Video

[idontwanttoknow]

[A new world, a whole new populace to meet. As long as they don't expect him to do anything other than woo them, Ivan thinks he'll get on with these people quite well.

Time to introduce himself, then. He takes as much time as necessary to figure out the (frankly archaic) video capture equipment. His first call needs to show his good side, after all.]

Hello, De Chima. I've recently been ImPorted to your beautiful city, and I'm looking for an equally beautiful guide to introduce me to my new home. Would any of you ladies out there care to oblige me?

I also thought I would introduce myself for those of you who aren't sure whether or not to help me: My name is Ivan Vorpatril, and I am your galactic dream come true. Respond to me on this channel, and I can happily repay you with a night that is truly out of this world.

Comments

[idontwanttoknow]

Yeah. Just getting settled at my new place.

...which I probably shouldn't give the address of over the network if you're worried about security.

[See? He catches on. Slowly.

Please, Gregor, protect him from Miles.]

[vorbarra]

Not that worried, I shouldn't think, but it's a reasonable enough precaution. I'll meet you at the park-- it's at the end of the street with our assigned residences.

[idontwanttoknow]

The park? I know where that is.

Now?

[vorbarra]

Yes. Now. There's certain things you should know immediately.

[idontwanttoknow]

Immediately? Okay. I'm coming.

[vorbarra]

[ Gregor doesn't say anything more, just shuts off the comm and grabs his jacket and wallet (which he still hasn't gotten used to, having a wallet-- he's forgotten it more than once and had to traipse back).

He cuts a very incongruous figure to Ivan's eye as he walks into the park. Gregor physically looks the same, hair perhaps a little longer than Ivan's used to, but he's wearing a black cloth jacket with a vaguely military bent to it over a silvery gray t-shirt and dark jeans. The jeans alone aren't something found on Barrayar. The sure casualness of his presentation when he raises a hand to wave at him in greeting from across the lawn is drastically different. ]

[idontwanttoknow]

[Ivan doesn't change--it's not like he has anything to change into, no matter how conspicuous his dress greens are. Naturally, he's already at the park when Gregor arrives.

His emperor looks...relaxed. Maybe it's the hair, or the casual clothes. Is he actually smiling? Ivan waves back almost shyly.]

[vorbarra]

[ Dress greens? Gregor feels like he's having deja vu. He's left so much of Barrayar behind already, like it's all been pared down to the pure core of it, what they can carry with them...

He's not quite smiling, but a significant percentage of his usual morose air has conspicuously left, it's true. ]

Ivan. Welcome to Earth circa the 21st century.

[idontwanttoknow]

[It's not like he chose which clothes he'd be teleported in. He'd be much more comfortable in something else.]

Thanks. You know, you're the first person to welcome me.

[vorbarra]

It's a bit hectic, isn't it? I'm not surprised.

The house is back this way. [ Leading him out of the park... ]

[idontwanttoknow]

More than a bit. Especially with this tattoo nonsense and all the government regulations.

[It's all another system of rules that he's going to have to learn and avoid. He's always been happiest following Gregor's and Miles's lead; maybe they've already figured out how to beat this system?]

[vorbarra]

Miles and I registered initially to get our feet under us, but the whole lot of us have deregistered now. Miles established the Dendarii here as well, as a security company. I'm sure you could work for him, [ a dry look, because he knows how eager Ivan is to do that, ] or you could find employment elsewhere, if you'd rather not register.

[ He assumes Ivan won't since the rest of them haven't, but Gregor isn't about to gainsay him if he decides for once in his life to go against the tide. ]

[idontwanttoknow]

Yeah... I think I'd rather do whatever theater work they've assigned me. [Especially compared to working for Miles.]

But do I really have to register if I want to do that? I don't want to pledge myself to some strange government.

[vorbarra]

Theater work?

[ Gregor gives Ivan a baffled look as they walk. ]

You can keep your job without registering, I believe, but it depends on your boss whether they'll keep you on or kick you off.

[idontwanttoknow]

I'm the costume and prop director at the community theater, apparently. I guess I should've paid attention at all those shows Mamere used to drag me to.

[vorbarra]

Costume and prop director?

[ That's so... out of left field for Ivan. Except for how many clothes he owns, Gregor supposes. ]

... Are you planning on sticking to it?

[idontwanttoknow]

I think I'll show up on the first day and see how it goes. It has to be better than working for Miles.

What do they have you doing?

[vorbarra]

Oh. I never went to my assigned job at all.

I've been helping Miles run the Dendarii, and [ here a note of sly amusement ] been working as a barista at a cafe. With Aral.

[idontwanttoknow]

You didn't? And there were no repercussions? What did they want you to do?

The Dendarii? So it's not treason if you help him?

[He tries, and fails, to imagine his emperor as a barista.]

[vorbarra]

It's not treason if I say it isn't, [ he says, a touch crisply, because Gregor is slightly sensitive about his misstep in believing that of Miles and Aral at all in the first place. ] But no, it's not by any consideration if there's my direct involvement, you're correct.

As for my own job, it was something about selling cleaning supplies, and I never attended a single day, so far without consequence.

[idontwanttoknow]

[Right.]

That's a good reason.

Well. I guess I'll have to see how this job thing goes. Not that I want to end up working for Miles anyway.

I mean, if it were you? Sure. But not Miles.

[vorbarra]

[ Wryly, ] I appreciate that, Ivan. And I can't pretend I do the bulk of the management in the Dendarii, because frankly, I don't and I wouldn't want to. I cut the paychecks and deal with HR.

... I'd started to forget how odd a thing that is for me to say.

[idontwanttoknow]

HR? Who's HR?

And isn't that kind of what you used to do with the Council of Counts?

[vorbarra]

Human resources. If you can imagine it, I'm Ops.

Not exactly-- wrangling Counts doesn't exactly translate to business matters. It's just close enough that I fudge it.

[idontwanttoknow]

No, I mean, HR for whom?

Ops, huh? I can do Ops. Let me know if you need any tips. It's a whole lot easier than wrangling Counts.