shipmaster | (no subject)

[ Simon detaches from the wall he'd been leaning against with the fluidity of a shadow. ]

The Vorrutyers? Which ones do you think he's with?

[ Simon already knows about Donna, of course. ]

The Lady Vorrutyer. I didn't catch a name, but we talked last night of meeting again.

He must be in one of his particularly manic moods for him to take it the fey way around. He'd had a downswing last night, so this would be right on time.

[ Simon frowns faintly at that. ]

They were preparing to leave for Beta Colony. Is he planning to join them?

[ HE BETTER NOT. No, if anything, Bel is certain that Miles is actually at the medical facility right now. Doing something he absolutely shouldn't be doing. ]

We'd talked about it, but I really doubt he'd go without me. I've got quite a bit of business there to wrap up. No... I think it's more getting a game plan while she's away.

Edited 2016-12-31 15:21 (UTC)

[ It's just wriggly and Milesian enough that Simon has to consider it. Not even believe it, necessarily, just consider it. He nods after a long moment. ]

We'll take the groundcar there first.

[ He heads down the stairs to do just that, glancing back to make sure Bel is following. ]

[ Well, that's enough time to think of destination number two. They stride along after Simon, giving a nod to the driver. Dammit, no way to decant that bit of information yet, either.

As the groundcar pulls smoothly out, Bel settles into the cushions...]

So, I'm going to assume something is tearingly important.

[ Simon settles in across from them, his expression as bland as always. ]

He's turned down a mission. I don't need to tell you how unusual that is.

[ He leans forward ever so slightly. Here in this groundcar, locked in with no easy way out. ]

Any idea why he would do that?

Not as unusual for us, sir. With the outside missions, if he doesn't like it, we don't fly it.

[ And no lovely distractions in order to compose, in the mean time, throwing shade and fishing for more information will have to do.. ]

But he was on a downswing... did you give it to him yesterday?

[ Simon focuses intently on Bel in turn. Let's see who gets more information out of this exchange. ]

A week ago. It seemed right up your usual alley. So why did he turn it down?

How could I say? I have no idea what the mission is. Who did you want killed?

[ Rude, Bel. Simon continues to blink at them nervelessly. ]

He didn't tell you?

[ Well, if Simon is going to drag them off and vanish them, Bel wants to earn it. ]

Not a word on it. Do you need him off planet that badly?

He - and you - are uniquely well suited for it. I didn't think he'd turn down an opportunity to revisit the planet you discovered.

[ Each statement is just as calm as the first, as if Simon were idly discussing the weather. ]

[ ......

Bel was caught on that one. Absolutely caught, and certainly off guard enough for it to show. ]

Ah.

[ Ha. Did Simon just smile slightly in return? A trick of the light. ]

So why would Miles turn down something like that? Without, apparently, conferring with you about it.

[ Good damn question. Bel certainly knows the answer...

Miles had a hard enough time doing what he thought was the right idea to start with, and didn't want to deal with the consequences just yet. ]

I don't know. That will be a fun conversation.

When we find him, then. I hope it's soon.

[ Speaking of which, the groundcar comes to a stop. And of course, Miles is nowhere to be found at the Vorrutyers... Simon dallies a bit to talk with whoever's still home. ]

[ Which would account for the rather impressive speed at which Byerly Vorrutyer is attempting to not be at home. Donna, however, in fairly practical skirts for supervising the packing gives both of them a rather sharp look. ]

Captain Illyan, Herm Thorne. What do I have to blame for this occasion?

[ Simon folds his arms behind his back. Noting the packing with a flick of his eyes but not commenting. ]

Miles Vorkosigan. Have you seen him this morning?

[ ... And meanwhile, quietly, Bel's comm pings with another text message. Good thing Simon's attention is focused elsewhere. ]

[ Donna glances at Thorne, expression turning particularly arch. There's certainly something to having this get the attention of ImpSec to cover some of Miles' own shenanigans... This alliance wasn't that firm. However, she does need the Centralists more than anything.

She merely smiles, expression lidded. ]

I'm afraid this House hasn't seen a Vorkosigan this early in the morning in some years. Perhaps you're looking for a Vorbarra.

[ While Donna relays that almost sweetly, Bel flicks their comm on, only moderately sure Simon Illyan can't see something directly behind him. ]

[ This is Simon Illyan we're talking about here. But he's entirely focused on Donna right this second. ]

A Vorbarra? Which one should I expect here, exactly?

[ Dammit Donna stop messing with him.

Like the previous text messages, this one is also brief and cryptic: ]

ddnoen

[ Bel Thorne would later, if plied with enough wine, admit that they spent an embarrassing amount of time trying to decipher that. Almost a full minutes in variations of "Don't do nothing..." the O. The o had them stumped before--

Miles has been under a lot of stress...

As Donna, demurely pretended to be obtuse, Bel simply turned and bolted back for the groundcar. ]

[ Simon turns, but too late - Bel can easily get in the car before Simon can follow. He does appear before Bel can leave, looking a bit irate. ]

Thorne!

[ And take Simon Illyan right to where Miles will be postictal. No. Simon will have an idea of where to go, but the scramble to get the resources will buy time.

This is a horrible idea. If he knows anything about the Vorkosigans, at least, their people are well trained for bad ideas.]

Sorry, Sir. New orders.

[Bel turns to the driver, thumbing the locks on. ]

Get going.

[ Oh yes. And given this is the same driver that took Miles there in the first place before lying to Simon Ilyan's face about it ... He takes one look at Bel and doesn't hesitate. Simon is left to go back inside to try to get help from the Vorrutyers. (And then go find alternate means of transportation when that surely fails.)

There are no further messages from Miles during the drive. And soon enough, the driver pulls up close to Imperial Medical. There's a small side lab here, where a certain doctor from Jackson's Whole had taken up residence after the adventure with Taura. ]