"Yes," she says softly.

"My wishes won't change things either way but I can't wish they'd find us, given that."

She doesn't even bother looking overtly skeptical.

Sigh. "May I hold her?"

Shasali hesitates, but then holds her in his direction.

He takes her. She's so tiny. 

She grabs his finger. Shasali watches him like she's waiting to catch the baby if he decides to fling her into the street.

He doesn't do that. He beams at her.

They keep walking.

Another contraption approaches, but this one has a person on it and it's coming the other direction. He waves at them as he goes by. Brown skin, black hair.

"Might designate caste some way other than hair color. Might not have it, I guess."

She nods.

"I guess we're sleeping by the side of the road."

She looks ahead at the emptiness before them and the setting sun. "Guess so."

"I sincerely don't think it's in your interests to murder me in my sleep but given the information available to you I think it arguably is so maybe we should talk some more before we sleep."

"...talk about what?"

"I don't know. I've never gotten any reds to talk to me. Isel manages, but I think she manages by doing a lot of things first."

Nod.

"And it's a bit late for that." He snuggles the baby. 

"A bit."

"Are you planning to murder me in my sleep?"

"No."

Snort. "All right."

"Can I have her overnight?"

He hands her back over. 

Shasali cuddles the baby. She finds a reasonably cozy spot to sleep on the side of the road, baby in her arms.