And from another direction, Lord Vorob'yev hurries up to ask, "Lord Vorkosigan! What has happened?"

"I'm all right," Miles lies, unclenching his teeth as best he can. There are staring diplomats and socialites everywhere, a whole crowd focused on his display; he pulls his trouser legs down, preferring the discomfort of fabric on his blistered shins to the discomfort of strangers' eyes.