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But moments like this, where he realized that taking care of someone provided a useful distraction from the wider view, he wondered just how noble it was to be a doctor. So much easier to think of the patient than wonder whether they’d be slaves in a few hours. So much more satisfying to treat someone’s sickness than to serve as their executioner. So much better to run to a good cause than to admit why one started running.
I’m sure you’ve noticed the only reason Reese still has any of her digestive system’s because it hasn’t found an organ bank to defect to.”
“Time is always precious,” Hirianthial said softly. “Only if you fill it with something,” Sascha said. “Otherwise it’s marking the hours.”
“Are you heading for that asteroid?” Reese asked. “Boss if you can’t handle the view, get off the obdeck.”
Irine sidled over until her side was pressed against Reese’s. For once, Reese didn’t care; usually she discouraged the twins from coming near since their hugs tended to turn into cuddling. It seemed like a crime to die without having a good cuddle though, at least with someone who wasn’t practically a plant, like Allacazam.
“Look, how serious is this?” Kis’eh’t asked, feathered ears fanned closed. “I thought she just had some sort of ulcer.” “She does,” Hirianthial said. “The problem is she has more ulcer than esophagus, and it might be rupturing.”
He wanted to know where the pattern was moving him and where he should position himself to give it better access to his tired body, to sweep him away to a place where he no longer had to think or act. After six hundred years, a man grew tired of living with the thousands of consequences of his thoughts and actions.
Maybe this was what insanity was like... a constant need to stare at inconsequential things and worry at their significance. No, this was what denial was like.
Hirianthial, curse his eyes, looked remarkably fresh. On closer, surreptitious examination he was sweating, but it simply made him look glossy and vibrant rather than exhausted and untidy. She wondered where she could buy that trick.
“You’re the kind who knows everyone’s secrets within a few minutes of meeting them, aren’t you?” The woman blinked several times, then grinned lazily. “Yes, but until this very day no one’s had the eggs to up and say it the moment they noticed.”
“How do you know another word for a harem?” she asked him, irritated. Zhemala laughed. “Obviously he is a well-read man. Or he’s worked with Harat-Shar before?” “Intimately, Lady,” Hirianthial said with a dip of his head, “Though not, perhaps, in all the meanings of that word those coworkers would have liked.”
“I did not cross the Alliance to save you from slavers so you could meekly offer yourself to a city full of insane cats,” Reese said.
I will talk bluntly, sir. I do not require a doctor. I require a babysitter whose degrees in medicine will lend him a lulling air of authority.
“Imagine it, though. If you live as long as they do, why bother getting to the point of anything?” She wrinkled her nose. “It makes writing the sex scenes hard. That’s why I never write a book about two Eldritch. We’d be dead before the triumphant part with the birth of the heir.”
Do not belittle her by diminishing the choice just because you know what she will choose. Instead be honored that her love for you is so constant you know what she’ll choose before you even offer her the choice.”
“My help is not always enough,” Hirianthial said quietly. “Is that any reason not to offer?” Sascha asked.
After buying the requisite cold weather gear, Reese stocked up on more important things: books, bath lotion and scented candles.
Understand there are no officers on this ship, so don’t be getting ideas... we’re all equals except me. I’m more equal than everyone else.”
“I’ve never seen you use a prayer blanket,” Reese said as the Glaseah passed her the bell. Kis’eh’t chuckled. “I don’t use it as often as I should. But that’s okay. My work is a kind of prayer. The goddess who made the universe by thinking it into being likes scientists.”
“Rock-climbing ice cliffs in the dark,” Sascha said cheerfully. He had already pulled his thermal suit’s hood over his head and ears. “It’s the newest frontier in sports!”
It made her think that gentleness and weakness were not the same things.
“Are we ever going to make money in a boring way?” Irine asked in a small voice. “I don’t know,” Reese said. “But if we don’t start, I’m going to think seriously about an early retirement.”
Why was it that the only person with a decent nudity taboo was herself?
She squinted. “You always carry lock-picks on your clothes?” Irine shrugged. “Or things that can be made into picks. You never know when you’re going to be locked in a closet.” “Nude,” Reese finished. “I’ll have to start hiding them in my—” “Don’t finish that sentence,” Reese said, covering her eyes.
“A steady paycheck we could get anywhere,” Sascha said. “Finding steady adventure is much harder.”
As his attackers rushed him en masse he reflected that engaging in combat was probably not Doctor SorrowsEase’s idea of bed-rest, food and judicious exercise.
“I’ll eat my tail if you don’t,” Sascha said. “So if I’m wrong, don’t tell me so.”
Irine grinned. “Sex isn’t our answer to every question.” “Just most of them,” Sascha said.
“Do you need help dressing?” “From a Harat-Shar?” Reese asked. “I might not get there until tomorrow.” Irine laughed and wiggled her hips. “Why, Captain! Are you flirting with me?” “Yes. No. I’m asleep. Get out!”
“The best things. Adventures. Destinations. Knowledge. Relationships. All of them start with uncomfortable moments. It’s only when you’re grappling with something new that you might uncover something wonderful... but unfortunately, that means grappling with something new.”
Reese is good people, but sometimes she bites off her foot after the trap is open.”
