video; un: eproghuefgdzptrrw

[vorrutyer]

[ Byerly, a handsome fellow with a hard-to-place accent that just sounds a bit different, is lounging on a couch. The angle isn't entirely flattering, since he's filming himself while laying supine, and so there's a view sort of halfway up his nostrils that is a little bit too much information. A bottle of brandy dangles from one hand, and his voice is slurring just a bit. This fellow seems quite drunk. ]

Bonsoir, you grunting peasants and cultureless rubes, and happy Winterfair to all. For those of you who are cultureless monsters, Winterfair is a time when gifts are exchanged and joy is had. My gift to you is that I won't call any of you peasants again for the duration of this broadcast. Winterfair was also the last Emperor's birthday, or thereabouts, which meant everyone had to give him their taxes for the year, but mine's not till later, so you don't need to pay me till then. I'll let you know when taxes are due. Start saving up now.

So what should you all give me instead? I suppose to begin with you could entertain me. What do you say, my cream puffs - a little game of two truths and a lie? You know the rules, since the rules are literally the name of the game. Go on, play with me, do. I'll start. I'm currently rightful Emperor of Barrayar, my great grandfather Pierre once showed up to a Winterfair ball soaked in blood to send a message, I'm terrible in bed.

Anyone who opts out of the game, I'm going to assume they're simply too in love with me to speak with me, so don't play at your own risk.

[ He winks, and then lifts the brandy to his mouth - and it apparently goes down at a bad angle, because he sits up, coughing and spluttering and getting alcohol down his front before he shuts off the feed. ]

Comments

[vorrutyer]

What about them? Do you want to know what they were like?

[illuminating]

yes!
and if you enjoyed yourself.

[vorrutyer]

Most certainly. After all, you can't wear your finest suits in everyday life - but a party gives you an excuse. For a few hours, you're allowed to simply wallow in beautiful things. What isn't to love?

[illuminating]

i think everyday feels like that.

[Unseen, her tail's wagging.]

but you didn't bother to tell me about the parties themselves.
i did notice.

[vorrutyer]

Forgive me - I forget that not everyone is familiar with these parties. But what's to tell? Debauchery, dancing. Fantastic food, mind-destroying drink. It's hard to describe if you've never been to one.

[illuminating]

all right.
drink a lot of water, when you're through.

[vorrutyer]

Water? What's water?

[illuminating]

shall i bring you some?

[Wow. Don't think she won't, pal. Do you know how many people she tried to give glasses of water during the virus outbreak? It is not easy when glass won't hold in teeth, and people just thought she was funny, and they refused because the sickness was making them difficult.]

[vorrutyer]

My dear creature, I never drink water. But if you insist, I might try it, for the first time in my life.

[illuminating]

no.
one nice thing about life is you're able to live it to your own choosing.

[vorrutyer]

[ Huh. ]

You don't want to lecture me at all?

[illuminating]

i don't want to lecture you, but i do want you to take care of yourself.
if you want to put yourself at risk, it saddens me, but you have the freedom
to make that decision. my duty isn't as a dictator.

[vorrutyer]

Dear heavens. You're a careful thing, aren't you?

[illuminating]

am i?
i've never thought so.

[vorrutyer]

I don't think I've ever encountered anyone so careful. Do you have some position of authority, back home?

[illuminating]

some people i know would tell you yes.
and they might even say, she should be respected.
but respect is earned, and even then, to give it is still a choice.
i dislike people feeling separate from me, does this make sense?
i'm a mother, that's all.

[vorrutyer]

Forgive me, madam, but that doesn't make any sense at all, no. My apologies. I suspect it's a failure of understanding, not of explanation.

[illuminating]

there's nothing to forgive.

el nysa is the first place i've been able to give away the words in my head.
i have no voice, you know, so this is what i can do, if slowly, and with long pauses.
but i wonder a lot of the time, if there is a reason i don't have a voice.
maybe i really am supposed to keep the words inside.
probably it is to prove myself.

before, do you feel i answered your question sufficiently, despite not understanding?
does it matter to you that i try again?