[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

[open_sesame]

[it supports your weight! And then starts lifting up higher and higher, above the rooftops eventually]

I skipped school because it was standardized test day and those are super boring...

[dendarii]

[ hell. miles has been in lightflyers and spaceships, but this is something else. for once he's glad he's not much bigger than this twelve-year-old kid. he gawks at the scenery below. ]

And they sent someone after you? That's ... different.

[open_sesame]

If it wasn't so boring I'd do it.

Is there anything you want to find while you can see everything?

[dendarii]

[ he's not even sure where to start. something practical ... ]

Where do people get food around here?

[open_sesame]

I dunno, my roommates buy the food.

[dendarii]

That's very helpful.

[ he keeps watching below them ... hmm, is that a supermarket? ]

What about that?

[open_sesame]

Let's go see. Hold on!

[WHOOSSSHHHH to behind the grocery store]

[dendarii]

Wait -

[ all he can do is cling on as tight as he can. this is - amazing. but terrifying.

[open_sesame]

[WHOOOSSHHH! I CAN SHOW YOU THE WORLD! QUICKLY AND BRISKLY I'M SORY~

their ride stops about four feet above ground rather smoothly and Aladdin hops off easily]

[dendarii]

[ miles staggers off it a little less gracefully ]

Do you always travel like that?

[open_sesame]

No. Sometimes it's too far for me to fly the whole way. And if there's supplies they can't always be carried either. I've traveled by boat before. And by caravan a bunch too.

I can't keep flying while I sleep so anything too long has to be done the other ways. And it's not safe to be alone at night while traveling, even if you are with others you can still get caught by slave traders or bandits.

[dendarii]

... Where do you usually go? With your friends?

[open_sesame]

[deflates, ducking his head and pulling his staff to his chest]

...nowhere, now. I suppose we'll remain in the Kou Empire from now on to watch over Hakuryuu's reign. Unless there's business for us to attend to elsewhere. I'm not entirely sure what my role will be.

But before that we went many places. Balbadd and Sindria and a dungeon and Magnostadt the magician country and...

It was fun, to ride on the boat with Alibaba and Mor and Hakuryuu. We played a joke on Alibaba and he made a lot of silly faces. I'd like to have times like that here.

[dendarii]

[ ah. poor kid. miles can absolutely sympathize. ]

How'd you end up babysitting an emperor?

[open_sesame]

I'm a Magi. But it was a mutual agreement between myself and Hakuryuu.

Hey, let's check out this place, alright? I bet there's some delicious food inside.

[dendarii]

[ miles can't say much more without betraying gregor, alas. so instead, he just nods. ]

May as well. Couldn't hurt.

[ this is going to be a new experience for both of us ]

[open_sesame]

[inside we go and...!]

Oh! Look! There's fruit!

[dendarii]

[ huhhh. miles has to take a moment to consider how admiral naismith would react to all this. ]

Resembles some of the open air markets I've been to. Except with more of everything ...

[open_sesame]

[grabbing a watermelon pardon me]

[dendarii]

[ whoa. what the heck is that. ]

... You recognize that?

[open_sesame]

It's a watermelon! I love these!

[dendarii]

I've never had one. How do you eat it?

[open_sesame]

You have to cut them open. The insides are red and delicious and sweet!

[dendarii]

Ingenious. Let me get this one?

[ he's going to go charm the cashier into letting a pair of imports get the food they need. advertising for the store, blah blah blah. ]

[open_sesame]

Watermelon! Watermelon!

[dances behind Miles as he works. PSYCHED FOR WATERMELON]