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

[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.

[ivanyouidiot]

Your look does seem to work for you, I must admit.

But I'm not sure all Scouts have to be joyless and proper either.

[want_take_have]

Hey, I just call 'em like I see 'em.

[ivanyouidiot]

If Scouts are soldiers than I suspect you simply haven't spent much time around them.

[want_take_have]

[for a moment she just stares at him, like she's expecting it to be a joke. When his expression stays steady, though, she can't help it. She laughs]

Not quite, newbie. But thanks for playing.

This place doesn't even have a police force...let alone an army. [...not that she's complaining]

[ivanyouidiot]

It doesn't?

But what about the drafts I've heard about?

[want_take_have]

Better cross your fingers they actually take people that can fight. They aren't lookin' for volunteers or experience, even if you care enough to offer.

[not that she did. Really.]

First thing you might wanna figure out is that this place is a walking freak show and, whatever the powers that be want, it probably ain't for us all to be happy and healthy.

[ivanyouidiot]

So they just enlist random people here? That seems...highly inefficient. And it hasn't resulted in the people here training so that they can actually fight?

I...yes. I figured out that much from the wings.

[want_take_have]

Pretty much. There's some kind of science thing...some wacked out issue with people not handling being taken or something, but it's all jacked up as far as I can tell.

As for training...[she gives a short, humorless laugh] Since when do people ever act smart?

[ivanyouidiot]

I'm the last one to speak about it, but there's not being smart and there's being suicidal.

[want_take_have]

[she shrugs]

Don't look at me. I never bought the whole pacifist thing even before someone was trying to get me to fight their war.

[ivanyouidiot]

So you do fight for yourself when you have to?

Does that happen often?

[want_take_have]

When I have to. When I want to.

And not anywhere near often enough.

[ivanyouidiot]

What do you mean by that?

[want_take_have]

What do you think?

[ivanyouidiot]

Oh dear, are you one of those people who enjoys conflict?

[want_take_have]

[she smirked]

Don't sound so shocked. My feelings might be hurt.

[ivanyouidiot]

[A mutter under his breath.] Not the only thing.

Trouble begets trouble.

[want_take_have]

I dunno. Depending on the trouble, it don't have to be all bad.

[she was (mostly) teasing, but her expression settled into something a bit less facetious]

I'm not the thing to worry about 'round here, if that's what you're getting at. I'm just...letting off steam.

...Guess mouthin' off to the newbie ain't the best kind of welcome. Sorry.

[ivanyouidiot]

I hadn't thought you were. Truth be, you remind me a bit of my cousin. Who, while he drags me into things that aren't a good idea...I trust him not to be ill-intentioned.