[ Commissioned? Another clone? What, like Vorkosigan was some Jacksonian Baron, growing a healthy body to take over later? Though...Actually, now that he's thinking about it, that doesn't sound all that implausible, does it? The son of the Butcher of Komarr was supposed to be tall and strong and healthy. A good powerful heir. Is it that hard to imagine the Butcher commissioning a new body for his son, the way he was supposed to be? Or would Vorkosigan himself have done it...? No, the clone decides. Not in his psych profile. Miles Vorkosigan had a ferocious white-knight syndrome - an intense need to prove himself. Presumably in order to compensate for his hideous form, since in Barrayaran culture the appearance of mutation had always been associated with moral degradation. Compensating.
Though then again, maybe that was just the appearance Vorkosigan presented to the outside world. The clone had certainly heard about the Vorkosigans' ability to present a respectable face while stabbing someone in the back. Maybe Miles was like his father the Butcher.
But this man...He looks afraid. Like the clone is going to eat him. But of course he does. Vorkosigan's a good actor, right? Charming, charismatic, just like the clone had to learn to be...Tried to learn to be. But it's not a bad imitation of the expressions that the Bharaputra clones had worn, when they'd whispered to one another about what they thought lay in store for them...Though they'd never looked so defiant. And God, why would Vorkosigan ever commissioned a clone with all those defects?
The clone puts his stunner away fully now. (Doesn't need it. If the bones are as fragile as they seem, breaking his neck will be easy. And no use letting that thought make him feel sick.) And he hitches his elbow up against the counter behind him, and laces his fingers together - an intensely Vorkosiganesque gesture. A careless attitude of power and confidence. ]
Okay. It sounds to me like one - or both - of us has been lied to by someone. No, I didn't commission you. Who am I supposed to have commissioned you from? And why?
no subject
Though then again, maybe that was just the appearance Vorkosigan presented to the outside world. The clone had certainly heard about the Vorkosigans' ability to present a respectable face while stabbing someone in the back. Maybe Miles was like his father the Butcher.
But this man...He looks afraid. Like the clone is going to eat him. But of course he does. Vorkosigan's a good actor, right? Charming, charismatic, just like the clone had to learn to be...Tried to learn to be. But it's not a bad imitation of the expressions that the Bharaputra clones had worn, when they'd whispered to one another about what they thought lay in store for them...Though they'd never looked so defiant. And God, why would Vorkosigan ever commissioned a clone with all those defects?
The clone puts his stunner away fully now. (Doesn't need it. If the bones are as fragile as they seem, breaking his neck will be easy. And no use letting that thought make him feel sick.) And he hitches his elbow up against the counter behind him, and laces his fingers together - an intensely Vorkosiganesque gesture. A careless attitude of power and confidence. ]
Okay. It sounds to me like one - or both - of us has been lied to by someone. No, I didn't commission you. Who am I supposed to have commissioned you from? And why?