[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

[mythtakes]

[It had been a blur, turning a corner in Manhattan and the architecture had become more than a little unfamiliar. He'd barely had any time to look around before he'd heard the tandem growls...]

It was... sort of a dead end alley. I had to double back when I heard Double Dog Breath. There was an alcove at the end, and ...

[He describes a few of the buildings and one of the small local shops.]

[dendarii]

[ Miles brightens immediately. Ah yes, that sounds exactly like the little alcove of shops where he'd bought food before meeting Ma Kosti. He points to a mark on the map, and then another one labeled "Vorkosigan House." ]

Very close indeed. And in a Greekie area just like the rest. Stop there first after breakfast?

[mythtakes]

Sounds like a plan.

[What even was food like from here? INSTANT MEAL SPACE CAPSULES?]

Man, I wish we were back home. I could get you properly armed for this.

[dendarii]

[ Sometimes, yes. But the breakfast Ma Kosti brings out is a hearteningly normal one - pastries, eggs, various cured meats, Earth-descended fruits. A few unfamiliar recipes or variations on the above, but given that one of the new ones is a spiced peach tart that smells utterly delightful... Miles thanks the woman and gladly loads food onto his plate. ]

Properly armed? What do you mean?

[mythtakes]

[YEAH NO. THIS IS WORTH A DELAY. Percy loads up his plate with all of the eagerness of a growing kid, and even starts to eat before answering. The end of the world has never stopped Percy from getting a full meal before, being on ANOTHER world wont stop him now.]

Wow this is good.

Yeah... Special metals to take down monsters. Imperial Gold which is clearly not as awesome as Celestial Bronze, but both do the trick.

[dendarii]

[ There is no shortage of food either. Ma Kosti takes one look at the teenager in her parlor and brings back seconds. Much to the faint annoyance of the guard, if the noises coming from the kitchen are any indication. She'll make extra for them later.

Miles just grins, glad to see his choice in cooks has won over yet another guest. Especially one who can't bribe her to come home with them. He pours himself a strong cup of coffee and takes a sip. ]

... Never heard of either of them. Is that what your sword was made out of?

[mythtakes]

[She gets the most winning smile Percy can muster, both thumbs up.

Can't reply eggs too good.

Instead he pulls a ... ballpoint pen out of his pocket and rolls it to Miles across the table.]

[dendarii]

[ Um. He frowns down at it, still chewing on a mouthful of peach tart himself. ]

It's a pen.

[mythtakes]

[He makes a sympathetic expression, chewing a few more times before swallowing.]

Yeah I said that too. Take off the cap.

[dendarii]

If this is all an elaborate pun about pens and swords...

[ He does, at least, believe the boy enough to make sure the pen is angled away from himself when he uncaps it. ]

[mythtakes]

[He doesn't even bother to hide a grin behind the pastry he has in his hand.

Immediately, the pen transforms into a heavy bronze sword. Anaklusmos is written on the blade. The sword of Hercules.]

It does write too, for the record.

[dendarii]

[ Whoa. He can read the Greek but isn't quite familiar enough with the lore to place it - still. He lets out a low, breathless whistl. ]

And this is - celestial bronze, then? Do they all do that?

[mythtakes]

Nah, that one's pretty special. Most of them will just stay as weapons.

[dendarii]

Right. Special weapons especially for monsters...

[ He frowns down at that exact shade of golden metal, trying to place it. Hasn't he seen that shade before? Not that that means anything but ... With last night's revelations, everything seems in doubt now. ]

Do normal weapons not work at all?

[mythtakes]

Some will. You can drop a ceiling or a bridge or a national monument on a monster and it will sometimes take them out. But you need a LOT less effort with that metal.

[He pauses to wash down some of the breakfast he is inhaling.]

Also, it wont kill normal people. Or even hurt them at all.

[dendarii]

That I would give quite a lot to have. Oh for a gun that doesn't cause any friendly fire...

[ His mouth twitches uncomfortably. Speaking from experience, maybe? ]

Unfortunately it does rule out every weapon I've ever heard of.

[mythtakes]

[Almost definitely... Maybe THAT'S what happened to the Admiral. For once, Percy doesn't poke at it.]

I do know it can be used in bullets... though I don't know how he cast them. If it's an alloy it'll effect both normal humans and monsters.

[There's a sour note there and a downward twist of his lips.]

[dendarii]

[ Best not to, given that face. A mirror to Percy's own, in fact, though Miles is perhaps less dauntable. Or just damned curious. He figures he has a right to know about this now. ]

Something you've encountered?

[mythtakes]

Yeah.

It's bad. Whenever it shows up, it's not being used for good things.

[dendarii]

... I can imagine. Someone fighting both the supernatural and humans at once is unlikely to be on your side.

[ He takes another hard-boiled egg and chews on it thoughtfully. So, only one weapon that will be guaranteed to work, and clearly being used to best effect if it remains in Percy's hand. But given he has no idea if a stunner - or even a nerve disruptor - will work on monsters, he'd better have a more analog backup on hand just in case. He has just the thing... ]

[mythtakes]

Yeah no. We're weak to it too. Twice the weaknesses... but we can go anywhere, challenge anyone as long as we have the courage to do it.

Not exactly sure about how that's a perk, but that's what was told to me.

[In the mean time, finally FINALLY Percy seems to be slowing down. The kid can really pack it away.]

[dendarii]

[ Ma Kosti will be pleased. Miles eats a very small amount in comparison - he's rather slim in addition to his short height, and he just doesn't eat as much food as the average person. Let alone a teenage boy.

He considers Percy' response thoughtfully. ]

Opportunity isn't an advantage everyone gets. I think ... I would rather have that than anything else in the world.

[mythtakes]

That? You'll get a LOT of that if we're still dealing with the same sort of thing.

[dendarii]

Careful what you wish for, eh ...

Do you usually end up fighting a lot of monsters? Like what we handled yesterday?

[mythtakes]

It's not every day. Sometimes you can go a couple of months without running into anything at all.

But man, when it hits the fan, it hits hard.