IC Contact

[keep_nothing]

✉

CODE 🔋 3:27 AM

Cordelia Naismith Vorkosigan

UNSETTLED HERO
"LADY VORKOSIGAN"

ADDRESS
THE RESIDENCE

MESSAGE
"This is Cordelia,
leave me a message."

TEXT

CALL

VIDEO

VOICE | TEXT | VIDEO | ACTION | ETC.

Comments

[keep_nothing]

[ Uh oh, she can see it right away – his stance is upright and tight, holding himself in and entirely too stiff to be casual. It makes her set down whatever she's working on, giving him her full attention while trying not to panic. ]

What is it?

[use_everything]

[There's other little signs. He doesn't quite close the door and certainly doesn't sit.]

I've just spoken with Colonel Mustang.

[keep_nothing]

[ Her eyes flick over to the not-closed door, then back to him. ]

Did something happen?

[use_everything]

Ah. Yes. For one, our son rather persistently began to proposition him, having found out he'd little experience.

[keep_nothing]

[ There's a small noise in her throat as she fights down a sudden laugh. Be serious, Cordelia, Aral looks like Roy took offense at it.

... Oh no. ] How'd he take it?

[use_everything]

Went as red as an old Vor's nose. I ah... dropped Miles off with Gregor.

[keep_nothing]

Probably a good thing, that.

But was Roy offended by it, or just embarrassed?

[use_everything]

Ah. Embarrassed, I believe.

We spoke a bit after. [And there's that tension again. It had been easier regarding Allison, Cordelia had already broached that topic, and was a long standing relationship.]

Were I to pursue relations there...

[keep_nothing]

[ There's a considerable pause while the record scratch goes off in Cordelia's head, her mind having to change tracks so dramatically. ]

—Good God, Aral. I thought something terrible had happened because of it.

[use_everything]

What? Why?

[keep_nothing]

Because you came in here like someone died and is coming after you next, all nervous and leaving the door open behind you.

[use_everything]

It... [He doesn't finish that, just gives a vague gesture in the air. WHY WOULDN'T HE???]

[keep_nothing]

[ THE BIGGEST EYE ROLL. ]

Anyway, go on. You spoke to him ... ?

[use_everything]

Ah, apparently, he'd spent quite a bit of his life using flirtatious speak as code for military operations.. and misinterpreted.

[keep_nothing]

[ A blank blink. ]

... Misinterpreted?

[use_everything]

I believe he took the idea of a date as an opening to exchange and gather military intelligence.

[Which may explain the heavy conversation.]

[keep_nothing]

[ Cordelia's expression shifts slowly, her eyebrows rising up her forehead as her lips tightening as she fights back a smile. ]

... An exchange of military intelligence. On a date.

[use_everything]

[It's okay, Aral is missing it, he continues on.]

The system set up is quite brilliant. Operated entirely under his country's previous intelligence organization. Playing on underestimation and social reservations, it would have been inspired.

[keep_nothing]

[ He'll probably still miss it as it becomes more obvious, right. ]

On a date.

[use_everything]

[WELL HE SEES IT BUT. ???]

Ah.. yes? It does make sense in that context?

[keep_nothing]

[ She can't help it, can't hold it in anymore – she bursts out laughing, nearly doubling over with it as she reaches out to steady herself by grasping his forearm. ]

[use_everything]

Cordelia?

[keep_nothing]

[ Her eyes are starting to leak tears by now she's laughing so hard. ]

[use_everything]

[IF. HE WAITS. SURELY SHE'LL BE DONE SOON.

This is the most awkward standing.]

[keep_nothing]

[ Nope, it's probably a full minute until she starts to calm down. She started to a few seconds after she began, but then she made the mistake of looking at his face and it started up in full again.

Finally, finally the laugh dissolves into quiet giggles, and she wipes her eyes with both hands. ]