ivanyouidiot | 002

[Ivan strongly considers filtering this from Gregor, but he thinks the man can have input into his own party. If his input is the 'don't throw me a party' kind then Ivan can always ignore it. He's aware that his mother would be appalled at him for starting his planning so late, but Ivan's reasonably certain that he can still gather in one place all the essential ingredients: food, attractive women, alcohol, and Gregor. Still, he suspects that Gregor might want something more and what that something would be Ivan does not know.

So he turns to his journal, bringer of wisdom -- or at least other people's perspectives.]

What makes a party fun for you?

Me, I'm easy to please, I think. But some people are really sold on having tiny iced cakes that look like Earth, as an example.

[And for some people things that look like Earth are out of the question. Gregor might be more interested in that sort of difference than Ivan is. Actually...]

And if there's anything you do where you're from that you don't see done here, you might share that as well.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[So up there, when Ivan said to Faith that he's Gregor's cousin, he undid all the careful non-mentions of their relationship Gregor has been careful with establishing. He figures if his identity is known to the Malnosso--which it is--at least Ivan is one of many Ivan Vorpatrils on Barrayar. For all they knew, he was simply Ivan and not Lord Ivan. Gregor sighs.]

I suppose Barrayaran holidays are few and far between enough that it would be in poor taste for me to deny you this one.

[Protecting himself from that kind of understanding isn't the sort of thing that Ivan has been thinking he has to concern himself with. He's nowhere near the kind of paranoid Gregor is.]

You're kind enough, but I was hoping you would have fun with it.

My duty on Our birthday is to collect symbolic taxes, open the dancing with Cordelia, and remain sober enough to accept the well-wishes of every brown-noser who wants something. Since none of these are going to happen here, I was assuming I'd probably just get drunk.

Getting drunk sounds like a lot more fun to me.

Unless you want me to scrounge up some people to give you some symbolic taxes. It'll look a little weird when I don't explain what they're for or why you'd expect them.

Please no. That was old when I was five.

[He hesitates.]

Although I've never been to a normal party before. Even at the Academy I think everyone was afraid I'd get slipped something.

No wonder you don't have much fun.

[Really, source of Gregor's depression found right now, clearly.]

In that case I'll make it...normal. More or less.

[There's a pause. A fairly lengthy one.]

Meet me in the stable?

[...That can only mean bad things.]

Sure. I'm on my way.

[Gregor is already in the stables when Ivan arrives, nosily leafing through Ivan's conversation with Faith. What? He can get information on anyone he wants back home. He'd rather be sure of this woman's intentions with his cousin.

He glances up when Ivan arrives.]

Thanks. I didn't feel like talking in a bugged room.

[Perhaps he should be wary of Ivan's intentions to her, but...]

What's so important that that matters?

Please, Ivan. It's depressing enough when it's Illyan playing voyeur. I'm just tired of them hearing of my personal life.

[A sigh.] I just wanted to let you know I've learned what happens when you try the kind of thing I wanted to try. You don't have any more suicide attempts to fear. I thought you'd be reassured.

Edited 2012-09-10 03:17 (UTC)

...I need a lot more of context than that in order to be reassured.

What happened?

I negotiated with a man who wanted the Third Party to sacrifice him. Kill him for good. And...apparently, no matter how much the death penalties stack up, you don't die so much as become a vegetable.

Gregor...

[A sigh.]

I'm glad you've seen sense, at least.

Since when has "sense" had a bloody thing to do with the Vorbarras, Ivan?

It's never too late to start.

[The smile Ivan gets is wan, but it's there.]

Even with relations like you and Miles?

Hey, I'm totally helpful on that front.

[And Miles...isn't here, but better not to mention that because they're both already aware of it.]

Oh? How so?

I'm throwing you a party, aren't I?

Is that supposed to make up for years of wondering when someone is going to try to off you?

...

Yes?

[There's a pause, then Gregor releases something invisible with a wave of his fingers. Truth is, he's rather hesitant about this semi-plebian event and is only going along with it to make Ivan happy, but...well, fine. He'll try to have fun.]

Very well. Plan your party. Let's see what happens.

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