Post MoM AU, general post

[use_everything]

And then one day, it was over.

The memory of how it happened was hazy. Perhaps it was as simple as being ported out, perhaps there was a great experiment, bringing together physicists, chemists, alchemists and scientists to get something WORKING. But like the memories of that time, that other dimension, singular events come and go, like a dream, or an age past.

From the very start, however, there were changes.

Comments

[use_everything]

[Several around her stiffened, aim sharpening.]

Your business?

[failureisntachoice]

[ It's a reaction though she's not sure it's the one she wants. ]

Armswoman. Is he here?

[use_everything]

[A few guns lower, but it is less in any impressed manner, and more in abject confusion. Others are outright offended, faces setting into hard lines. The captain is amused.]

You need to do your research better, galactic. [The word is laced with insult.] You. Get Illyan on a secure line. The rest of you, take her in for questioning.

[A second, more familiar baritone.] That wont be necessary. Have your men stand down, Vorhovis.

[It is an interesting picture, military men who don't know whether to throw themselves in front of the stocky, formally uniformed man, or drag him bodily out of the room, quite unaware that they were in far more danger than he or she was.]

[failureisntachoice]

You really think I'm going to sit around for-- [ There's outrage there, underneath the disbelief that taking her in for questioning would even be possible.

And then there's that voice. Her visor snaps towards it and while she doesn't visibly relax, she is relieved to see someone she recognizes. And hopefully the feeling is reciprocated. ]

I was wondering what was taking you so long to show up. [ There's only a small pause as she regards his form. Uniformed and more military than she ever saw him on Earth. ] That's a good look for you.

[use_everything]

My apologies on the delay, Agent Tex. [He couldn't quite keep the bright look off his face, even if the tone was appropriately dry.]

[He makes a simple, sharp downward gesture, and to a man, the armed forces surrounding her lowered their weapons on spinal reflex. Most continued an unsure or outright offended expression, however.

Aral turned to the small retinue that had followed him in, finding a young, tall man with a handsome face under all of the pain lines. "Lieutenant, do I have anything pressing in the next hour?"

"Vormuir's petition, sir." The lieutenant shifts a rather fine, wooden swordstick to lean on to keep a better line of sight of this intruder. He matched the other guards' unsure expressions.

"Hm. Wont due to cancel, set us up for a dinner tonight. He'll like the extra pomp anyway." Koudelka's lips purse into a fine line, but he nods, making a quick note with a lightpen.

"Sir, if I may-"

"Later, Kou." The interruption was not ungentle, for all it was abrupt. "Tell Cordelia I'll be late, and to expect a guest in an hour." A dark expression passes over his face. "Schedule something with my father as well. On his schedule. Make it work."

"Sir."

"That's all."

Dismissed, the man hobbles off, leaning heavily on his cane to balance jerky, uncoordinated movements. The others hesitate only a moment longer before filing out as well.

He had no doubt that a good regiment of them would be staying close anyway. If not suspecting combat, then certainly fishing for gossip. He could deal with that later.]

Good god, Allison, you're a sight for sore eyes.

[failureisntachoice]

[ He doesn't look much older than when she last saw him. A Regent, wasn't he? The politics and tension in the air set her on edge despite the finally friendly company.

Her visor doesn't move from Aral though she's got everyone tagged and on her radar, just in case. He seems to have everything in control, but that hardly stops a stray hostile act when a determined enough asshole came along.

It isn't until his assistant (?) and the others leave that she speaks. ]

I didn't realize we were going by first names already. Am I coming at a bad time?

[use_everything]

[He hesitates at that. Aral opens a hand and nods. Agent Tex it was, then.]

I'm afraid you've come in on a bloody mess of a situation. It's like to carry on for the next fifteen years or so.

[failureisntachoice]

[ They weren't in private and that would be far easier to go by than Allison. Since it seems she's not about to get shot, she takes her helmet off so she can meet his gaze. It didn't have the same kick behind her visor. ]

Figures I'd show up during one. How much worse am I going to make it?

[use_everything]

Hm.

[He glances around the room. It was a fair enough meeting room, but the security here was general clearance. He nods to her and gestures for her to follow him. He had an office not far, the one he'd been in when the red alert went down the channels.]

Better, in most respects. The more people I can trust, the easier life is. There will be one hitch which I will have to beg your tolerance. No, not tolerance. Patience.

[failureisntachoice]

[ Security risk. She recognizes that look easy and doesn't question it when he navigates them somewhere more seclusive. Seeing him in an office is a far cry from the many trips to the Lucky Cat she's made for his coffee. ]

You can just tell me, Aral. No point dragging it out. What am I going to need to be patient about?

[use_everything]

[That awkward, out of place air was certainly gone here. He wears the uniform like he was born to it, and he has an easy confidence... or more specifically, authority, here. He folds into the chair behind the desk.]

I haven't spoke much of my father to you. Frankly, I somewhat expected you around Miles' time... and out of his.

He is the current Count Vorkosigan. We are quite estranged at the moment. [And until now, had little interest in broaching that outside of work.] He would have little issue upon me swearing an armsman to our House, save for that of gender.

He will be ... difficult.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She stands relaxed in front of his desk, more because she doesn't want to risk breaking any chairs by sitting fully armored, and sets her helmet down on its surface. ]

I almost forgot women fighting here wasn't common. Is he going to put a stop to it? And is he in the chain of command or...? [ Or can she ignore him without dealing with the idiocy. Not that she intends on listening to someone who questions her on the basis of gender. ]

[use_everything]

Far worse than uncommon. I only know of one exceptional and Imperially sanctioned woman. [That was something he needed to change... the push would be slow and delicate, in phases. This would honestly not be a bad start with the right introduction to it.]

He is above me in the chain in some courts and below in others. This is one he holds sway... However, he'll be fast to push you to me and disassociate. That will suit well enough. The greatest pains you'll have is in dealing with him directly.

[He gives her a calculating look.] .. That may be somewhat avoidable. Sergeant Bothari is bound to need assistance with Miles...

[failureisntachoice]

[ She lets out a light sigh. All right. So traveling dimensions wasn't going to be a breeze. What's new. ]

As long as I don't have to deal with him much. [ She'll manage. Somehow. What's more important however, ] How old is Miles right now?

[use_everything]

[He'd certainly try to see to that.]

Three... [No. His brow furrows as he counts back...] Five weeks old.

[failureisntachoice]

Wait, he's not even two months old yet?

[ At least she doesn't have to worry about Miles dragging her into trouble. ]

[use_everything]

And in the hospital more than out.

I... our time on Earth mislead me to think this might be a bit easier.

[He looks up, focusing on her. Miles WAS her friend, and a deep one at that.]... I'm afraid it may be a wait for you.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She frowns as she stares down at her helmet for a long moment before meeting his gaze again. 'Wait' is an undestatement by far and she's not sure how long her timer is. ]

We'll see how long I last. I don't know how much waiting I'll be around for.

[use_everything]

[He can't help a frown at that. Limits of her physical form? Or will... simply leave?]

... How long you .. last?

[failureisntachoice]

Computer problems, [ she answers dryly and waves it off. ] They're not important right now. Where's Miles and Cordelia now?