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forbarrayar2017-06-02 11:16 pm
barrayarmods) wrote in forbarrayar2017-06-02 11:16 pm
Entry tags:
[ june i log: this is a second coming, this is a call to arms ]
Who: Everyone
What: In the wake of the total destruction of Vorkosigan Vashnoi, both sides decide it's time to focus on how they can hit the Cetagandans back the hardest: right in the Star Gate. The floodgates on intelligence channels open up, and for the first time, outsiders on both sides are working together to pull one over on the Cetagandans.
When: June 1st - 18th
Where: the Barrayaran camp, the Cetagandan base, Riverfall Village
Warnings: TBD
Quick links:
Riverfall
Barrayar: Camp / Missions
Cetaganda: Base / Missions
TIMELINE
6/5 Eavesdropping
6/12 Recon: Sabotage
6/14 Scouting: Perimeter
6/16 Scouting: Shipyard
6/17 Recon: Countermeasures
riverfall
The village has been mired in just as much grief and despair as the war camps in the wake of the bombing of Vorkosigan Vashnoi. Even for those who had no familial or concrete connection to the city itself held it as a symbol of the strength of their district, a reminder of what they were fighting for. Now it's just a radioactive crater.
Tensions have only heightened in the village since they started taking refugees in from other parts of the mountains. The Cetagandans know well by now that outsiders and soldiers from the Barrayaran camp regularly turn up in the village -- that is how they got the Princess, after all -- and they're putting the Riverfall villagers under heavy scrutiny. The Cetagandan patrols have been getting increasingly aggressive with the villagers, almost interrogating them about their fellow citizens, and for the first time the occupying forces seem to be trying to force a census. They want every single resident of that village accounted for so they can know who to look for -- who doesn't belong.
But the villagers are loyal, especially to those who have earned their trust, whatever side they're on, and even in the face of this adversity they'll protect their countrymen and the outsiders as much as they can.
barrayar
The Barrayarans are devastated by the bombing, especially those native to the district -- many of them lost friends and family in the city. Meanwhile, Piotr's intelligence sources tell him that Zahal's reinforcements are finally arriving, making the base much less vulnerable to a second attack. He's getting intelligence about much more, however: thanks to the informants on the Cetagandan side, he knows that they're about to begin construction on the Star Gate; if they want to ensure the Cetagandans don't abuse it, they'll have to act fast. Piotr has also received information on the Handmaiden's disturbing black market negotiation from multiple sources, and the prospect of the outsiders' DNA being released out into the black market, especially with the reports about the gene therapy trials, is plenty terrifying for all to consider.
In the aftermath of the attack, the Barrayarans are at a loss, their whole strategy derailed. They were counting on being able to use Vorkosigan Vashnoi as a new power base with actual leverage, and with their newly-arrived reinforcements, the Cetagandans are nowhere near as vulnerable as they'd been before -- certainly not as vulnerable to a second attack. But Piotr decides then that the best way to get back at Zahal and the rest of the Cetagandans is by targeting the projects they're investing the most in: their work with the outsiders' DNA, and especially the Star Gate Project. Most of the outsiders have put their lives on the line for the Barrayaran cause at least once, and if there is a way to send them home and still keep the Cetagandans from abusing this tech, then it's worth pursuing.
Contact has been initiated with Micah, and they have proposed a plan to hijack the Star Gate and use it to send everyone home before the Cetagandans can so much as flip the switch. Piotr agrees to try and get as many exotics out as possible as well, since some of them have been risking their own necks as informants, but it's up to Micah to coordinate that end of things. Of course, if the possibility of sending them home goes completely off the table, Piotr will settle for just destroying the Star Gate, but that's plan B -- and hardly the full plan. Part of the reason Piotr thinks going through with Micah's plan is worth the risk is because Micah has -- or will have -- measures in place to ensure the Cetagandans cannot recreate their research, or, if they can get hold of another nuclear device, even penetrate the supposedly-collapsed wormhole. Piotr's decision to endorse Micah's plan is controversial and unpopular, its most vocal opposition coming from Vorvolk. Yuri, too, has expressed disagreement with Piotr's new strategy, but not quite as vehemently. He seems to have other things on his mind.
But Dorca isn't overriding Piotr's decision -- it's Piotr's district they're fighting in, after all -- and Yuri, despite his open disagreement, doesn't intervene when Piotr starts putting his words into action. So now it's time to start to formulate a plan, collaborate with their allies on the other side, and begin to gather intelligence. However, they have to be even more careful about their movements than ever: the Cetagandans are making a more concentrated effort at finding them now that they've destroyed the city, and aerial surveillance is at an all-time high. Too much visible movement in the mountains puts them at risk, and now that the weather's warmer, they're keeping open fires to a minimum, especially at night.
camp
Natasha, having fled the Cetagandan base last month, has been in camp since shortly after the bombing, easily granted sanctuary given her status as an informant while on the other side. On the 2nd, a Barrayaran scouting party runs afoul of a Cetagandan patrol, and a bloody skirmish breaks out, with the Cetagandans ultimately claiming victory, though there are plenty of casualties on both sides. Maine is one of them, having gone down fighting and taking a few Cetagandans with him. It wasn't pretty, and the last few surviving Barrayarans only just barely managed a retreat, but one of them managed to retrieve and return Maine's bloody dog tags to his friends. Shortly thereafter, Wash disappears from camp without notice -- and then returns just as abruptly a few days later. He debriefs only with Piotr, but a few grisly rumors about what he was up to during that time start floating around camp.
Both Yuri and Vorvolk are vocal in their opinion that they have no business bothering with philanthropy in a war this dire. They should aim for nothing less than the total destruction of the Star Gate Project, and fast -- though Piotr does not think they quite grasp the scope of it, that it is hardly that simple. The growing tensions between Vorvolk and Piotr come to a head when the General stands by his plan, resulting in an ugly confrontation -- Vorvolk publicly questions Piotr's judgment, suggesting it's been compromised by the outsiders. After all, he's not only let outsiders into his army, but women and mutants as well -- evidence, perhaps, that General Vorkosigan is going soft, losing his edge, or so Vorvolk says. Unfortunately, Piotr does not receive this sort of challenge to his authority especially well.
He viciously tears Vorvolk apart just as publicly, denouncing him as a man with wavering loyalty and honor, and he explains in no uncertain terms just why he's doing what he's decided to do -- and if his soldiers don't like it, if they can't fall in line behind a commanding officer that's led them to victory after victory, then they might as well take off their uniforms right here and now. In his impromptu but impassioned speech, Piotr points out to his own men how the outsiders, however reluctant at first, have demonstrated the virtues of honor and courage, how they've laid their lives on the line more than once in the name of someone else's cause, with no guarantee of return, and that the same can be said for Micah. At the end of his tirade, he publicly strips Vorvolk of his rank as Colonel and summarily demotes him to Captain.
The camp is still politically restless, too. Some conversations may be overheard between Yuri and his father or advisors, a continuation on the subject of him finding a new wife now that all of his heirs have died before him. Yuri never seems to be in the mood for this conversation -- at one point he can be snapping back at one of his advisors a retort along the lines of where am I going to find a wife in a mountain full of backwater hicks, pointing out that the only unmarried Vor lady for a hundred kilometers is his niece Sonia, and while he may have Vorrutyer blood, that doesn't mean he has to act like one. And at any rate, he can be heard saying at another time, at this rate Sonia will be lucky to marry a Count's heir, let alone anyone with an actual title.
missions
Scouting of both the Cetagandan compound perimeter and the shipyard itself go fairly successfully, and the Barrayarans glean quite a bit of useful intelligence. One hitch, however: Miles is captured during the perimeter security scouting mission, identified as the time traveler as revealed to the Cetagandans by Sonia and then Byerly under fast-penta.
The unabridged mission results can be found here.
cetaganda
With only partial power, the base is still in somewhat of a state of chaos until the reinforcements finally arrive from central command -- reinforcements putting them up to 8,000 total troops plus a considerable supply drop which, while it does not entirely recoup the heavy losses they've suffered over the last few months, definitely aids their rebuilding efforts. Large-scale repairs on the base begin with power-aided equipment, starting with the most critical infrastructure damage.
It isn't until a day or so after the bombing that Gail ghem-Estif was declared MIA and then, after a few reluctant witnesses stepped forward, about as confirmed dead as they were going to get. According to a couple of ensigns, he'd taken an aircar without authorization and headed, as far as they could tell, straight for the city in a fit of desperation. Given the timing, he wouldn't have made it back in time.
Pleased with his win and regaining the upper hand at last, Zahal now focuses his efforts at building up their armaments. They cannot allow such a vicious attack on their base again, after all, and so he increases the guard patrol presence on base by about 50%. The Barrayarans won't find it so easy to just slip right in this time.
With the city destroyed, Zahal's new goal is to smoke out the Barrayaran camp again -- they did it six months ago, he's sure they can do it again now. He knows by now that the Emperor and Crown Prince themselves are here, and if he can expose the guerrilla camp and capture them -- or better yet, simply drop an airstrike on them -- well, it'd certainly do a lot for the war effort, not to mention his career. This is, after all, an unprecedented opportunity to knock some major players out o f the war. And with no city to defend, he has more troops to dedicate to aerial surveillance and ground patrols -- although the guerrillas have gotten good at confusing the Cetagandans treading in still-unfamiliar territory.
base
Now that they have power and the proper resources, construction on the Star Gate officially begins. The Cetagandans have (reluctantly) signed off on the use of one ship to host the Star Gate, as well as downgrade another jump ship to local-only flight by removing and repurposing its Necklin rods to generate a Niadem field instead, as well as gutting its jump drive for auxiliary/backup use. Since the Star Gate is meant to be stationary, only built into a jump ship for convenience, part of the Star Gate construction involves disabling the flight mechanics of the ship. They unfortunately cannot remove or destroy them, as they have a vital connection with the jump drive, which is a critical component of the Star Gate. Micah and Symmetra are also secretly installing a failsafe intended to be triggered after everyone is sent home that will quite literally fry every bit of circuitry in the Star Gate.
With contact finally established with Micah, they work through the informants with Piotr to formulate a plan and spread the word. Between Kaidan, who has been acting as an informant for the Barrayarans, and Micah, the whole lab team should soon be aware of the plan to hijack the Star Gate, use it to send everyone home, and then ensure the Cetagandans will never be able to use it themselves. If they can detonate a nuclear bomb inside the wormhole, it should cut off all access to the wormhole completely, at least for a time. Right now Micah is asking that Deanna, Kaidan and Symmetra share the plan with those they believe they can trust enough to cooperate and not rat them out to the Cetagandans; they'd like to see everyone get home, and the more people they have on the same page, the better their odds of success. Vex'ahlia, the other remaining informant handled by Lakshmi, provides the other point of contact to try and bring the other exotics into the fold. Lapis has also been in direct contact with Sonia in order to spread the word. Whenever Micah discusses the ongoing plans to hijack the Star Gate, they always refer to it as the midnight shift. It's not the most opaque code word, but it's better than none.
Micah's plan, as they propose it to Piotr, is that they run a cross-faction operation to hijack the Star Gate ship and fly it off planet. They believe they have a greater chance of success closer to the collapsed wormhole, given that the Niadem field is strongest there. It will require a lot of coordination and extreme care to keep the Cetagandans from finding out, but Micah believes they can get everyone on board the Star Gate ship and re-engage the flight mechanics quickly enough to take off. Of course, they'll need a diversion, possibly even covering fire -- and a way to keep the Cetagandans from following them or shooting them out of the sky. They'll also need a pilot…but Micah has the feeling they might be the only one even remotely qualified for that job.
missions
The recon missions go well -- not only do their security assessments yield some juicy intel, they also uncover the Cetagandans' supply of nuclear weapons and they come up with a couple of different plans to sabotage the Cetagandans' remaining operational ships. Plus, more eavesdropping!
The unabridged mission results can be found here.
What: In the wake of the total destruction of Vorkosigan Vashnoi, both sides decide it's time to focus on how they can hit the Cetagandans back the hardest: right in the Star Gate. The floodgates on intelligence channels open up, and for the first time, outsiders on both sides are working together to pull one over on the Cetagandans.
When: June 1st - 18th
Where: the Barrayaran camp, the Cetagandan base, Riverfall Village
Warnings: TBD
Riverfall
Barrayar: Camp / Missions
Cetaganda: Base / Missions
TIMELINE
6/5 Eavesdropping
6/12 Recon: Sabotage
6/14 Scouting: Perimeter
6/16 Scouting: Shipyard
6/17 Recon: Countermeasures
riverfall
The village has been mired in just as much grief and despair as the war camps in the wake of the bombing of Vorkosigan Vashnoi. Even for those who had no familial or concrete connection to the city itself held it as a symbol of the strength of their district, a reminder of what they were fighting for. Now it's just a radioactive crater.
Tensions have only heightened in the village since they started taking refugees in from other parts of the mountains. The Cetagandans know well by now that outsiders and soldiers from the Barrayaran camp regularly turn up in the village -- that is how they got the Princess, after all -- and they're putting the Riverfall villagers under heavy scrutiny. The Cetagandan patrols have been getting increasingly aggressive with the villagers, almost interrogating them about their fellow citizens, and for the first time the occupying forces seem to be trying to force a census. They want every single resident of that village accounted for so they can know who to look for -- who doesn't belong.
But the villagers are loyal, especially to those who have earned their trust, whatever side they're on, and even in the face of this adversity they'll protect their countrymen and the outsiders as much as they can.
barrayar
The Barrayarans are devastated by the bombing, especially those native to the district -- many of them lost friends and family in the city. Meanwhile, Piotr's intelligence sources tell him that Zahal's reinforcements are finally arriving, making the base much less vulnerable to a second attack. He's getting intelligence about much more, however: thanks to the informants on the Cetagandan side, he knows that they're about to begin construction on the Star Gate; if they want to ensure the Cetagandans don't abuse it, they'll have to act fast. Piotr has also received information on the Handmaiden's disturbing black market negotiation from multiple sources, and the prospect of the outsiders' DNA being released out into the black market, especially with the reports about the gene therapy trials, is plenty terrifying for all to consider.
In the aftermath of the attack, the Barrayarans are at a loss, their whole strategy derailed. They were counting on being able to use Vorkosigan Vashnoi as a new power base with actual leverage, and with their newly-arrived reinforcements, the Cetagandans are nowhere near as vulnerable as they'd been before -- certainly not as vulnerable to a second attack. But Piotr decides then that the best way to get back at Zahal and the rest of the Cetagandans is by targeting the projects they're investing the most in: their work with the outsiders' DNA, and especially the Star Gate Project. Most of the outsiders have put their lives on the line for the Barrayaran cause at least once, and if there is a way to send them home and still keep the Cetagandans from abusing this tech, then it's worth pursuing.
Contact has been initiated with Micah, and they have proposed a plan to hijack the Star Gate and use it to send everyone home before the Cetagandans can so much as flip the switch. Piotr agrees to try and get as many exotics out as possible as well, since some of them have been risking their own necks as informants, but it's up to Micah to coordinate that end of things. Of course, if the possibility of sending them home goes completely off the table, Piotr will settle for just destroying the Star Gate, but that's plan B -- and hardly the full plan. Part of the reason Piotr thinks going through with Micah's plan is worth the risk is because Micah has -- or will have -- measures in place to ensure the Cetagandans cannot recreate their research, or, if they can get hold of another nuclear device, even penetrate the supposedly-collapsed wormhole. Piotr's decision to endorse Micah's plan is controversial and unpopular, its most vocal opposition coming from Vorvolk. Yuri, too, has expressed disagreement with Piotr's new strategy, but not quite as vehemently. He seems to have other things on his mind.
But Dorca isn't overriding Piotr's decision -- it's Piotr's district they're fighting in, after all -- and Yuri, despite his open disagreement, doesn't intervene when Piotr starts putting his words into action. So now it's time to start to formulate a plan, collaborate with their allies on the other side, and begin to gather intelligence. However, they have to be even more careful about their movements than ever: the Cetagandans are making a more concentrated effort at finding them now that they've destroyed the city, and aerial surveillance is at an all-time high. Too much visible movement in the mountains puts them at risk, and now that the weather's warmer, they're keeping open fires to a minimum, especially at night.
camp
Natasha, having fled the Cetagandan base last month, has been in camp since shortly after the bombing, easily granted sanctuary given her status as an informant while on the other side. On the 2nd, a Barrayaran scouting party runs afoul of a Cetagandan patrol, and a bloody skirmish breaks out, with the Cetagandans ultimately claiming victory, though there are plenty of casualties on both sides. Maine is one of them, having gone down fighting and taking a few Cetagandans with him. It wasn't pretty, and the last few surviving Barrayarans only just barely managed a retreat, but one of them managed to retrieve and return Maine's bloody dog tags to his friends. Shortly thereafter, Wash disappears from camp without notice -- and then returns just as abruptly a few days later. He debriefs only with Piotr, but a few grisly rumors about what he was up to during that time start floating around camp.
Both Yuri and Vorvolk are vocal in their opinion that they have no business bothering with philanthropy in a war this dire. They should aim for nothing less than the total destruction of the Star Gate Project, and fast -- though Piotr does not think they quite grasp the scope of it, that it is hardly that simple. The growing tensions between Vorvolk and Piotr come to a head when the General stands by his plan, resulting in an ugly confrontation -- Vorvolk publicly questions Piotr's judgment, suggesting it's been compromised by the outsiders. After all, he's not only let outsiders into his army, but women and mutants as well -- evidence, perhaps, that General Vorkosigan is going soft, losing his edge, or so Vorvolk says. Unfortunately, Piotr does not receive this sort of challenge to his authority especially well.
He viciously tears Vorvolk apart just as publicly, denouncing him as a man with wavering loyalty and honor, and he explains in no uncertain terms just why he's doing what he's decided to do -- and if his soldiers don't like it, if they can't fall in line behind a commanding officer that's led them to victory after victory, then they might as well take off their uniforms right here and now. In his impromptu but impassioned speech, Piotr points out to his own men how the outsiders, however reluctant at first, have demonstrated the virtues of honor and courage, how they've laid their lives on the line more than once in the name of someone else's cause, with no guarantee of return, and that the same can be said for Micah. At the end of his tirade, he publicly strips Vorvolk of his rank as Colonel and summarily demotes him to Captain.
The camp is still politically restless, too. Some conversations may be overheard between Yuri and his father or advisors, a continuation on the subject of him finding a new wife now that all of his heirs have died before him. Yuri never seems to be in the mood for this conversation -- at one point he can be snapping back at one of his advisors a retort along the lines of where am I going to find a wife in a mountain full of backwater hicks, pointing out that the only unmarried Vor lady for a hundred kilometers is his niece Sonia, and while he may have Vorrutyer blood, that doesn't mean he has to act like one. And at any rate, he can be heard saying at another time, at this rate Sonia will be lucky to marry a Count's heir, let alone anyone with an actual title.
missions
Scouting of both the Cetagandan compound perimeter and the shipyard itself go fairly successfully, and the Barrayarans glean quite a bit of useful intelligence. One hitch, however: Miles is captured during the perimeter security scouting mission, identified as the time traveler as revealed to the Cetagandans by Sonia and then Byerly under fast-penta.
The unabridged mission results can be found here.
cetaganda
With only partial power, the base is still in somewhat of a state of chaos until the reinforcements finally arrive from central command -- reinforcements putting them up to 8,000 total troops plus a considerable supply drop which, while it does not entirely recoup the heavy losses they've suffered over the last few months, definitely aids their rebuilding efforts. Large-scale repairs on the base begin with power-aided equipment, starting with the most critical infrastructure damage.
It isn't until a day or so after the bombing that Gail ghem-Estif was declared MIA and then, after a few reluctant witnesses stepped forward, about as confirmed dead as they were going to get. According to a couple of ensigns, he'd taken an aircar without authorization and headed, as far as they could tell, straight for the city in a fit of desperation. Given the timing, he wouldn't have made it back in time.
Pleased with his win and regaining the upper hand at last, Zahal now focuses his efforts at building up their armaments. They cannot allow such a vicious attack on their base again, after all, and so he increases the guard patrol presence on base by about 50%. The Barrayarans won't find it so easy to just slip right in this time.
With the city destroyed, Zahal's new goal is to smoke out the Barrayaran camp again -- they did it six months ago, he's sure they can do it again now. He knows by now that the Emperor and Crown Prince themselves are here, and if he can expose the guerrilla camp and capture them -- or better yet, simply drop an airstrike on them -- well, it'd certainly do a lot for the war effort, not to mention his career. This is, after all, an unprecedented opportunity to knock some major players out o f the war. And with no city to defend, he has more troops to dedicate to aerial surveillance and ground patrols -- although the guerrillas have gotten good at confusing the Cetagandans treading in still-unfamiliar territory.
base
Now that they have power and the proper resources, construction on the Star Gate officially begins. The Cetagandans have (reluctantly) signed off on the use of one ship to host the Star Gate, as well as downgrade another jump ship to local-only flight by removing and repurposing its Necklin rods to generate a Niadem field instead, as well as gutting its jump drive for auxiliary/backup use. Since the Star Gate is meant to be stationary, only built into a jump ship for convenience, part of the Star Gate construction involves disabling the flight mechanics of the ship. They unfortunately cannot remove or destroy them, as they have a vital connection with the jump drive, which is a critical component of the Star Gate. Micah and Symmetra are also secretly installing a failsafe intended to be triggered after everyone is sent home that will quite literally fry every bit of circuitry in the Star Gate.
With contact finally established with Micah, they work through the informants with Piotr to formulate a plan and spread the word. Between Kaidan, who has been acting as an informant for the Barrayarans, and Micah, the whole lab team should soon be aware of the plan to hijack the Star Gate, use it to send everyone home, and then ensure the Cetagandans will never be able to use it themselves. If they can detonate a nuclear bomb inside the wormhole, it should cut off all access to the wormhole completely, at least for a time. Right now Micah is asking that Deanna, Kaidan and Symmetra share the plan with those they believe they can trust enough to cooperate and not rat them out to the Cetagandans; they'd like to see everyone get home, and the more people they have on the same page, the better their odds of success. Vex'ahlia, the other remaining informant handled by Lakshmi, provides the other point of contact to try and bring the other exotics into the fold. Lapis has also been in direct contact with Sonia in order to spread the word. Whenever Micah discusses the ongoing plans to hijack the Star Gate, they always refer to it as the midnight shift. It's not the most opaque code word, but it's better than none.
Micah's plan, as they propose it to Piotr, is that they run a cross-faction operation to hijack the Star Gate ship and fly it off planet. They believe they have a greater chance of success closer to the collapsed wormhole, given that the Niadem field is strongest there. It will require a lot of coordination and extreme care to keep the Cetagandans from finding out, but Micah believes they can get everyone on board the Star Gate ship and re-engage the flight mechanics quickly enough to take off. Of course, they'll need a diversion, possibly even covering fire -- and a way to keep the Cetagandans from following them or shooting them out of the sky. They'll also need a pilot…but Micah has the feeling they might be the only one even remotely qualified for that job.
missions
The recon missions go well -- not only do their security assessments yield some juicy intel, they also uncover the Cetagandans' supply of nuclear weapons and they come up with a couple of different plans to sabotage the Cetagandans' remaining operational ships. Plus, more eavesdropping!
The unabridged mission results can be found here.
York [ barrayar, riverfall // ota ]
[ The pyre takes all that it's given, but York has basically nothing to give. Still, he wants to do something, and his hair has grown overlong enough that a lock won't be missed. The stench of everyone's offerings is a thing he adjusts to after awhile and he stays for the whole ceremony, as it were, albeit sticking to the other outsiders.
If someone looks especially troubled he'll drift towards them, maybe offering a hand on a shoulder or just a knowing look. Whatever he can do, since they were useless to stop the bombing. It feels like they're useless to stop anything. ]
ii. training/around camp
[ In the aftermath of the bombing, through the pain of losing Maine, York trains harder than he ever has before. Harder than back home in the war, or even in Freelancer. It's like he thinks he can fight the pain away, actually run from it, fling it from his heart with each swing of the sword and thrown knife. He fights like he's fighting loss itself and takes every patrol that needs people. He's not reckless -- he doesn't go out seeking danger but there's still a need in what he does, a need to protect his people and himself. Now more than ever.
Still, no one can train every waking hour. He knows his limits but he spends whatever time he's not training in the med tent or preparing food or gathering water, just constantly keeping busy, keeping in motion. You can find him pretty much anywhere trying to be helpful, trying to be useful.
The quiet moments are the dangerous ones, for him. Late at night, maybe, when he'll be out by the edge of camp just leaning against a tree, tired but watchful and alone with just his thoughts. He's hiding it well now but he still hasn't fully recovered from losing Delta, and sleep is still elusive and full of nightmares. So he stays up until he's hit his limit, just watching. Company is always welcome. ]
iii. grooming
[ Generally speaking, York's been fitting the Barrayaran aesthetic. Clean, of course, but scruffy, only shaving when his stubble approaches beard length, and ignoring the disaster that is his hair. He's always taken care to groom himself well, as much for himself as for others, to distract from the bad eye and deep angry scar on his face. Here, though, it's less of an issue, and they've had enough other concerns that he's let himself go a bit. No more after the death offerings -- it's finally time for a haircut, he decides, and charms someone off duty into doing it for him. He takes a bath to get the clippings off and shave after, and is surprised by how much more himself he feels just by that simple thing. It lifts his mood a little, and he comes back from the bathing tent one evening groomed and still shirtless, using it to dry his hair, now short enough to spike up again.
Much better. This might be the first time in awhile anyone sees him smiling. ]
iv. riverfall
[ Visiting Riverfall has gotten dangerous but York goes as frequently as he can afford, mostly to meet his friends on the Cetagandan side. Which is even more dangerous, of course, but he does it anyway. Usually wearing a cloak to hide his face and his blades, should any of the patrols recognize him by his scar. His favorite place for meetings is a dark tavern where he knows the keep is trustworthy.
But he can also be found helping out, just as he does in camp. Fixing up houses, carrying packages or well water for villagers, trying to lessen their daily burdens as much as he can since he feels like he hasn't done much to help with the war effort overall. It's still something. It helps. ]
ii
Someone once told me that there are some things it's better not to put your heart into.
[ He makes sure that his voice is friendly, and that he's standing far enough away that he doesn't get stabbed on accident. There's a sword in his hands, but it's not raised. ]
Do you want a partner?
Re: ii
Fighting for your life isn't something to put your heart into? [ He shifts his sword to his non dominant hand and reaches out to shake. ] York. I'd love a partner.
no subject
[ He follows suit with his hands, shaking with his right. ] I'm Nash. [ He's not from a place where people typically have last names. ]
no subject
[ His grip is firm and steady, as is his gaze as he sizes Nash up. ]
Are you used to swordfighting? I've just learned since getting here.
no subject
It's pretty common, where I come from. I take it they fight with something else in your country.
no subject
We mostly use guns. I'd never even seen a sword except in pictures, before winding up here. You're going to be better than I am, then, but don't go easy on me.
no subject
Anyway. [ He beats his blade against his own feet a few times, before transitioning into a defensive stance, with the sword in his right hand. ] You don't have to worry about me going easy. I've been told that I'm always a challenge.
no subject
Ready when you are, then.
[ He switches his sword back to his dominant hand and steps back, raising it as he was taught and dropping into a proper stance himself. If Nash is going on the defense he'll be on the attack, then, and he takes a swing at about half strength to warm them up, get them used to each other. ]
no subject
But he also sympathizes — they don't have what he'd prefer to use, here, either. Still, keeping his tone conversational: ]
I don't know if better weapons have ever made people better off. It makes war quicker, but whether that's a good thing is a matter of perspective. [ He'd shrug if he weren't holding a sword. The bomb hadn't been like anything he had words for— he'd assumed it was some kind of terrible magic, at first. ]
iii gently lays Carolina's dignity to rest
I barely recognized you, York. I almost thought I was looking at Agent Tennessee for a second there.
[ But Carolina, Agent Tennessee didn't look anything like York! She manages to keep a straight face for a few seconds before she delivers the second half of her line. ]
But that's mostly because you're the only ten I see.
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Shit, it wasn't bad at all.
Smirking, he walked by giving a thumbs up and a slick smirk. Dude, she'd earned this. York better appreciate a come on like that, because it was magic.
They grow up so fast.]
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His laugh rings through the tent, a huge smile on his face both at the line and the fact that she actually made it -- a glimpse of the woman he knew before Freelancer. Of someone confident and relaxed enough around him again for such a remark. It's a good reason to smile.
He doesn't miss Tucker giving them a thumbs up as he passes, but trusts the other man to give them some space right now. Even if he does listen in. A few more steps close the distance between him and Carolina. ]
Clever. I haven't heard that kind've remark out of you since we met. [ And they both know what that led to. York tosses his shirt onto his bedroll and moves in, still beaming. ]
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There's no way to hide that she gives him a quick look over. He's right there and very shirtless and good god it's been too long for her. And when he gets closer she doesn't back off or dance away. ]
Well, I've been told that pick up lines are very important.
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[ Like this one seems to have shattered whatever's left of the strange not-wall that's been between them for years, even here. Maybe it was more of a chain link fence, where they could still see each other but hardly touch. When she doesn't back up York reaches for her now, stroking her newly-short hair out of her face and tucking it behind her ear. He doesn't miss the fact that she's looking -- interested, maybe, even. There's a spark in her eyes he'd been hoping for, for so long. ]
You trying to pick me up, Lina?
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[ There's definite interest, she can't deny it. Attraction was never the issue when they were back in Freelancer, just the realization that acting on it would have consequences. Her hand comes up to touch his, keeping it close. ]
It depends on whether or not you want to be picked up.
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When he finally pulls back he's breathing harder, face flushed and eyes bright, focused only on her until there's a flash of movement to the right. And it's only then that he remembers their audience. Who could totally be useful for more than the double thumbs up they're getting. ]
Tucker. Door duty.
[ His gaze still doesn't leave Carolina's face but out of the corner of his eye he catches a very exaggerated wink wink-nudge nudge motion, then the other man's movement out of the tent. As the flap closes again he hears humming start up, a cheeky version of 'get down make love.' Nice, Tucker. He huffs a soft laugh and decides to trust that jokes aside, their friend will keep folks out for awhile. He lowers his voice. ]
Lie down with me?
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[ She doesn't sound bothered by it at all, in fact she's smiling and has yet to take her eyes off York. Maybe it's because she's still a little giddy from the first kiss she's had in years but Tucker's presence is inconsequential.
At the same time she knows she's going to owe Tucker a favor for this. Privacy is nearly impossible to get in camp and even a few moments alone is precious. And she needs this more than she's worried about gossip. So when York asks her to lay down with him Carolina nods without a second thought and tugs him towards her bedroll, if only because it's closer than his. ]
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[ But she's still smiling like she doesn't mind, and York certainly doesn't care if there's gossip. He's not subtle, after all, camp would know without Tucker's assistance. When Carolina tugs him he steps in after her, sinking down to her bedroll and drawing her back into his arms, tangling their legs and pressing their foreheads together. They probably won't have very long alone even with Tucker's help, and he's obviously within shouting distance so York will try to behave. Try being the key word -- he's already kissing her again, making up for lost time. He's holding her close but at least he manages to keep his hands modestly against her back and on top of her clothing. For now. He's waited a long time for this, what's a little longer? ]
I love you. [ It's murmured against her lips, easy and honest, and his eyes are bright with happiness. The last time he said as much it was difficult, not knowing how she'd react. He's not so worried about that now. ]
iii
Re: iii
You would've loved my unit's locker room.
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[ He sighs, leaning back, hands behind his head. ]
I never went in for locker rooms much. Since generally, one also had to be naked in them, and one grew up rather scrawny, not all soldierly and buff like you fellows.