video; un: eproghuefgdzptrrw

[vorrutyer]

[ Unlike any of Byerly’s previous posts, which consisted of him monologuing interminably, this post looks to be a dialogue. There are actually two people on screen - Byerly’s lanky, elegant, sloe-eyed self, and next to him a small odd-looking fellow with intense features and a too-large head set on a hunched spine. For all the differences between them, though, the two look like they could be brothers, or at least cousins - similar noses, similar bone structure, similar skin tone, similar hair color. Ah, the products of Barrayaran inbreeding.

You can tell who set up the camera by the framing. Byerly is centered, and sitting at an angle that best shows off his fine features. Miles Vorkosigan, the small fellow, is squished off into a corner of the frame. By is the first to speak, too. ]

Bonsoir, lovely fellows and ladies. Your bosom friend and brother Byerly here with an important announcement. Though you have known me as His Imperial Majesty Byerly II of Barrayar, now I’m just plain By, because my position has been usurped. [ A fake mournful sigh. ] Brutal civil war. Deadly. Horrible. I’ve been dealt a monstrous blow.

[ Miles, meanwhile, just kind of rolls his eyes skyward. Spare him from his cousin’s melodrama. ] If by “usurped” you mean “assumed rightful authority,” then yes. I usurped you. With little resistance, I might add. [ A pause; he straightens his small frame as best he can - not that it’s especially effective given the camera angle. ] Did you really go around calling yourself His Imperial Majesty Byerly II?

But of course. [ Byerly blinks in mock-innocence. ] Sire, don’t tell me that you don’t see the Imperial office as worthy of respect. I was simply demanding the dignity due to the camp stool.

Is it more dignified to lose it to a civil war too? [ Miles arches a brow in turn. ] I could fight you, I suppose.

Oh, please don’t do that, sire. [ By’s expression is a reasonable approximation of pained. ] I don’t want to hurt you. He’s very fragile, you see. [ The last is said conspiratorially to the audience, as though Miles couldn’t hear. And, swiftly, before he can be executed for treason - ] So I wished to introduce my dear sometime-cousin and current-overlord to the network, as a grand announcement of an enormous life change, and an announcement that I will of course be hosting a coronation party for him.

-- What?

[ There’s not even the slightest twinkle of amusement in Byerly’s face; he looks perfectly solemn as he explains - ]

It is, of course, customary for those invited to a coronation to bring gifts of tribute. I would not presume to speak for my lord Emperor, but I might suggest gifts of alcohol. Or something a little harder than alcohol? A fellow does grow tired of only being drunk, and the Emperor is quite a fan of stimulants, which is why you’ll hear him babble endlessly, all the time. Would that suit you, sire?

[ Miles has been working his mouth like a frog in the background this whole time; he still sputters a moment, staring at Byerly in disbelief. ] I never agreed to a party, By -- [ He interrupts himself with a beautiful stream of cursing in Greek. ] For god’s sake, that won’t be necessary.

[ Loudly, speaking over his Emperor - ] That sounds like a yes to me! I’ll see you all tomorrow night. [ And with a wink, he cuts the feed. ]


[ ooc: blue is Byerly, red is Miles ]

Comments

[dendarii]

[ It's instinctive at this point for Miles; his world marries old traditions with new tech already. ]

If you like, although alcohol will be quite enough.

[tourism]

Then I'll endeavor to bring some, although I can't very well leave my face at home so other distractions will be present.

[He perches on the edge of the table, the camera waving wildly as he moves. Still not fully used to technology of any sort, at this end, but he enjoys it enough to keep trying.]

You're both from the same angry space planet, then? Are you actually the emperor?

[dendarii]

[ His face? Miles doesn't quite follow, but - he'll answer the question first. ]

No. I've also inherited the position given the lack of the actual heirs. But I am much, much closer than Byerly here. Third in line, after my father and the current Emperor.

[tourism]

Oh, so a prince or sorts. Or duke? I confess I tend to forget my own title much less spend time keeping track of others. And there doesn't seem much point in cleaving to any of them, here.

[Despite the fanfare of this post, and the few other royal families clinging to old ways in a new place.]

I can't think of much worse, if I'm honest. Except perhaps having to be the ruler of a people who were actually awake.

[dendarii]

We've no princes, precisely. I'm a Count's heir - and a High Vor.

[ Look, it's just a thing. He couldn't stop being Vor even if he wanted to. ]

I know it doesn't mean much here.

[tourism]

Does it mean your cousin has to bow as you pass?

[dendarii]

Sarcastically, belike.

[tourism]

[Thoughtfully]

In the courts of the East I've heard it's customary to fully prostrate oneself before an Emperor...

[dendarii]

[ A snort at that. ]

He'd do that sarcastically too. No, let's skip all of it.

[tourism]

It is at least a little harder to be sarcastic with one's face in the dirt. [A little shrug - he wouldn't actually care to see such a thing.] No, but skip courts all together, if you ask me. It's one of the small pleasures about being here. There aren't altogether many, given the housing, and the lack of anyone decent being awake, and everyone going on about some ominous foreshadowing of war, so you have to cling to what you find.

[dendarii]

[ He blinks a bit, straightening. ]

Are you familiar with courts, then?

[tourism]

Well, yes. As the son of an Earl it would prove rather tricky not to be. Unless I was one of those family members no one talks about but everyone's somehow heard of, I suppose.

[He's sort-of endeavoring to become just such a thing.]

[dendarii]

[ A snort at that. ]

Better to be that, in some cases.

[tourism]

Mm. Yes, and I suppose I might have gone that way too if it weren't for - well, it hardly matters now. I'm just Monty, here.

[A small grin.]

Your Highness.

[dendarii]

Just Miles, please. You're not my subject, after all.

[tourism]

Do you have any other than Byerly? I can't think what you plan to do with him.

[dendarii]

Not much, that's for sure.

[tourism]

So we're alike, really. Free of all that nonsense, while you're here.