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]

[ Just leave him in their room and it will all work out. ]

Oh god. I did. I'm going to regret that, aren't I.

[shipmaster]

One or both of us are.

[dendarii]

Both, if I have anything to do with it. I'll get you back.

[shipmaster]

You can try.

[dendarii]

Don't tempt me. You know what I'm capable of.

[shipmaster]

Yes, that's half of my temptation right there.

[dendarii]

That we would make terrible decisions together?

[ He sits up a bit, eyes sparkling. ]

[shipmaster]

[Oh. That look, Bel's eyes narrow, and their posture becomes a bit more attentive.]

Now now, aren't you always saying it's not a terrible decision if you don't have to admit it in the report?

[dendarii]

Even better if there isn't a report to begin with.

[shipmaster]

True enough.

Though I had a narrow brush with your Simon Illyan here. I'm not sure how you plan to get around that little bump.

[dendarii]

... Simon? You're afraid of Uncle Simon?

[shipmaster]

Yes.




....

Uncle Simon?

[dendarii]

Oh, yes. He was a constant fixture of my childhood.

[shipmaster]

You know. I think that explains a lot about you, dear.

[dendarii]

Whatever do you mean?

[shipmaster]

To be fair, that rampant paranoia seems to have kept you alive well enough.

[dendarii]

No, that was due to my Gran'da.

[shipmaster]

[They. Pause. It's not that there hadn't BEEN information on Piotr Vorkosigan, the great general and stubborn madman, depending on who was writing the piece, it's just that Bel hadn't read any of it.]

Ah?

[dendarii]

Count Piotr Vorkosigan. I don't think I ever mentioned him. He'd died shortly before I established the Dendarii.

[ He finishes his glass unsteadily. ]

[shipmaster]

No... is that what you were running from? [They take another small sip, eyes sharp and curious still.]

[dendarii]

Not... exactly. Or maybe I was. He was certainly the embodiment of all of it.

[shipmaster]

Family pressure? They seem... ah. Impressive.

[dendarii]

They are. And that's part of it too. Not being able to measure up.

[shipmaster]

[That.. wasn't something they could comment on. They didn't know those waters at all.]

And the rest?

[dendarii]

[ He sucks in a sharp breath. Pours himself his third glass of wine. ]

How much do you know about Barrayar? Anything?