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]

[ Miles wrinkles his nose a bit. ]

They really twisted your arm, I see.

[vorrutyer]

[ Byerly rolls his eyes heavenward and pronounces, carefully - ]

And sometimes, particularly famous and skilled brothel workers get invited directly into Simwe's court.

[dendarii]

[ Ah. That sets off the lightbulb. ]

... Infiltration, then.

[vorrutyer]

Something a bit less sinister than that. Simple presence of a refugee voice. A whisper in her ear that might steer her away from waging war on our Wyver comrades.

[dendarii]

[ Miles has to admit it's a good plan. Reluctantly: ]

Worth it, then. I suppose.

[vorrutyer]

[ A short shrug. ]

We'll see. Hopefully our celestial overlords will see it as sufficient to justify waking up a few more Barrayarans.

[dendarii]

[ Another pause as he thinks. ]

Is that what the voice promised you?

[vorrutyer]

[ By looks off, his face tightening as he clearly debates whether or not to speak. Finally: ]

The voice...promised me the safety of a few - key individuals. Not their consciousness. Just their continued existence.

[dendarii]

[ Ah. Miles won't try to guess who those people are, though he might hope one of them is Gregor. ]

Existence is a start.

[vorrutyer]

We'll see.

[ A shrug. ]

Not good for much if I can't earn the right to have them woken up. Or, sorry - [ Sarcastically - ] If I can't earn the right for our celestial overlords to spontaneously discover that they're healed enough to awaken.

[dendarii]

Wouldn't be able to hold it over your head otherwise. Naturally.

[vorrutyer]

So cynical at such a young age.

[dendarii]

I have no illusions about what they're trying to do.

[ A pause. He's thinking about something. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ By purses his lips. ]

What?

[dendarii]

[ Miles looks away after a moment, still uncertain. ]

They didn't offer me safety of my loved ones or anything like that.

[vorrutyer]

[ A shrug. ]

What did they offer you, then?

[dendarii]

A cure.

[vorrutyer]

Something to work towards, then.

[ By frowns a bit, a little puzzled by Miles' sudden squirreliness. ]

[dendarii]

[ Miles sure is acting weird about it. Mostly because he wants it so desperately - perhaps more than a vague promise to save his loved ones. ]

Did their offer seem overly precise to you? I just wonder how they know.

[vorrutyer]

The people they offered to protect - Yes. It was quite...strategic.

[ A shrug. ]

They obviously can read our minds and memories.

[dendarii]

And that doesn't bother you?

[vorrutyer]

[ A short, sharp laugh. ]

Sire, I'm ImpSec. And before that, I was Vor. Of bloody course it bothers me.

[dendarii]

[ Ah. Well. He should have figured that. ]

You're being rather calm about it, then.

[vorrutyer]

What else can I be?

[dendarii]

I don't know. Fighting more, maybe.