[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

[scienceping]

[ His eyebrow cocks again. ]

If you apply a loose definition of the term, then ... affirmative.

[dendarii]

A copy of the original. The difference being that you will never encounter your progenitor...

[scienceping]

[ ... Sigh. He tried. ]

That can be said for others in my reality, but not for myself.

[dendarii]

[ Miles' turn to tilt his head. ]

You have encountered him?

[scienceping]

The circumstances that brought Nero back in time also included Spock. Having changed events in his past, he is now stranded from his prime reality which is approximately 129 years ahead of mine.

[dendarii]

... That must be unsettling. For both of you.

[scienceping]

Not particularly. The events that Nero initiated were by far more unsettling.

[dendarii]

Well - yes, in comparison, but -

[scienceping]

It was surprising, though his presence explained a number of details in the events that occurred.

[dendarii]

Like what?

[scienceping]

Namely the origin of the red matter and the method of their arrival in the past. He had possessed the red matter so that the resulting black hole would absorb a star that had gone supernova, thereby saving the inhabitants of the surrounding system. The engineering comprehension necessary to artificially create a black hole could theoretically be manipulated to create a tunnel through space-time.

[dendarii]

Ah ... otherwise you may not have known about Nero's origin.

[scienceping]

Correct.

[dendarii]

What does he think of this new universe?

[scienceping]

Different, obviously. And he has taken a vow to not interfere or further change my reality more than he already has.

[dendarii]

He must be lonely, though.

[scienceping]

[ He tilts his head minutely once more, silently asking for clarification. ]

[dendarii]

... He doesn't interfere, right? So, who can he talk to?

[scienceping]

He has devoted himself to the new Vulcan colony and helping to rebuild our race, immersing himself in an event that did not occur in his timeline.

[dendarii]

Sounds like interference to me.

[scienceping]

Ah, allow me to clarify my earlier statement. His vow was to never to give either me or those he knew intimately in his reality any information that could potentially alter our destiny. While he has devoted himself to helping rebuild our race, for which he feels partly responsible for our endangerment, it also allows him to remove himself from our paths.

[dendarii]

... Ah, yes. That makes more sense. So he is making his own life, just not with you.

[scienceping]

[ He gives a small nod. ]

I would have resigned my Starfleet commission and to aid our race as well, but as he had pointed out to me ... I could be in two places at once.

[dendarii]

[ Aha. Ahahaha. Boy, that's something he knows a thing or two about. He can't help the faint crooked grin on his face. ]

No need to quit, then. I like it.

[scienceping]

[ And there's that look again, like Spock just knows what Miles isn't saying ... ]

I had thought you might.