Van Rijn replies, in Planha, that:
he is hardened to alcohol;
his large body "'...has corresponding capacity...'" (ibid.);
drinking is his way of resting before trouble like flight for the Ythrians.
Hirharouk has to concede that, having survived for so long against so many enemies, van Rijn must know what he is doing. He does. Apparently relaxed, he is alert and able to reply in the captain's language. Every seemingly spontaneous action is considered. He deliberately reddens with apparent anger when addressing an enemy. He does feel anger but controls whether he shows it. For saving his companions and himself on Diomedes, he deserves a medal.
I would feel more comfortable in the company of Falkayn, Flandry or Everard but must concede that van Rijn is an omni-competent survivor who does good for others.
4 comments:
Hi, Paul!
If you don't mind me asking, why would you feel more comfortable meeting either Falkayn or Flandry but not Nicholas van Rijn? I myself would have been happy to meet all three of these men. Hmmm, I think I would feel most "attuned" to Dominic Flandry.
Sean
Sean,
Van Rijn would be very challenging: boisterous; playing a part; always looking out for something beyond the immediate situation; unrelaxing company.
Paul.
Hi, Paul!
Ha, ha, true!!! I should have thought of that myself! Old Nick would be fascinating but exhausting to be with! (Smiles)
Compared to Nicholas van Rijn, both David Falkayn and Dominic Flandry would be "quieter" company to be with.
Sean
Hi, Paul!
I should have commented on you saying you would have liked to have met Manse Everard as well as the others you listed, but overlooked him. Yes, I too might liked to have met that senior Time Patrol agent. He certainly was a friendly, tolerant, easygoing person for friends to be with. Comfortable as an "old shoe" as some have described him!
Sean
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