video; un: eproghuefgdzptrrw

[vorrutyer]

[ Byerly Vorrutyer is sitting in front of a piano, fingers on the keys. Byerly Vorrutyer is also, apparently, drunk. There's a bottle of brandy in front of him balanced beside the music rack that's two-thirds drained, and there's a tiny sway in his posture, and he looks sloppy - suit coat opened, shirt-collar loosened. When he speaks, his voice slurs. But as he talks, he plays Chopin beautifully, expressively. He only misses the very occasional note. ]

God help me, but this place is dull. And I know from dull. I spent an entire season - an entire season! - on the Vorinnis estate on the South Continent. If Lady Vorinnis hadn't been there to distract me with all her deliciousness, I'd have actually, literally, died of boredom. I nearly set fire to the whole taiga. Roasted all the little birdies and rabbits and peasants. Pheasants. Peasants. Whichever.

[ He sighs mournfully, casting a sorrowful glance at the camera. ]

Say, fellows, how does a man have fun around here? It's clear no one knows how to play whist, so that's out, and dueling for laughs seems tacky. I've already watched a few of you brutes bash one another's faces in, which had its charms and no doubt, but the time for that is over. I can't play bed, wed, behead with you, because you're all proles of no account and no education who wouldn't know the high-society names I mention to you. Oh!

[ He sits up a bit, stopping his playing mid-note, right before the end of the first section of the piece. What a musical anticlimax. ]

I've got one. I'll write limericks about you. Tell me a bit about yourself, and I'll write limericks. Go on, do. They'll be funny, I promise - this is one of my favorite games. Absolutely kills at parties.

[ And then, with a small bow - ]

Byerly Vorrutyer, Emperor of Barrayar, at your lyrical service.

Comments

[vorrutyer]

[ By blinks for just a moment at those ears - but it's not the first time he's seen an offworlder with that sort of addition, and it probably won't be the last. So - ]

Well, perhaps, perhaps not. What do you mean by rap, dear girl?

[witchhooded]

[ It is absolutely not the weirdest thing he'll probably see in El Nysa. This is a good way to react. ]

You know! Snoop Dogg and Obama, and the freshest beats. The illest. Sooooo fresh.

[ ... This isn't going well, is it? ]

[vorrutyer]

Ah. Yes. Perhaps you ought to start with the assumption that I'm not going to know anything you're talking about.

[witchhooded]

Oh! Okay.

[ ...So she has to demonstrate?

Jade has no idea how to rap, so she takes a moment to think back on all the raps Dave's tossed at her... WELL. ]

Noticed you caught sight I'm part-dog, which is not my preferred dialogue, appreciate the lack of questioning, lack of gesturing, I see no point in sequestering!!!!

[ .......that was bad but she looks relatively proud of herself, I'm sorry. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ Uh. Hm. ]

Well...Yes. That was a bit...like poetry, in a way.

[witchhooded]

[ Thank you for not ruining her vibe. ]

Hehe, right! It is a little strange, and Dave's way better at it than me anyway! I am not much of a vocal performer, I prefer bass by a veeeeeeeeeery long shot. It is the coolest instrument, anyway.

[vorrutyer]

Ah - bass? As in the upright bass?

[witchhooded]

Oh, no! Sorry! Guitar, as in, bass guitar. I like electric most, but acoustic is great too. If you're looking for someone who can strum more traditionally, that would be my friend Rose. My brother John plays piano like you, though!

[ He is not nearly as sophisticated, though. ]

[vorrutyer]

Oh. Pity.

[ A bit of a sigh. ]

I was hoping for someone who could accompany me.

[witchhooded]

[ That's fair, though. ]

Well I am not opposed to jam sessions! It's not like I never played with my brother, and he was pretty great. Who is your favorite musician? I know that was Chopin but I am sure you listen to way more than that!

[vorrutyer]

Ah, I'm afraid you wouldn't know my favorite, dear lady. Not unless you're familiar with the composer Kristoph Regis Vorrutyer.

[witchhooded]

Sorry to be bland then but I definitely do not, haha! [ But she raises a finger, like a light bulb going off over head. ] I'm always up for learning more though!!! [ ... She has also never really had the chance to see people play like this, so. ] So if you ever want to share, I would want to listen.