dendarii | [IC] TEST POST

[ 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. ]

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[ It is a very comfortable seat. Two sets of facing seats, like in a limo. The countryside speeds past outside. ]

For having been half-drowned? Not bad. I've had much worse.

I'd believe it.

I'm impressed you get to do anything without a million guards following you.

It helps that I have to hire them. Most of them are away with my mother and father on Sergyar.

[Percy runs his hand through his wet hair, considering that sourly.]

... I can't imagine fighting for something like that.

... Fighting as a guard, you mean?

Just for something I was paid to do, I guess.

The bonds go rather deeper than that. It's a great honor - Counts are only permitted twenty of them, after all.

... This is one of those things that seem easy but gets all complicated, isn't it?

Yes. Barrayar is full of things like that. My mother complains about it constantly.

[ The countryside starts giving way to tall buildings. ]

So... as a heads up.

I'm really bad at that kind of thing.

[ Dryly: ]

I hadn't noticed. Fortunately, you won't be expected to.

That whole foreign cousin thing working for me?

Oh, yes. You're lucky I'm half-Betan, with a famously Betan mother.

So, as she's thankfully NOT Athena...

Is Betting like, another species or what?

[ Miles snorts at that. ]

We're all quite human, thank you. But Beta Colony has a drastically different culture compared to Barrayar.

She DOES seem like the cool one.

[But he kind of has a weak spot for butt kicking moms.]

They both have their infamous tendencies, I suppose. I have a few stories from the Pretendership ...

[ But here's the outside of a HUGE palace. Miles motions for the driver to stop. ]

Ah, this is where we want to be.

[Percy looks up sharply, eyes a bit wide again, and then out the window.]

These things really are fast.

[When the car stops, Percy opens the door and hops out... and crouches to look under the car. How dangerous would it be to put a hand under it...]

[ Completely safe. The car won't move even an inch. ]

Yes, that's exactly the point.

[Delicately tests the air under it, just a tiny inch at a time, in case it's just like this massive SUPER WIND DOWNWARD FORCE keeping the car up.

... And waves his hand under it.]

Man, NO ONE is gonna believe this and I LIVE in the craziest world.

[ Not even the slightest waver. ]

Really? You can reverse a river and flying cars is what gets you?

Okay, but flying cars are actually cool in ways that only show up in high budget movies. Seriously, this is some Back to the Future stuff, only without the chance of accidentally removing myself from the timestream.

MAN. I wonder if I dared Jason...

[ The reference is, alas, lost on Miles. ]

I can show you a wider variety once all this is done.

Okay. Deal.

[And he stands up and...

...

Somehow, this place is WAY more swank than even the place he slept at last night.]

Whoa.

[ Mlies can't help but grin a little. ]

Welcome to the Imperial Residence. Alas, our tour will be limited.

[ He walks them over to a large (yet ornate) sewer drain set into the side of the building. ]

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