dendarii | [IC] TEST POST

[ 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. ]

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Just checking. I try not to get into firefights in civilian areas.

[She's not sure Miles is or is not a soldier or with his government. But the mention of guards suggests he has some status. On the other hand, the scenery is clearly not purely military unless the CO has some serious eccentricities.]

[ Civilan, ha... Is that what he is now? Can any Vor be truly civilian? And yet he is certainly no longer ImpSec. His mouth twists painfully. ]

I would prefer that as well. ... Are you armed?

Not at the moment. I hadn't intended to go visit a habitable planet.

[And, if she was, she probably wouldn't be thrilled at disarming around people who are... possibly not enemies, but definitely not allies.]

[ Miles, meanwhile, relaxes incrementally. If she had been armed, he would have insisted on confiscating the weapon. His eyebrows go up. ]

Martine is not an inhabitable planet then?

{Lafiel shrugged]

I wasn't there yet.

... I don't follow.

I was traveling to Martine. I didn't arrive yet. Generally, even energy weapons aren't particularly well-paired with spaceships.

[Any space-born person has a distinct uneasiness with things that might melt holes in hulls. Lafiel has fought on stations before, but that didn't mean she thought it was the best idea]

Well, yes. Generally a bad idea. I meant - why are you going to an uninhabited world?

Did I say it was uninhabited?

... No, I suppose not. Domes then? A space station?

Some domes. It's been terraformed, but the population hasn't outgrown them.

Some unknown world with terraforming... Are you not human then?

[Lafiels eyes narrowed[

Just because I'm Abh doesn't mean I'm not human.

[not that refusing the Abh their humanity isn't a common sentiment among landers]

And intelligent aliens don't exist.

... And here we are, two humans who have never heard of each others' planets.

[ A pause. ]

What is an Abh?

Now I know I'm on a backwater...

Do you mean the biological definition or the political?

... Both? I've never heard the term in my life.

My ancestors were genetically engineered for long-duration spaceflight. The blue hair was a marker to distinguish us from landers.

Politically, an Abh is any noble from the Abh Empire, regardless of their biology.

And the Abh Empire has both humans and Abh?

I told you, Abh are humans.

But there are landers, which is what I assume you mean. Mostly on the planets.

-- Yes, sorry. That is what I meant.

[ A beat. ]

You are ... extremely unusual around here. Possible to be mistaken for Cetagandan, though they are less modified than you I think.

And I take it that's not a good thing here. It would be a change to be chased for something I'm not.

Extremely bad. Old enemies - lots of bad blood. And property that still glows in the dark.

I've used disguises before.

[granted, that disguise was hair dye and a hat; and she hated it]

... yes, I think so. Something for the ears at least. The hair I may be able to pass off as a galactic fashion.

People do dye their hair blue.

[and this is a bit of a relief.]

I can use a hat. It will also cover my spacio-sensory organ if I have to take off this.

[she indicated the tiara]

Your people don't wear anything weird, do you?

[Lafiel is not impressed with what fashion she's seen on planets; given her people seem to go with robes over jumpsuits, the feeling may be mutual.]

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dendarii - 2015-12-22 03:49 (UTC) - Expand

ungrounded - 2015-12-23 02:45 (UTC) - Expand