barrayarmods: (Default)
For Barrayar mods ([personal profile] barrayarmods) wrote in [community profile] forbarrayar2016-12-19 09:43 pm

[ january i log: barrayar ]

Who: Everyone
What: Arrival on Barrayar and what follows
When: January 2nd - January 17th
Where: Barrayaran guerrilla camp
Warnings: None (at the moment)


welcome to barrayar.
It's the dark of night when you come to in the foothills. Snow on the ground, chill winter wind whistling. A steep mountain range towers just ahead, its peaks illuminated by the light of two moons. Whatever you last remember, it isn't how you got here, and you feel oddly jetlagged, slightly queasy.

And you're not alone. There are nine other people close by, all looking equally lost and confused. But before any of you have a chance to figure out what's going on, the soldiers arrive.

They're dressed in weather-worn green uniforms, bearing swords and bows, and they surround you immediately, poised to attack. But they quickly realize you're not their enemy, the ones they call Cetagandans. They're just as confused as you are, but rather than hanging around to puzzle it out, they start shepherding you toward their camp in the mountains while it's still dark. There's a war on, they say, and you unlucky bastards have just been dropped right smack in the middle of it.

the guerrilla camp
It's a few hours' hike through the mountains to get to their hidden camp, set up in a clearing framed by dense, hard forestry and backed against a rock face. Daylight is finally dawning when you make it there. You and your fellow sudden arrivals are ushered to an empty tent on the far end of the camp, just big enough to fit all ten of you. You can't help but notice they've posted guards all around it. You aren't under arrest – they just don't know what else to do with you.

You are able to glean, from hearsay and what the soldiers are willing to share with you, that you are on a planet called Barrayar, and this is their home, and ten years ago they were attacked without warning by the Cetagandan Empire. They've been holed up in the mountains fighting against their invaders ever since, outgunned and outmanned, but scoring little victories where they can. They don't tell you much more than that. Some dialect of Russian seems to be one of the predominant languages of the camp, but for the most part they all speak English too, if with an accent. They're gruff and wary, and if you look a little less – or more – than human, they'll eye you with suspicion, maybe even make obscure hex signs at you that seem intended to ward off evil or disease. But they aren't hostile to you, not unless you start something with them.

the outsiders' tent
It's not in the greatest shape, but if you look around the camp, the rest aren't much better off. It's cramped, but you've at least been provided with bedrolls and heavy wool blankets to ward off the frozen chill, and if you're in need of clothing, they'll provide it, although it probably hasn't been washed in…a while. The soldiers bring you food at mealtimes -- not very good food, mostly tough meat and groats, and they keep you your own campfire, just to keep you warm. They've also hastily dug you your own latrine area at the edge of the perimeter, just behind the treeline. No private bathroom stalls in this outfit, unfortunately. The entire camp seems tense and wary, and the soldiers are alert, but they don't talk much. You could try sneaking past them, but you probably won't get far.

Well, at least you've got each other for company: the outsiders on Barrayar.
vorrutyer: (world-weary (and smug))

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-01-05 04:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Unless glory's in the offing.
dendarii: (frakkingcylon 105)

[personal profile] dendarii 2017-01-05 04:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Wanting my grandfather to trust me is important. Because when all this nonsense eventually comes out, he needs to believe I was his choice and not just a necessity.

[ For reasons that are totally not personal and/or ulterior in nature. ]
vorrutyer: (world-weary (and smug))

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-01-05 04:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, I'll admit that I also prefer that he not murder you.
dendarii: (cunning plan)

[personal profile] dendarii 2017-01-05 04:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Glad we agree on that point.
vorrutyer: (smug and punchable)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-01-05 04:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Not that it wouldn't be a bit satisfying, of course.
dendarii: (terrible techniques)

[personal profile] dendarii 2017-01-05 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, the joys of dealing with Vorrutyers. Let's just stick a pin in that particular thought.
vorrutyer: (looking off to the side)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-01-05 04:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Now, now, don't be unfair. You've pruned more of our family tree than we've pruned yours.
dendarii: (eidetics 72)

[personal profile] dendarii 2017-01-05 04:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Let's not add to it then, eh? Neither of us have done anything of the sort.

[ A beat. ]

Unless you have a confession to make.
vorbratta: (i better keep my two legs running)

[personal profile] vorbratta 2017-01-05 04:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Sonia's face falls a little -- not in disappointment, but plain, clear heartbreak, because this is a complete stranger, but she's someone who knows about losing home -- way too much about it. And now she's here. At least Sonia knows that Barrayar, too, is her home, however war torn. She reaches for Beth's shoulder in a mirror of her gesture.

"I'm sorry," is all she manages, unusually diffident. She hesitates. Maybe the outsider wouldn't want to tell a stranger the whole truth about it. It's different when Sonia shares her own truths, she knows; they're not hers alone. But she can't keep from asking. "What happened?"
vorrutyer: (haughty (and smug))

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-01-05 04:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He arches his eyebrows at Miles. ]

Missing any relatives lately? I don't have the impression that you have enough that you can just forget about a few of them.
dendarii: (bg068)

[personal profile] dendarii 2017-01-05 04:21 pm (UTC)(link)
A lot can happen in a year, I'm sure. Especially if I'm murdering people.
vorbratta: (get your hands in it)

[personal profile] vorbratta 2017-01-05 04:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Sonia purses her lips. There's no good way to deal with this, is there? It seems to have become a theme in her life these last ten years. She can't keep an eye on Miles, even though she has the urge to. It'd give her something useful to do, and the last thing she wants to see happen to this man is for him to be tossed out in the cold.

"Is there anyone here you think you can trust -- the other outsiders?"
dendarii: (solpadeine129)

[personal profile] dendarii 2017-01-05 04:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Is there anyone else? No one he's told his story to. One who knows it already, of course ... He lets his gaze drift over to Byerly.

"He's similar to me," he says after a moment. God, trusting Byerly. He must really be desperate. But his cousin needs him on some level, and that will have to do. "Barrayaran, but hasn't the same prejudices. I think he would help me if necessary."
vorbratta: (tonight you're giving up)

[personal profile] vorbratta 2017-01-05 04:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Sonia wrinkles her nose at the implication. Rude, Byerly, rude. She tilts her head back, eyebrows raised, and looks almost theatrically thoughtful.

"Hm. Actually, from where I'm sitting, that's the most useful part of you right now." She gives him a wicked smile. "How about we play a game instead?"
vorbratta: (you are the attraction)

[personal profile] vorbratta 2017-01-05 04:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Sonia follows his gaze and then brightens. "Oh, Byerly? Yes, I've met him. Very entertaining man, but he didn't strike me as particularly trustworthy. But if you think you can trust him..."
dendarii: (frakkingcylon 192)

[personal profile] dendarii 2017-01-05 04:41 pm (UTC)(link)
She's met him already? Miles' expression instantly sours despite his best efforts. "What did he say to you? Nothing insulting, I hope."
vorbratta: (o-o-okay dolore)

[personal profile] vorbratta 2017-01-05 04:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Sonia laughs outright. "Heavens, no. A little impudent, but all in jest. He was quite amusing, actually. Possibly the most interesting conversation I've had in the last two years."

Unfortunately, not much of an overstatement as it sounds like. But she looks thoroughly entertained. Sorry, Miles, your treasured great aunt and Byerly fucking Vorrutyer get along like houses on fire.

"Oh," Sonia says suddenly, leaning over to pat Miles on the arm quickly, "but don't tell him who I am -- please? I don't know if he's figured it out yet." The grin on her face is utterly impish.
dendarii: (cunning plan)

[personal profile] dendarii 2017-01-05 04:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Good. Miles might just consider going back on that oath not to murder Byerly if that had been the case. Even so, his hackles go up a bit. It's a damn good thing she's enjoying herself...

"I - I mean, if that's what you want," he says quite reluctantly. "I thought he was sharper than that, but apparently not."
vorbratta: (milk and molasses)

[personal profile] vorbratta 2017-01-05 04:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, he might have," Sonia says breezily, waving a hand, "but don't tell him. It's funnier if he's still guessing." The grin she directs at Miles is encouraging, as if to say and you get to be in on the joke, too.

"He'll find out eventually anyway. He's not stupid, and I'm not a secret. So I'm just going to enjoy it while I can." After a moment she adds, a little less flippantly, "Sometimes it's nice not to be treated like a princess."
dendarii: (good point)

[personal profile] dendarii 2017-01-05 04:59 pm (UTC)(link)
He can't very well resist that, can he? And his great aunt is still a friendly face even if she still has no idea who Miles is. He lets himself relax somewhat.

"All right, all right. I admit I'd enjoy seeing that too." Just in case Byerly somehow hasn't recognized the woman. That's a happy thought. "I would have thought you'd get less of that treatment now, though. Given the situation."
vorbratta: (stick your head up)

[personal profile] vorbratta 2017-01-05 05:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Sonia looks enormously pleased at Miles's cooperation, clapping her hands together. Oh, even better. No doubt that Byerly's quite clever, but Miles seems like he could give Byerly a run for his money.

But then she sighs and sits back, pulling a face. "No, all that's changed with the situation is what clothes I'm wearing and where I'm sleeping. A little bit less decorum now that I live in a war camp, sure, but if anything, it's gotten worse. It feels like it, anyway."

The last ten years are the longest consecutive time she's ever spent on Barrayar on her life, by a long shot. Sometimes as long as a year at a time in her childhood, sure, but most of her time was spent on Beta Colony. Sonia frowns.

"My sister and I were in Vorbarr Sultana when the Cetagandans came. I was thirteen -- a child, something to be protected. As far as they're concerned, I still am." She rolls her eyes. "Like I said. Mascot."
dendarii: (eidetics 163)

[personal profile] dendarii 2017-01-05 05:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Excuse you, Miles could run circles around his Vorrutyer counterpart. Please.

But that's not the actual topic of discussion here, is it. Ten years on Barrayar, stuck in a horrific war and feeling like one can do no better than stand around and be a mascot? Gregor had had enough trouble with the same emotion even with some real power to go with it. His aunt must be feeling at least as poorly.

"You were young then," he says, gently. "But not now. You just need an opportunity to prove that you're not a child any more."
sibearian: <user name=gay4zarya site=tumblr.com> (feels bad man)

[personal profile] sibearian 2017-01-05 05:50 pm (UTC)(link)
She puts a Lorge Hand on his shoulder, empathy clear on her face.

"We will do what we can, my friend. This I can promise."
sibearian: <user name=gay4zarya site=tumblr.com> (r u kidding me)

gurgles pathetically

[personal profile] sibearian 2017-01-05 05:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"I don't know what that is."

Judging from the way she's looking at him and her tone, she has a vague idea. Is it drugs? Zarya's gonna be pissed if it's drugs.
dendarii: (solpadeine110)

[personal profile] dendarii 2017-01-05 05:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Miles' expression warms in response. With someone as intimidating as her ... yes, he thinks they might just have a chance after all.

"So If I wanted to go stop a raid, you'd come with me?" He's got no plans now, but ... As soon as he orients himself in this time period, he's going to have a very good sense for when the next attack will come.

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