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

[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.

[jacksonian]

That's useful, at least. It's good that I'm useful.

[dendarii]

Mm. It's important, isn't it. I know the feeling.

[jacksonian]

[ He looks down, shrugging. ]

It's the difference between life and death.

[dendarii]

[ With sudden fierceness: ]

Yes. Without it, what's the point?

[jacksonian]

[ He looks up, face pressed into something incredulous. ]

What's the point of living?

[dendarii]

Yes. Just so. I've asked myself that question a lot.

[jacksonian]

[ And incredulity becomes anger. ]

Yeah. Good question. So we should probably just kill everyone who's not useful, right?

[dendarii]

[ Miles winces sharply at that. ]

No, that's not what I meant. It's my own neurosis. So I'm sympathetic. That's all.

[jacksonian]

[ That apology settles him down. He shrugs. ]

I've known plenty of people whose intended purpose only was to die. So. They would probably like to not be useful.