[ despite himself, the awkward pause and correction at the beginning earns the smallest of smiles, fragile warmth unfurling in his chest. it's.. good to see that even more experienced rulers can be a little uncertain of themselves, and.. gregor is kind. ]

If.. [ the tiny smile edges upward faintly, still looking a little hesitant at the corners. ] That is to say, we are not offended if your speech is typically otherwise. It was shocking at first, because we are unaccustomed to it, but we would not wish you to feel uncomfortable.

[ that said, he eases back a little more in his chair, ears perking up with interest. ] Are the offices not the same? [ after all, ultimately, maia is both, so he's not quite certain where the delineation would be in gregor's case. ] We must admit, we would like to know more about Barrayar, and about you. [ is that too forward? the idea of making a friend--one that hasn't essentially been chosen for him, to serve some pre-decided function--is admittedly appealing.

he hesitates, ears flattening back a little with embarrassment. ] .. May we also ask.. how do you manage without your edocharei? We see that your hair is very short, so that must not be terribly difficult, but.. [ he lifts a hand to touch one of the number of ornaments woven and braided and pinned into his hair. as gregor can doubtless see, his is.. much more complicated. ]