As Picard and his away team soon find out, to communicate, Riva generally uses his three translators, called a "chorus."  They have been with him since birth, and share telepatic communications, which Riva refers to as harmonious.  The Scholar/Artist represents intellect, and speaks in matters of judfment, philosophy and logic.  He is also the dreamer, and oftern interprets Riva's thoughts and emotional intent.  The Warrior/Adonis represents Riva's passion and libido, "the anarchy of lust," the romantic and the lover.  He is also the warrior withen Riva, although that side is seldom seen.  Finally, the Woman represents harmony, wisdom, and the balance between passion and intellect, binding the others together.

Aboard the Enterprise, Riva is enamored of the empathic Counselor Deanna Troi, and bonds with the blind Geordi La Forge.  But there is little time for romance with Troi; the Enterprise is en route to Solais V, where Riva will attempt to mediate between its warring factions.  Riva soon finds, to his sorrow, that the battle has lasted for generations, and soon after, Riva's chorus is killed by one of the factions.  Although Lieutenant Data uses his android mind to learn the gestural language which Riva uses, the mediator's heart is not in future negotiations.  However, when Troi decides to attempt a mediation between the people of Solais, Riva seizes on the key to the mediation; he will use the loss of his chorus to teach the Solari to communicate using his gestural language.