[ Well. Wash seems confused at first, but the moment he realizes what Byerly is telling him his expression shifts, attentive, focused, quick to process everything he's told.

And if he's honest, his position still doesn't change all that much. He doesn't particularly care about Barrayar. Maybe he should, if he intends to stay on it for long, but his life has led him to end up caring little for grand causes and instead immensely for individual people. What matters to him most will be whether or not Miles makes the decision he feels is personally right for him. Which is of course, intrinsically tied up in what's good for Barrayar, but. Wash doesn't see it that way. ]

Well. You've tried telling him some of that. [ His wife, which knowing Miles, is probably also where Wash would've started. ] That seems to be having the most effect.

I thought you told him to be cruel, honestly.

[ So hey. ]