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]

[There's a snort from him and a leveled a withering, stare around the room that... frankly quelled nothing. Several greybeards seemed to scoot closer to talk to each other, and a few of the men in red and blues had a considering hand on their stunners.

He only gives the hummingbird a grunt of assent, before waving her off in the direction of two very keenly watching eyes in the room.]

[rathercommon]

[ She gives a little giggle. Yes, all right, there are plenty of potentially bad outcomes here, one of which is getting stunned - or, perhaps worse, getting Aral accidentally stunned... ]

Let's talk soon. I want to swap stories with you.

[ And then she buzzes upwards. ]

[use_everything]

[He watches the hummingbird escape with his son with a wry smile. (Poor Gregor, trapped as long or longer than he was.) He signals of the Lord Guardian of the Circle to begin the speaking portion on the bill, and the strange avian outburst was tabled for discussions after ruling. He never could expect a single man in there to forget a damn thing. All of their memory was stored in their marrow.

But with such lovely distractions as Gregor and Miles, it is, perhaps quite some time until Kitty finds Aral. And longer still until he's alone to talk.

It's late, deep into the evening, with a light, a comm station readout, a few holocubes projecting displays and an inordinate amount of flimies in a very small office in Vorhartung Castle.]

[rathercommon]

[ And, late, deep in the evening, a little silver-furred monkey swings in through the ajar window to his office. Clutched in one arm is a bottle of whiskey of some vintage and quality - pilfered from the Imperial Stores. Altogether without preamble, completely cheerful, she starts in - ]

God, this place is bloody hard to navigate. Half the windows in this place have got some sort of magic barrier over 'em.

[ Force-shields. She means force-shields. ]

[use_everything]

[He looks up sharply at the visitor.. and then thumbs a switch on the underside of the desk, turning off the video and audio feeds on the room.]

Security concerns, being what they are.

Welcome to Barrayar, Ms Jones.

[rathercommon]

Thank you, Mr Naismith.

[ She heard that nickname back on Earth. It tickled her. It continues to tickle her.

She swings into a chair, then becomes a girl again, sitting with the bottle in her hands. As ever, there's a little bit of self-consciousness to her as she's faced with Aral. Lingering embarrassment from their bad first meeting, which she covers up with decent cheer. ]

I probably could have gotten through 'em as a fly, but, you know. Had to carry this. [ She wriggles the whiskey at him, then says: ] Though it does look like you're working. So I guess...it was a bit unnecessary.

[use_everything]

[There's an upward tug at the corners of his mouth, but as always he doesn't protest it. He hadn't heard that in years... it was still as true.]

I've likely passed the point of productive a few hours ago.

[That label... Easily one of the finest. The chances that was bought are exceedingly low. He gives her a Look. And then just gets up to fetch a couple of glasses from a small cabinet near the door.]

[rathercommon]

[ With mock-wounded innocence in response to that Look: ]

This is a good use to put it to. What's the point of stockpiling? Better to actually enjoy the good things in our lives than to hold onto them.

[ When he comes over with the glasses, she pours them each two fingers with a bartender's precision. As she does, she asks - ]

When did you come back? It sounds as though it's been a good amount of time for Miles.

[use_everything]

[Subtle political bribery, for one. He left the comment unspoken, and takes his own glass up.]

Around ... twenty three years now? Perhaps a little short. Though the boys have only just begun to remember recently.

[rathercommon]

That long?

[ Good God. ]

I'm surprised you remember me.

[use_everything]

I didn't, immediately. [Not until she spoke, anyway.]

... Have we told you much about Cetaganda? It will be of necessity for you to know if you're here for more than a visit.

[rathercommon]

Uh -

[ Huh. ]

No...

[use_everything]

Putting aside a history lesson, they are an enemy who infuses a certain style into most of their actions, both leisure and militant. They believe that functionality is no excuse for a lack of elegance and beauty.

As such, using a non indigenous species such as that bird [Was it a bird? It hovered like an insect... He checks her expression for correction before moving on.] as a vector for some flesh melting virus would be something expected.

You may wish to be careful, or at least choosy enough that we can float the idea Gregor has a menagerie.

[rathercommon]

[ Huh. She thinks that over a moment, frowning. ]

You didn't seem particularly alarmed.

[use_everything]

There wasn't enough irony in the form for it to have been an assassin for me specifically. [A dove, perhaps.] If you were a spy, I didn't give a damn. The session could waste their time as much as mine.

Had you approached Gregor straight off, [Or at all.] you'd have had most of the Council looking for a hunt.

[rathercommon]

I don't know. It would have kept them on their toes...

[use_everything]

No.

[rathercommon]

Woke them up...

[use_everything]

Absolutely not.

[rathercommon]

ImpSec needs a challenge now and again.

[use_everything]

Ms. Jones.

[rathercommon]

[ A mock-sigh! ]

Oh, fine. But it would be a little fun, you've got to admit.

[use_everything]

I will do no such thing. [Though by the blink it and miss it smirk, there wasn't actually disagreement.]

Hold out a month at least, then you can antagonize any you care to. I'm sure Gregor will have a list of deserving recipients. Ignore Miles.