[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]

[ Spock stands with him from his kneeling position, careful to maintain his grip in Miles' hand. Which is difficult in itself for Spock, but he doesn't let his discomfort show in any way. ]

[dendarii]

[ Sorry, Spock. Miles doesn't dare let go of you right now. ]

All right, I can stand. Successful test. Time to end it.

[scienceping]

Before we do, are you feeling strained?

[dendarii]

[ Miles quiets for a moment, considering. ]

... No. Not at all. It feels very natural.

[ He sounds a bit chagrined, though. ]

[scienceping]

... Admiral?

[dendarii]

I'm just annoyed, Commander. It's fine. Any more thoughts?

[scienceping]

[ Nope, Spock's going to keep pushing. ]

Annoyed, sir?

[dendarii]

[ Dammit, Spock. If that link is open at all Miles' annoyance may be filtering through. ]

I've spent my entire life feeling too small for the rest of the world. This is just salt in the wound.

[scienceping]

[ Spock is keeping it carefully closed. ]

Then consider it merely a new perspective.

[dendarii]

I don't need any more of this perspective, thank you.

[scienceping]

[ Spock cocks his head, suddenly considering Miles with a inquisitive look. ]

... You are determined to interpret some aspect of this power as an offense to you personally.

[dendarii]

[ Exasperatedly: ]

Isn't it, though? Yours are targeted against you as well.

[scienceping]

Whether they are targeted or not, it is merely a state of being. To hold hostilities against it will only hinder your development in its use.

[dendarii]

I would be very happy not to use this one, I think.

[ And yet, despite himself, he's already thinking of situations where it would be useful. There was at least one incident where he'd had to hide in a very confined space... ]

[scienceping]

Then regardless of the emotion you convey, you actively seek to limit yourself. Remember, Admiral, that size or height is not a limitation.

[dendarii]

[ Hasn't he always met every limitation so far by smashing directly through it? Right. The only way to master this damn thing is to make it work for him.

He can still dislike it intensely, though. ]

Point taken, Commander.

[scienceping]

[ Spock nods.

Then lets go of Miles' hand. ]

[dendarii]

[ Miles whirls on him in alarm ]

Wait, don't --

[ ... Absolutely nothing happens. ]

-- let go. Ah. Hmm.

[scienceping]

[ He looks himself over, then at the surroundings which are still bigger. ]

Curious ...

[dendarii]

... Well, it's good to know that I don't need to maintain contact. But I'd be more relieved if you'd reverted back just now.

[scienceping]

Perhaps when you revert?

[dendarii]

Hopefully. Probably. Let's test it.

[ He relaxes a bit now, glad to be finishing this. Carefully accessing that part of his mind that has the both of them gently stuck at this level ... He loosens it a bit. That part's not an issue - the trick is that having Spock linked to himself adds extra pressure that he wasn't anticipating. It's rather like sliding down a hill of gravel, with Miles fighting for control all the way down.

In other words, the furniture is getting bigger for both of them, not smaller. ]

H-hang on - hang on, give me a second --

[scienceping]

[ That is slightly alarming, yes. But Spock isn't panicking yet, letting Miles have a moment to try and figure it out. When it looks like he's still struggling, Spock speaks in a low tone, nothing to jar his concentration. ]

Calm your mind, Admiral. There is no need to rush.

[dendarii]

[ Calm. Right. They aren't getting shot at; there's no one hunting for them. Hell, there's no one else even in the room with them. The only potential onlooker is Gregor, who is probably getting a weird mix of alarm from Miles right now. Deep breaths. Come on ... ]

Take my time, eh ...

[ Slowly, they come to a stop. And then, very slowly, he begins to reverse the process. It's kind of painful clawing his way back up now. But he's going to do it, dammit, and nothing in this universe or anywhere else is going to stop him.

After a few minutes, both of them are back to normal. Miles can feel his power popping back into place, like setting a dislocated shoulder. ]

[scienceping]

[ Spock didn't say anything else after that, letting Miles concentrate on the task. He's encouraged though when they start growing instead of shrinking. But that pained expression on Miles is worrisome. He continues to monitor him closely as they continue to grow, keeping half of his attention on their size, comparing it to what he believes is normal for them both. ]