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]
[Sergeant Bothari. He affirms. There is an impression here, a sketch of a complicated, troubled man, without any details. Aral's own emotions towards him are a simple, uncomplicated like of the man.
He's a good soldier. Better Armsman.]
He's a good soldier. Better Armsman.]
[ Sounded like it. I can see why he was called a family friend. Though there's curiosity in that statement, just how troubled was Bothari? Not enough to keep anyone away from him.
Soldier she can be, but Armsman... She's still not sure how any of them can be this trusting. Her hesitation bleeds over into the link as she wonders how long this invitation was meant for. ]
Soldier she can be, but Armsman... She's still not sure how any of them can be this trusting. Her hesitation bleeds over into the link as she wonders how long this invitation was meant for. ]
[There's no answer to that curiosity, the subject folded up and set aside. Bothari's matters are the business of only Bothari and the lives the man has touched, for good or ill.
The link shutters, gently pulling some distance... but does not close. Some halfway point where what crosses is what is intended to pass. Aral clears his throat and answers aloud.]
Such vows are not made simply nor regarded lightly. I imagine he remembers more than you give credit for.
The link shutters, gently pulling some distance... but does not close. Some halfway point where what crosses is what is intended to pass. Aral clears his throat and answers aloud.]
Such vows are not made simply nor regarded lightly. I imagine he remembers more than you give credit for.
[ That she can understand and respect. He won't find her probing anymore about the man, she knows enough to be content.
She takes that for a hint and draws back herself, though leaves the link open herself. For now, at least. ]
Yeah, I'm sure he does, but... I'm not used to this kind of trust being given so easily. I haven't known you or your son for long.
She takes that for a hint and draws back herself, though leaves the link open herself. For now, at least. ]
Yeah, I'm sure he does, but... I'm not used to this kind of trust being given so easily. I haven't known you or your son for long.
[He takes a few seconds to let all that process. An abstract way of defining it, but Yeah he was absolutely downplaying the lord/liege-sworn relationship when Gregor had described it to him, but Aral's explanation is really conveying just how much he had underestimated its importance and gravity.]
Unconditional trust.
...Seems like a lot more of a two-way street than anything I heard from my Earth's history.
This kind of relationship happen often? Obviously not something taken lightly.
Unconditional trust.
...Seems like a lot more of a two-way street than anything I heard from my Earth's history.
This kind of relationship happen often? Obviously not something taken lightly.
I don't know if 'easy' is the term. My best friends and my worst enemies wear the same uniform, hold allegiance to the same Emperor.
You learn quickly to understand who you can trust.
You learn quickly to understand who you can trust.
And I fall into that category? You trust me enough to involve me in...
[ What exactly? She motions vaguely as she finishes, somewhat lamely, ] Your family.
[ What exactly? She motions vaguely as she finishes, somewhat lamely, ] Your family.
Yes. I've studied. But even ancient feudalism would have fallen apart if those that served did not also receive.
[At the question of whether it happens often, he can only after a wry expression.]
If that kind of trust could exist enough to be commonplace, the human race itself would be far improved, I think. But no, we do not see it lightly.
[At the question of whether it happens often, he can only after a wry expression.]
If that kind of trust could exist enough to be commonplace, the human race itself would be far improved, I think. But no, we do not see it lightly.
Just so.
Even at his age, he has the legal ability to form such vows. But you may consider this a formalized offer.
Though be aware that what it is, is not easy, simple nor in any manner perfect. [His own memories, those brief flashes, were warnings as much as they were too deeply entangled within the concept of a liege-lord to remove.]
Even at his age, he has the legal ability to form such vows. But you may consider this a formalized offer.
Though be aware that what it is, is not easy, simple nor in any manner perfect. [His own memories, those brief flashes, were warnings as much as they were too deeply entangled within the concept of a liege-lord to remove.]
Edited 2016-04-01 23:03 (UTC)
[ Wait. Did he just say yes? She stares for a moment, caught in shock.
Once she finds enough of her voice, she murmurs, ] I didn't think it was any of those things. [ Then more loudly, ] Nothing in my life has fallen that way.
There's a reason why I came to talk to you and Gregor once I realized what had happened.
Once she finds enough of her voice, she murmurs, ] I didn't think it was any of those things. [ Then more loudly, ] Nothing in my life has fallen that way.
There's a reason why I came to talk to you and Gregor once I realized what had happened.
Have you won against him? [There's no doubt, a certain tactically based curiosity instead in full measure.]
[ She snorts. ] Telepathic links aren't exactly common.
Completely impossible in my own world.
[He lifts an open palm.] I had meant in general.
[He lifts an open palm.] I had meant in general.
[ She shrugs. ] I've dealt with something similar before. I know I appreciate the privacy and the lack of barging in unnanounced.
You could say that. It was part of what made the military project I was in so experimental.
No, someone worse. [ The name Omega bleeds through the link for only a brief second, eclipsed with a flash of red, hot aggression that she suppresses and pulls back even further from him. ]
It's a long story.
It's a long story.
Not him directly. But someone a lot like him, who thought to just use his powers against people to hurt them and for nothing more.
[ Her head settles down on her paws, but her face is wary. ]
I don't want to fight. I'm tired of fighting. But if he comes after those boys - [ Who are several years her senior, but still boys - ] I'll smash his face in.
[ Her head settles down on her paws, but her face is wary. ]
I don't want to fight. I'm tired of fighting. But if he comes after those boys - [ Who are several years her senior, but still boys - ] I'll smash his face in.
[That sensation was familiar, and it stills Aral, both on the link and the man across from her seems to scarcely breathe for half a second.]
I trust if it becomes an issue, you would let us know.
I trust if it becomes an issue, you would let us know.
Edited 2016-04-02 02:24 (UTC)
[ Could she trust them to help her with that? Her frown deepens as she watches him for a moment before letting her gaze drift to the side. ]
He's not here, so unless the porter is feeling particularly malevolent towards me, it won't be one.
He's not here, so unless the porter is feeling particularly malevolent towards me, it won't be one.
[It certainly did not escape him that it was not a yes, and as she had pulled away at that memory of Omega, he did here as well, shuttering to a mere distant presence. His expression remains even though, the nod graceful. After all, it is not as though they had given HER reason to trust.]
Just so.
I have faith in your ability to keep up with Miles, as much as I believe it may try even your tactical acumen.
Just so.
I have faith in your ability to keep up with Miles, as much as I believe it may try even your tactical acumen.
I believe I am familiar with the sentiment.
[He reaches back over to rub her ears.] With some luck, there may be no need to take up arms.
[He reaches back over to rub her ears.] With some luck, there may be no need to take up arms.
[ She leans up into his hand with a happy sigh. Though: ]
Yeah. And how often do you lot get lucky?
Yeah. And how often do you lot get lucky?
Page 7 of 24