Nicholas van Rijn's multi-skilled resume grows and grows.
"He could drift along like smoke when he chose." (p. 528)
Usually, we understand, he thumps the floor as he walks. But he knows how to drift like smoke when necessary. And he also wears a small, concealed sound amplifier for eavesdropping. Van Rijn, the spy.
His collaboration with Adzel continues. Van Rijn wants not to seduce Thea Beldaniel - although he could certainly have set out to do precisely that - but to overcome her hostility and win her confidence. Adzel, behind the scenes, adjusts the color and intensity of saloon lights while van Rijn plays relaxing music. Is there anything that he cannot do?
Well, yes, but he employs people to do everything else. He even has a chaplain back home who no doubt can advise him as to whether aliens are believed to have souls.
7 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I had to smile these comments about the omnitalented Nicholas van Rijn!
I remember that bit about the theologians, not simply a chaplain, debating whether or not non-humans had soul. We see Brother Parvus fretting about that issue in THE HIGH CRUSADE. And real world theologians have discussed it as well. And whether such aliens could become Christians.
Ad astra! Sean
Cats are like that. They can be very quiet when they want to... but a lot of the time when feeling happy and relaxed they gallumph along, or thrown themselves down with a thump.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I don't have a cat, or want one. But neither am I hostile to them. A few times, when with people who had cats, they usually got relaxed enough to get friendly with me. Which I would reciprocate.
Ad astra! Sean
When mine chases the red laser dot, she becomes so crazed eventually that she's galloping without any attempt at sound reduction, and banging into things and thumping and crashing. Also bulging eyes and claws everywhere.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
Sounds like your cat has fun chasing that red dot!
Ad astra! Sean
Fun an frustration combined. She wanted to catch it and kill it, very badly.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
Ha! Very carnivorous and aggressive of your cat! Just as well she is not the size of a TIGER!
Ad astra! Sean
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