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Elizabeth,
Don't suppose Miles has spent the last two days in the library and just forgotten to eat and sleep again? He doesn't normally pull this sort of thing so close after nearly dying -- actually dying, whatever. If you find him, make sure he takes a nap every eight hours.
Yrs,
Ivan Xav Vorpatril
Don't suppose Miles has spent the last two days in the library and just forgotten to eat and sleep again? He doesn't normally pull this sort of thing so close after nearly dying -- actually dying, whatever. If you find him, make sure he takes a nap every eight hours.
Yrs,
Ivan Xav Vorpatril
Ivan,
No, I've barely had any visitors to the library as of late-- I don't think anybody wants to come out in the cold, honestly. But I'm pretty sure this would be the last place he'd choose to be.
If I see him, I'll let him know you're looking for him.
~Elizabeth
No, I've barely had any visitors to the library as of late-- I don't think anybody wants to come out in the cold, honestly. But I'm pretty sure this would be the last place he'd choose to be.
If I see him, I'll let him know you're looking for him.
~Elizabeth
Elizabeth,
You managing to stay warm alright? And why's that? He's spent plenty of time in libraries before, especially this one.
Thanks,
Ivan
You managing to stay warm alright? And why's that? He's spent plenty of time in libraries before, especially this one.
Thanks,
Ivan
Ivan,
Somehow. I have a few blankets that I never go anywhere without, but my attempts to bring coffee or tea to my desk result in them freezing over before I sit down.
I sent him a message asking about a book he had out, I thought another patron might find it useful. The collection isn't very big, and he's had it out for nearly a month, and I thought I could ask seeing as how it seemed like we were friends. But he never responded. I think I offended him.
~E
Somehow. I have a few blankets that I never go anywhere without, but my attempts to bring coffee or tea to my desk result in them freezing over before I sit down.
I sent him a message asking about a book he had out, I thought another patron might find it useful. The collection isn't very big, and he's had it out for nearly a month, and I thought I could ask seeing as how it seemed like we were friends. But he never responded. I think I offended him.
~E
Elizabeth,
Don't suppose there's a thermos around, eh?
Trust me, that's nothing. On the list of things that could possibly offend my cousin, someone asking for a book back doesn't even begin to rank. I don't even know anything that would. He gets enough thrown at him on Barrayar, you know.
- Ivan
Don't suppose there's a thermos around, eh?
Trust me, that's nothing. On the list of things that could possibly offend my cousin, someone asking for a book back doesn't even begin to rank. I don't even know anything that would. He gets enough thrown at him on Barrayar, you know.
- Ivan
Ivan,
If there is, and you see one, bring it to me? I'll reward you handsomely, I promise.
If he wasn't offended, then why didn't he answer? I sent him four messages.
~E
If there is, and you see one, bring it to me? I'll reward you handsomely, I promise.
If he wasn't offended, then why didn't he answer? I sent him four messages.
~E
Elizabeth,
I'll do my best. ( and thus the great thermos hunt begins. ) He's missing and not answering his MID. At least that's my best guess. Bel can't grab him, and if their and my efforts plus the implication that Gregor's possibly emoting about this won't get him, something's probably happened.
Normally it's just 'hey I forgot to eat and sleep for a few days while doing something or another', but we're crossing everywhere he'd end up off our list and not finding him. Gregor's worried. Bel's beside themselves. And Miles is too brilliant to think he can pull something like this after what happened last month and get away with it.
So uh. Just keep an eye out for him.
- Ivan
I'll do my best. ( and thus the great thermos hunt begins. ) He's missing and not answering his MID. At least that's my best guess. Bel can't grab him, and if their and my efforts plus the implication that Gregor's possibly emoting about this won't get him, something's probably happened.
Normally it's just 'hey I forgot to eat and sleep for a few days while doing something or another', but we're crossing everywhere he'd end up off our list and not finding him. Gregor's worried. Bel's beside themselves. And Miles is too brilliant to think he can pull something like this after what happened last month and get away with it.
So uh. Just keep an eye out for him.
- Ivan
Ivan--
Yes, still just trying to keep warm in the library! What can I help you with?
~E
Yes, still just trying to keep warm in the library! What can I help you with?
~E
Something better talked about in person. I'll see you in a few.
( and so he does, ambling into the library with his hands in his pockets and a grin on his face. )
I should learn not to ask what people are up to anymore, the answer's always the same.
( staying warm. )
( and so he does, ambling into the library with his hands in his pockets and a grin on his face. )
I should learn not to ask what people are up to anymore, the answer's always the same.
( staying warm. )
Is everything alright? [Elizabeth stands up and goes to him the moment he enters the library, looking worried-- this is the apparent side-effect of being involved with the Vorboys. If nothing is specified, something is definitely wrong.]
[She's wrapped in her blankets still, and the fact that Ivan is smiling seems to indicate her initial concerns about 'in person' discussions were unfounded. She exhales quietly and smiles.] Jumpy, I guess. What did you want to talk about?
[She's wrapped in her blankets still, and the fact that Ivan is smiling seems to indicate her initial concerns about 'in person' discussions were unfounded. She exhales quietly and smiles.] Jumpy, I guess. What did you want to talk about?
Welcome to life around Miles Vorkosigan. God knows how his parents deal with it -- maybe they're just used to family members in constant danger, what with Uncle Aral's job and all.
( anyway, not important. and definitely not what he's here for. )
Less talked about and more asked. How'd you like to go on a date, Elizabeth?
( with him, obviously. ivan grins at her, leaning back in his chair. he can take a rejection if she tells him no, as he always does, but he thinks he's got a pretty decent shot at this. he'd kick himself if he never asked. there's nothing wrong with going on a few dates with someone here, away from his mother and the expectations of his caste. it means no one's going to be breathing down his neck and asking if he wants to get married, at the very least.
thank god for that. )
( anyway, not important. and definitely not what he's here for. )
Less talked about and more asked. How'd you like to go on a date, Elizabeth?
( with him, obviously. ivan grins at her, leaning back in his chair. he can take a rejection if she tells him no, as he always does, but he thinks he's got a pretty decent shot at this. he'd kick himself if he never asked. there's nothing wrong with going on a few dates with someone here, away from his mother and the expectations of his caste. it means no one's going to be breathing down his neck and asking if he wants to get married, at the very least.
thank god for that. )
Okay! [Elizabeth scoots forward in her chair, looking very perky and excited. She loves doing things with people-- especially when they're introducing her to something new. She likes Ivan, spending time with him isn't some great hardship.]
What do you want to do?
What do you want to do?
( well that's an encouraging reaction if ivan's ever seen one. maybe he should double check to make sure she understands the concept of dating-- nah. nah. )
Great! ( and he is thrilled about it -- she's nice and attractive and he likes her. the last one is kind of weird, as mostly he's never really cared for how much he personally cares about them before dating them. liking someone made it better, but it was never a real requirement. ) Most people start with dinner, but the next time we come across a decent planet will be god knows when. And trying to set the mood while avoiding freezing to death isn't any better. ( he shrugs ) I'm sure I can think of something.
Great! ( and he is thrilled about it -- she's nice and attractive and he likes her. the last one is kind of weird, as mostly he's never really cared for how much he personally cares about them before dating them. liking someone made it better, but it was never a real requirement. ) Most people start with dinner, but the next time we come across a decent planet will be god knows when. And trying to set the mood while avoiding freezing to death isn't any better. ( he shrugs ) I'm sure I can think of something.
[What's to get? People go do things together, they have fun, they do it again later if they want to. Dating!]
[...though she doesn't have anything fancy to wear to a dinner date...] Oh, if we're going to have dinner, I have to find a dress. [Maybe some lipstick, too. Nail polish?] Or... not? I don't know, what do you usually do on your dates back home?
[...though she doesn't have anything fancy to wear to a dinner date...] Oh, if we're going to have dinner, I have to find a dress. [Maybe some lipstick, too. Nail polish?] Or... not? I don't know, what do you usually do on your dates back home?
( but what about kissing as part of dating, elizabeth? )
Keep them away from my mother, mostly. ( ivan mutters, this time under his breath. his mother might start making overtures about commitment and marriage and like hell ivan wants any of that. it puts ideas into the heads of his dates and makes dating married women sound more and more appealing as time goes on. ) Dinner. Sometimes someone she or I will know throws a dance, and then there's the parties after that.
( shaking his head, he waves her concern away. )
You don't have to if you don't want to. Wear a dress, that is.
Keep them away from my mother, mostly. ( ivan mutters, this time under his breath. his mother might start making overtures about commitment and marriage and like hell ivan wants any of that. it puts ideas into the heads of his dates and makes dating married women sound more and more appealing as time goes on. ) Dinner. Sometimes someone she or I will know throws a dance, and then there's the parties after that.
( shaking his head, he waves her concern away. )
You don't have to if you don't want to. Wear a dress, that is.
[Kissing? Ivan. She has never kissed anybody ever. Prepare yourself for Greenhorn Town, Population: Liz.]
...Yeah I suppose if he were here, I'd probably keep this away from my father too. [She winces, trying to imagine Booker allowing Elizabeth to go on a date with someone like Ivan-- someone way too handsome and suave for someone like her. All of the scenarios involve firearms of some sort.]
Dances? [Elizabeth visibly brightens at the word.] Big dances?
...Yeah I suppose if he were here, I'd probably keep this away from my father too. [She winces, trying to imagine Booker allowing Elizabeth to go on a date with someone like Ivan-- someone way too handsome and suave for someone like her. All of the scenarios involve firearms of some sort.]
Dances? [Elizabeth visibly brightens at the word.] Big dances?
( he'll be a little shocked at first but then ready to lend his expert skills to the task of teaching her how. it's really the gentlemanly thing to do in a situation like that. )
I don't think I've ever upset someone's father before. Mind you, I think it's because no one ever made me meet their fathers. ( would they threaten him with a sword (traditional) or a nerve disruptor/plasma arc (for the progressive vor)? he doesn't know, and he doesn't really want to find out.
but her enthusiasm makes him smile. he's never seen anyone that excited about dancing. they all just consider it something they're obligated to do every so often. )
The biggest. Winterfair, the Emperor's birthday. M'mother's in charge of ( he flounders here for a second, about to say gregor before he catches himself ) the Emperor's social everything, as he's not married and doesn't have a mother of his own. ( well there's always aunt cordelia, but he's reasonably sure lady vorpatril wouldn't unleash cordelia on any poor unsuspecting visiting barrayaran without warning. ) So we always get invited.
( also: he's related to the emperor. that helps. )
I don't think I've ever upset someone's father before. Mind you, I think it's because no one ever made me meet their fathers. ( would they threaten him with a sword (traditional) or a nerve disruptor/plasma arc (for the progressive vor)? he doesn't know, and he doesn't really want to find out.
but her enthusiasm makes him smile. he's never seen anyone that excited about dancing. they all just consider it something they're obligated to do every so often. )
The biggest. Winterfair, the Emperor's birthday. M'mother's in charge of ( he flounders here for a second, about to say gregor before he catches himself ) the Emperor's social everything, as he's not married and doesn't have a mother of his own. ( well there's always aunt cordelia, but he's reasonably sure lady vorpatril wouldn't unleash cordelia on any poor unsuspecting visiting barrayaran without warning. ) So we always get invited.
( also: he's related to the emperor. that helps. )
[Always thinking of the gentlemanly thing to do, aren't you Ivan?]
Oh you wouldn't have a choice with mine. He'd be stuck to my side, I'm sure of it, if he were here. He wouldn't let me out of his sight. [Probably for reasons completely unrelated to Ivan, but nevertheless... Elizabeth can't see Booker taking too kindly to Ivan. ...or anyone, really.]
[But yes, dancing. She loves dancing, even if she hadn't gotten to do much at all before Rapture. Elizabeth puts her elbows on the desk and rests her head on her folded hands.] Oh, if it's for the Emperor, it must be so grand. Ballgowns and long gloves and lavish decorations... [It's probably nothing like the image Elizabeth is painting in her mind, but it's giving her a lot of pleasure to imagine anyway.] It must be a beautiful evening.
Oh you wouldn't have a choice with mine. He'd be stuck to my side, I'm sure of it, if he were here. He wouldn't let me out of his sight. [Probably for reasons completely unrelated to Ivan, but nevertheless... Elizabeth can't see Booker taking too kindly to Ivan. ...or anyone, really.]
[But yes, dancing. She loves dancing, even if she hadn't gotten to do much at all before Rapture. Elizabeth puts her elbows on the desk and rests her head on her folded hands.] Oh, if it's for the Emperor, it must be so grand. Ballgowns and long gloves and lavish decorations... [It's probably nothing like the image Elizabeth is painting in her mind, but it's giving her a lot of pleasure to imagine anyway.] It must be a beautiful evening.
( you know it. )
( he shudders theatrically at the idea of going on a date chaperoned by someone's father. thank god that's not a possibility here. ) Gonna steer clear of that, I think. No offense.
( just to be on the safe side if he does randomly show up. )
It is, although the Emperor himself views it more of an obligation than a fun time. ( sorry gregor. ) Everyone Vor gets drunk by the end of it -- that's traditional -- so it peters off into who can find the best place to vomit unnoticed come early morning. But the other parts of it are great.
( he shudders theatrically at the idea of going on a date chaperoned by someone's father. thank god that's not a possibility here. ) Gonna steer clear of that, I think. No offense.
( just to be on the safe side if he does randomly show up. )
It is, although the Emperor himself views it more of an obligation than a fun time. ( sorry gregor. ) Everyone Vor gets drunk by the end of it -- that's traditional -- so it peters off into who can find the best place to vomit unnoticed come early morning. But the other parts of it are great.
None taken. [Yeah, if Booker randomly showed up, she'd be right with Ivan trying to keep her dating life away from the parental unit.]
[Elizabeth's expression goes a little tight and pained as her beautiful imaginings take a rather graphic turn. She'd almost forgotten how adept Ivan is at flinging conversations to the other end of the spectrum.] ...exciting...
[Elizabeth's expression goes a little tight and pained as her beautiful imaginings take a rather graphic turn. She'd almost forgotten how adept Ivan is at flinging conversations to the other end of the spectrum.] ...exciting...
( oh shit )
It's still beautiful, really. And it's only the Vor lords who really get into it. ( he tries, desperately trying to make up for lost ground. and forgetting that he is, in fact, a vor lord. one of the highest, thanks to his paternal grandmother. ) And if we found a way, I'd like to dance with you here. ( hell, he might attempt to bribe gregor to be a stand in emperor if it came down to that. although he'd probably refuse. he grins, however, an idea springing into his head. ) Give me a bit, and I'll find some music -- we can do that for our date.
It's still beautiful, really. And it's only the Vor lords who really get into it. ( he tries, desperately trying to make up for lost ground. and forgetting that he is, in fact, a vor lord. one of the highest, thanks to his paternal grandmother. ) And if we found a way, I'd like to dance with you here. ( hell, he might attempt to bribe gregor to be a stand in emperor if it came down to that. although he'd probably refuse. he grins, however, an idea springing into his head. ) Give me a bit, and I'll find some music -- we can do that for our date.
[Well, that's improvement-- at least this time Ivan didn't start digging himself deeper! Elizabeth actually feels some endearment from his attempt to rescue the situation, and she smiles with renewed enthusiasm.]
I would love that, truly. But... you'll have to be kind with me, I haven't danced with a partner in a very, very long time. [She says, grinning and resting her chin in her hands again.] I'll find a way to get a dress.
I would love that, truly. But... you'll have to be kind with me, I haven't danced with a partner in a very, very long time. [She says, grinning and resting her chin in her hands again.] I'll find a way to get a dress.
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