Pulse of the Imperium

Following his run-in with Kiran, Efren continued on to the infirmary.

He inquired about the one member of his squad who still remained there... and would likely for some time. After hearing what could be told about her condition, he asked if he could stay for a short while before visiting hours ended.

He pulled up a chair next to the enclosure surrounding Sinsei's bed and watched her slow and faint breathing...

He knew she was here because of him... in every meaning of that sentence; both good and the bad.

Efren had been trained for a future in leadership... but this mission was his real first foray into it. And even on the scale of one... he was going to have to come to terms with what all that meant.

He watched and waited... trying to slow his breath to the same pace as the woman who had trusted him. Trying to feel the price of the victory they achieved just a bit more, and offer whatever thought or wish he could manage that she wouldn't have to pay that price in the end. That the scores were already sufficiently settled...

-----

(OOC: Expecting Cuyler Shortly)

"Room for one more?"

Cuyler approached quietly, her voice a raspy whisper.

Efren turned his head from his vigil to see the newcomer. His face took on a warm but tired smile as he replied, "Lady Gray, of course. Please."

He stood from his chair and offered it to Cuyler before grabbing another one a short distance away and setting it close to hers.

"I'm glad to see you on your feet." He said with the same soft smile.

"How's your throat?"

"It will recover." She answered as she moved to join him. She stared at Sinsei for a quiet moment, then turned to offer Efren a smile. "Just Cuyler, please."

He turned to look at her as he smiled and returned her's with one of his own.

His eyes then drifted back to Sinsei on the bed, "While I have you both here... I am sorry I couldn't protect you both better."

His lips tightened slightly as he maintained his smile, "I should have thought it through a bit more... Your quick thinking saved us. It was an honor to experience all that with you..."

He chuckled once through is nostrils, "And it was quite a lot for one day, wasn't it?"

"A lot for three days." She sighed. "There's no need to apologize. You kept us alive. We really couldn't ask for more, given the circumstances."

He shook his head politely, deflecting her kind words.

"I couldn't be more impressed..." He said after a few moments.

"Sinsei had her father. I had my duties and the Muadhi people... My kin." He paused.

"And there you were... A cook with no ties to any of that. Climbing that mountain... Fighting right there with us. Saving lives."

He smiled, "Makes me wonder what they put in the food where you are from."

"The best of ingredients." She laughed and immediately regretted the coughing fit that followed.

"I promised her that I'd help save her father, if she trusted me." She explained. "She wouldn't have led me to the heir otherwise."

"I didn't know that... and now I have even more to thank you for." He said with a smile.

After a moment he continued, "Not everyone is so willing to keep their word to that extent. What you said at the base of the mountain resonated with me... You did right by Sinsei... And I think you have only good things in return for the next little while."

His smile dimmed only slightly as he said, "Hopefully the first of those good things is for her to wake again soon."

"I asked the doctor if there was anything I could do to help her." She said. "I'm not sure I can do what he suggested, but I will look into it."

"What did the doctor say?" He asked.

She shook her head. "Something costly, that my House might be able to acquire."

"Maybe."

Efren nodded his head. It was surely a difficult decision when houses were thrown in...

He remained quiet for several moments before offering, "If you need any extra help. Make me the first name to call."

"Actually. There is something you could do for her." She said. "Her work. Everything she left in the village. If it's still there, she'd want it recovered."

Efren nodded. The data was undoubtedly important to her. Efren himself was interested in speaking with Sinsei about it. He’d go right away under normal circumstances. But normal circumstances were not present.

“I’ll go as soon as I can. I have more business in the village myself.”

"I am an outsider, I know. But, she showed me her quarters." she responded. "At the least, I can give you an idea of what she wanted."

“You would like to come?” He asked.

"If I could. I'm not sure of my schedule for the rest of my visit to Caladan."

“What brought you here in the first place? If you don’t mind my asking…”

"Diplomacy." She answered. "There is interest in strengthening an alliance between House Mutelli and House Attredies."