fermata

[isthisart]

Linya sees Dr. Cheung onto a ship other than the Ariel, which agrees to tote him to Komarr very, very slowly, knocking him out for each jump and having someone look after him when he comes around green in the gills. It's not going to be a fun trip for him, but it's better than trying to collaborate with a multi-week conversational turnaround time. It's pricey - the ship has nonperishable cargo with no deadline at its destination and already employs a medtech, but still - but she thinks it's worth it.

Her business on Earth concluded, she examines the list of tourist attractions she didn't get around to, determines that none of them are worth sticking around for, and gets on a much faster vessel and goes all the way home. The first thing she does when there is go looking for whichever of the Count or Countess is easiest to find.

Comments

[as_i_remember]

"Now's your chance," Illyan says dryly. "Let's hear the shit, Miles."

[thisvorlunatic]

He closes his eyes again. "Yeah. Fine..."

(See the short story The Borders of Infinity by Lois McMaster Bujold, if you haven't already.)

By the end of this long recital, Miles is shivering, unsteady and exhausted. If he'd been sitting up in the first place, he'd feel like he was about to fall over.

"Sorry... didn't realize it would hit me like that. I thought I must be over it by now."

[as_i_remember]

"Combat fatigue?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"The actual combat portion of that escapade lasted a couple of hours at most, sir."

[as_i_remember]

"Sounded more like six weeks to me."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Eh. But if Count Vorvolk is of the opinion that I should have traded lives for equipment, he can take that opinion, fold it until it is all sharp corners—"

[as_i_remember]

Illyan holds up a hand. "I understand, Miles," he says dryly. "Believe me. I will deal with Vorvolk and his opinions. I personally guarantee that this little plot will not intrude any further on your recovery."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Thank you for that," sighs Miles. "I'm... sorry that my carelessness shook your confidence in me, sir. I'll try to be more intelligent in future."

[as_i_remember]

"As will I," Illyan says quietly.

[greatcomposure]

It is at this point that Cordelia enters the room.

"Hello, Simon. Goodbye, Simon," she says with a slightly edged smile. "I have been asked to evict you before you... upset Miles any further."

[as_i_remember]

"Ah. Yes, m'lady," he says, and departs expeditiously.

[thisvorlunatic]

"Am I even medically cleared for visitors of any kind?" wonders Miles.

[greatcomposure]

"No." She bends down and kisses his forehead. "You'll know when you are, because your wife will be here. Now rest up. The sooner you convince that doctor of your good behaviour and general recuperation, the sooner you can be down at Vorkosigan Surleau, recuperating."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Yes, ma'am."

[greatcomposure]

"Rest. I'll see you soon."

She sweeps out.

[as_i_remember]

Meanwhile, Illyan is writing a note.

Lady Vorkosigan,

I find I must apologize. When I denied you clearance to know about your husband's work, I did it as a mere default, absent any well-founded suspicion. It is impossible to prove a negative; no amount of evidence could have reversed my decision. I would not have treated any other covert agent's wife the same way. I acted on prejudice, without considering the costs, and for that I am sorry.

Respectfully,
Simon

[isthisart]

Linya does not read this note immediately because she is busy being completely horrified by Elli Quinn's war stories. By the time Quinn is done regaling her with explanations for why Miles's arm bones have now been completely replaced on an emergency basis, Cordelia is home.

Linya goes up to her. "One, how is he doing, and two, I would appreciate an - etiquette consult."

[greatcomposure]

"He's... moderately unhappy. But I think he's settled down. What's the etiquette problem?"

[isthisart]

"Captain Illyan sent me an apology." Linya calls it up to show her. "And signed it with his first name. Letting it go unacknowledged seems hostile, but I'm not sure how I am at this time supposed to format the salutation."

[greatcomposure]

Cordelia reads the note. Then she reads it again, thoughtfully.

"If you want to go with 'Captain Illyan' for simplicity's sake, you can. Signing 'Simon' is... Simon's way of subtly acknowledging that you're part of this family. You may address him as Simon now, if you choose. 'Captain Illyan' is neutral; 'Simon' implies... let's say, an openness to friendship."

[isthisart]

"I'm willing to accept his apology," says Linya. "He might have to do something beyond formally cease to consider me an information security hazard before friendship becomes likely."

[greatcomposure]

"Simon considers almost everyone an information security hazard. Going as far as sending you an apology note about not trusting you enough implies that some degree of active trust has been achieved."

[isthisart]

"Hmm. I wonder what the tipping point there was? He got my story about Earth weeks ago."

[greatcomposure]

"He had a... conversation... with Miles just now. At a guess, I'd say he was moved to apologize to Miles about something, and doing so reminded him that apologies are an available course of action when one has made mistakes that affect others."

[isthisart]

Linya laughs. "Well. Thank you for the consult. Any idea when Miles can be visited?"