<strong>"I am called Lakshmi,"</strong>the young Bene Gesserit replies, blushing a little as she meets Eliza's eyes. There is a hint of pink as her tongue slips out to lick her lips as though they are suddenly dry, As soon as the Heir announces her respect for the Sisterhood the novice demurely lowers her eyes and clasps her hands together, left fingers closing around right fist in some manner of formal gesture. She bows at the waist.<br/><br/><strong>"Your Excellency is too kind,"</strong>she intones, shuffling back three steps as she does so, as if she is eager to retreat back behind the other members of the entourage.<br/><br/>An obvious question that comes to mind, of course: where is her minder? This one barely has enough control of herself to keep from blushing at the attention of a routine court visit.<br/><br/><strong>"And with <em>that</em> out of the way,"</strong>Paeter grins widely, stepping forward as if trying to overshadow the girl and spreading his arms like a showman,<strong>"let us see to this wonderful repast! And you, my dear lady,"</strong>he addresses Oksana directly,<strong>"must tell me all about your dashing husband! How is the old boy holding up? I do so miss our games of shah-mat."</strong>