Dr Barlow was having tea with the count. She had felt him stare while mixing sugar into her tea and now looked up to meet his gaze.
"So…" count Volger began. Dr Barlow knew she was supposed to explain as to why he was called to her private quarters but waited for him to continue.
When he let the silence drag on she sighed. "Count Volger, What do you think about Mr. Dylan Sharp?"
the Loris perched on her shoulder muttered "Mr. sharp" and cackled .the count studied the doctor's face. Had she figured out the midshipman's secret? But as usual her face and voice gave nothing away. That was a trait of her's that he both admired and disliked.
He chose his words carefully. "Mr. sharp…"he said "personally I am glad for his presence. Aleksander needs the company I think…even if he is a commoner" he added as a second thought.
Dr Barlow smiled. She knew he didn't tell her everything he knew. She didn't expect him to. As always the man calculated every step, thought every minute detail through. She was both attracted to and frustrated by his manner. She decided to open upto him a little. To see what his response would be.
"They seem to have become fast friends…"she mused.
"Indeed. They have been through a lot together" count volger replied carefully.
"but…"said Dr Barlow thoughtfully, "there has been something bothering me" "it's the Loris…"she said "it was supposed to bond with the first person it sees...but it has bonded with both alek and Dylan…that was not supposed to happen"
Count Volger frowned. He wondered what this had to do with him. After all he despised all these godless creatures, although he had to admit the Loris was not too bad…not that he would admit it to anyone.
Seeing Dr Barlow's expectant gaze on him he felt the need to say something. "Maybe the creature is malfunctioning." he said and then immediately regretted saying so. But Dr Barlow waved aside the suggestion and said "I think not. If so there should be more signs. The egg's structure was well formed before the airship crashed…"she frowned "there is another way that a Loris's attachment could be split ….but for that to happen Mr. sharp and aleksander should be more than friends…very intimate…"count volger froze. The boffin's Loris muttered "Mr. Sharp" and giggled again.
Dr Barlow's eyes widened.