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."
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You're on my summons. [He waves the conversational nicety out of the air. He nods to another employee, a bit further down the counter and pulls off his apron.] I've made arrangements.
[He quirks an ironic brow at Jim.] How do you like your coffee?
[He quirks an ironic brow at Jim.] How do you like your coffee?
[He raises his chin a bit with a hint of a smirk.]
Hot.
[Which...was true, he didn't much care for how his coffee came as long as it had caffeine and was hot.
Then he realizes Aral probably doesn't know him well enough to understand his humor so he clarifies:]
...Black.
Hot.
[Which...was true, he didn't much care for how his coffee came as long as it had caffeine and was hot.
Then he realizes Aral probably doesn't know him well enough to understand his humor so he clarifies:]
...Black.
[It's hard to tell how the older man took it, as he just raises an eyebrow and pours two cups without comment. One is slid across the counter to Jim.]
The booths tend to be decent. [He nods toward some of the seating at the far side of the room.]
The booths tend to be decent. [He nods toward some of the seating at the far side of the room.]
[Well this is going great already he thought wryly as he takes his cup, thanks Aral and heads in the direction of the booths and slides in.
He takes a quick sip of the coffee--it's a hell of a lot better than anything replicated that he ever had during late night study sessions. His eyebrows raise in mild surprise, then he takes another sip.]
He takes a quick sip of the coffee--it's a hell of a lot better than anything replicated that he ever had during late night study sessions. His eyebrows raise in mild surprise, then he takes another sip.]
[Fresh roasted and ground, Aral has started to finally make a really mean pot of coffee. Having a lifetime of military issue coffee bulbs, it's become a sort of pickiness that usually only manifests in coffee shop workers and residents of the pacific northwest.
The surprised approval from Jim gets a bit of a "damn straight" look from Aral before it smooths into the usual stern patience.]
You had questions.
The surprised approval from Jim gets a bit of a "damn straight" look from Aral before it smooths into the usual stern patience.]
You had questions.
Still do.
I was talking to Greg [Respecting the fact that they were technically in public, but with some emphasis on his name] about lord/liege-sworn relationships. I don't have a frame of reference from my universe so I thought I'd ask you.
[Loving this coffee. He didn't know it could taste good.]
I was talking to Greg [Respecting the fact that they were technically in public, but with some emphasis on his name] about lord/liege-sworn relationships. I don't have a frame of reference from my universe so I thought I'd ask you.
[Loving this coffee. He didn't know it could taste good.]
[The additional emphasis drew an interested look from Vorkosigan. In fact, almost universally, Miles and Gregor's associates who suddenly come into the know about the whole bloody charade have been using it on some name or another.
In addition to that, with Miles' lover, from a conversation with Gregor ... to THIS specific topic... he could only begin to see the cats cradle this conversation was like to be.
He leans back and takes a sip of his own coffee, studying Kirk over the lip of the cup.]
That is a tangled question. Do you wish to know it as a function or as a true and total whole?
In addition to that, with Miles' lover, from a conversation with Gregor ... to THIS specific topic... he could only begin to see the cats cradle this conversation was like to be.
He leans back and takes a sip of his own coffee, studying Kirk over the lip of the cup.]
That is a tangled question. Do you wish to know it as a function or as a true and total whole?
[He wasn't sure just how much Aral knew about them but really, this wasn't even about him. ]
Whatever you're willing to tell.
Whatever you're willing to tell.
[He rubs his lips, considering the problem.]
As a warning, I've struggled to relate it, in all of its nuance to my very Betan wife and have yet to give one that satisfied the logical part of her.
As a second caution, I don't believe there is a short way to impart understanding, at least not in the context I believe you might be seeking it.
As a warning, I've struggled to relate it, in all of its nuance to my very Betan wife and have yet to give one that satisfied the logical part of her.
As a second caution, I don't believe there is a short way to impart understanding, at least not in the context I believe you might be seeking it.
[His expression is inwardly focused, calculating.]
It seems I truly have no measure of him. Did he work with you in our shared interest or merely to take such an opportunity for himself?
It seems I truly have no measure of him. Did he work with you in our shared interest or merely to take such an opportunity for himself?
[ She hesitates, then confesses: ]
I don't know. Honestly. I think...it was for the fun of killing me, more than to help me. But I'm not sure.
I don't know. Honestly. I think...it was for the fun of killing me, more than to help me. But I'm not sure.
[He shrugs.]
I'm coming here already accepting I'm not going to understand it completely or even how much I want to understand it. But an idea would be helpful.
...That context being?
I'm coming here already accepting I'm not going to understand it completely or even how much I want to understand it. But an idea would be helpful.
...That context being?
[He gives Jim a scathingly sardonic look.] Let us proceed with the idea that we are speaking of the same thing, and if I am incorrect, you can remedy it at the conclusion.
[He was intensely uninterested in putting names to these concepts in a public venue. He folds his hands, and searches for the point to begin on.]
Barrayar is a planet with no religious faith nor a government that one may rely on to go for more than a decade without ripping into itself like a mad dog. Lacking these two natural sources that a man might find identity and purpose from, we have found the concepts of honor and loyalty.
They are more than mere virtues to us. Sometimes it's the only thing that holds the simply tatters of our culture together. A man's word places all of their honor - their identity and self respect - behind that promise. To break it destroys some portion of yourself in ones own eyes and the eyes of society.
Loyalty is akin to faith. One gives oneself wholly in trust for security, for a banner, for purpose, for a chance to define their honor. In return those sworn to live to - or should live to - protect and serve those who have given their loyalty to them.
On a broad view, everyone swears to their district Count and the Counts to the Emperor, who holds everyone and serves everyone in turn. It is implied by birth and location, cultural and only as personal as a man makes it to be.
When one swears directly, body and blood, to another, it is a very different matter.
[He pauses here, taking another sip of his coffee and composing his thoughts on the more personal subject.]
[He was intensely uninterested in putting names to these concepts in a public venue. He folds his hands, and searches for the point to begin on.]
Barrayar is a planet with no religious faith nor a government that one may rely on to go for more than a decade without ripping into itself like a mad dog. Lacking these two natural sources that a man might find identity and purpose from, we have found the concepts of honor and loyalty.
They are more than mere virtues to us. Sometimes it's the only thing that holds the simply tatters of our culture together. A man's word places all of their honor - their identity and self respect - behind that promise. To break it destroys some portion of yourself in ones own eyes and the eyes of society.
Loyalty is akin to faith. One gives oneself wholly in trust for security, for a banner, for purpose, for a chance to define their honor. In return those sworn to live to - or should live to - protect and serve those who have given their loyalty to them.
On a broad view, everyone swears to their district Count and the Counts to the Emperor, who holds everyone and serves everyone in turn. It is implied by birth and location, cultural and only as personal as a man makes it to be.
When one swears directly, body and blood, to another, it is a very different matter.
[He pauses here, taking another sip of his coffee and composing his thoughts on the more personal subject.]
Ah. [Men like that, they are not particularly the worst of all evils, and it seems the theists view of the devil, a personal tormenter rather than a grand maestro, seems to at least hold for this incarnation. But evil none the less.]
... You should know you have aid available, upon your call.
... You should know you have aid available, upon your call.
If you feel a new link, it's me. Your son swore me in as an armswoman when we ran into each other without me realizing his oaths created links too.
I spoke with Gregor about it already and we decided it's best to keep it for now so I can help keep an eye on Miles.
I spoke with Gregor about it already and we decided it's best to keep it for now so I can help keep an eye on Miles.
Oh.
[ She looks down. ]
I'm not afraid for myself any longer. I don't think he has any lingering hatred towards me. I'm more worried for Miles. And for Gregor.
[ She looks down. ]
I'm not afraid for myself any longer. I don't think he has any lingering hatred towards me. I'm more worried for Miles. And for Gregor.
[Jim is listening intently, but honestly has no frame of reference for this kind of way of life. His own was so much different, nothing as medieval as lack of government, using one's word to represent their whole self and being up to that point in their life.]
...I think I follow what you're saying, but what do you mean "body and blood"?
...I think I follow what you're saying, but what do you mean "body and blood"?
[There's a delay. A long one that might mean anything from shellshock, to anger, to uncertainty.
Or perhaps, dealing with a really, really tiny keyboard.]
at your earliest convenience
Or perhaps, dealing with a really, really tiny keyboard.]
at your earliest convenience
It is the deepest one man may serve another. It is to own and be owned by each other. The sworn guards the lord with his last breath and his last drop of blood. Works in his direct interest in all things, and follows orders - not blindly, never blindly. But with the fullest consciousness and thought of a man who knows the difference between the letter and the intent.
In return the lord is beholden to his men. He guards their welfare and their happiness, at the expense of his own, if need be. He must trust as violently and wholly as he protects for these men who serve him are his wealth when all else crumbles. His mind when he is drunk or asleep, and his arms when he is bound.
It is somewhere between governance and love. And like both, may be cruel in how it plays. Twisted when broken...
... The one you ask of, is how it is when it is proper and healthy.
In return the lord is beholden to his men. He guards their welfare and their happiness, at the expense of his own, if need be. He must trust as violently and wholly as he protects for these men who serve him are his wealth when all else crumbles. His mind when he is drunk or asleep, and his arms when he is bound.
It is somewhere between governance and love. And like both, may be cruel in how it plays. Twisted when broken...
... The one you ask of, is how it is when it is proper and healthy.
Hm. As am I.
You've volunteered, as I have heard it?
You've volunteered, as I have heard it?
For a meeting? Tell me where and I'll tell you when I can get away from Miles.
government residence seven in de chima, i will mee t you in the study when you may
Already inside, I'll join you once I have Miles busy.
[ And it will take a while until she's decided Miles is properly distracted, whether with Gregor or something else in the house. Something that won't get him killed.
Her armor's been ditched and stowed somewhere for now, opting for mobility and figuring if she's going to be able to see his expression and body language easily, he should be able to see hers. She knocks politely on the door to the study. ]
[ And it will take a while until she's decided Miles is properly distracted, whether with Gregor or something else in the house. Something that won't get him killed.
Her armor's been ditched and stowed somewhere for now, opting for mobility and figuring if she's going to be able to see his expression and body language easily, he should be able to see hers. She knocks politely on the door to the study. ]
[He had spent most of the day with Cordelia, barely a hairsbreath away at most moments, and quite content to be there, if acutely aware of the reason. The retreat was less to process, and more to give her time with the children - now back to properly being children. Processing was carefully kept at bay with reading.
When Tex entered, the latest puzzle of circumstance with her, he looks up.]
Enter.
When Tex entered, the latest puzzle of circumstance with her, he looks up.]
Enter.
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