[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

[vorbarra]

Hm. The Emperor and Lord Vorkosigan? Are you reconsidering your aversion to admitting that, given that you may eventually hit bedrock, or are we only discussing my reveal?

[dendarii]

[ He winces a bit, not having planned on it ... but Gregor laying it out like that makes it obvious. Of course. ]

She'd completely kill me if we did that and I didn't fess up. No, both of us together. No other way to do it.

[ Reconsider his aversion in general though? Hell no. ]

[vorbarra]

Agreed, then. That's simplest. If it helps any, my revelation will probably completely overshadow yours.

[dendarii]

[ Brightly: ]

Oh, yes. I am in fact counting on that.

[vorbarra]

[He half-bows even while seated.]

I live to serve. Feel free to hide behind me all you like. [If he's only going to have one subject, might as well make himself useful for him.]

[dendarii]

On that subject, I absolutely will. Sire.

[ He offers to top off Gregor's glass. ]

[vorbarra]

[Gregor accepts gratefully.]

I think that's the first time you've ever asked to be made to seem unremarkable. Earth is a weird place.

[dendarii]

It's a strange and backwards state of affairs, isn't it?

[ There's a dim sense of discomfort across their link. ]

I wasn't expecting to be taken so seriously.

[vorbarra]

[Gregor is careful to keep his gaze resting softly on the ocean, like a man lost in thought, instead of what he is-- alert and attentive to Miles, despite the alcohol. Sometimes he feels he can't come in too direct, topics like this with Miles. He has to coax it out of him sideways.]

Disorienting to not be out of place? A regular irregular imPort.

[dendarii]

[ The best tactic with Miles in many things is to make him think it was his idea. This topic is no different. He shifts, trying to put it into words. Trying to reconcile his entire life up to this point with ... well, this. Walls marked progress. Each one beaten down and defeated. And now, suddenly, there are none.

If he were thirty, this might go a little differently. ]

Exactly. But how can I complain? It's what I've been trying to do all my life.

[vorbarra]

[He shakes his head immediately.] No, it's not. You want to prove them wrong-- no one here ever thought you had anything to prove in the first place.

Entirely different, not to have that audience. [Much like how growing to be alright with his lot in life means so much less without the Imperium looming behind him.]

[dendarii]

[ Miles broods over that for a moment. Is that why? He'd always thought of it as him just wanting what everyone else had, to show he didn't need nepotism or ... er. Show them, yes. Prove it. Constantly reproving himself. Gregor is right, as always. ]

The stakes aren't the same, are they.

[ For either of them. ]

[vorbarra]

No. But maybe we can think of it as a trial run.

[A gesture with his wine glass.]

I know we've never had them before, but. Other people seem to make use of them.

[dendarii]

How novel. [ He murmurs. ] The opportunity to fall on our faces without crushing everyone under us ...

[vorbarra]

[Black humor and agreement drifts across the link. Gregor is very familiar with the fear of crushing everyone with his failures.]

At least if we crush each other, we knew what we were getting into.

[dendarii]

[ Miles as well. Perhaps not as pathologically so as Gregor, but - well, Miles carries his own special social burdens. ]

And can agree to the risks properly?

[vorbarra]

We might be the only ones who can.

[dendarii]

[ Ah. He winces a bit at that, the smile dropping from his face. ]

As opposed to all these poor people we've lied to.

[vorbarra]

I'd think you'd be used to that. [He doesn't mean it as a criticism, just a leading comment.]

[dendarii]

[ Miles snorts a bit. ]

It's different back home. Here there's - no defenses. I can spin any ridiculous tale I like and no one can correct me.

[vorbarra]

Ah. So you don't like to dupe someone unless they can fight back. Very chivalrous of you.

[Gregor doesn't disagree, though.]

[dendarii]

You know what I mean. The level of trust here is astounding ...

[vorbarra]

[He smiles wryly.] I do know. Maybe I'm just used to all the vicious squabbling, like trying to herd cats who also lie, but it startled me, too.

It's... refreshing.

[dendarii]

[ Miles relaxes slightly. ]

Not to having to watch your back? People who genuinely want to be friends with you?

[vorbarra]

I... Yes. I know they have no reason to have ulterior motives here, but it keeps-- occurring to me again.