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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[dendarii]

[ Couldn't sleep, is his answer. There have been a lot of things going on and it's all just sort of whirling around in his head. And occasionally his adult memories try to surface, mostly to no avail ...

Can you tell me a story? ]

[failureisntachoice]

[ She settles on her bed and opens the link up further. Even as a kid he's restless as hell and she knows how pointless it is to tell someone this wound up to just 'go to bed.'

A story about what? ]

[dendarii]

[ Especially Miles, with all his relentless energy. He brightens immediately. You did cool things in your armor, right? Fighting stuff? ]

[failureisntachoice]

[ Of course that's where his mind goes to. She smiles softly, some of that happiness able to be felt over the link.

Yeah, I fought a lot. Those stories are still classified where I'm from, think you can keep them a secret? ]

[dendarii]

[ He curls up to it mentally, like leaning his head gently against her shoulder.

Course I can! You're my armswoman, so that means I protect you too. ]

[failureisntachoice]

[ I have to make sure. Part of my own oath with my military. Ish. Mostly, it makes it sound like a far more fun story that she's letting him in on. She lets him come in closer and attempts to offer him the mental equivalent of an arm around his shoulders.

Have I ever told you about the time I went on a quest with an alien? ]

[dendarii]

[ Miles' attention is utterly rapt now. No! Was it a big one? A dangerous one? ]

[failureisntachoice]

[ Oh, he was big all right. He scared the hell out of everyone when he showed up. She conjures up an image of an elite to give him an image to go with her words.

Most of them were part of the Covenant and at war with us. He was working on a different project entirely. ]

[dendarii]

[ That draws the appropriate amount of awe out of Miles in response. Definitely big and cool enough for him to be impressed.

What kinda project? He still fought you right? ]

[failureisntachoice]

[ Yeah, he fought us and got his ass kicked. Eh close enough to the truth.

That's when we found out he had this whole 'quest' he wanted us to go on. We had found the key he needed to complete it and he thought it would end the war. ]

[dendarii]

[ Unsurprised satisfaction from Miles at that. Of course Tex kicked his ass.

What was it? Did the war end? ]

[failureisntachoice]

[ Here's where she falters slightly. If only the story had a more immediate, better ending and she doesn't want to lie to the kid. She has a feeling that goes against something with this whole 'oath' thing.

It did, but much later. The alien had us trek through a swamp and find a hidden space craft of his. He made off with it before we could swipe it. ]

[dendarii]

[ Oh. That's too bad. ]

[failureisntachoice]

[ Yeah. He lead us to a base full of hostiles and I ended up clearing them out.

Just how bloody can she get with stories with Miles? She figures more neutral language is best for now. ]

[dendarii]

[ I bet you did. You're amazing like that. ]

[failureisntachoice]

[ She brightens at that.

Glad you think so, kid. ]

[dendarii]

[ I got a really good armswoman. I hope you stay...

He's beginning to get sleepy, finally. ]

[failureisntachoice]

[ She freezes at that, immediately drawing away despite herself. She's not sure that's a promise she can keep. Those complex and intertwining images Aral had unpacked for her are drawn back to the forefront of her mind. Of the Vorkosigan district, of those that lived there and were brought together by simple word of all things.

And all of that is not something that should be brought up before a child's bedtime. She swallows it down as quickly as she can.

I'm here if you need me. ]

[dendarii]

[ Soothed, the little lord gives her a mental nod and drops off into sleep. ]