[IC] [El Nysa] IC Contact Post

[dendarii]

"This is - Emperor Vorkosigan. Leave a message and We will return it at Our earliest convenience."

Comments

[dendarii]

[ He shouldn't judge, probably; he's still going to judge a little. He takes a moment to massage at the bridge of his nose. ]

The temptation was clearly too great.

[vorrutyer]

[ With a sharp sort of irritation - ]

Barrayar is not going to be rebuilt through lofty dreams and naive hopes, sire. Many things are needed. Money among them.

[dendarii]

I am not going to argue with that.

[ He has no room to talk, given his lofty position of bringing in minimal cash himself. ]

[vorrutyer]

Then are you going to withdraw your judgment?

[dendarii]

... I can still judge you a little for it.

[vorrutyer]

Oh, can you? And how do you think ImpSec made its money?

[dendarii]

Through all kinds of unfortunate methods I'm sure.

[vorrutyer]

And I'm your ImpSec, sire. So, yes, I think fundraising through a bit of fucking and a bit of commerce isn't unreasonable.

[dendarii]

Fine, fine. Just - be careful, please.

[vorrutyer]

What, don't want me going into any dark alleys at night? Want me to beware men who look like they have a bit of malice in their eye?

[dendarii]

I'd like you not to need me to order you to sobriety, Byerly.

[vorrutyer]

Oh, is it too much work for you? It seems rather simple to me.

[dendarii]

That's not the point.

[vorrutyer]

Then explain it to me, please.

[dendarii]

I'm not - opposed to selling it. But you're using it too.

[vorrutyer]

Well observed. Did you figure that out all by yourself?

[dendarii]

You know what I mean, Byerly. The proximity to it is clearly hurting you.

[vorrutyer]

Just give the order, sire.

[dendarii]

... Fine. We order you to sobriety, Byerly Vorrutyer. Swear to Us that you will consume no more of this - this.

[ He gestures vaguely down at the pile. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ A breath in. ]

I swear, sire.

[dendarii]

Good.

[ A beat. ]

I - hope that helps.

[vorrutyer]

[ A thin smile. ]

Do you fancy that I would break a liege-oath?

[dendarii]

Not on purpose.

[vorrutyer]

Then that means that it would work. Hm?

[dendarii]

Depending on how - bad this has gotten already.