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[ No, it's organized by any stretch of the imagination, but every bit of it is being parceled and processed as she takes in each image.

It's the first she's ever seen of Barrayar, of its people beyond those that have been brought here. So they're happy living like that. Or so it seems from what he's showing. And with the bonds she's seeing, feeling more than anything, she's starting to believe it.

Mentally she's peering closer, as if to get a better look at this man deemed protector before the image is gone and replaced. A simple questioning Bothari? follows after it, in an attempt to put a name to a face. Suddenly Gregor's earlier comparison makes a lot more sense with this context given.

Does he really consider all those sworn to him part of a family, a home that is as far as it is near? ]

[Sergeant Bothari. He affirms. There is an impression here, a sketch of a complicated, troubled man, without any details. Aral's own emotions towards him are a simple, uncomplicated like of the man.

He's a good soldier. Better Armsman.]

[ Sounded like it. I can see why he was called a family friend. Though there's curiosity in that statement, just how troubled was Bothari? Not enough to keep anyone away from him.

Soldier she can be, but Armsman... She's still not sure how any of them can be this trusting. Her hesitation bleeds over into the link as she wonders how long this invitation was meant for. ]

[There's no answer to that curiosity, the subject folded up and set aside. Bothari's matters are the business of only Bothari and the lives the man has touched, for good or ill.

The link shutters, gently pulling some distance... but does not close. Some halfway point where what crosses is what is intended to pass. Aral clears his throat and answers aloud.]

Such vows are not made simply nor regarded lightly. I imagine he remembers more than you give credit for.

[ That she can understand and respect. He won't find her probing anymore about the man, she knows enough to be content.

She takes that for a hint and draws back herself, though leaves the link open herself. For now, at least. ]

Yeah, I'm sure he does, but... I'm not used to this kind of trust being given so easily. I haven't known you or your son for long.

I don't know if 'easy' is the term. My best friends and my worst enemies wear the same uniform, hold allegiance to the same Emperor.

You learn quickly to understand who you can trust.

And I fall into that category? You trust me enough to involve me in...

[ What exactly? She motions vaguely as she finishes, somewhat lamely, ] Your family.

Just so.

Even at his age, he has the legal ability to form such vows. But you may consider this a formalized offer.

Though be aware that what it is, is not easy, simple nor in any manner perfect. [His own memories, those brief flashes, were warnings as much as they were too deeply entangled within the concept of a liege-lord to remove.]

Edited 2016-04-01 23:03 (UTC)

[ Wait. Did he just say yes? She stares for a moment, caught in shock.

Once she finds enough of her voice, she murmurs, ] I didn't think it was any of those things. [ Then more loudly, ] Nothing in my life has fallen that way.

There's a reason why I came to talk to you and Gregor once I realized what had happened.

You are uncommonly considerate, yes.

[ She snorts. ] Telepathic links aren't exactly common.

Completely impossible in my own world.

[He lifts an open palm.] I had meant in general.

[ She shrugs. ] I've dealt with something similar before. I know I appreciate the privacy and the lack of barging in unnanounced.

A less agreeable experience?

You could say that. It was part of what made the military project I was in so experimental.

Your complicated gentleman, again?

No, someone worse. [ The name Omega bleeds through the link for only a brief second, eclipsed with a flash of red, hot aggression that she suppresses and pulls back even further from him. ]

It's a long story.

[That sensation was familiar, and it stills Aral, both on the link and the man across from her seems to scarcely breathe for half a second.]

I trust if it becomes an issue, you would let us know.

Edited 2016-04-02 02:24 (UTC)

[ Could she trust them to help her with that? Her frown deepens as she watches him for a moment before letting her gaze drift to the side. ]

He's not here, so unless the porter is feeling particularly malevolent towards me, it won't be one.

[It certainly did not escape him that it was not a yes, and as she had pulled away at that memory of Omega, he did here as well, shuttering to a mere distant presence. His expression remains even though, the nod graceful. After all, it is not as though they had given HER reason to trust.]

Just so.

I have faith in your ability to keep up with Miles, as much as I believe it may try even your tactical acumen.

[ It's less a matter a trust and more a complex history that she hasn't tried to explain to anyone from home, much less people she's met here. The last time she tried to get rid of the asshole AI, she had gotten a friend killed in the process.

But that's nothing here nor there and she keeps her complicated mess behind her, out of sight. That's a burden no one but herself needs to deal with.

Dryly, ] Glad you trust me that far. I have experience with kids his age even if they haven't been as energetic.

[There's a wry sort of humor in return.]

He could hardly move at all most of his life thus far. I always assumed it would even out.

[Of course, they'd both met 'adult' Miles.]

[ She snorts. ]

Yeah, too bad he just keeps cranking it up. At least I have a better way to keep tabs on him now.

I'd have appreciated precognosis rather than telepathy in his case, but it's serviceable.

[ She sighs. ]

I can imagine. How bad is he when he's older?

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