[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]

[ Miles prides himself on being interesting, at least, if not always amusing. He's certain he can come up with something. Even if it's something as simple as a running commentary for whatever he's doing that day.

His darker moments will likely be unpleasant enough, oh yes. But manic Miles is nothing but bright, furious energy. ]

I'll help. Ivan would be the best teacher there, but ... well, we'll figure something out.

[ Some of that amusement fades, though, as Gregor mentions other possibilities. That - yes. Hmm. Extremely possible. So we'll set aside practice for that as well. If anything, you'll be able to keep them out if you can keep me out. ]

[vorbarra]

[Keeping his mind occupied in not-depressing avenues seems like half the challenge to Gregor, most days, so merely interesting is already a large step up.

Truthfully, he's concerned about what might happen if they both hit a downswing at the same time. Telepathy was not designed for two depressives in a funk. Practicing his shields-- and against Miles in particular-- might not be a bad bit of foresight, grim though it may seem.]

... Thank you. [For both. I can't imagine anyone more obstinate than you at getting access to denied information, so I'm sure that will be adequate.

How's that for practicing his friendly ribbing?]

[dendarii]

[ That could be a feedback loop of painful and epic proportions. All the more reason to have friends who can snap them out of it, or perhaps welcome another sworn liegeman into their group. In addition to basic shielding, anyway.

He grins at that second comment - oh yes, that was Gregor practicing. Miles does not have to feign his delight.

Exactly. Everything else will be easy after me. ]

[vorbarra]

[Gregor is profoundly glad that Miles is exceedingly skilled at both of those things: making friends, and finding Armsmen worth the asking. He himself is at such a deficit. Normally, all of his personal Armsmen are screened judiciously by ImpSec before they are even allowed to come to his personal attention for approval. Miles seems to just do it organically, as if he grows them to suit.

And of course the idea of Gregor making something like a friend at home would be laughable, apart from the ones he had already, neatly provided to him - like so much of his life - by Aral and Cordelia's generosity. Here, he's... attempting to learn, with varying success.

He's just glad he has someone to practice on that knows him so well.

He lets that comment sit for a moment, absorbing the atmosphere of camaraderie, before saying,] So, what do you think? Will that be enough traction to be going on with?

[dendarii]

[ If Miles has one natural super power, it's being an incredible attractor of talent. And judge thereof, to keep them close. Then again he did have very good examples in the form of Elena and Bothari. By now he's likely attracted a decent circle of friends here too; surely some percentage of them will talk to Gregor too.

Miles sips at his coffee during the interlude, enjoying the moment and the atmosphere both. He's much calmer than he was coming into this conversation. ]

Yes, sire. Good to start out with. See where momentum takes us from there.

[vorbarra]

[He can sense that thrumming tension has toned down, like a string vibrating between them that's switched to a lower frequency. He relaxes along with it, satisfied he's accomplished something for someone today.

And Gregor has to admit that it has an extra layer of satisfaction for doing it for the one subject he has here. He's defined his life around serving Barrayar since he was old enough to have such thoughts; depressed as it makes him at times, it's who he is. Without Miles here... he'd eventually flounder. Much as he suspects Miles would flounder without him.

Good thing they're both here, then.

He lifts his coffee in a fake toast, though he's given so many of them it comes across as officious without his conscious effort.] To momentum. And... seeing what happens.

[dendarii]

[ They balance each other, in their own way. That's all there is to it.

Miles beams a little too, and lifts his mug. ]

A little of both our styles.

[vorbarra]

[He takes his sip and sets it down, faintly pleased still.]

The only way to do it while we're here, I think.

[It really feels like a luxury to Gregor, another way to be someone other than just the Emperor. He has so many opportunities for that here, he feels greedy.]

[dendarii]

I would agree with that.

[ He grins a bit, not directly sensing that thought but able to guess from context. ]

All part of making real friends. Which you'll probably have in abundance by the time we're done here.

[vorbarra]

[Gregor blinks bemusedly. So far he's mostly just been keeping to himself, reading the news and serving coffee. That's been novel enough.]

I suppose I'll have at least one. ['In abundance' will forever feel like a stretch to him.] I have no idea what we'll do together without any tediously Vorish diplomatic events to attend. Or horses to ride.

[dendarii]

Organize a few of our own? With horses?

[vorbarra]

[Pause.]

... Could we do that? [A quirk of his lips, not quite a smile.] Would that count as subversive?

[dendarii]

Not if there's no one else here to judge that. Besides, we're the entirety of the Barrayaran Imperium in this universe.

[vorbarra]

You know... For the time being, I find I'm alright with that. You're much more manageable than the-- [hand wave] entirety.

[dendarii]

[ Miles grins. ]

Not actually more trouble than the rest of the Imperium put together. High compliments, sire.

[vorbarra]

I'll make sure it goes on your next performance review. There's probably a particular spot I've never used just for the Imperial Assessment.

[dendarii]

You wouldn't.

[vorbarra]

You'd likely string me up for the nepotism, so no, I wouldn't.

[dendarii]

[ Miles waves a hand, like "well there you go." ]

I am serious though. We can more or less do what we like here.

[vorbarra]

I admit, [Gregor says slowly,] that has not fully set in.

[It's been a month, Gregor. But it hasn't. He literally has no memories in his entire life of being able to do what he wants without consequence.]

[dendarii]

We have time for that. All the time in the world.

[ He's a little awed himself. Even traipsing off as the little Admiral isn't quite like this. ]

[vorbarra]

No one to report back to.

[Gregor blinks again.]

It's very strange. A little... vertigo-inducing, at times. [Not altogether pleasant-- somewhat frightening. But not altogether bad either, not at all.]

[dendarii]

[ Miles nods in complete agreement. He also isn't 100% enjoying this - as evidenced by the conversation they just had - but he has at least encountered the sensation of freefall before. ]

Do you need some traction too, Gregor?

[vorbarra]

Ah... no, thank you, Miles. I'll be all right. [Frankly Gregor would have to be in a wretched state indeed to answer anything else, it's so ingrained in him that he Must Be All Right or the Imperium itself stops functioning. All that pressure is why he'd left, but. That doesn't mean he feels he's escaped it.

Except he could, here. He could. It really does feel like freefall.]

It's just very... disorienting. Did you know there was minor flooding in the southern parts of Florida this morning? I actually started thinking about potential relief efforts to suggest to Minister Avalos before I was fully awake. It was a bit like, mm, waking up a second time.

I'm left wondering what to do with myself. [The sheen is wearing off his coffee shop job slowly but inevitably, leaving Gregor feeling a bit, well, useless.]

[dendarii]

[ That's exactly why Miles is asking. Their last encounter - and misguided adventure - still weighs heavy in his mind. Gently, with a faint tendril of gentleness to make it clear he's not accusing or blaming: ]

Why didn't you suggest anything?