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]

[ Good. That means they're making progress. ]

Because he wanted you, Mark. His second son. He's been waiting twenty years to bring you home.

[jacksonian]

But he could have done -

[ Better. Though they say Count Vorkosigan and his wife are infertile...But even so, Betan doctors could harvest a few cells, make another kid. One who's less...strange. ]

[dendarii]

[ Miles can guess at what that last word was going to be. He gives Mark a bit of a lopsided grin. ]

That son wouldn't have been you.

[jacksonian]

[ He gives Miles a helpless look. ]

But I was - I'm useful to Galen, and to the Komarrans. I can't imagine - being useful to Count Vorkosigan.

[dendarii]

Useful isn't a part of this quotation. You're family.

[jacksonian]

[ He looks down and admits, shakily: ]

I don't even know what that means.

[dendarii]

[ Miles hesitates for a moment. Then slowly reaches out to place a hand on Mark's shoulder. If he'll let him. ]

I imagine it will take a while. Fortunately you have time now.

[jacksonian]

[ Mark flinches, but doesn't shrug him off. ]

I - had thought this was temporary. Until the mission against Bharaputra.

[dendarii]

Being part of the family? Hell no. Staying physically in the house until then is a necessity, but after that you can stay or go as you please.

[jacksonian]

[ A little shake of his head. Then he admits: ]

I - don't know if this is something that I want.

[dendarii]

Give yourself some time to figure it out, then. No need to make a decision tonight.

[jacksonian]

[ He's quiet a moment. Then, uncertainly, he asks: ]

What's he like? Count Vorkosigan.

[dendarii]

[ Miles' expression warms instantly. ]

He's one hell of a man. Intimidating sometimes ... Intimidating a lot, actually. But since I've remembered everything it's been much easier between us. When I think of the tightrope he's had to walk in getting all of us here safely, my god ...

[jacksonian]

Getting...all of who here safely?

[dendarii]

All of us. Me, Gregor, you, Barrayar too. He returned with knowledge about the future twenty years ago.

[jacksonian]

Oh. And he's just been...working to get everyone in the same place since then?

[dendarii]

[ Miles makes a so-so gesture with the other hand. ]

Less of a physical place more ... trying to improve the future without destroying who we are as people. And keeping our powers hidden, for that matter.

[jacksonian]

Did he have help?

[dendarii]

Oh, yes. Mother remembers everything too, and Simon as well. Bothari was brought in, of course. And Tex came home with us.

[jacksonian]

[ A beat. ]

So what am I supposed to be able to turn into?

[dendarii]

Er... I don't know if you can. The only power I know about is your ability to know which companies to invest in.

[ He'd never actually seen Mark's weight changing abilities. ]

[jacksonian]

What do you mean? Which companies to invest in?

[dendarii]

Yes. You supernaturally know which ones will succeed and which will fail.

[jacksonian]

Oh.

[ Huh. ]

And I use that to - make us money?

[dendarii]

You make all of us money. Including yourself.