[IC] TEST POST

[dendarii]

[ Miles Vorkosigan cuts an unusual figure even under the most extraordinary circumstances: tiny and somewhat hunchbacked, his curved spine obvious even beneath his custom-cut Imperial Security green military uniform. Unless you're bitty like him (and he's met few adults below his height of 4'8"), he likely comes up to your shoulder or a little lower.

There is, however, a manic energy to the man that makes him fill up more than his physical space. Sharp, penetrating gray eyes take in the world around him as great refreshing gulps of information. Depending on the situation, he may be taking in you as well. ]

A - Canon

[ In his case, you suddenly find yourself in an empty and rather old-fashioned looking house. Old-fashioned except for the high tech consoles installed in various areas, anyway, and if one looks out the window a relatively sci-fi-esque view can be seen interspersed with vaguely Russian architecture. Miles looks up, startled by your sudden appearance. ]

I'm sorry, have we met?

[ In other words, how the hell did you just waltz into the Vorkosoigan House without him being alerted by the guards? Visiting his father or mother, maybe? That's the only thing coming to mind. ]

B - Mask or Menace

[ Staring, Miles can deal with. It's depressingly normal and almost comforting, given the circumstances. But having people approach him like some kind of celebrity is damned unsettling. It feels like some awful combination of being both Lord Vorkosigan and Admiral Naismith at the same time ... which is technically true, but he's not enough at ease with himself to cross those wires just yet.

Speaking of which. He fixes a brilliant smile on his face as his confident swagger threatens to knock over anyone within a five meter radius of him. The space operatic Admiral Naismith persona in full force and practically spilling over. After all, when faced with a wall, Miles tends to charge right the hell on through. First obstacle to be defeated: finding out what the hell is going on and why his head is feeling strangely full all of a sudden.

He's about twenty or so, though with a face like his he could be anywhere between early twenties and early thirties. The tell-tale import barcode flickers at his wrist; he hasn't quite realized what that means for himself or anyone else. In a remarkably flat, pseudo-American accent: ]

You know, I think I've gotten myself lost. Any chance you're more familiar with this place?

[ Heropa is where he's come out first, but by now he could be in any of the Porter cities. ]

Comments

[dendarii]

Different, oh yes. I won't pretend my privilege hasn't protected me. But it hasn't done me as many favors as you think. My survival is an ongoing contest. Has been from the beginning.

[ A beat. ]

I don't think you're naive. But I think you lack some perspective still.

[rathercommon]

[ She puts her hands on her hips and says, quite tartly - ]

Are you saying that because you've observed a lack of perspective, or just because you're assuming things based on my age?

[dendarii]

[ What a firecracker, this one. He snorts a bit. ]

What were you planning to do after burglarizing my home?

[rathercommon]

Well -

[ Her eyes narrow just a touch. ]

I was going to take things back with me. Of course. Valuables, we'd sell, and technology we'd keep.

[dendarii]

[ He nods thoughtfully. ]

More resources for your group? What then?

[rathercommon]

Then we'd work to get our message out. Use it to start more open discussions amongst the people.

[dendarii]

[ Miles considers that seriously. Would that work? He can't see it hurting ... and yet ... ]

And then?

[rathercommon]

And then - get them on our side. See what becomes of that.

[ And then, the plan was, incite rebellion. Once their numbers had swelled and the people were on their side, then they might have a chance to make a show of force, demand representation in the only way that their overlords would recognize. But...That wouldn't really do to say to one of those overlords, would it. ]

[dendarii]

[ Probably not the best idea, no; that would require a report to ImpSec. And some shutdowns of the more active chapters of their rebellion. Still, he can guess at the eventual goal in broad strokes, if not the intensity she knows it to be. Change. Agitation. That kind of thing. ]

I find that people are a little less predictable than that in practice.

[rathercommon]

[ Her lips thin just a little bit. ]

I find that people really are transformed when they get access to proper information. Proper education. We're not counting on anyone being predictable at all. We're counting on the fact that teaching people helps them.

[dendarii]

Providing information and teaching are two different things.

[rathercommon]

[ She crosses her arms. ]

Are they?

[dendarii]

[ Rather dryly: ]

Very much so. Information is - a neutral thing. Teaching is guidance, for good or bad.

[rathercommon]

Then how come people can teach themselves? If teaching is guidance, then how do people guide themselves?

[dendarii]

Very carefully. And messily.

[rathercommon]

Yeah? I taught myself most of what I know.

[dendarii]

So did I.

[ This smile is more of a grimace. ]

But giving people more tools, yes, that does lead to results...

[rathercommon]

Right. And that's what we want to do. Give them more tools, give them more information.

[dendarii]

About the tyrannical rule of their mutie Vor lord?

[rathercommon]

[ Her lips tighten. But, more importantly, her eyes narrow; she stares at him hard. ]

Is that what you think we're like? My group. Ranting about the sorts of things that backwoods babas get worked up over? We care about the Vor part. And the tyranny. None of us give a crap about your genes.

[dendarii]

[ His drawl lengthens a bit, inching ever so slightly towards a hill folk accent. ]

And yet I wonder why you've started with my district.

[rathercommon]

[ That brings a flush into her cheeks. Her reply is a little snappish. ]

'Cause we're from here.

[dendarii]

[ He opens a hand towards her, acknowledging her point. ]

And I'm just unlucky enough to be the Vor in charge?

[rathercommon]

Of course.

[ But, it has to be noted, her flush is getting darker, rather than lessening. ]

We're moving towards the future, aren't we. That sort of prejudice belongs to the past.

[dendarii]

I'm glad you think so. Would be embarrassing otherwise.