[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]

-- Ah, yes. I'd very much like to see that.

[ He doesn't have much on him, save his comm. Fortunately it's waterproof and still works just fine. He sets it out on the table. ]

[scienceping]

Given the requirement of my other abilities, would you agree that this will most likely also require contact?

[dendarii]

I think that's a very good hypothesis, Commander. Care to test it?

[scienceping]

[ Spock shifts on the couch to face the comm directly. He might as well try not touching it first which will help prove or disprove his theory. He starts to concentrate on the comm, willing it to turn on or squelch or ... anything really. He can feel something stirring in the back of his head where he felt his power over cold working, but it's not actually moving yet.

Likewise, the comm sits there lifeless. ]

[dendarii]

[ Miles leans back, folding his arms. ]

Nothing so far ... time to try touching it.

[scienceping]

Agreed. I advise caution as I am uncertain how this power will manifest.

[ He sloooowly reaches for it, pressing his fingertips against the casing ...






... and nothing. ]

[dendarii]

[ Miles flinches a bit as Spock makes contact, almost expecting the comm to explode. But ... nothing. Hmm. ]

What are you trying to do?

[scienceping]

I was attempting to turn the device on.

[dendarii]

[ Miles presses a button and the screen lights up. ]

It was already on. Try turning it off.

[scienceping]

[ Alright then. Spock sits back on the couch again to concentrate without touching it at first to ensure that touch is necessary. He can feel the shift in the back of his mind again, signaling that his power is ready to take affect. Spock lets it simmer there for a while, willing the comm to turn off. When nothing happens for several moments, he leans forward to try direct contact again.

When his fingers touch the comm though, the screen fritzes and blinks out with an audible fzzt. ]

[dendarii]

[ Whoa. Miles jolts, a bit dismayed. That's ... unfortunate. ]

Er. Well. It's off now.

[scienceping]

Ah. My apologies.

[ But there was something ... Spock tilts his head, his eyebrows knitting slightly as he picks up the comm to consider it. It ... felt like the battery itself was only overcharged. But how could he feel that? The only way he'd know for sure would be to take the device apart; with as antiquated as it is, he could probably tell with one look what happened. But ... he already does know, doesn't he?

While Spock is considering all that, his gaze is pretty intense on the comm still in his hand, leaving Miles in silence for a long while. ]

[dendarii]

[ Miles waits patiently for Spock to say something else. When nothing comes, he edges forward cautiously. ]

Commander? Are you still with me?

[scienceping]

[ His posture and head angle don't change, neither does his gaze directly at the comm or his focus on it, but he does answer Miles as if he were paying attention the whole time. ]

I believe I may know what transpired.

[dendarii]

-- Really? How? What?

[scienceping]

I was somehow able to detect the power surge within the device. I could ... feel how the battery overloaded.

[dendarii]

... Interesting. So - diagnose and cause technological problems? Can you fix them too?

[scienceping]

It can be fixed by simply replacing the battery.

[dendarii]

[ Miles snorts a bit. ]

Sure, let me just go out and buy one.

[scienceping]

However, I will attempt to repair the battery itself, though again, I cannot predict the outcome.

[dendarii]

[ That sounds more like it. ]

What's the worst that could happen?

[scienceping]

The device itself could become damaged beyond repair.

[dendarii]

Always a delight, Commander. Try it anyway.

[scienceping]

[ Spock gives another one of those awkward-on-him looking shrugs indicating his indifference to Miles' comment about his lack of optimism. But he turns back to the comm to concentrate again ...

Now if Spock were to manually repair a battery, he'd have to recondition it which means draining it entirely of a charge and reintroducing a new charge. He shifts his grip on the comm, laying it flat on one palm while placing the fingertips of his other hand along the edges, not wanting to damage the screen. Feeling the shift in the back of his mind, he wills the battery to drain—and the image of the power physically leaving the battery through the metal bits and wires of the comm, surging into Spock's fingers enters Spock's mind. The only outward indication that this is actually taking place is the soft descending mechanical note the phone gives.

Also, Spock's hair beginning to stand on end like he's full of static. ]

[dendarii]

[ Whoa. That's - impressive. And strange. And weird, given Spock's hair doesn't seem the sort to stand on end much. Tousling aside. He's overcome by the urge to poke the Vulcan and discharge it.

But no, that could very well hurt this guy. Reluctantly he curbs the impulse. ]

... You look a little dangerous right now.