[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]

Yes. The real ones don't stand up to strain very well.

[rathercommon]

No, I've rather noticed that about bones, but - Why didn't you just...let them heal? You know.

[dendarii]

Like a normal person? I would have loved that. Truly.

[rathercommon]

[ She shakes her head in confusion and gestures for elaboration. ]

[dendarii]

My bones were underformed due to a teratogenic defect. Extremely brittle. Lucky I was born with them at all.

[rathercommon]

[ Oh. Underformed - She wonders if that has anything to do with his small size. ]

What does that word mean? That's the second time you've used it.

[dendarii]

Ah - my apologies. It means I was affected by something unpleasant while my mother was still pregnant with me. My genes are unaffected, however.

[ A beat. ]

Contrary to popular belief, I am not, in fact, a mutant.

[rathercommon]

Oh -

[ She colors, because - Well. She's thought of him as a mutant several times through this conversation. ]

I - didn't - know that.

[dendarii]

[ He just shrugs a little. Has he finally gotten to the point where being thought of as a mutant doesn't bother him any more? Not quite. But ... somehow, he's less quick to correct people. His experiences have made it seem a little smaller in comparison. ]

Now you do.

... And I believe you owe me several answers, after all that.

[rathercommon]

[ Ah. Right. This was supposed to be an exchange, wasn't it. ]

All right. Ask. If you'd like.

[dendarii]

[ He starts it off with a brilliant smile. ]

What is your real name?

[rathercommon]

[ She takes a breath, considering giving him a hard time - and then decides, no, she'll be cooperative. He was quite cooperative with her. ]

Kitty.

[dendarii]

[ The smile widens a bit. ]

That's rather pretty. Is it short for something else?

[rathercommon]

[ Pretty? First time she's heard that. ]

Sort of. It's a nickname.

[dendarii]

[ His turn to make a well go on gesture. ]

Sounds like there's a story behind it.

[rathercommon]

Not much of one.

[ She gives a little shrug, this one a little wry. ]

When I was a girl, I had claws. By which I mean I'd punch people in their stupid faces if they were being awful. So they tried to turn it into a taunt - you know; here Kitty Kitty. I answered to it in a way that they regretted.

[dendarii]

I think I know the feeling. You must have bruised your hands very badly, some days.

[rathercommon]

[ She likes his statement of solidarity. It makes her warm up, get a little bit more expansive. She gives a little smile. ]

I broke my little finger once. Worth it.

[dendarii]

Particularly nasty and stupid face, eh? ... Did you have any siblings to help you with that?

[rathercommon]

[ A slight hesitation, then she shakes her head. ]

No. I'm an only child. It was...me against them.

[dendarii]

... Mm. I can sympathize with that as well.

[ In different ways, of course. Having Bothari dissuaded all serious fights, and being a Vor lord had its protections ... But words could (and did) hurt. So did hitting anyone back. ]

May I ask where you're from? Originally.

[rathercommon]

You can. But I want to know first why you sympathize.

[ She tilts her head to the side, watching him. ]

You have a sibling.

[dendarii]

Even Vor lords aren't immune to cruel words. We just have more defenses.

[ At the mention of Mark ... hoo, boy. There's a complicated subject. Miles is still getting to know his clone-brother, in truth. ]

Yes, I do. But I wasn't made aware of his existence until six years ago.

[rathercommon]

[ The familiar go on gesture. ]

[dendarii]

[ What even is the official story on that? Duv Galeni had tried to note his presence, and Miles had made some public appearances ... but he'd never officially been added to any rosters, had he? He's starting to realize how much of his persona juggling hung together simply by not being asked the right questions.. ]

I can't tell you much about that one - I wasn't there. Apparently he encountered my other clone-brother, Admiral Naismith, while en route on an attempt to replace me. What a debacle.