Chapter 9 Polyphony II

After entering the transportation ship, only the two of them were left, Grahaide said to Ishtar: "Is your suggestion to the ancestor serious? Have a child with him?" "How can I be joking? There are two witnesses present, and one of them is the acting patriarch himself." "I don't think you're joking either. But why, Ishtar?" "Because I'm a sentimental one!" "Do you have to be so fierce to me?" She put an arm around his shoulder, and grabbed his hand with the other. "I'm sorry, dear. It's been a long day. . . I didn't sleep much, though soundly, last night. I've got a few things to worry about—and you're bringing up such a provocative subject."

"I shouldn't have asked, violated your privacy - I don't know what happened to me. Let's just forget about it, okay?" "Honey, honey! I don't know how I did it... that's why I'm so unprofessional and let my emotions get the best of me. Let me explain it this way: If you were a woman, wouldn't you grab this ok Chance to propose? Propose to him." "I'm not a woman." "I know you're not, you're a lovely man. But take a moment and think logically like a woman. Just a moment." "Men aren't necessarily illogical; it's the absurdity of women."

"I'm sorry. I'm going to take a tranquilizer as soon as I get home--I haven't needed it for years. Please do think about it, assuming you're a woman yourself. Will you? Give you twenty seconds." "I don't need twenty seconds." He took her hand and kissed it. "If I were a woman, I would also seize this good opportunity to propose. This is the best thing that has been proven and can be given to a child." The genetic profile. That's why." "That's not the case at all!" He blinked. "Maybe I don't understand what logic you're talking about."

"Um...does it matter? Anyway, our answers are the same." The traffic boat swerved and stopped at a dock; she stood up. "Don't think about it anymore. We're home, dear." "You're home, I'm not. I think—" "Men don't think about it." "I think you need a good night's rest, Ishtar." "You put this suit on me; now you must take it off." '"Really? You'll insist on keeping me for dinner after this, and then, when it's all over, you won't have much time to rest. This suit comes off your head easily, and that's how I do it for you in the decontamination room of."

She sighed. "Gralhead, I don't know if the name I've chosen for you is appropriate. Do I have to give you a living contract just because I might invite you to spend the night at my house again? Besides, we don't have much time to sleep tonight." .” "That's exactly what I just said." "But the meaning is different. We may work all night. Of course, if you want, you can also take three minutes to make us happy first." "'Three minutes'? I wasn't that fast even the first time." "So—five minutes?" "Can I have twenty minutes... plus an apology?"

"The man! Thirty minutes, honey, no apologies." "Deal." He stood up. "Five of those minutes have been wasted arguing. Come on, you worry-free cutie." He followed her into her room. "What do you mean by 'working all night'?" "And to add tomorrow. It should be clear when I check the phone message. If there is no message, I'll call the acting patriarch, even though I don't want to. I've got to check out that roof hut, whatever it's called, Gotta see what arrangements are needed to look after him there. Then we both have to move him; I can't arrange that for anyone else. Then—"

"Ishtar! Are you really going to let them do this? No sanitized quarters, no first aid, etc." "My dear...my rank can give orders to you, but it cannot affect Mr. Visaro. Besides, even with the authority of Mr. Visaro, it has no influence on the ancestor; the ancestor is the highest. I Always hoped that Mr. Acting Patriarch would find some way to cajole him into delaying such a move, but Mr. Patriarch didn't. So now I have two options: do what he thinks, or quit completely like the Chief. But I won't quit , then I don't stand a chance. So I'm going to check out his new place tonight to see what can be done between now and tomorrow morning. It's unlikely to turn that place into a sterile place though , but maybe we can make it a little more comfortable before he sees there."

"And emergency facilities, don't forget, Ishtar." "Like I'm going to forget, stupid boy. Now help me take off this goddamn dress—I mean 'this beautiful dress you designed for me that Grandfather obviously loved'. Please!" "Then stand still and keep your mouth shut." "Don't tickle me! Oh, the goddamn 'phone is ringing! Take it off, honey—quick!"

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