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: (handsome)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-01-08 03:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, do I? An inaccurate one? You seem to be entertaining the possibility of assassination indeed.
dendarii: (solpadeine107)

[personal profile] dendarii 2017-01-08 03:34 pm (UTC)(link)
You're the one saying I murdered him. Given that, I can only try to think of situations where that's a possibility.
changeth: (♛ And you were caught holding the door;)

[personal profile] changeth 2017-01-08 04:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[ demure, of course. just like how his expression's terribly stoic, not at all amused. ]

Well, you're right. I haven't done much of this before.
vorrutyer: (shocked! and! appalled!)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-01-08 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
I never said any such thing. I'm only repeating what others have said.
dendarii: (frakkingcylon 185)

[personal profile] dendarii 2017-01-08 05:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Realization suddenly occurs to him: ]

You don't know.
changeth: and a king that isn't a king. (♛ A dragon that isn't a dragon;)

[personal profile] changeth 2017-01-08 06:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Surely. How we came to arrive here, I can't imagine. [ his eyes flick to miles's face. ] Some technology you'd be familiar with, perhaps?
dendarii: (solpadeine30)

[personal profile] dendarii 2017-01-08 06:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Alas. Miles is honestly stumped on that one. He really wishes he wasn't. ]

Honestly, I'm not. If anyone is, though, it would be the Cetagandans.
littlemissfutility: (28)

[personal profile] littlemissfutility 2017-01-08 07:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Wave your hand around in a tent where they're eating what basically tastes like jerky and oatmeal, and she's not going to think of space travel. That part is weird, sure, but the rest of this is appallingly familiar.

"Not all this snow," she admits, "but sleeping outside's nothing new."

It's nicer than some of the camps they've made, thanks to the tent over them. A hell of a lot colder, even with the added protection from the element, but nicer nonetheless. "Just...showing up here, though. That's not normal when I'm from, either."
vorrutyer: (punchable eyebrow)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-01-08 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
What, did you think I was standing beside you on Komarr as you did it?
dendarii: (terrible techniques)

[personal profile] dendarii 2017-01-08 07:57 pm (UTC)(link)
No, I assumed you had an actual report on the matter. Being domestic affairs and all.
vorrutyer: (satisfied (but smug))

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-01-08 09:19 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm flattered you think I rank an update on your activities, milord.
dendarii: (for real?)

[personal profile] dendarii 2017-01-08 09:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Surely in this case you would know. Or am I overestimating you?
sibearian: (this siberian bear is going to eat you)

[personal profile] sibearian 2017-01-08 10:14 pm (UTC)(link)
She frowns, but tries not to betray her annoyance in her tone. It's possible this lady comes from a high class and has never seen war, after all.

"You might find it for the best not to mention that to the soldiers, ma'am. They are at war. They surely care more for not freezing than comfort."
sibearian: (kill streak queen)

[personal profile] sibearian 2017-01-08 10:15 pm (UTC)(link)
"I think I would try to work in the industry," she says, thinking on it. It's a strange thought, not being able to fight. "Or perhaps I would do what you are doing, and work for morale."
sibearian: <user name=gay4zarya site=tumblr.com> (feels bad man)

[personal profile] sibearian 2017-01-08 10:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"Of course. I understand completely," Zarya confirms with a sad little nod.
sibearian: (this siberian bear is going to eat you)

[personal profile] sibearian 2017-01-08 10:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Zarya nods in agreement, looks to say something, then stops. Pauses.

"You are right. I feel like you have a lot of experience with this. More than me."
vorrutyer: (Backpfeifengesicht)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-01-08 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm an agent, not an analyst. I observe, report, and serve. Partially, in this particular case, on that very rumor. But no - I was not on the need-to-know list regarding its veracity.

[ A faint smile. ]

I never could quite decide whether it was true or not.
Edited 2017-01-08 22:51 (UTC)
dendarii: (lordly)

[personal profile] dendarii 2017-01-08 10:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Then you're asking the wrong person. I obviously have no idea.

But it doesn't seem like me to kill a man and then marry his widow.
vorrutyer: (condescending aka default)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-01-08 10:55 pm (UTC)(link)
"I think your perspective is all wrong," he comments mildly enough. "They help my wits. You sound like a woman who's never tried them. Am I wrong?"
vorrutyer: (punchable eyebrow)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-01-08 10:56 pm (UTC)(link)
It is a bit more of a Vorrutyer move. It's true.
dendarii: (cunning plan)

[personal profile] dendarii 2017-01-08 11:08 pm (UTC)(link)
You said it, not me.
vorrutyer: (satisfied (but smug))

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-01-08 11:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Though of course you've Vorrutyer blood...
starsneverpay: (Under pressure)

[personal profile] starsneverpay 2017-01-08 11:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, what is this? Elsa can see the subtle, if not suffocated, change in the woman's face and voice. Did she step on a nerve there perhaps? Well, the general appearance of the other woman would imply that she's more than little familiar with battles.

"Now now. There is no need to get roused up, my dear." Elsa laughs as she leans back casually. "I've done my fair share of living on the road and let me tell you. These soldiers could really learn from carny folk."
vorrutyer: (hmmmmm not bad)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2017-01-08 11:46 pm (UTC)(link)
What gracious charity, milord. What generosity, gifting me with your attentions. Oh, to be certain, there's something repugnant about a drunk; no question about that. But there was also something repugnant about the sort of man who would mock a drunk. Not quite as vile as attacking the witless, which is to By's mind a truly cowardly act, akin to shooting a civilian - but this is the equivalent of shooting a man disarmed. In his opinion, there is a code of conduct in the battle of wits. Rules of honor. And he finds his malice, at times, pricked by those who violate those rules of honor.

Well, unless they're really funny. But this boy isn't quite there.

"Arthur," he says, smoothing back his hair. "That doesn't sound like a Barrayaran name. Nor do you quite speak like a Barrayaran. Not a local, I think." He hiccups, just to make sure that comment didn't sound overly competent.
dendarii: (TW_S1_E2_0522)

[personal profile] dendarii 2017-01-09 12:08 am (UTC)(link)
I'm related to most of the other Vor families. As are you.

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