Admiral Lord Aral Vorkosigan (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
use_everything) wrote2016-02-02 11:06 am
use_everything) wrote2016-02-02 11:06 am
[IC Inbox]
"Messages will be returned in order of priority."
[Text] [Audio] [Video]
[Text] [Audio] [Video]
[The laugh wasn't much more than a burst of air, barely catching a vocal chord.]
True enough. We call it governance. Though it's the reason we identify by crests and not paint, I suppose.
True enough. We call it governance. Though it's the reason we identify by crests and not paint, I suppose.
[ It's so rare to hear even that much that Gregor is subtly encouraged, eyes brightening just a little. ]
I do find it hard to criticize too strongly, for all my distaste for it from the top of the system. Democracy seems so... lacking in accountability.
I do find it hard to criticize too strongly, for all my distaste for it from the top of the system. Democracy seems so... lacking in accountability.
[ She hasn't been living in the house for long, but her time there has brought a welcoming batch of distractions. One of which she is setting up at the coffee table in the living room with a couple of bottles of dark beer for her and her opponent. Nothing like a strategy game to keep her mind busy, though she wonders if Aral really knows what he's getting into. ]
You sure you want to play this? With me?
You sure you want to play this? With me?
I assure you, I lose with grace.
[He sets out the board, a far, far simpler creature than the monstrosity in the study. The map is some replica of the borders of ancient earth, and the rules limit the armaments significantly.]
In fact, I would say it's not my wins I've ever learned from.
[He sets out the board, a far, far simpler creature than the monstrosity in the study. The map is some replica of the borders of ancient earth, and the rules limit the armaments significantly.]
In fact, I would say it's not my wins I've ever learned from.
Good, it's a skill you'll need.
[ She already has the rules to this game memorized, a much simpler task than the convoluted ones the boys had made up for their patchwork game. She's already reaching for the blue colored pieces to set up. ]
Want to bet anything on this?
[ She already has the rules to this game memorized, a much simpler task than the convoluted ones the boys had made up for their patchwork game. She's already reaching for the blue colored pieces to set up. ]
Want to bet anything on this?
Most people just ask for gifts if they want them. I know better than to stake money on it.
[He salutes her with a small lift of the brown bottle and tips back a quick pull of the beer.]
[He salutes her with a small lift of the brown bottle and tips back a quick pull of the beer.]
I'm more into taking, but I suppose I can put in a request if needed.
[ Though the lack of real betting is disappointing. ]
[ Though the lack of real betting is disappointing. ]
[The first few moves of the game are slow.. both defensive players in general...]
I'd ask what you considered worthy stakes, but I imagine I can guess.
I'd ask what you considered worthy stakes, but I imagine I can guess.
[ She has no plans to move quickly, she wants to see what Aral does. It's easier to adjust her tactics if she has a profile of his strategies. Their other board game didn't exactly provide proper data with how haphazardly it was played. ]
I was going for money. But I might settle for free drinks at the cafe or you bringing me drinks all afternoon.
I was going for money. But I might settle for free drinks at the cafe or you bringing me drinks all afternoon.
This is Mustang.
[His voice has the cadence and clip of all-business, but he's speaking softly—as though he were trying not to be heard.]
Did you receive the latest dispatch the the American government?
[His voice has the cadence and clip of all-business, but he's speaking softly—as though he were trying not to be heard.]
Did you receive the latest dispatch the the American government?
Colonel. [The greeting is automatic. His voice lightens as he continues, curiosity infusing it.]
I did. Are you actually considering it?
I did. Are you actually considering it?
[Roy's voice stays low and tense. ]
Fullmetal and Miss Rockbell are both going, yes. I wanted to know if any of your people were planning to take the assignment.
Fullmetal and Miss Rockbell are both going, yes. I wanted to know if any of your people were planning to take the assignment.
I see.
I can advise for one of us to see what is going on, I believe.
I can advise for one of us to see what is going on, I believe.
Ah. So is the aim to be spoiled or just enjoying the demotion of one's opponent?
Ah—Thank you.
[Here Roy falters. Partially not expecting such easy acquiescence, partially out of frustration that they don't have a code in place for situations like this. He wasn't asking this lightly; the chance of Fulmetal actually getting into trouble was quite high. He carefully lightens his tone.]
He'd be furious if he knew I asked, so please urge discretion. If the Dendarii agree, we can consider this a trial run of sorts—our first joint operation.
[Here Roy falters. Partially not expecting such easy acquiescence, partially out of frustration that they don't have a code in place for situations like this. He wasn't asking this lightly; the chance of Fulmetal actually getting into trouble was quite high. He carefully lightens his tone.]
He'd be furious if he knew I asked, so please urge discretion. If the Dendarii agree, we can consider this a trial run of sorts—our first joint operation.
If you're not willing to bet money then yeah. I'd get a massage out of you too, but that'd be asking for too much.
[Given the low urgent tone, and what he'd already picked up of the Colonel himself, he could imagine what the issue was. Though framing it as official Dendarii business certainly changed the atmosphere of it.]
Understood.
Ah, are you seeking oversight, backup or both?
Understood.
Ah, are you seeking oversight, backup or both?
And a bloody organizational mess at the best of times.
[The problem with games like this is that it just didn't have enough variables. They were all patterns, a bit like chess. There were only a certain amount of ways to open as there were to play out end game. The random variables and chaos were missing. In some ways, a clean thought exercise was refreshing.
He makes the first advance, cautious, probing.]
For that high of stakes, I'd want a fighting chance. Can you play it on a human level?
He makes the first advance, cautious, probing.]
For that high of stakes, I'd want a fighting chance. Can you play it on a human level?
I'll relay that down. Are you working tomorrow, Colonel? Or can I buy you a drink.
[Private, simple, and the venue is carded.]
[Private, simple, and the venue is carded.]
[ She makes a face at that. Could she play that stupidly? It might take a lot more software tweaking than she's comfortable with to even try. ]
I'm not sure. How human are we talking?
I'm not sure. How human are we talking?
I'm on shift until close, so come by any time.
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