Mask or Menance IC Contact Post

[failureisntachoice]

[ An automated voice speaks because someone hasn't bothered to set up a proper voicemail. The only part in her voice is her name. ] You have reached Agent Texas. Leave a message at the tone.

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[Action]

[use_everything]

[The shift to official Armswoman of the Vorkosigan House happened without much fanfare. Nothing had been said between Tex and Aral, merely a simple nod passed between them the next time they had met after everyone had returned to 'normal.'

As such, this first night, as Miles is sleeping off the aftereffects of the anesthesia, Aral sends a polite knock across the link, rather than bother with that damned keyboard.

Your watch, Allison.]

[Action]

[failureisntachoice]

[ The transition had happened seamlessly and her new paycheck had reaffirmed her decision even if it meant being on call more. At least surface-wise. That strange feeling that she finally had a real place she belonged to, one she had been missing for a while in her life now, was bundled neatly somewhere she wasn't touching. Not right now. There were other priorities.

Such as making sure Miles didn't get himself killed by the damn devil he pissed off while he recovered from his long-overdue surgery. The knock doesn't surprise her and she's not far as she switches direction to head back towards them.

I'm on my way. How's he doing? ]

[use_everything]

[There's a rumble of amusement over the faint exhaustion.

Well enough to have been a terror. He's sleeping now.]

[failureisntachoice]

[ There's a light snicker that accompanies her response. At least her shift sounds like it's going to be an easy one.

Is that what it takes to knock him out? Too bad that isn't a good everyday solution. ]

[use_everything]

[Oh, you hardly need to go so far. I seem to recall a sip of brandy could do the same.]

[failureisntachoice]

[ Only a sip? I didn't realize he was that much of a lightweight. ]

[use_everything]

[I'd make it a good sip.

There is certain information that any armsman of the Vorkosigan House should know. The least offensive ways to halt a lord taken with a particularly bad idea is one of them.]

[failureisntachoice]

[ Does he know he's given sips to cool his heels?

Either way, she's going to start keeping a flask on her. ]

[use_everything]

[When I remember? Not at all. He believed he was getting one up on us most of the time. By now, yes, quite likely so.

There's a brief flash of a 5 year old child who hadn't slept in two days straight, too stubborn and clever for his own good... being told that he absolutely could NOT have anything the Armsmen were drinking. The clouded "OH YEAH????" on his small features at the phrase "It's for adults."]

[failureisntachoice]

[ Light laughter comes across the link. Yeah, that little scene hardly surprises her. He was just as energetic as a child as he was as an adult.

So he's always had trouble sleeping? ]

[use_everything]

[Just so. That is a bit more muted, a bit more narrow, but the whys of that were both hardly a pleasant conversation... and he couldn't quite fish all of those memories... were they still memories from the future? Precognition? This damn place. (An irrational sting of irritation crosses.)]

[failureisntachoice]

[ That causes a small bit of alarm. She quickens her pace.

Something happening over there? ]

[use_everything]

[There's surprise and then the link narrows, the emotional feedback vanishing. My apologies. No. It's merely late.]

[failureisntachoice]

[ It's fine. You could have texted me instead.

Especially if he's worried about unwanted feedback slipping through the link. ]

[use_everything]

[I would rather not.]

[failureisntachoice]

[ Any reason? I thought you'd prefer texting to invasive mental contact. ]

[use_everything]

[Old habit, I suppose. It was not incorrect, strictly. As he was NOT going to say she'd probably reach the hospital before he was done.]

[failureisntachoice]

[ It's the same to me either way, if you're worried about that. ]

[use_everything]

[There's curiosity at that, powerful enough to cross even the narrowed link. Truly? Some manner of interface?]

[failureisntachoice]

[ The network isn't that hard to use. I'm a walking computer, remember? The question is a joke and she makes sure amusement leaks over. ]

[use_everything]

[Hm. I wish I could introduce you to Captain Illyan. You share a type of humor. Regardless, his own amusement colored the thought. I'm merely in the habit that written communication is monitored and can be intercepted as a standard of life. Though I wonder if such impartial movement of data could be possible through this.]

[failureisntachoice]

[ It's still their network. I wouldn't send anything sensitive over it that you don't want our hosts hearing about. Not sure how it works with this, but their tech is the reason you have it. A small dose of paranoia never hurts in these situations. ]

[use_everything]

[Insensitive data tells quite a bit as well. There's a more than a small dose.]

[failureisntachoice]

[ There's a reason I don't say anything important over the network. It's better done in person. Or over this link if that truly is secure. ]

[use_everything]

[We're of like mind.]