I, uhm, this is kinda silly, but I want to ask you for your permission to marry him.I, uhm, this is kinda silly, but I want to ask you for your permission to marry him." David saw Shardik's look confused for a moment, and puzzlement crossed Aaden's face as well. "Marry? You mean, like, a ritual sort of bonding?" She nodded. "David, come here." She reached her hand out. He walked forward, nervously, and she eased him close to her, her arm around his waist. "David, this is my father, Aaden Satpulov. Daddy, this is my coimelin, David." "I'm pleased to meet you," Aaden said. "I guess I should make the other introductions. David, I'd like you to meet one of my coimelin, Kennet Shardik." Shardik reached his hand out. David took it and shook, briefly. "My pleasure. You must really have caught Denni's heart. She was a very choosy young girl." "I think it's the adventurer she loves in me," David smiled, trying to joke. "Must be it," Aaden said. "She always was going after the daredevils." "David is hardly a daredevil," Shardik said, glancing at a PADD of his own. "According to your registry at Parma, you've been a very successful cargo hauler for the past forty years. You've never knowingly taken on illegal freight, and you've always lived within the law." "I've tried," David admitted. That sensation that he was small enough to put under a microscope returned. "Dave?" Shardik asked, looking up at nothing. "Huh?" David asked. "Not you," Shardik said. "Oh, great, I've got two Davids in my house. David Majors." "Here, Ken. I figured you were asking for me." "We're going to need two more spaces for dinner, and I think these two lovebirds are going to need a room for the night." "We have space on my ship," David said suddenly. "Oh, wouldn't you like to spend one night here? I mean, we have big, comfortable beds and an unlimited water supply and the widest array of entertainments imaginable." Shardik smiled. David thought about it. "Can I at least call my ship?" "Feel free," Shardik said, tossing the PADD. |