[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]

It does that?

[ That curse in Greek though ... Both Miles and one of the guards cock their heads, though the rest of the guards don't seem to notice. Hmm. Miles considers for a moment - is it worth losing the possible advantage of this kid not knowing he speaks Greek? Could catch him saying something he didn't mean to tell. But on the other hand ... He slides into the language quite fluently, himself. ]

You make no sense at all, you know that?

[mythtakes]

[He looks back at Miles, surprise clearly painted across his expression. Almost cautiously, brows furrowed, he answers,]

I've been told that before. You are one to talk, you know.

[dendarii]

[ He just grins a little and shrugs. Another gesture to the guards makes them retreat a little, though they don't slink entirely out of sight just yet. ]

I've been told that too. If you're done fighting monsters in my parlor, would you like something to drink?

[mythtakes]

[He takes a deep breath, and lets it out, steadying himself. The devil may care grin resurfaces and he nods.]

I don't suppose there's a place on this planet to get a Coke, huh?

[dendarii]

[ If nothing else, Miles has learned that a bit of a friendliness goes much further than force when dealing with potential hostiles. He brightens at Percy's request, and switches back over to English. ]

Actually, I think I do still have a bottle. Souvenir from an ... er, vacation on Earth.

[mythtakes]

[Whatever and whoever this kid is, it seems to have been very much the correct tact as well. His demeanor loses the last of that edge, becoming easily friendly, bright. As if they'd known each other for a while.]

Seriously? Man, that's awesome. You're on.

[dendarii]

Excellent. Just stay close and I'll get it out of the cellar.

[ There, solved for now. He's suddenly very glad he decided to toss that bottle in his luggage at the end of his Terran tour. Probably best the kid doesn't wander around too much though, for both his sake and Miles'. He heads for a staircase down the hall, which goes to a musty (but obviously well-maintained) wine cellar. ]

[mythtakes]

[The kid wanders only a step behind. There's a bit of manic energy about him, looking at almost everything, drifting here and there to check out anything that seems to catch his eye.]

Wow... I don't think I've ever been in a house this big. You live here?

[dendarii]

[ Miles can sympathize. He'd been the same not so long ago. Hell, he still mostly is. Just ... more focused, nowadays. As long as Percy stays within sight, he lets him wander. It's a fascinatingly old house, full of rich dusty carpets and obvious antiques at every corner. Doors up and down the corridors they pass promise whole wings to explore if someone had a day and a map. Even the wine cellar is full of interesting labels and vintages. None of the dates make sense, though, as they're either based on the system used by Barrayar only during the Time of Isolation, or based on the new galactic standard, which doesn't match up with AD or CE at all.

Miles retrieves the bottle swiftly enough and settles back for a moment, watching Percy rove. ]

I'd been away for a while. But yes. Grew up here originally, in fact.

[ After a moment's thought, he selects a bottle of wine for himself. ]

[mythtakes]

[The kid offers a cheerful thanks, twisting the cap off with a satisfying pop and hiss.]

Man, does this make you an alien. Or am I the alien, technically. Your English is really good by the way...

[The dates didn't seem to impress or hold him, though Miles gets an eyebrow quirk at the selection.]

Aren't you a little young for that?

[dendarii]

[ His drawl is a bit sarcastic this time. ]

100% human, as far as I know. Now that monster of yours --

[ Wait. Did this kid just call him - he sputters briefly, more startled than annoyed. That wine bottle gets uncorked with a little more force than is necessary, though. ]

I'm thirty.

[mythtakes]

What?

[He. Looks down at the other guy. From his own monstrous height, with HONEST CONFUSION.]

But that's ancient.

[dendarii]

[ Miles knows that look all too well. Stupid kids with their stupid giant tallness. He fumbles mentally for a moment, not sure if he wants to be more irritated with being ancient or too young, and decides to be annoyed with both. Better get a long, aggressive swig of that wine bottle before he replies. ]

And how old are you, exactly? Fifteen?

[mythtakes]

... Seventeen, somehow.

[He takes a drink of the soda. If he even picked up on Miles irritation, there was only happiness at the preferred drink right now.]

[dendarii]

[ Stupid thick-headed kids, apparently. Miles snorts a bit and lets the irritation pass. Well, most of it anyway. The second sip is smaller. ]

"Somehow"? Is seventeen ancient too then?

[mythtakes]

[He doesn't even interrupt the sip he's taking of the soda. He just points back the way they came. Where a pile of monster dust and fire retardant foam is probably being cleaned up right now.]

[dendarii]

... Ah. Just so.

[ Suddenly, his own assassination attempts don't seem quite so bad. At least all his attackers were human. ]

Is it really all that common? Doesn't anyone get to be my age on a regular basis?

[mythtakes]

[The boy hesitates for one moment, then another, focused completely on Mile's grey eyes while studying him, seeming to decide.]

Me and my friends [There's a beat here, as if there's usually a reply here to the grammar lapse.] have really weird lives.

... No offense, but mine just got a lot weirder.

[dendarii]

[ No corrections from Miles. Just a faint, thoughtful frown, as he considers how much to reply with in turn. ]

If you wanted normal, then you've met up with the wrong person.

[ He gestures vaguely down to all of himself. In no world would Miles Vorkosigan be a merely normal human being. ]

How did you get here from Earth? And what was that thing? A chimera?

[mythtakes]

I'm really not sure which one did it. But somebody's watching, I'm sure. [His tone is dry. Then he takes another drink, savoring the familiar taste before going on.]

And ol' snakebutt? I have no idea. Usually someone explains that bit if it becomes important.

[dendarii]

Which one? Of what?

[ He doesn't point out how difficult it would be to get surveillance in here. Likely the same way a boy gets from Earth to Barrayar without remembering the trip. ]

[mythtakes]

[He lets out a breath.]

One of the gods.

I'm blaming Hera for this one. I feel like that's got good odds.

[dendarii]

[ Miles eyes widen. He's familiar with Greek mythology - has to be, given the Greek population on Barrayar and in his own district - but this kid seems to mean it so literally. Does he? Could he?

If Miles hadn't just seen a monster bust up his parlor and then turn to dust, he might have laughed at the absurdity. Instead, he studies Percy's face with uneasy sharpness. Searching for any sign that this boy might be lying to him ... ]

The queen of the gods? Zeus' wife? That Hera?

[mythtakes]

[If anything, the kids face takes on a cast of long-suffering annoyance.]

Likes peacocks, plots and making heroes lives interesting and really short. Yeah. That one.

[dendarii]

[ Miles falls silent for a moment considering. Eyes his bottle. Then just - tips his head back for a moment, pouring a hefty amount down his throat in one go. He's going to need it to go any further. ]