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

[dendarii]

[ Miles relaxes into an animated patter. He clearly loves his home, even when he points out the spots where he's fallen and broken his bones, and is quick to tell stories about everything he's done here. Home, home, home is the underlying refrain. He hopes it will invite Mark to think of it in the same light.

When Mark eats his last pastry, Miles offers him one his own. And keeps talking. ]

I guess we're not in as grand a style as some of the other Vor, but it's beautifully rustic. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

[jacksonian]

[ He takes it carefully, eyes fixed on Miles' face as he does. Always watchful. ]

What are the security procedures on this house?

[dendarii]

Armsmen, forcefields. Especially on the windows.

[ He says without missing a beat. Ascending the stairs to go towards the bedrooms. ]

[jacksonian]

How many armsmen?

[dendarii]

Twenty, of course. You knew that already.

[jacksonian]

[ As he follows Miles up the stairs, he prods further, seeing how long it'll take before Miles breaks and snaps at him - how long it takes before Miles acknowledges that this line of questioning might not be benign - ]

So they're all here today?

[dendarii]

[ It's Mark, Miles reminds himself. Surely he's even less dangerous taken earlier in the timeline? Or - barring that, if Miles gives him every scrap of information he knows, and gives Mark the opportunity to be alone with him, unarmed ... Maybe Mark will believe in himself in turn. ]

No, that's rarely the case. We've got about half here right now. Do you want to see your room?

[jacksonian]

[ That throws him off a bit. Oh. ]

I - am sleeping in a guest room, I assume.

[dendarii]

[ Miles shrugs a bit at that. ]

We don't really have guest rooms in this part of the house. Except for when the Vorpatrils or Gregor visit, I guess. You're just a few doors down from me.

[ He climbs the stairs to the floor that the family lives on. ]

[jacksonian]

[ His step slows; he lags behind. ]

I shouldn't be staying in this wing of the house at all.

[ Because the tour, of course, was unnecessary; he knows exactly where everything is in the house. And this is where family lives. ]

[dendarii]

[ Miles stops, then, and turns to look at him. ]

You're family, Mark. I'm your brother.

[jacksonian]

[ Finally, he cracks just a bit. His voice gets a little shriller as he demands: ]

What are you playing at? What is this, some mind-game?

[dendarii]

Only in the sense that I want you to feel welcome here. Ask any question you like. Look at anything you want. It's your home too now.

[jacksonian]

That's crap.

[ His fists clench. ]

You know that's crap. All of this is crap. What do you want from me?

[dendarii]

[ For Mark to recognize him, mostly. But he doesn't know if that's even possible right now. ]

I want you to see that you have a choice. A real one. Not whatever Galen thinks you should do.

[jacksonian]

[ He shakes his head, tense and jerky - ]

Why do you care? Why do you care if I live or die?

[dendarii]

Because we're brothers. I know you don't know me very well, but ... I want to change that.

[jacksonian]

[ Another shake of his head. ]

Your definition of brother is insane. I'm a clone. An unasked-for, uncommissioned clone.

[dendarii]

And that's different from a twin brother how, exactly?

[jacksonian]

[ Sharper, harsher still - ]

A twin brother is wanted.

[dendarii]

[ As soft as Mark is sharp: ]

We want you. Just because you're a surprise doesn't make you any less wanted.

[jacksonian]

That's crap.

[ His shoulders hunch. ]

The only reason a clone is ever wanted is just to be used.

[dendarii]

[ Miles just shakes his head. ]

That's not the case. I swear it to you, my word as Vorkosigan.

[jacksonian]

[ He gives a choke that's sort of like a laugh. ]

Galen taught me that Vorkosigans are all killers and liars.

[dendarii]

And I've done both. But not as much as Galen thinks. And never, ever for something like this.