[IC] [Mask or Menace] Contact Post

[dendarii]

"This is Miles. Leave a message and I'll respond to you at my earliest convenience."

The line has gone silent; any messages sent to this name only return an error.

Comments

[vorbarra]

It's usually fine. I know you've been holding yourself back for me sometimes. I wish you didn't have to for my sake, but I'm... I'm grateful.

[ It's much easier to bring this up now than in the heat of the moment, since whenever Gregor needs that delicacy of touch, that light stepping around a subject, he's not quite of the right mind for speaking to his. But a whole swath of real gratitude pierces through him as he transmits this. ]

[dendarii]

[ Miles basks in that gratitude for a moment, greedily taking it in. ]

It seems a basic courtesy to me. I don't mind.

[ Nevermind he doesn't extend it to anyone else. Ever. ]

[vorbarra]

[ Gregor is perfectly aware that he gets preferential treatment from Miles. But since it's just because he's him and not because he's Emperor (at least not exclusively), it goes over with him much better. He secretly, selfishly enjoys it, just a little bit. ]

All the same, I know you're not in the habit of it with anyone else and I wanted to remember to tell you that I appreciate it.

[dendarii]

You make it sound like I bowl everyone else over.

[ Because he does. ]

[vorbarra]

You do.

[ No mercy. ]

[dendarii]

[ Eh. Miles never asks for any. If anything, he seems quite proud of his forceful personality. ]

Then they should get out of the way, shouldn't they?

[vorbarra]

[ A spark of intense amusement, Gregor laughing softly wherever he is. He'd always known Miles's take-on-the-universe attitude was deliberate; he hadn't expected him to be anything less than proud. ]

You'd think. Woe betide our enemies.

[dendarii]

Indeed. Though we need more friends ...

[ Recruits, he's thinking. ]

[vorbarra]

Yes. Let's schedule that. We need to finally get it done. I'm recovered enough to make the trip to that geneticist you found as well.

[dendarii]

[ Oh. That sparks an idea in his head that he rather likes. ]

Both at once? That's one way to draw in recruits ...

[vorbarra]

Because height is the defining factor in you recruiting people? [ That slips out unintentionally, with pronounced sarcasm.

He recovers enough to go on, ] We can if you'd like.

[dendarii]

[ Ow, hey. That does dampen Miles' enthusiasm slightly. ]

It doesn't hurt. Gives off a more dignified image.

[vorbarra]

[ Ah, damn. He didn't mean it that way. ]

I was trying to say you don't need the help. You're like a flame that all the moths come to. You've managed everything so impressively already, I can't fathom why you think gaining thirty centimeters will be some critical difference that improves upon success.

[dendarii]

[ Still a bit of a mental huff, but the sarcasm is instantly forgiven. ]

Said like a man who's been tall all his life.

[vorbarra]

[ Miles, please, how much ego stroking do you need?

There's a ripple of smug amusement at that, there and then gone if you blink, as he answers. ] Tall and not having to scrabble for any power, yes. I take your point. Very well. Let's see if it makes a difference.

[dendarii]

[ Look, he has feelings about this.

Once again, Miles gets this distinct sense that he's missed something ... There's a mental skip as he completely fails to realize what that is and continues onwards instead. ]

Good plan. I knew you'd come around to my way of thinking.

[vorbarra]

Of course. I admit it's going to be very surreal seeing you that way, but I'm sure you're excited for it.

Do think to warn your parents.

[dendarii]

I am very excited, thank you. It will all be a perfectly delightful vacation.

... Mother knows, anyway.

[vorbarra]

At least consider telling your father.

[dendarii]

It'll be better as a surprise, I guarantee it.

[vorbarra]

Far be it from me to dictate your relationship with your own father.

[dendarii]

[ A soft mental sigh, ever so slightly annoyed. ]

Why are you so worried about it?

[vorbarra]

[ A mental sense of putting his hands up palms out, pacifying. ]

I'm not. I just think it'd be courteous. But I really won't interfere.

[dendarii]

Good. I don't need you to.

[ He is perhaps a bit snippy about this because he knows in his heart it's the wrong decision. ]

[vorbarra]

[ More gently, Gregor deescalating rather than taking the bait, ] I know you don't. I'm following your lead on whatever you want to do with this, Miles.