001 | Voice

[ivanyouidiot]

[As far as interesting occurrences go, waking up with no memory of how he got there has never, in Ivan's experience, been a good thing. He's a bit past that point -- and past spending lots of energy freaking out over the fact that there's something growing out of his back as well -- by the time he figures out to look inside the notebook he sees. Reading what he finds gives him some notion of just how deep of a hole he seems to have fallen in, but at least everyone seems to be in the same position. And this Malnasso isn't a group he's heard of before. If keeping his head down is what he needs to do, then that's what he'll do.

Of course, keeping his head down doesn't always mean literally keeping his head down. Ivan knows that there can be just as much advantage to going, "Hey, look at me, I'm not a threat at all," as there can be to going entirely unnoticed. And he happens to think he's made the former into an art. And as far as these things go, he might as well meet the other abductees.]

Well, this is...

Hello everyone. I'm Ivan. [Cue a smile, it might not be be able to seen but he's pretty sure that it'll come through in his voice.]

I'm going to think that won't mean much to you yet, since none of you seem particularly familiar to me, but from what it sounds like we might have time to get to know each other. A few facts about me: I like parties, not getting shot at, and sleeping in late. And not having my body modified without my permission, [it's a little harder to make himself sound cheerful there, but he does his best,] but given the circumstances I'll settle for three out of four.

Your turn.

Comments

[herotypical]

Hello, Ivan. [ she peers at the journal's snapshot.

her turn? okay. she'll play. ] I like ice-skating, dipping Oreos in apple juice, and Bollywood movies. And also not having my body modified without my permission. Oh, look! We have something in common.

[ivanyouidiot]

[ He smiles charmingly at her picture. ]

That we do! I'm not sure on what Oreos or Bollywood movies are, but I'd be happy for you to explain them to me.

What's your name?

[herotypical]

Buffy. Buffy Summers. And if no one's introduced you to the paradise that is a package of Oreo cookies? I think that's a crying shame.

[ivanyouidiot]

Nice to meet you, Buffy.

It might be a shame, but I'm not sure we have them where I'm from.

[herotypical]

Right back atcha, Ivan. [ somehow, his name kinda makes her want to giggle. this is a hypocritical joy because lol buffy. ]

...You poor thing, though. My heart goes out to you and your lack of cream-filled cookies. O-or, these specific cookies.

[written]

[vor]

[This one appears a couple minutes after the initial message (in other words, after Gregor has spent a little time contemplating the implications of this new addition). The camera is obscured and the handwriting barely disguised. He doesn't want Ivan freaking out over the journals, after all.

The message, however, is distinctly and deliberately in Barrayaran Russian.]

Ivan, did you just chat up the entire village? [This last is underlined twice, firmly. Important things first.]

[voice]

[ivanyouidiot]

Ahh. Yes? I mean, no. I'm just being friendly.

[Other important issues, though.]

Who is this?

[written] - Filtered 93%

[vor]

[It's another minute or so before the response.]

Please don't freak out.

[Because this kind of a scenario has played itself again and again in his head, and it's always involved someone freaking out except when it's involved Cordelia and no one else.]

[written] - Filtered 93%

[ivanyouidiot]

Yes, absolutely.

[He's already freaking out a little, because seriously, those sorts of words never spell out good things about to happen.]

[voice] - Filtered 93%

[vor]

Hello, Ivan.

[rashness]

Whoa, I actually like all four of those too! [It's the sleeping in which got him. Someone else who understands] A-and I also like manga, and cooking.

[ivanyouidiot]

I'm not sure I know what manga is. And as for cooking... [Ivan kind of leads a stereotypically Bachelor lifestyle, which is also why he's disappointed that Rin isn't female. Still, he doesn't object to having friends.]

There any good parties here, then, generally?

[rashness]

Like comics? Funnies? All sorts of stories... uh. Parties! There's been some good ones, lotta birthday lately, and a holiday or two. I figure it comes with being stuck here having the only good thing being makin' friends. So parties naturally come with it.

[ivanyouidiot]

Ah. I can't say I'm super-fond of them, but I know comics.

And that's good to hear. What's necessary to get an invitation to these parties, generally?

[rashness]

...Dunno, ask?! I feel like most parties are just for anyone what wants to come if you know the people doing it or just feel like crashing. Only 'bout a few hundred people here, after all.

[ voice ]

[deceases]

Maybe you'll have to settle for two out of four. Sometimes people make such a fuss here that sleeping in is a far off dream, really.

[ not that this guy particularly sounds like he cares - it's more a random remark. ]

Plenty of parties though, if that's your kind of thing.

[ voice ]

[ivanyouidiot]

And I won't get shot at? Because that's certainly something I can, if you'll pardon the expression, live without.

But what do you mean by fuss?

[ voice ]

[deceases]

Hopefully you won't. So far I haven't seen people with guns yet, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility just for now. I think it's safe to say that usually you won't get shot here.

And by 'fuss' I mean.. .. well, you know, right? Just generally being annoying.

[ voice ]

[ivanyouidiot]

Annoying is perfectly sleep-through-able.

Unless you're misrepresenting the situation and it's more serious than that.

[ voice ]

[deceases]

I mean 'annoying' as 'loud in an annoying way'. Difficult to sleep when someone's stomping down the hallways of the community building and yelling.

[want_take_have]

[Screw turns. She doesn't pay attention to rules. Or polite, conversational protocols, it seems.

She seems pretty amused though as she gives the message (and it's owner's snapshot), an entertained smirk.]

Not to burst your bubble, but you might have to settle for a bit less than that. This place wouldn't know a decent party if it bit them in the ass.

[not to mention that not getting shot wasn't really a guarantee...but she was looking to troll the newbie. Not actually traumatize him]

[ivanyouidiot]

[Ivan's a soldier, personal preferences aside being shot at is a good deal more familiar than having his body changed. Or a lack of parties, although his assignment was on Barrayar and there were always plenty of parties in Vorbarr Sultana.]

Well, parties are only really necessary for the company, and it does seem like there's pleasant enough of that here.

[want_take_have]

Sure, if you like a place that's basically Scout Central.

[it's not really a serious mock. She doesn't really fit in with the goody-two-shoes crowd, but...she's trying? Still. Some of what she heard over the journals made for more than a little eyebrow-raising.]

[ivanyouidiot]

You don't look like a Scout.

[Which would be a soldierly designation, probably, and she certainly doesn't look like a soldier. Although Ivan is aware that worlds that aren't Barrayar let women serve. Even knowing that Aunt Cordelia was one doesn't help him to picture it, though.]

Sorry this is so late. ;;

[want_take_have]

What can I say? The joyless and proper look just never really worked for me.