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]

Why not?

[vladpire]

Dear boy [and that term was said with fondness] most men, and women, are frightened of monsters and things that creep about in the dark.

[dendarii]

[ Fondly meant, but Miles twitches anyway. ]

And many who are divorced from your particular story. Like me and mine are.

[vladpire]

And yet what would most think if a man sprouted fangs and asked to drink their blood?

[dendarii]

Well. I'd probably try to stab you, if that were our first interaction. But it isn't.

[vladpire]

Try to, being the operative word, Miles. And when, if you manage, I heal before your eyes? Or bend your blade in half? No, they are right to fear creatures like myself. I'll not take that from them.

[dendarii]

They aren't right to fear you specifically when you've done them no harm.

[ Something that gets Miles' hackles up for personal reasons as well. ]

[vladpire]

It's the threat of fear, Miles. The threat of what's in the dark. I very well could slaughter the town and stroll away having had my fill. That I don't is because I choose not to. That's a terrifying thing for others to know.

[dendarii]

So could anyone with a plasma rifle and a steady hand.

[vladpire]

And a rifle can be taken from that hand. My hand is the threat, Miles.

[Don't be silly, Miles.]

[dendarii]

[ He'll be as silly as he wants, damn it. ]

So it's physicality only? That's a good reason to be judged without knowledge?

[vladpire]

[Does he have to take him over his knee? Miles...]

Of course not. But people fear what they do not know. What they cannot understand. I don't blame them for it. It's a healthy fear there for a reason. I've seen others with my abilities. They were... worth fearing. It is in their nature.

[dendarii]

[ Miles has good reason to be stubborn about this, sorry Vlad. ]

On my world, the same could be said for me.

[vladpire]

Outliers do not a commonality make, Miles.

[dendarii]

I'm not speaking of outliers. I'm speaking of monsters. Things that hide in the dark, used to scare small children and terrorize heroes of stories. On my world, those are mutants like me.

And they are right to fear people like me, in a way. We came through a horrible nuclear holocaust and then were cut off from the rest of civilization. Any survival of horrifically mutated genes would have decimated us as a planet. Especially if we were permitted to make more of ourselves, dear god.

[ HE KNOWS. that this is different. But dammit, he's drawing this parallel anyway. ]

[vladpire]

Miles...

[The tone is quiet; like a censure and a comfort all rolled into one.]

You are what you are born to be. You choose what manner of man you will make of yourself. I cannot claim to know what your life, what your world is like, only speak of my own experiences. My own world.

[dendarii]

And I'm saying it doesn't have to be. Because - because my world is wrong, and yours can be too.

[ Said with all the fire and determination of a self-righteous teenager. ]

[vladpire]

[If he were there in person, Miles might get a ruffling of his hair, or a pat on his shoulder. Perhaps it was best he was not.]

I was feared before I became a monster, Miles, for I did monstrous things. For a reason, but still... You cannot blame someone for their fear. Only hope to teach them the truth of it.

[dendarii]

Just so. The truth being that they are wrong about you.

[vladpire]

Are they? Are you truly certain of that?

[dendarii]

I would stake my life upon it.

[ His eyes are bright and dangerous - he has an idea. ]

[vladpire]

[Oh, dear lord. The fervor of righteous youth. Had he ever been so young?]

I would not.

[dendarii]

[ Miles' tone shifts, the capitalization readily apparent. ]

We will. Allow Us to ask a favor of you.

[vladpire]

[He heard that royal 'we', feeling a sort of dropping in his chest at the similarities and differences all bundled into this tiny being he saw through the screen.]

... You may ask, but I guarantee no completion of it.

[dendarii]

Of course. We would not expect anything less than full and measured consideration of Our request.

[ He could go on, but - ]

We request that you become one of Our armsmen.