[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]

[ Good. :|!! Spock hesitates at first, but it's a reasonable request. He holds up both hands to show that he didn't full recover; the skin on the tips of his hands are tinged a deeper green up to his first knuckle, and it's also beginning to affect the skin itself, showing dry patches and shallow cracks in the skin. ]

[dendarii]

[ Miles frowns as he looks down at Spock's skin. That ... was worse than he'd thought. Significantly so. ]

... Let's make this the last test for now. This is starting to hurt you.

[scienceping]

[ It looks like Spock may actually protest to that, showing a depth of stubbornness that wasn't really there before, but he stops himself before verbalizing it. It would not be logical, after all. ]

... Agreed. As I said before, Vulcans are not well-adapted to cold conditions.

[dendarii]

[ Good. If Miles isn't allowed to be a dumbass, then neither is Spock. ]

That's very clear, yes. Ironic powers ...

[ He nudges the plant a little closer. ]

[scienceping]

[ Spock shifts his attention then, reaching for one of the leaves towards the middle of the plant, delicately touching it with only his forefinger and thumb. After a brief pause for a deep breath, Spock begins to concentrate his power, the leaf beginning to frost right away. He pushes it as far as the stem of the leaf, then removes his hand.

Except the frost doesn't stop there. The progression slows significantly, but the frost continues to advance past the stem onto the branch, spreading to the other leaves and even down the branch to the main body of the plant. In about a minute's time, the entire plant is frosted over, even down into the soil along the roots. ]

[dendarii]

[ Well. Shit. Miles pales a bit, watching the rapid spread of that frost. If it had been him ... He doesn't really want to consider how bad the damage could have been. After a moment, he swallows. ]

Very effective against organic matter.

[scienceping]

[ Spock just sort of. Stares at the plant for a moment. He then reaches out with the same hand, taking a delicate hold of the same leaf he started with.

It completely snaps off the stem with a distinct tink, then even that tiny amount of force makes the rest of the leaf crumble and fall to the icy soil in the pot below. Spock just lets go of the piece still between his fingers to join the rest of it, keeping his expression carefully neutral to hide the fact of how disturbed he is by what he just did. ]

It is highly fortunate that I refused to experiment on you, Admiral.

[dendarii]

[ Even worse. Hell, that would have been a snapped finger on him for him for sure. At minimum. He makes a mental note not to ever be close enough to risk being in contact while Spock while he's using that power. ]

Yes ... yes, I think you're right. Very right.

[ Another awkward swallow. ]

How are your hands now?

[scienceping]

[ Spock holds up the hand he was just using, refusing to let it shake as he lets Miles inspect it. A little more chapped than moments ago, though the color didn't change at least. ]

[dendarii]

[ Miles very carefully takes Spock's hand again, though he doesn't touch his fingertips. Not wanting to risk accidental freezing. Not so bad ... ]

More warm water, then. And a break.

We've found out quite a lot today.

[scienceping]

[ He nods at the suggestion, going a little more quiet as he considers what they have found out. He doesn't refuse or react to the hot water this time, either. ]

Indeed we have ...

[dendarii]

[ Up and down again, then, refilling the bowl and bringing it back to the table. He's quiet until he comes back with all the supplies needed. ]

Are you all right, Commander?

[scienceping]

[ Ugh water |( but the heat is good at least. ]

... Affirmative, Admiral. Merely compiling the details of this power.

[dendarii]

Touch required, quite strong, very effective against organic matter ... You have an unusual weapon here. I'm still a little jealous.

[scienceping]

I would have thought of your powers as quite formidable.

[dendarii]

[ He makes a face, still watching Spock's hands with some concern. ]

You haven't seen them yet. Trust me, they are not.

[scienceping]

[ Spock's hands are slowly going back to a more normal green (what) in the now-warm water, but the skin will take some time to repair. Spock will probably need to invest in some serious hand repair cream. ]

Would you demonstrate?

[dendarii]

[ Miles makes a mental note to look for a medkit once he takes a full tour through the house. He'll have to get supplies in general, soon enough.

For now, he winces at Spock's suggestion. He ... really can't say no, after having egged Spock into doing this to himself. The least he can do is return the favor. ]

Right. Yes. That's only fair.

[ He carefully gets to his feet. ]

[scienceping]

[ He lets his hands continue to soak in the warm water while he watches Miles with interest. ]

[dendarii]

[ This is the first time he's tried it with an audience - he hasn't even let Gregor watch, not after his first disastrous attempt. It's all just a matter of control, he's sure of it. Just a matter of getting it exactly right, and getting it to stick ... Hell, if he got stuck like that he'd be overjoyed. It's the rebound that he hates...

He takes a breath and concentrates, half-lidding his eyes. The change is subtle at first, like he's just straightening up a little taller. No, he's definitely taller. Spine uncurving itself, his head not quite so large for his body. When he's done, he's normally proportioned at around 6 foot even. The effect may be downright startling - he looks normal. Rather good-looking, even. (Not that he hadn't had a decent face to him, but he mostly looked interesting rather than handsome. This is what he should have looked like without the soltoxin poisoning.

It's also incredibly painful. His bones were not made to stand up to the extra mass, even with the superpower assisting him. He takes a deep breath and chokes down his discomfort. ]

Well?

[scienceping]

[ Spock's own eyelids open slightly wider as the changes become apparent. ]

Remarkable, Admiral. However ... you appear to be experiencing a great deal of pain.

[dendarii]

I'm beginning to realize why my parents didn't let me get any taller. It's fine, though. Nothing's broken.

[ He's just feeling a remarkable amount of sympathy for rubber bands at the moment, stretched as he feels. Come on, hold it a little longer ... He's sure if he can just hold it long enough, he can get it to stick. A bead of sweat trickles down his forehead. ]

[scienceping]

[ Spock frowns deeply as the signs of strain become more readily apparent. ]

Admiral, I strongly suggest that you desist.

[dendarii]

I'm fine, Commander --

[ Until something snaps in his control, anyway. He cries out very briefly before falling to the floor. At least, that's what it looks like from Spock's angle. In reality Milles has made a very abrupt transition from six feet to about six inches, a fact he realizes once he opens his eyes and sees the underside of the coffee table above him. Dammit. He groans faintly, throwing his arm over his face. More exasperated than alarmed. He'll be back to his version of normal within a few minutes, if past experience is any guide.

And on the plus side, his bones feel quite sturdy. A normal density, in fact. ]

[scienceping]

[ Spock is off the couch the moment Miles falls to his knees, but he's momentarily shocked when he doesn't actually see Miles kneeling on the ground. He takes several steps forward when he hears Miles groan, looking around the room. ]

Admiral?