ornamental flower show

[middlingalong]

Destang isn't too thrilled with Ivan, but since his lack of thrill takes the form of sending Ivan to a flower show to be out of the commodore's hair rather than, say, confining him to quarters like poor Galeni, Ivan isn't going to rock the boat. He leaves the half-commlink with Galeni in case Miles suddenly has an emergency and goes off as directed to meet the lady he's escorting.

He finds her at the University of London's Horticulture Hall, shepherds her around, makes comments of limited sophistication but genuine enthusiasm regarding the pretty flowers, and excuses himself a couple hours into the affair for a bathroom break.

Comments

[spacetobreathe]

Just checking.

She lands at the nearest tube station. It is free of assassins.

[thisvorlunatic]

What luck!

Mark departs, with a last Miles-grin over his shoulder. Miles watches him go and shakes his head slowly.

"Hell. I'm almost tempted to whisk myself back up to the Triumph... no. Better face the music. Take me to the embassy."

[spacetobreathe]

"Yes sir."

And to the embassy she goes.

[thisvorlunatic]

"And... better stay with me on my way in, eh? In case somebody gets trigger-happy."

But his worries prove false. Security lets them in without comment. Miles sends Elli to go get rid of the aircar and then clean up the Dendarii operation, and he goes to change out of his Dendarii uniform and await the return of some combination of Galeni, Ivan, and Destang. Hopefully in that order.

[middlingalong]

Galeni and Ivan are here! Hurray!

[thisvorlunatic]

"I assume you're going to write an honest report," Miles says to Galeni. "I plan to do the same."

[alicornucopia]

Galeni nods. "I imagine it's going to get very, very... long," he sighs.

[thisvorlunatic]

"I'm keeping mine as short as possible, I think. Minimize room for confusion."

[middlingalong]

"Is that why you're going to keep it short," mutters Ivan.

[thisvorlunatic]

"Thank you for your contribution, Ivan."

[middlingalong]

"I think I will go write about how I was kidnapped." Ivan wanders in the direction of his and Miles's quarters.

Galeni goes to his own.

[thisvorlunatic]

Miles follows Ivan to their quarters, composes a very short report, files it, and eyes his bed. No, despite the time, he isn't that sleepy; he had his full night's rest not too long ago. He starts pacing instead.

[middlingalong]

"What are you pacing about?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"Leftover nerves. I don't have anything practical to do, but I can't sleep, and there's a very small residual chance that someone is going to shoot me in the next few hours, and I'm worried for Galeni's career and Mark's health. And, again, can't do anything about either."

[middlingalong]

"You could have that long conversation with Linyabel in which you demonstrate to her satisfaction that you're yourself and then she's mad at you."

[thisvorlunatic]

"I could do that," he agrees. "I'll call her."

He calls her.

[isthisart]

Linya answers.

"I bought a medical scanner," she mentions, first. "But it will not work over comm."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Come see me at the embassy, then. It's godawful o'clock in the morning, but they'll probably let you in. And Ivan suggested I talk to you instead of pacing a hole in the floor."

[isthisart]

"Aren't you going to be dragged away for debriefing at any moment?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"Perhaps the commodore will find 'talking to my wife' a decent excuse. Another excellent reason to have the conversation now. Besides, he's not here at the moment."

[isthisart]

"Well, all right, the flower show isn't particularly succeeding at holding my attention anymore anyway. I'll be there in ten minutes."

[thisvorlunatic]

"See you then."

[isthisart]

"Assuming you're you," she says, "I love you."

And then she ends the call.

[thisvorlunatic]

Miles... flops disconsolately onto his bed.

[middlingalong]

"Best of luck, coz," sighs Ivan. "You know while Mark was being you he didn't talk her up as much as you do but she came up a couple of times..."