shipmaster | (no subject)

[ Miles snorts faintly at that. ]

Cascading doesn't help. I think a lot of things fell into place out there.

Oh? ... Well, at least there's that. I half thought you were going to try to take off your own head to shake it out.

[They step inside, buffeted by a burst of warm air from the central heating. Behind them, Roic gets the door, and snags one of the house servants to see to getting Ninny back in his pen...

The House physician is on Miles in an instant though.]

I was excruciatingly tempted --

[ But dammit, here's the physician. Who runs the appropriate tox tests (and finds nothing, of course), but also looks over Miles with a too-sharp sort of interest. Miles barely manages to keep them at bay by promising to remain horizontal for the rest of the day. ]

[It doesn't help that Bel is agreeing with the doc's assessment. But at least, as they return to Miles room, they have some modicum of privacy again.]

Well, congratulations, free of crab bug toxins, how about that.

[ Miles sighs and settles his head back against the pillows. ]

Amazing. And a brilliant bit of deflection there, at least until I have the next one ...

That's the trick. [They eye Miles.]

I'm wondering if the next bit of deflection is the lie that me needing to carry some ropes is just your kink rather than to keep you out of your own trouble.

[ A bit of a wince at that. Rather plaintively: ]

I was riding a horse. That's not trouble in the slightest. Especially Fat Ninny, who knows me.

I don't really know how you can tell that.

I just can. Horses remember people. And they can't lie about it either.

[There's a moment. Where they almost ALMOST says "Who has lied to you about it?" Being the only actual offender of that, they manage to can it.]

So.. what does this mean for you? Stay or go?

[ It's not whether anyone has lied or not, it's about whether they can, okay. Miles is quiet a moment. ]

Stay. For now.

[That is a mixed feeling. On the most important hand, some healing. On all of the other, metaphorical hands, being on Barrayar longer.]

I'll let the Ariel know.

[ Miles nods, sinking back into the pillows and looking even more gray than ever. ]

... Sorry. You can return if you like. I won't keep you.

Oh, don't go all considerate on me now. That's a horrible trait of yours.

[Despite that, their hand reaches out again, settling on his forehead tenderly - it's become almost a familiar gesture now.]

[ He leans into that touch gently. ]

I mean it. You didn't sign up for Barrayar. I thought I'd get my memory back and we'd be off again.

[There's a pause before the normal OF COURSE I'M WITH YOU sentiment finds voice. Warily,]

Depends, how long ARE we staying?

Hell, I don't know. But I can't very well go back into combat if I'm having seizures, right?

So. Are we going to talk seeing a doctor for real now?

[ He's silent a long moment. Because the other insurmountable problem is - ]

They'll confine me to Barrayar if they find out. Simon won't let me go out again - so any return to the Dendarii would be one way.

[Which means being on the run FROM Barrayar too.]

So... why not seek treatment off planet? Say, for instance, I feel homesick.

[ Miles blinks at Bel rather stupidly. ]

On Beta Colony?

You're right. [Bel pretended, cheerfully.] Escobar would be even less likely to grant a request for medical records from Barrayar of all places. It would be much harder to swing the excuses for the visits though. I'm sure we could get into tech transport for a regular, easy paycheck.

... No. Beta. Better security and way more paranoid about Barrayaran spies.

I - well -

[ He flushes a bit even as his mind scrambles to catch up. ]

My grandmother would be pleased to see us, at least.

[Bel can be particularly quick and twisty when it comes to what they want. In this case, Miles, Miles getting treatment, and not being on Barrayar for who knows how long... without oh, say, being chased all over the greater Nexus by ANOTHER empire.]

Sounds like a plan, then.

[ Congrats, you've successfully outmaneuvered Miles. ]

I still ought to stay a short while. A week, perhaps. To ensure that Da is recovering.