(no subject)

[lapwing]

[On the network is what appears to be a young boy, about 12 or 13 years old. For a moment, he stares quite soulfully at the video output impossibly deep, black eyes, and then pokes at the screen with one fingernail.]

Not even a proper imp in there, how's that for you...?

[He pulls back and mimes clearing his throat. A voice far, far more booming than is fit for the child's face resounds across the feed.]

Right, broadcast. AHEM. This is just a friendly, non-suspicious question, inquiring on when the next coup or violent overthrow of this government is going to be. Not that I'm actually advocating it, I just know you humans really can't resist.

I'm pretty handy with a popcorn machine if anyone can provide good seats.

Comments

[jacksonian]

Yeah. But...You mean that if he makes fun of you again you'll kill him, right?

[dendarii]

No, no. If he makes fun of you.

[jacksonian]

[ Oh. Oh, um... ]

That's...stupid. I can take care of myself.

[dendarii]

Of course you can. But you're my brother, dammit.

[lapwing]

Oh, you only met him in the nefarious all of my evil plans have come to fruition bit. He used to do a lot of bowing, scraping. Cooking.

[jacksonian]

Oh. I...guess. It's, um...It's still stupid, though.

[lapwing]

Yeah. Especially with you not knowing - but I imagine you wouldn't have if you did.

[rathercommon]

I wouldn't have what? Stayed long?

[rathercommon]

Sorry, did you say cooking?

[dendarii]

Like you wouldn't tear someone's head off for me.

[jacksonian]

What? No. Don't be stupid. I don't care.

[dendarii]

... Really. Not at all?

[lapwing]

Sure did. Don't ask me.

It was always the kitchen. And the butcher knives... [ He gives a little shudder here. ]

[jacksonian]

Uh...I mean, I'm not going to let someone screw with you or kill you or whatever. But that's just because - you know. I'm a Vorkosigan too.

[dendarii]

Just so. We're family. It's what family does.

[jacksonian]

...So you'd, uh...do it for me, too?

[lapwing]

I was thinking more along the lines of gone at all.

[dendarii]

Of course. In a heartbeat.

[rathercommon]

Barti-

[ She starts that, her brows drawn down, her lips parted. She stops herself, pauses; takes a breath; and says, her voice quiet with suppressed emotion: ]

I don't regret a bit of it. I'd do it a thousand times.

[jacksonian]

[ He can't completely hide his pleasure. ]

Oh. Well, good. Even if that is stupid.

1/ ???

[lapwing]

[ HA THAT'S WHAT HE- ]

[ret2go]

I'm not sure "gentle" is the right word for it, given how often pirates and monsters and all of that stuff wind up causing trouble.

I mean, towns have guardian genies for a reason, y'know.

[lapwing]

[ Oh. ]

[lapwing]

[ Oh.






The line snaps off.]

[lapwing]

[ That was a lie.




It probably wasn't a lie.


It COULD have been a lie.




or it might not have been a lie but one of those things that are easier to say in retrospect rather than have done at the time with the pressure on...







Or wasn't a lie.




















But there was an agenda involved. ]