Video | They don't make posters of my kinda life

[shipmaster]

[It is hard to tell if the person who appears on the network this afternoon is a particularly handsome woman or a strikingly beautiful man. Or what age they are. Or any nice, easy assumption, actually. They lean towards the screen, having watched the network for a few days, picked up what they could. A planetary war, tensions between imPorts, tenuous situations all around. For most people, it would be the time for serious discussions, strategic planning and getting the strongest intel they can.

Bel Thorne puts their chin on their palm, regards the camera a moment before cutting a sharp, curious smile.]

So, what does one do on Earth for fun? I'm taking suggestions.

Comments

[dendarii]

Ah. I keep forgetting how much older you are.

[ Given Miles' parents MET during that war. ]

[shipmaster]

I think I'll take that as a compliment.

[dendarii]

Yes, yes, take it as a compliment. Us Barrayans age so much faster.

[ Especially Miles. ]

[shipmaster]

[It is .. absolutely dissonant to hear Miles so openly talking about being Barrayaran that it takes a moment for the retort to form.]

So much that you're going to retire at the ripe age of- what? Thirty?

[dendarii]

[ He even does so rather naturally, which is likely jus as odd to behold. He's adopted his Vorkosigan persona more here, even if going home did spark a Naismith resurgence. ]

If I don't drop dead first, of course.

[shipmaster]

[Frankly, even listening to him talk was odd. His speech patterns were slower, heavily accented.]

Don't even joke. I don't want to get chased to the end of the galaxy for giving your parents a heart attack.

[dendarii]

[ He still slips into Betan tones sometimes, especially with Bel, but Barrayaran is his default now. ]

Ha. Don't kid yourself. Only a Vorkosigan is wild enough to manage that.

[shipmaster]

Oh, if we're talking about it being someone else's fault, that's fine. [They wave a hand, lightly.]

[dendarii]

Cruel and unusual, Captain.

Ah, well. Find something fun and I'll find a way to accomplish it.

[shipmaster]

I've been called both before. [The smirk is completely apologetic. For a wonder, however, they DIDN'T suggest something inappropriate, despite the easy opening Miles left RIGHT THERE.]

Of that I have no doubt.

[dendarii]

[ Well. They both know Miles would flatly turn that suggestion down. He grins a bit at it now. ]

How have you been settling in so far? Found your roommates yet?

[shipmaster]

No, though I haven't put much of an effort into it, if I'm completely honest. I think at least one of the other rooms is being used, at least.

[dendarii]

[ Miles nods. ]

At least you didn't move into a place covered in cheese dust.

[shipmaster]

... Cheese dust.


How covered is covered?

[jacksonian]

[ Dissatisfied: ]

Barrayaran?

[ Which, less tersely, translates to: did I seriously twist myself into knots talking to Thorne trying to avoid calling you anything but Naismith when you're just going to not even have any pretense about being Vorkosigan? ]

[dendarii]

[ Yes. All of that. Miles brightens to see his brother over the comm. ]

Yes, of course. It's no secret any more.

[jacksonian]

[ Displeased: ]

Is there anything we are keeping secret?

[dendarii]

Not much, admittedly.

[ A pause. ]

Is ... there something wrong, Mark? I thought you hated my cover story.

[jacksonian]

[ With a bit of heat: ]

I do.

[dendarii]

Then why wouldn't I call myself Barrayaran in public?

[jacksonian]

Fine. And you're going to be honest if any other of your mercenaries show up?

[dendarii]

At this point, yes. Either nobody remembers and it doesn't matter, or I retire anyway as soon as I go home.

[jacksonian]

[ His expression gets pinched, none too happy - but he shakes his head and mumbles: ]

Fine.

[dendarii]

[ Miles stares back at his brother in confusion. ]

... What's wrong, Mark?

[jacksonian]

[ Far too forcefully: ]

Nothing.