Miles is used to the skepticism, albeit from a totally different angle. He keeps up a surprisingly brisk pace for a man so small, although he couldn't match Jasper's stride if he tried. "Me? Well, back home I'm an officer in the Barrayaran Imperial Service. But my current post on the ship," he says, and clears his throat, "is, uh, Beverage Dissemination Officer."

At least it sounds less stupid than ship's bartender, but only by a hair. He'd like a real job now, thanks. He cranes his neck to glance up at Jasper curiously. "And you?"