[ 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. ]
[ 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? ]
[ 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.
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'. ]
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. ]
[ 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. ]
[ Who is this Duv guy he sounds like a complete scrub The name is unfamiliar and he makes a mental note of the name. Captain David Galen would at least look, but he made no promises. ]
And you have no idea of where he may be in Komarr?
[ 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. ]
[ 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 trick, isn't it? No idea if a man is ever worth being near to begin with, until you were already in his bed. A woman's place was to trust. But the way she works her jaw back says that she is loathe on that point, false or not. ]
And travel with a squalling infant who cannot handle being on a ship? I would have gotten caught before I even started, let alone a day in.
It is not my place to do so. [ Not only that, it would be downright insulting if he assumed he knew who was best for her to spend the rest of her damn life with.
He shakes his head. ] You and your daughter will be given quarters. You will be restricted from anywhere that carries our cargo. If you choose, rations can be brought to your room if you do not want to eat in the galley.
[ Since he can't imagine eating with a bunch of men who have not seen a woman in god knows how long to be appealing in the least. ]
[ That makes her look up in surprise. She didn't expect that generosity, that consideration. Perhaps not to throw her into the sea, but certainly to throw her to defend herself amongst his men. She could handle them. Of course she could.
But that he would not ask her too? Either in sincerity or to her role, she sinks down in her own people's show of reverence and respect. ( and perhaps that gives away something, the motion is delicate, light, done in ease. ) ]
[ It's a familiar gesture, one he's seen many times during negotiations and meetings. Who was she truly? It was something he would need to press her about during the voyage though he doubts he's earned much in the way of truth now.
He would have to see what their travel would bring. It wasn't as if they had the space to avoid each other. ]
I would recommend you follow me to your quarters and let the burst of excitement die off. [ And give him time to speak with his crew about this change. ]
[ Ah - that was something, wasn't it? Her head bows, dutifully, gracefully. Like she wouldn't dream of doing otherwise. But it is a test, all to itself, on that reputation she has heard of. His goodness. His lack of stand on that kind of ceremony. ]
Naturally. I will try to remember it. [ Her mouth opens - pausing. ] I am Parvati. This is... this is my daughter, Devi.
[ Compared to thinking she would spend the weeks crammed in a smuggler's hold - well, it's luxury itself - even if immediately she can feel Devi grumble and mutter to herself in that whined why children are so capable of - This is not like home. But she tsks, Devi quite herself, and she turns to follow into a low bow, like this some how wasn't at all her own plan. ]
Thank you. You are too kind to us. I have nothing to give you - [ grateful, but at least that isn't faked. She had heard he wasn't cruel, but she never expected this decency. Almost, almost feels a little guilty. ]
[ He's aware he's been manipulated, but he's taking it in strides. This would easily be seen as a show of weakness to his crew. Whatever else he could do to handle this would have to wait until they had docked and even then he would rather dump her and her child off on whoever they were searching for, should they be easily found.
He waves off her words. ] All I ask is you don't disrupt my ship.
[ He had enough to deal with without stowaways throwing a wrench into things. ]
[ She bows her head, that after all, is her goal. ]
Of course, we will keep to ourselves.
[ It's then that she picks up Devi properly in her arms, scooping the girl to settle on her hip. Letting her settle against her side and giving a doting kiss. That at least, there is no faking. Even if Devi still scowled something fiercely and protectively back. ]
They will hardly know we are here, will they, Devi? [ And she nods, because well - anything her mother asked. ]
[ He's watching the pair carefully. Devi was young, but he had seen what children could be made to do with particularly ambitious adults. He would have to warn his crew to keep an eye on the pair and not underestimate a child poking around where she didn't belong. Thankfully they weren't carrying sensitive cargo, but he couldn't afford to have any pieces going missing. His father would have his head if he found out about this and it ruined the shipment.
He lets out a small sigh. ] The next meal will be served in two hours time. I trust you can wait that long?
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[ 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? ]
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[ 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. ]
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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? ]
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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.
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As much as he didn't trust this woman's word, at least she had not been lying about having her child with her. ]
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[ 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'. ]
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[ 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. ]
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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. ]
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Who is this Duv guy he sounds like a complete scrubThe name is unfamiliar and he makes a mental note of the name. Captain David Galen would at least look, but he made no promises. ]And you have no idea of where he may be in Komarr?
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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. ]
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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. ]
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Not to make the same mistake again, I assure you. But my daughter deserves to meet her father at least once.
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[ Not someone who cowardly ran away. Though-- ] You waited this long to seek him out?
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[ That is the trick, isn't it? No idea if a man is ever worth being near to begin with, until you were already in his bed. A woman's place was to trust. But the way she works her jaw back says that she is loathe on that point, false or not. ]
And travel with a squalling infant who cannot handle being on a ship? I would have gotten caught before I even started, let alone a day in.
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He shakes his head. ] You and your daughter will be given quarters. You will be restricted from anywhere that carries our cargo. If you choose, rations can be brought to your room if you do not want to eat in the galley.
[ Since he can't imagine eating with a bunch of men who have not seen a woman in god knows how long to be appealing in the least. ]
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But that he would not ask her too? Either in sincerity or to her role, she sinks down in her own people's show of reverence and respect. ( and perhaps that gives away something, the motion is delicate, light, done in ease. ) ]
Thank you.
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He would have to see what their travel would bring. It wasn't as if they had the space to avoid each other. ]
I would recommend you follow me to your quarters and let the burst of excitement die off. [ And give him time to speak with his crew about this change. ]
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As you wish, my lord, I am at your pleasure.
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Captain will do fine here. [ Any other title that got tacked onto his name was only useful on dry land. ]
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Naturally. I will try to remember it. [ Her mouth opens - pausing. ] I am Parvati. This is... this is my daughter, Devi.
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He stops as they reach a small cabin some ways down the hall from his own quarters. ]
I can't offer you better accommodations than this, Ms. Parvati. [ That they even had a small, personal room available was a miracle. ]
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Thank you. You are too kind to us. I have nothing to give you - [ grateful, but at least that isn't faked. She had heard he wasn't cruel, but she never expected this decency. Almost, almost feels a little guilty. ]
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He waves off her words. ] All I ask is you don't disrupt my ship.
[ He had enough to deal with without stowaways throwing a wrench into things. ]
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Of course, we will keep to ourselves.
[ It's then that she picks up Devi properly in her arms, scooping the girl to settle on her hip. Letting her settle against her side and giving a doting kiss. That at least, there is no faking. Even if Devi still scowled something fiercely and protectively back. ]
They will hardly know we are here, will they, Devi? [ And she nods, because well - anything her mother asked. ]
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He lets out a small sigh. ] The next meal will be served in two hours time. I trust you can wait that long?
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