[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]

[ Huhhhh. Miles recognizes that. ]

Arranged marriages? Really?

[scienceping]

Affirmative. It is logical to match individuals of similar traits and qualities.

[dendarii]

And here I had always thought of it as a rather backwater practice.

[scienceping]

[ Spock quirks his eyebrow again. ]

Oh? May I inquire why?

[dendarii]

Because it's mostly practiced in the Barrayaran Imperium. They've only returned to galactic politics in the last hundred years or so, after nearly a thousand years of isolation.

[scienceping]

And such isolationism is ... "backwater"?

[dendarii]

That's the general consensus, yes.

[scienceping]

A curious conclusion ...

[dendarii]

How so?

[scienceping]

While diversity and discovery is more logical for societal improvement, isolation is not necessarily a hindrance.

[dendarii]

... Let me guess. You were isolated too?

[scienceping]

Not for several centuries before the formation of the Federation.

[dendarii]

But before that. How'd your planet take it?

[scienceping]

The primary reason for my planet's isolationism was unrest within our society. Vulcans were once an extremely violent and emotional people, even by Earth standards, who waged almost constant warfare on one another. However, this period of violence led to the Time of Awakening, a period of renaissance when the violent and warlike Vulcan race switched to more peaceful ways.

[dendarii]

[ Huhhh. More familiarity - minus the whole alien species thing. He nods along, not needing much more elaboration than that. ]

Caused by contact with the outside world? Or vice versa?

[scienceping]

Perhaps influenced by, at least in part. Some degree of xenophobia is a common factor with any world beginning to enter an intergalactic theatre.

[dendarii]

Oh yes, very definitely. Takes a while to wear off. Old prejudices take even longer...

[scienceping]

Humans are particularly susceptible to emotional lingering.

[dendarii]

And Vulcans aren't?

[scienceping]

Vulcan children learn to detach themselves from their emotions at an early age, and continue to control their emotions throughout their lives.

[dendarii]

[ Miles shivers a little. Would he have fared better if he could control himself more? Or worse for feeling bottled up? He doesn't know. ]

Not my style, I'm afraid.

[scienceping]

[ Spock catches that shiver, the dart of his eyes over Miles the only outward indication that he noticed it. ]

Do you often indulge in emotional outbursts?

[dendarii]

They're extremely cathartic, but no, not regularly.

I guess ... I'm the sort of person who's either on or off. Something in the middle all the time seems wrong to me.

[scienceping]

I am uncertain I comprehend your meaning ... "something in the middle"?

[dendarii]

Normal.