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[ He's busy looking over the map their navigator has plotted out their most recent course on. A hand on his chin thoughtfully as he inspects it. This isn't his first voyage out on sea, but he knows his skills are lacking in some areas and seeks to correct it when possible. Now had seemed like a good time -- only a few days journey from their most recent port and the course had yet to need corrections due to new circumstances cropping up.
The door opening catches his attention and his brows furrow as a woman is thrown in. What in the devil? He'd been about to comment on the manhandling of her until the woman had a knife ready, prepared to fight despite being outnumbered. The crew had been hired by his father. There were several changes David would make if he had full control of the vessel, but he was acting captain, not in charge of the arrangements made before they left their home port. Disagreements in attitude, but not in accomplishing their tasks, and thus David had no basis for replacing any of them.
Which meant whatever damage this man had done in obtaining useful information from their stowaway was something David would have to deal with. ]
I can see that, [ he says dryly and sighs lightly. ] You could make this easier on us both by telling me your name and reason for coming on board.
The door opening catches his attention and his brows furrow as a woman is thrown in. What in the devil? He'd been about to comment on the manhandling of her until the woman had a knife ready, prepared to fight despite being outnumbered. The crew had been hired by his father. There were several changes David would make if he had full control of the vessel, but he was acting captain, not in charge of the arrangements made before they left their home port. Disagreements in attitude, but not in accomplishing their tasks, and thus David had no basis for replacing any of them.
Which meant whatever damage this man had done in obtaining useful information from their stowaway was something David would have to deal with. ]
I can see that, [ he says dryly and sighs lightly. ] You could make this easier on us both by telling me your name and reason for coming on board.
[ She looks about them - not scared, but ready, always ready, might throw herself overboard, if she had to, might kill him just the same if it came to it. Clear, she thinks, in how she says nothing at all to start with. Her fingers lacing themselves about the hilt of the blade, tightly bound, unforgivingly so. A test there slightly as she attempts to pull just to know the strength of this Captain.
Silent, for an age, as she feels the eyes in the room watching them both. ]
I - I -
[ The words fumble in her mouth, trying to work out what these men would believe, right now. About a woman that's done something so foolish, so ridiculous, as all this. ]
- I have to be with my beloved.
Silent, for an age, as she feels the eyes in the room watching them both. ]
I - I -
[ The words fumble in her mouth, trying to work out what these men would believe, right now. About a woman that's done something so foolish, so ridiculous, as all this. ]
- I have to be with my beloved.
[ No fear in her eyes, so at least she hadn't been harmed in the trek to his cabin though judging by how much fight she had in her force had been necessary.
His gaze shifts to her hand and his own goes to rest on his pistol holstered at his side. Calmly, enough to show that he was ready and capable of using it should she make it required. He'd prefer to have a conversation.
Her words cause him to raise a brow and his eyes flicker to her hands, searching for a band. ] Your beloved?
His gaze shifts to her hand and his own goes to rest on his pistol holstered at his side. Calmly, enough to show that he was ready and capable of using it should she make it required. He'd prefer to have a conversation.
Her words cause him to raise a brow and his eyes flicker to her hands, searching for a band. ] Your beloved?
[ He hadn't drawn it. Shown it, but hadn't drawn it. Enough to indicate that he was the one that she should pay attention to. ]
He left me. They said he is a Captain, now, but I have not seen him since the day we married and he left me with a child. They said this ship is sailing to where I heard he was last.
[ For all it's made up entirely on the spot, she does it well. Enough that she can feel the men snicker about her - of course they would, is the irritable thought she doesn't give much heed to, right now. Men were bastards, more often than not. If they were too busy underestimating her as a foolish chit that had gotten married to the first man that promised her forever, they wouldn't be watching just how she watched them all back. ]
He left me. They said he is a Captain, now, but I have not seen him since the day we married and he left me with a child. They said this ship is sailing to where I heard he was last.
[ For all it's made up entirely on the spot, she does it well. Enough that she can feel the men snicker about her - of course they would, is the irritable thought she doesn't give much heed to, right now. Men were bastards, more often than not. If they were too busy underestimating her as a foolish chit that had gotten married to the first man that promised her forever, they wouldn't be watching just how she watched them all back. ]
[ Something about her story doesn't add up. Gaze steady, he keeps it on her as his posture eases. This wasn't an interrogation yet though he wonders if one of his father's competitors sent a spy to check on their shipments and routes. ]
He left you with a child that you in turn abandoned... where? The last port we were in?
[ Unless they had another stowaway to deal with. The look he gives the man that brought her says as much. Someone had better be examining the rest of their stores below deck. ]
He left you with a child that you in turn abandoned... where? The last port we were in?
[ Unless they had another stowaway to deal with. The look he gives the man that brought her says as much. Someone had better be examining the rest of their stores below deck. ]
[ He strikes to the core of what she's keeping silent, and he can figure it out no doubt, in the way that almost immediately begins to struggle again, trying to pull her hands-free. ]
If you go after her, she'll kill one of your men at least. Let me go to her.
If you go after her, she'll kill one of your men at least. Let me go to her.
[ Ah. Another stowaway. Possibly, anyway. There was a good chance this woman was lying. ]
That's a risk we'll take. [ He waits another moment to let the guard get a handle on her though he notes the man is struggling far more than he should be. ] If you want her brought to you alive, she fares a better chance if you tell us where she's hidden.
That's a risk we'll take. [ He waits another moment to let the guard get a handle on her though he notes the man is struggling far more than he should be. ] If you want her brought to you alive, she fares a better chance if you tell us where she's hidden.
[ She makes him work for that hold. ]
She is my daughter. She doesn't speak your language, only my own.
[ Like she would never put her at risk. Except that she has, but that was a different kind of risk of course. Calculated. Determined by herself. She doesn't trust his men without her there to defend Devi. ]
She is my daughter. She doesn't speak your language, only my own.
[ Like she would never put her at risk. Except that she has, but that was a different kind of risk of course. Calculated. Determined by herself. She doesn't trust his men without her there to defend Devi. ]
[ Wonderful. He tries to place her accent and hopes he isn't rusty in speaking her language. He needs to understand enough that they can't pass any plans between the other without him realizing. ]
Then you can help us find her. [ Not freely, not when she boarded his ship armed. He motions for the guard to bind her hands behind her. That would make traversing the ship with her in tow easier. ]
Then you can help us find her. [ Not freely, not when she boarded his ship armed. He motions for the guard to bind her hands behind her. That would make traversing the ship with her in tow easier. ]
[ She straightens as they go about securing her, but puts up no more resistance. Her mouth shut grimly and her eyes sharp - she never takes them off him, even as they bind her fast. Slight as those bones as they are, it makes them easy to knot, and when the man yanks harder and the rope burns her skin like he wants her attention - she still doesn't look anywhere but this Captain. ]
Lead on.
[ And like all of this was somehow beneath her, she turned, waiting. They could open the door for her, they had tied her up, after all. ]
Lead on.
[ And like all of this was somehow beneath her, she turned, waiting. They could open the door for her, they had tied her up, after all. ]
[ Proud. He would give her that. He watches her for a long moment, gaze bright and sharp as he meets hers, before he steps past to open the door and lead the way. There was other work a captain should be doing, but he was the only one on board with any hope of understanding their unexpected passengers in their native tongues. ]
How long did you think you could go unnoticed? [ A casual question. He had no intentions of throwing her or her child overboard. Any consequences for her actions would primarily come after they landed. ]
How long did you think you could go unnoticed? [ A casual question. He had no intentions of throwing her or her child overboard. Any consequences for her actions would primarily come after they landed. ]
[ being proud when there was nothing else to have was easy, she had found. As the door opens for her and her eyes slide over the man that had done it like she had every right to expect things to be done for her.
His question, though, is easy to be irritable with. ]
As long as I had too. [snapped quickly before she talks at least a little more moderately. ] Out to sea by at least a day.
His question, though, is easy to be irritable with. ]
As long as I had too. [snapped quickly before she talks at least a little more moderately. ] Out to sea by at least a day.
With the hope you wouldn't be thrown overboard?
[ Likely why she had chosen a trade vessel to decrease the chances of that. She's fortunate he's not seeking to overturn that assumption and have her cast off. That would be far too cruel and he was not his father.
He leads the way below deck and watches her expectantly. Was she going to call out for her child or would he? ]
[ Likely why she had chosen a trade vessel to decrease the chances of that. She's fortunate he's not seeking to overturn that assumption and have her cast off. That would be far too cruel and he was not his father.
He leads the way below deck and watches her expectantly. Was she going to call out for her child or would he? ]
They said you were a good man, a man who had his own rules, in truth, but not one that would lend him to base cruelties.
[ Stiffly put forward - she hadn't just picked any ship. Though she could feel the man in front of her - hears his sneer. Of course a woman would rely on a good man's softness. She does her best to not stiffen too much at the insult. They need to underestimate her. She needs them to think she's weak. They won't ready themselves for the knife then. Much as it goads her.
For her part though, as they reach the lower decks, she straightens herself out and calls in clipped Hindi. ] 'Daughter, your mother needs you.'
[ And sure enough, a girl, small and scrapped and sharp as her 'mother' appears. Comes forward, warily, before she runs straight towards Lakshmi and wraps her arms around her waist. ]
[ Stiffly put forward - she hadn't just picked any ship. Though she could feel the man in front of her - hears his sneer. Of course a woman would rely on a good man's softness. She does her best to not stiffen too much at the insult. They need to underestimate her. She needs them to think she's weak. They won't ready themselves for the knife then. Much as it goads her.
For her part though, as they reach the lower decks, she straightens herself out and calls in clipped Hindi. ] 'Daughter, your mother needs you.'
[ And sure enough, a girl, small and scrapped and sharp as her 'mother' appears. Comes forward, warily, before she runs straight towards Lakshmi and wraps her arms around her waist. ]
[ If only the woman were wrong. So she had done her research. While the man holding her might be sneering, Duv lets out a long, tired sigh. She was a woman on board with her child, he would not leave them abandoned in a port nor lost at sea.
Which was precisely what she planned. Dammit.
He listens carefully as she speaks in Hindi, brows furrowing as it takes him a moment longer than he'd like to translate it. Well, that had been easier than he expected at least. ]
Do you even know our destination? [ Hopefully with some sort of plan for her arrival. Or did she intend to wing that too? ]
Which was precisely what she planned. Dammit.
He listens carefully as she speaks in Hindi, brows furrowing as it takes him a moment longer than he'd like to translate it. Well, that had been easier than he expected at least. ]
Do you even know our destination? [ Hopefully with some sort of plan for her arrival. Or did she intend to wing that too? ]
[ It's nothing she would like to admit to, that she has to play on a good man's honesty. He did seem to be good - even if his father's reputation was quite to the otherwise. What she had been able to dig up about Captain David Galeni was that he wasn't that kind, and when he inherited his father's part of the business, it no doubt would become a far different shipping company.
All the best to him, she didn't plan to be there for it. She was otherwise engaged. Or so she hoped she would be. Hopefully to him, no more than a mild irritation. ]
You will be stopping in Barrayar, within two weeks, Komarr after that.
All the best to him, she didn't plan to be there for it. She was otherwise engaged. Or so she hoped she would be. Hopefully to him, no more than a mild irritation. ]
You will be stopping in Barrayar, within two weeks, Komarr after that.
I am going to Komarr, that is where my... beloved is from.
[ A trading port, a port where someone can come and go from, be lost in, just as quickly as they are found. If he can buy such a story, and let her go then - all the better, as Devi wraps around her leg tightly, staring up at him in plain distrust of this man that tied up her 'mother'. ]
[ A trading port, a port where someone can come and go from, be lost in, just as quickly as they are found. If he can buy such a story, and let her go then - all the better, as Devi wraps around her leg tightly, staring up at him in plain distrust of this man that tied up her 'mother'. ]
And what is the name of your beloved? We may be able to get you in contact with them.
[ Which is truthful, in all regards. If he's able to, he would prefer to bring her where she needed to be than let his father take over. Though the expression on her guard's face says the man has a very different opinion on the matter. ]
[ Which is truthful, in all regards. If he's able to, he would prefer to bring her where she needed to be than let his father take over. Though the expression on her guard's face says the man has a very different opinion on the matter. ]
[ Why on earth is he trying to be so helpful to her? But - if it got her there in one piece, then... ]
Duv. His name is Duv.
[ She turns down to Devi, her words coming quickly and in understanding. We will find him, soon, I promise, my heart. And to her end, Devi at least knew what was expected, as she buries her face into the material of her skirts. ]
Duv. His name is Duv.
[ She turns down to Devi, her words coming quickly and in understanding. We will find him, soon, I promise, my heart. And to her end, Devi at least knew what was expected, as she buries her face into the material of her skirts. ]
[ She shakes her head, holding her 'daughter' close to her and - Devi to her credit - plays the part perfectly. Her sad eyes peering behind her mother's skirts, saying in soft words. 'When will we find my papa?' ]
He never said. He told me nothing. Only that he was from Komarr, he made love to me, promised me always, and left on a ship like this one.
[ It's familiar, a tale told by too many women. Requires little embellishment save the pain and regret in her voice. ]
He never said. He told me nothing. Only that he was from Komarr, he made love to me, promised me always, and left on a ship like this one.
[ It's familiar, a tale told by too many women. Requires little embellishment save the pain and regret in her voice. ]
[ In terms of foolish things her pride has gotten into her of late - if ever - this has to rank up there. Sitting across from him on the long slide of a bar - not too busy, a few people passing through. She wondered why he picked this one? Or she had, but that was, quite a few drinks ago, after she firmly said that she would and could keep up with him. She would match him drink for drink since he said this was the utter definition of what made life so good to him, then she would know it. ( Educational she would insist, not pride, that was far more excusable. )
Which was good, six, seven of these ago, sipping the - whatever it was now. Before, it tasted rough but this glass, in the warm hazy that settled through her limb, her lips, her laughter as she tilts her head back - it was all sweet, and if she had even a lick of real experience, she'd know what this was, but as she is ? She's open and content and full with to whatever he's said, scathing no doubt, and shame to her ladylike sensibilities that she enjoys it, that he never seems to find mistake in her for that sharpness in return. ]
No - you see - Vormoncrief is wrong. I could stomach his boorishness if he had any idea about crop rotations at all. Just because his ancestor understood how to till a field doesn't mean he does.
[ That causes him to stop in his tracks to stare at her. ]
That is the kind of man you are hoping to find?
[ Surely the woman could do better than someone who stole her heart for a night then ran off. He's heard more believable lies from the lips of men and she doesn't carry herself with the air of someone gullible. ]
That is the kind of man you are hoping to find?
[ Surely the woman could do better than someone who stole her heart for a night then ran off. He's heard more believable lies from the lips of men and she doesn't carry herself with the air of someone gullible. ]
[ He's a little buzzed, and that's...well. Lakshmi is a little thing, and she's clearly not used to this, but oughtn't she be able to keep up with him a little? She's Vor. Her family comes from a long, long line of drunkards. It's the Betan in her, it must be, that makes her so chatty and bubbly and full of laughter and wine-flushed.
Not that he objects. He'd never tell her - not unless it made her angry - but she's cute like this. ]
So you're telling me - [ He snorts skeptically. ] That you'd endure an entire conversation about agriculture? No, no, please don't answer that. I believe it completely. I believe completely that you have a dozen incredibly strong opinions about the dirt.
Not that he objects. He'd never tell her - not unless it made her angry - but she's cute like this. ]
So you're telling me - [ He snorts skeptically. ] That you'd endure an entire conversation about agriculture? No, no, please don't answer that. I believe it completely. I believe completely that you have a dozen incredibly strong opinions about the dirt.
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