly (5/31/99) (Householding Naros #138) Darrel tells Riyyh how the Tecton has been treating him lately, as they dine in a Capital cafe. Nick arrives unexpectedly and has a chat with Riyyh, making Darrel very nervous. Then Arat arrives looking for Nick, and Darrel becomes very nervous indeed.

Episode #32: Heads Up (6/1/922) Arat and Nick discuss Arat's difficulty with Donors, and how much Nick is expected to know about Deah before arriving in New Othwol.

Episode #33: Unannounced Visitations (6/3/99) Nick is cornered by Capitol Mayor Osca, who wants his assistance in curbing the excesses of the Narosian outreach programs. Later, Nick persuades Arat to pay a call on his landlady.

Episode #34: Serpent in the Garden (6/7/99) The unexpected reappearance of Snake Farris, who had been thought dead, causes great mental anguish for Nick, who is not allowed to serve her transfer, and even greater physical anguish for Arat, who is.

Episode #35: Uncertain Reunion (6/8/99) Nick is allowed a brief visit with the imprisoned Snake. It satisfies nobody, particularly not Arat.

Episode #36: Kite Therapy (6/10/99) Arat's plan to improve Nick's mood before transfer with a walk in the park becomes complicated by Nick's purchase of a kite. Nick persuades Arat to take transfer in a secluded area of the park instead of returning to the Sime Center.

Episode #37: Family History (6/11/99) Beni questions Snake on her family background, and discovers more juicy gossip than he'd ever dreamed.

Episode #38: Fruit of the Grapevine (6/14/99) Gossip is rife across the Territory as New Othwol digests Nick's arrival to serve Deah, while Jeniard confirms that Arat might be Snake's father.

Episode #39: Fire Fighters (6/15/99) Arat interviews Linn Haskins, who learns she is to be put on probation but allowed to leave and find work and housing in the city. Pylor thinks she seems a less dangerous sort of rogue than some of the others. Nick Reckage begins his first day on the job as Deah's Donor, and is flabbergasted when she hardly seems to require his services at all.

Episode #40: A Little Gossip, A Little Chat (6/17/99) Rumors of Snake's alleged parentage are discussed eagerly by Tiarala and Hero, Nick and Deah, and even Neptude, who drops by Arat's office to investigate.

Episode #41: Inconvenient Relatives (6/18/99) Arat copes with the family lawyer, an enraged Prunida, and a lost toddler.

Episode #42: First Order Donor (not) Wanted (6/21/99) Beni slips away from Snake to check on Arat. Arat is desperately grateful for his attentions, which doesn't say much for how well he's been doing under Pylor's care. Later, Darrel meets with Arat for a discussion of his rehabilitation and his readiness for regular assignment.

Episode #43: Difficult Visits (6/23/99) Arat fends off an overzealous messenger delivering letters from Nick, then pays a long-dreaded personal visit to Snake. He is unable to collapse afterwards due to an unscheduled interrogation by Assistant World Controller Seruffin.

Episode #44: Stoats (6/24/99) Riyyh tries to show Prunida the basics of kindness and honesty, in hopes of assisting her to win Nick's friendship. Arat pays a late-night visit to Pylor, who fumbles through getting his assigned channel to sleep.

Episode #45: Magical Styles (6/28/99) An unwelcome visit from Arat's daughter Clerfia distracts Arat enough that he allows the out-Territory psychologist Dr. Roosle to interview Snake for his book on Sime "magic".

Episode #46: Sisterhood (7/1/99) Arat's daughter Clerfia manages to fulfil her quest for a sister by winning permission to visit Snake.

Episode #47: Yes Comment (7/4/99) Pylor decides to vent his spleen to a reporter, on the subject of whether rogues should be rehabilitated. Afterward he returns to Arat's office where he makes a decision to file a formal request for reassignment.

Episode #48: Bad News (7/5/99) Pylor's indiscreet revelations to the reporter from the tabloid COMMENT make headline news, and Neptude comes to Arat for answers.

Episode #49: Morale Improvement (7/15/99) Josette of the dreaded Employee Morale Division interviews the embittered Pylor to determine what is required to make him a productive Tecton employee, and reports her recommendations to Arat, Seruffin, and Neptude.

Episode #50: Administrative Aide (7/16/99) Devera arrives to take up a position as Arat's administrative aide, but no one appears to know that the job existed.

Episode #51: Change of Plans (7/17/99) Pylor proves too depressed and listless for Arat to tolerate his presence, forcing Arat to rethink his Pylor-rehabilitation scheme.

Episode #52: Donor-free and Happy (7/19/99) Hajene Darrel braves his Controller's office to put in a good word on Pylor's behalf. Beni also pays a visit, ostensibly to discuss Snake's rehabilitation but really to check on Arat. Linn arrives for her monthly parole interview and Arat suggests that she consider entering into Donor training as an alternative to teaching.

Episode #53: Unwelcome Confrontations (7/22/99) Arat finally meets Devera, his new administrative assistant, but is still unsure who sent her. Nick's meeting with the newly reformed (?) Prunida is equally tense, despite Deah's presence.

Episode #54: Bread & Cheese with Prunes (7/25/99) Nick unwillingly visits his grandmother. Even with Deah along for moral support, it's tense.

Episode #55: Fathers of Rogues (7/26/99) (Householding Naros #142) Riyyh has lunch with Darrel and Pylor. The conversation naturally turns to Arat, Snake and Nick.

Episode #56: Sectuibly Advice (7/30/99) (Householding Naros #143) Stranded in Capital once more, Riyyh counsels Linn on her career options.

Episode #57: Snake's Apple Tart (7/31/99) Linn pays a visit to Arat and tells him that she has decided to undergo formal Donor training. She's less interested in actually getting the training than she is in getting close enough to help Wise Snake. Beni probes Arat as to what he plans in the way of social contact for Snake.

Episode #58: Born to Rule (8/1/99) A peek into one of Pylor's sessions with a Morale Division counselor.

Episode #59: Pretzel Scheduling (8/2/99) Faced with less than a week until his own transfer and with no Donor of his own, Arat reassigns Darrel to Hero and takes Pylor for himself. Neither Darrel or Pylor dares object. He also introduces Pylor to the channel he'll be assigned to the next month, Brendalee. Neither Pylor or Brendalee is impressed.

Episode #60: Seeking Stable Relationship (8/3/99) With the assistance of Pylor and Terski, Arat tests Linn to determine how much training she's already received. Darrel nervously goes to meet his new Donor, Hero.

Episode #61: Servitude (8/5/99) Arat and Pylor miraculously get through a transfer without anyone getting hurt. Pylor is disappointed when Arat doesn't come out of it post. Jeniard is disgusted by Pylor's attitude.

Episode #62: Cornered (8/9/99) Wise Snake escapes confinement and has a little fun with Pylor.

Episode #63: Glee (8/12/99) Nick Reckage finally returns to Capital after two months in New Othwol and a brief visit to Naros. His initial concern for Arat is replaced by enthusiasm when he learns he is to be assigned to Wise Snake this month. Beni can't help but think the assignment is a bad idea.

Episode #64: Checkup (8/29/99) Nick takes advantage of a brief break from working with Snake and checks up on Arat.

Episode #65: The Scent of Melting Fur (8/30/99) Darrel is summoned to his Controller's office following an incident involving an autoclave.

Episode #66: Angel in Black and Blue (9/1/99) Riyyh wakes up amidst the wreckage of what must have been a heck of a party. Nick asks Wise Snake what she wants to be when she grows up. Pylor is called to Arat's office because of some concerns about his progress with Brendalee. Naturally, the conversation does not go well. Later, Alea Farris ambrov Zeor arrives and says she has been assigned to the 53rd District. Arat is completely flummoxed... but in a good way.

Episode #67: Loaded Gens (9/3/99) (Householding Naros #154) Linn runs into Riyyh and updates him on her progress as a new Donor Trainee. Assistant World Controller Seruffin calls a meeting with Neptude and Arat. Jeniard and Alea come along with Arat, and duke it out silently while the four of them have a conversation about Nick.

Episode #68: The Farris Factor (9/4/99) Beni learns to his disappointment that he is being replaced as Arat's Donor by Alea Farris. Nick pays a late night visit to Arat in order to express his concerns about Alea's reliability. The conversation turns to Arat's family history and Wise Snake's future.

Episode #69: Trolling (9/5/99) (Householding Naros #155) Sosu Beni runs into Sectuib Riyyh on the street, and they discuss Mayor Osca and the difficulties with the Coalition for Progressive Land Use. The conversation then turns to Nick, and to Beni's channellessness... and Riyyh's Donorlessness.

Episode #70: Most Non-Excellent (9/7/99) Beni pays a late night visit to Wise Snake, taking advantage of Nick's break time to spend some time with an actual channel. He becomes rather alarmed when Wise Snake suggests that Riyyh had less than pure motives in associating with him. The tables are soon turned, however, as Beni begins asking personal questions, making Snake very uncomfortable.

Episode #71: Fearful (9/10/99) Clerfia visits her sister, with 'uncle' Jeniard as a chaperone. Wise Snake is all too happy to impart her own particular brand of sisterly wisdom in response to Clerfia's questions. Arat calls Darrel to his office to dress him down for recent erratic performance. During the meeting, who should show up but Alea - the very cause of Darrel's behavior.

Episode #72: Survivalist Zeal (9/11/99) Jeniard encounters Darrel hiding out in a storage closet. There, he learns of some elaborate precautions being taken in case of a visit by Alea.

Episode #73: Nick be Nimble (9/14/99) Arat calls Nick to his office to inform him that he will be released from his Tecton duties at the end of the month if he hasn't pledged by then.

Episode #74: Donor for Dinner (9/17/99) (Householding Naros #157) Riyyh sneaks into the Sime Center to meet with Nick. To his surprise, Nick has a very interesting proposal for him.

Episode #75: Cheap (9/18/99) (Householding Naros #158) Nick, Riyyh and Prunida dine out. It remains to be seen whether they will be welcome in that restaurant again.

Episode #76: Have You Tried Duct Tape? (9/19/99) Darrel and Hero meet with Arat regarding Hero's progress.

Episode #77: Just Ain't Natural (9/20/99) (Householding Naros #159) The next day, Darrel and Hero have lunch with Riyyh. Hero proceeds to embarrass them all terribly at the restaurant, while Darrel and Riyyh quietly discuss Hero's training and Arat's adjustments to it.

Episode #78: Pansy Raid (9/22/99) (Householding Naros #160) Racknie unwisely approaches first Alea, and then Arat, about donating a building to the Coalition for Progressive Land-Use. He manages to escape with his life, but no building.

Episode #79: Handwriting Assertiveness Training (9/24/99) Nick and Wise Snake discuss Arat's ultimatim and whether it's only a bluff, or serious. Linn receives her first Tecton assignment card. Controller Neptude pays a surprise visit to inquire as to Arat's various rehabilitation cases. The conversation is going well until Pylor's name comes up.

Episode #80: Praise, with Faint Damns (9/25/99) In a continuation from the previous episode, Neptude orders Arat to personally work with Pylor on a daily basis, and to do whatever it takes to secure rehabilitative success - even if it means being nice to the man. After giving it some thought, Arat approaches Pylor about the new schedule. Pylor has no idea what to think.

Episode #81: Punch Hour (9/26/99) Pylor and Arat have their first session together under Neptude's new plan. They both live, but it isn't pretty.

Episode #82: Between a Rock and a Hard Luck Case (9/27/99) Pylor and Arat are suffering through one of Pylor's new lessons at Farris-handling when Alea returns early from her lunch break. Pylor and Alea do not hit it off.

Episode #83: Nonickie (9/30/99) Linn meets Jree, her new channel. Neptude calls Arat to his office for an update on the progress of his various rehab cases, and is startled when Arat reveals his intention to release Nick.

Episode #84: Smashed (10/2/99) (Householding Naros #161) Pylor's mishandling causes Arat to collapse during one of their sessions. Fortunately Nick happens to be there, and he cares for Arat until Pylor is able to fetch Alea. Afterward, Pylor escapes to a public bar, where he accidentally runs into Riyyh. Luckily for him, Riyyh can be very good for the ego, particularly when in need and Genless.

Episode #85: The Hazy Road (10/3/99) Later that evening, Pylor arrives for his second session. Arat is less than enthusiastic. Nick and Snake discuss Nick's options again, but there are no obvious answers to his dilemma.

Episode #86: Wall's Ears (10/5/99) Assistant World Controller Seruffin gets his own update on Arat's rehabilitation cases, via his spy Jree. For some reason, her version doesn't match Arat's and Neptude's reports precisely.

Episode #87: Cruising for Blood (10/8/99) A reluctant Arat is interviewed by Morca, a high profile investigative reporter doing some research into family and Householding influences on high level Tecton politics.

Episode #88: Call of the Nager (10/8/99) (Householding Naros #163) Tiarala, acting on orders coming indirectly from Seruffin, locates Riyyh and deep zlins him. Nick, Alea and Jeniard talk Arat into discontinuing Pylor's lessons until after his transfer.

Episode #89: Rebirth (10/9/99) Alea and Arat share their second transfer.

Episode #90: Unveritable Fountain of Information (10/17/99) Morca, frustrated by her inability to penetrate the 53rd District Offices' heightened security, finds a new source of insider data in young Hero.

Episode #91: Dribbled (10/19/99) Pylor and Arat are back at their lessons, only this time there is no Alea to help Arat recover afterward, only Beni. Pylor is approached by Pooka, an employee of Morca's who has a few questions to ask him.

Episode #92: Weasel in a Mini Skirt (10/22/99) Morca catches Jeniard outside of the building and talks him into telling her the story of how Wise Snake was conceived.

Episode #93: Sensitivity Training (10/23/99) The Morale Corps goes to work attempting to demonstrate to Pylor what it feels like to be constantly overwhelmed by his senses. When Arat zlins the results, he rather hastily cancels Pylor's lessons for the duration.

Episode #94: Looks Like Lobster, Feels Like Farris (10/24/99) As Pylor suffers through his week of Sensitivity Training, Nepa of the Morale Division torments him further by forcing him to examine his relationship with Arat and his interpretation of Arat's behavior.

Episode #95: Dressed for Distress (10/26/99) Arat unwillingly begins Pylor's sessions again after Neptude orders him to do so. However, when Pylor arrives Arat takes one zlin of him and decides he can't work with him in that condition. Hajene Jodean begins her first day working for the 53rd District. She has a few... quirks.

Episode #96: Expiration Unknown (10/27/99) Hajene Darrel is called to Arat's office to account for another laboratory mishap in the burn ward. This time it has nothing to do with the autoclave... or Darrel.

Episode #97: Rare Photos (10/30/99) Beni brings Arat's mail up from the mail room and soon wished he hadn't. Morca pumps Hero for information after reading Dr. Roosle's book.

Episode #98: Hajene Attitude (11/1/99) Darrel encounters Homer, who is newly assigned to the 53rd District Office and is trying to check in. During their conversation Darrel is surprised to learn that Homer doesn't want to be a channel, doesn't want to work for the Tecton, and doesn't like Controllers to tell him what to do.

Episode #99: Interchangeable (11/2/99) A bewildering string of Tecton employees process poor Homer as incoming.

Episode #100: Deadwood (11/4/99) Hajene Ormof presents a report on the state of his department. He also complains about several of his employees, inadvertently saying more about himself than about them.

Want more? See Episodes #101-200, Episodes #201-218, or find your favorite characters with the Episodes Search Engine.