[video]

[dendarii]

[ Miles' usual cheerful face is extra bright today; if he was manic before, he's practically vibrating with energy now. The very image of smooth confidence, starting with the friendly expression on his face and extending to his open, relaxed body language. Couple that with his crisp gray uniform and he's the very picture of a young mercenary admiral.

A little older now. Three years older, to be exact. Perhaps hard to see unless you know him well, and then only by how faded the pink scar on his face is. Hardly noticeable any more. ]

Well this brings back memories. Good ones, mostly.

For those of you who don't know me - I'm Admiral Miles Naismith, of the Dendarii Free Mercenary Fleet. Or perhap you know us a security company.

How are all of you? Anything important change while I was out?

Comments

VIDEO

[fullmetalbrat]

What are you talking about? Where the hell did you go?

[dendarii]

[ Miles, meanwhile, brightens further. ]

Ed! You look exactly the same as I remember. How are things going with Winry?

PRIVATE VIDEO

[fullmetalbrat]

[The scrambled leap Ed makes to change the privacy settings on the conversation is probably very entertaining to watch.]

Who told you about that!

text

[jacksonian]

[ Mark can't help but feel a swell of annoyance. This - before he comes home? Not that Mark cares. Obviously. Sure, he was maybe a little anxious while Miles was gone, but it's not like he really cared. Why would he? That'd be stupid. Naturally Miles was going to come back. Miles always comes back. But it was weird, just because - well - you know - everyone else from Barrayar is of a totally different generation, except for Gregor but Gregor is Gregor, and he and Miles know the most about one another, so maybe it's sort of that Miles is a little easier to talk to than anyone else...Anyway, he didn't much want to end up being considered the Heir or anything anyway, he has no desire to get wrapped up in the Vorkosigan lines of inheritance, he doesn't mind being associated with the family of course but he doesn't want to be part of the official power structure and Miles prevents that nicely. Better to be the second son. Hard to be the second son when there's a first son there, right? Anyway. Anyway. It's stupid. He's stupid. Mark doesn't care. Whatever. ]

Don't start the Naismith crap again.

[dendarii]

[ Mark pls. Miles' grin goes fond before the feed switches off and he uses text as well. ]

No lies, I promise. But I am Admiral Naismith too, you know.

[jacksonian]

Yeah, of course I know. I'm way too familiar with your cover identity.

video

[rathercommon]

[ Kitty's expression is equal parts amused, incredulous, and long-suffering. ]

The shortest text in the world, and then immediately going to try to look cool on the network. What would you do if I told you you had something in your teeth?

[dendarii]

[ Another fond look, this one entirely more romantic than the one he gave his brother. ]

Be quite certain there's nothing there, because you're clearly messing with me. Hello again.

[rathercommon]

Maybe I am. And maybe I'm not. And now that doubt is going to lurk at the back of your mind...

voice

[failureisntachoice]

You mean besides the widespread panic at where the hell you went?

[dendarii]

[ Ah. His smile darkens a few notches at that. ]

And I'm very sorry for that. I wouldn't have left if I'd had a choice.

[driftsintobuffetline]

You disappeared and THIS is all you have to say? I didn't even know you vanished and I'm insulted!

[dendarii]

Well. There's not much else to say.

But really Newt, how are things going? I didn't miss the wedding, did I?

video;

[baetiful]

Yet another victim of time and port outs. How long was it for you, my lord?

[dendarii]

[ That's ... wow, that's kind of weird. Normally Miles is quite pleased by being addressed as his Barrayaran title; how it feels rather quaint. ]

Over three years. I'm nearly twenty-five now.

Voice

[fargoneconclusion]

Mercenaries have admirals?

[ Color him surprised. ]

video response until noted othewise

[dendarii]

Sure they do. How else will you have a fleet?

[use_everything]

[And in these three days, Aral Vorkosigan learned the other half of his future with an adult Miles. As much as there's that gratifying mind, the sharp intellect, the humor and energy for ages - all of which could make any path he wanted.


Was the fact he was going to make any path he wanted. No ImpSec reports to read, no ideas other than a sketch of what the future holds, what dangers he knows personally from the Nexus.. and no idea how his son was going to fair in all of that.


Little of it shows in the video, outside of a wry parental stare.]

Before you even get home?

[dendarii]

[ He does at least have enough shame to look a little embarrassed by his father's reaction. ]

I'm on my way home now.

video

[ghemnotgem]

The one the Cetagandans had a hit out on?

( welcome back, miles. )

[dendarii]

Oh, yes. That's quite active. Part of why I'm laying low on Earth for a while.

[ A beat. ]

Er ... did you not know who I was?

[VIDEO]

[heart_wrenching]

MILES.

[dendarii]

Ah, Winry! How are things going with your boys?

[acclimatized]

Welcome back.

How long were you out for?

[dendarii]

Over three years. It's a bit disorienting being back here.