So, distressful as it might be to outsiders, outsiders were advised to ignore their personal scruples and to be as arbitrary, as harsh, as demanding as a stsho of rank might be, because, contrary to mahen expectation, and, as it happened, contrary to hani attitudes, the stsho in question would not hold a grudge, would scarcely remember, and would probably benefit by the experience. So they said.
So she settled into the cushions, accepted the tea, ceremoniously served, at the foot of the pedestal on which the Preciousness rested, while the loaders worked and the cargo left their hold.
While Haisi was doubtless scouring the station for answers he might suspect she had. And while Tlisi-tlas-tin was discussing the poor but essentially necessary service gtst had acquired, “by the good offices of the esteemed hani captain.”
“Has this individual discussed … hem, … any smallest detail of gtstisi former life?”
A distressed waggle of fingers. “I should never accuse the esteemed hani captain of a lapse in taste, but I really cannot discuss these distressing matters. Obviously this life contained affairs which gtstisi could not organize in any tasteful or useful fashion. These are … iiii … biological matters. Is enough understood?”
Hilfy thought; and thought; and thought in widening circles … with the confusions that came of studying alien language and custom much of her life, and not least among them the stsho. When everything else failed, the maxim ran … ask the alien how to ask the question.
“Then,” she said carefully, and paused while Dlima poured; and paused further while Dlima served Tlisi-tlas-tin. “Then how shall I ask what information you might have gained in this port?”
“Nothing is easier.”
“How shall I ask? I wish to benefit from your unquestionable good taste and elegant gracefulness. You have shown most extraordinary virtues …” Never attribute exact words like frankness to a species which might not value it. “… in dealing with the stresses of this voyage. And I am moved to wonder if your resourcefulness and intelligence might have gained information which would make your person far safer if the captain of this ship should learn it.”
Moonstone eyes blinked several times, and the tiny mouth sipped at the delicate cup. “You have discovered a graciousness uncommon in your species.”
And other species could be, by other species’ standards, great boors. But she smiled and kept hani opinions behind her teeth, as invalid in this venue, even on her ship. “I thank your honor.”
“As to the answer to your question, I think it very clear that the nameless person of no distinction was at one time a close associate of a person who has behaved tastelessly. Whether this abandonment was intentional or not, it is equally clear that this movement is not coincidence. The designated recipient of the Precious-ness has gone to Kshshti.”
“Could your excellency possibly enlighten me further as to the doubtless impeccable reasoning that has led your excellency to that conclusion?”
“Kif are involved. They would not readily convey this person closer to mahen centers of power. They had rather seek areas where circumstances are more favorable to them.”
Meaning the border, the Disputed Territories that were still, despite aunt Pyanfar’s good offices, a matter of disagreement between kif and mahendo’sat. She had no quarrel with that reasoning. She was only glad to hear it confirmed.
“But, enlighten me again, excellency: how has this individual known we were coming? How has gtst managed to evade us not once but consecutively? Or is this gtst doing?”
Tlisi-tlas-tin carefully set down gtst cup, with that twist of the wrist that signaled an end of tea, and a seriousness approaching severe.
“I cannot say.”
“I have trespassed. But may I ask: do you advise us to continue as we are, and pursue this individual to Kshshti? And is there reasonable likelihood that there we may discharge our responsibilities and increase our respectability?”
“We must continue. We must go to Kshshti. There is no question.”
“I thank your excellency for your most extreme good will. I am always enlightened and invigorated by your discourse. As your excellency knows, there is a mahe pressing us closely, who has offered us bribes and threats in his insistence to view the Preciousness. …”