[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

[rathercommon]

[ Her eyes flick towards it. She thinks - she could grab his wrist right then. Yank him hard, jerk him against the table to drive the breath from him. While he's trying to regain his wits, she could grab that stunner, shoot him before he can alert anyone -

And then...carry him out of here? He's little, but not that little. No. A Vor lord would be good leverage if she could pull off that aforementioned kidnapping, but - too many difficult details. Regretfully, her eyes leave the gun. And the sting of the missed opportunity lends a bit more viciousness to her words than is perhaps warranted. ]

No, of course. I mean, that does make sense. After all, it's just the lives and the futures of us proles, living in squalor with no way to change our lot in life. That's much less exciting than - [ She lifts her glass and suggests - ] Drinking really delicious wines.

[dendarii]

[ She could certainly do all of that. If she knew about Miles' driver and his seizures, she might even manage to walk out the front door with him claiming a medical emergency. And Miles would curse his big mouth for getting himself into yet another ridiculous situation.

The moment lingers, then passes. And Miles leans back in his chair.

Really, he is sorry that he can't be more serious about this. He knows this is a serious issue - had a fully serious argument about it with her moments before. Her words cut him sharply, and rightfully so. He studies the bottle in his hand for a moment, thinking. ]

My apologies. I didn't mean to trivialize your concerns. [ More softly: ] You are from my district, aren't you?

[rathercommon]

[ His apology makes her feel less vindicated and more...awkward, honestly. Like she'd been too harsh. Which is ridiculous, because that was what he'd been saying, right? That the life of a Vor lord, drinking and socializing and laughing, was so much more interesting to him than the plight of her people. And yet - It feels for some reason as though she's being unfair. So her eyes drop to the tabletop, and she offers a little one-shouldered shrug. ]

Yeah. I am.

[dendarii]

I should be hearing more of this. Directly. I can't change the government - I think you will find it a more stubborn beast than you think as well - but I can change what I can.

[ All the humor has dropped away from his expression, leaving only gray-eyed intensity. ]

[rathercommon]

[ And she looks up at him, her thick eyebrows runching together in uncertainty. ]

Meaning what, exactly?

[dendarii]

... Honestly? I'm not sure. But we can find out.

[rathercommon]

[ She hesitates a moment, her eyes searching his intensely. She doesn't know what she finds there. But for just a moment, she shrinks back a little bit - becomes neither the cringing maid she'd pretended to be at first or the strident, loud woman she'd defaulted to, but instead - someone uncertain. But someone also very hopeful. Maybe he's just mocking her. Maybe he doesn't mean any of this. But if he does - ]

I have ideas.

[dendarii]

[ No, no mockery at all. Only honesty, in deadly earnest. ]

Go on.

[rathercommon]

[ She bites her lip, hesitating just a moment longer before going on. ]

We need more voices speaking for us. And to us. Not benevolent Vor looking out for us, but - representatives from the lower classes, working for the lower classes. Sitting in on committee meetings. Getting a say in the government. We need people trained as journalists and advocates. People who have voices and can make their voices heard. Maybe true democracy won't come yet, but the first steps can be disguised in the professional fields, and disguised as ceremonial positions.

[dendarii]

[ Miles considers all of that, swirling the wine around in his bottle without taking a sip. They're all good ideas, no doubt about it. Practical ones? Ah, there's the rub. Gregor would be delighted, he's sure of it; the rest of the Vor, not so much. They'd need proof that it worked, a limited test run perhaps, with one eccentric Lord to lead the way ...

And your father's politics? How much of a mess would that make?

Right. Smaller steps first then. Petition Gregor allow him to make a small council for himself, more scholarships and opportunities ... It'll be difficult, and finding the money ... Would Mark finance it? Very possibly.

And now that Naismith is dead, shouldn't he focus on Barrayar? On his people? This night is getting heavier and heavier. ]

I think ... most of that would be possible. Starting with the professional fields - it will be easier to build a council with people I can defend as being wildly competent. Certainly there are areas in the backcountry that badly need very basic services as well.

[rathercommon]

[ She's encouraged as he chimes in thoughts of his own. Her nod gets more energetic, and her eyes brighten. Her face comes alive. ]

Very much so. Education is so important - massively important - Because one advocate, no matter how sympathetic and no matter how high-born, isn't going to compare to giving us the tools we need to speak up for ourselves. And continuing education, too. I know lots of people, loads of them, who were ridiculously clever but who never had a chance 'cause university was so completely out of their income range. If they could be supported...

[dendarii]

Then we would build up exactly the kind of citizenry that could support something more democratic later on. Yes.

[ Should he feel bad for usurping Gregor here? No, he's certain the Emperor would like the idea. And technically he's not arguing to supplant the Vor, just ... hastening their obsolescence. Yes. Perfect. ]

It will take time. And I can only promise change in our district. The other Vor must needs develop it on their own, once it's proven to work.

[rathercommon]

Yeah...

[ She bites her lip. That's...not quite what she wants. She wants more, right now, all at once. But - this doesn't feel like a concession just to shut her up. This feels like something substantial. ]

But it would be something. It would be a start.

[dendarii]

Indeed. A good one, done correctly, could ripple considerably.

[ He quiets for a moment, suddenly arrested by a thought. He needs to say this carefully, so it doesn't come out as a bribe. Certainly he doesn't intend it as such. ]

... I'll need someone to oversee it.

[rathercommon]

[ Kitty is still pretty sure that she's going to be handed over to some uniformed goons before this night is through - though she's now much more satisfied with that, given that Lord Vorkosigan seems to be listening to her. If she ends up thrown in prison until she dies, at least she might have done something.

She takes another drink of her wine, and gives a shrug that's a little more cheerful. ]

That's your area, I'd think.

[dendarii]

Well. Part of it, certainly. But you need more voices speaking for you. And not just one benevolent Vor looking out for you.

[rathercommon]

Mm.

[ Her gaze turns just a little suspicious again. ]

I'm not giving you names of associates.

[dendarii]

Wouldn't dream of it. I would request that you dissuade your companions from assassinating me, however. Kidnapping too for that matter.

[rathercommon]

[ A little shrug. ]

Yeah. I expect they'd be a little keener on it than I am. I'm glad it was me here, rather than them. Anyway - anyone who'd like that idea isn't getting told about this.

[dendarii]

Probably a good idea.

[ That's not quite a promise, is it ... He makes a mental note to carefully - carefully convince ImpSec to double-check the activities of any democratic protest groups in his district. No interference, just ... monitoring. It wouldn't do to be caught off guard again. Which brings him back to another thought. ]

You still haven't told me why you did come here today. If not to assassinate or convince me, then - why?

[rathercommon]

[ Yeah. Her lips thin, but...Well. They've been mostly honest so far.

Mostly. ]

Why would you have wanted to die a week ago?

[dendarii]

[ His own mouth twists in return. Is he drunk enough now? Very nearly. One last swig for the road. ]

I think ... I have been very honest with you, Miss Anastasia. You answer my question first and I'll answer yours after.

[rathercommon]

[ She eyes him skeptically, but eventually decides: he'll probably keep his promise. And that if he wanted, he could just have her interrogated professionally anyway, and she'd probably crack under the pressure, so...why not? ]

I was here to burglarize you.

[dendarii]

[ The thought of fast-penta has crossed his mind. But that would not be a good start to this partnership. ]

Really? [ He looks her up and down, not seeing anything obvious ... Then again, the house has a number of small antiques that could easily be hidden in pockets. He knows of at least one hidden jewelry cache. ] ... Have you already taken it?

[rathercommon]

No.

[ Her lips tighten. ]

I haven't. I was directed right to this room. And I think there's nothing here.