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.
sibearian: <user name=gay4zarya site=tumblr.com> (that sure is a squint)

[personal profile] sibearian 2017-01-03 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah, my mistake. I had assumed, since you were at the military camp..." she trails off, unsure of how to go about asking just what Sonia is.

Maybe she'll get the hint?
vorbratta: (there is a cold moon rising)

[personal profile] vorbratta 2017-01-03 12:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Some assumption has to be made, to be fair, because she's one of a scant few of women among the Barrayarans. A straightforward answer would be easy, but it's refreshing to talk to someone who doesn't know she is for once in a while. She misses honest conversation.

"Oh, I help out around camp," Sonia answers, more or less truthfully. She gives Zarya a cheeky grin. "They tell me I'm good for morale."
sibearian: <user name=gay4zarya site=tumblr.com> (is okay)

[personal profile] sibearian 2017-01-03 07:15 pm (UTC)(link)
"I can see that," she agrees with a soft snort. "I don't think I got your name. Us women must stick together, no?"
vorbratta: (o-o-okay dolore)

[personal profile] vorbratta 2017-01-04 01:34 am (UTC)(link)
"Just so," Sonia says cheerfully, encouraged. Not only does this woman look like she could win an arm-wrestling match with a tank, but she's kind, too. That's a very special combination to Sonia. "There aren't many of us, as you might've noticed. The military's rather a boy's club."
sibearian: <user name=gay4zarya site=tumblr.com> (ah... yeah)

[personal profile] sibearian 2017-01-04 08:58 pm (UTC)(link)
"As it had been for decades. Is there a doubt of women's fighting spirit when compared to men?"

Zarya's gonna have to murder a guy, she can feel it.
vorbratta: (this is serious)

[personal profile] vorbratta 2017-01-04 09:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Sonia's smile is thoroughly ironic.

"Only on Barrayar. Although it's not the spirit in doubt -- no one ever accused Vor women of lack of spirit." She blows a piece of hair from her face with a ppbbth and smirks, plucking at her skirt and swaying it in a thoroughly mocking way. "Don't you know all Barrayaran maidens are far too dainty and delicate to be let near a sword? Oh, but the songs and stories love to talk about what fierce mothers of warriors we are."
sibearian: screen cap by <user name=gay4zarya site=tumblr.com> used with permission! (i caught that marenie)

[personal profile] sibearian 2017-01-04 09:45 pm (UTC)(link)
That earns an over the top eye-roll.

"Ah, yes. Fierce only with words and spirit. Women are known to wither away the second they step onto a battlefield, my mistake."
vorbratta: (this is serious)

[personal profile] vorbratta 2017-01-04 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Sonia lets out a laugh in delight, glad for the solidarity. "No one accuses you of any withering away back home, I'm sure."
sibearian: <user name=gay4zarya site=tumblr.com> (ha)

[personal profile] sibearian 2017-01-05 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
"Ha, not any more. Believe me, my friend, while woman and men are considered to be able to fight as equals on paper... there are still people who believe otherwise."

She grins and shrugs.

"These are the ones I body check into the next town over."
vorbratta: (o-o-okay dolore)

[personal profile] vorbratta 2017-01-05 02:29 am (UTC)(link)
"Ha!" Sonia claps her hands and laughs. "Do you really? God, I'd pay to see that." She tosses her hair over her shoulder and makes a slight face. "Barrayar's kind of...behind the rest of the Nexus on some things. Especially that kind of thing."
sibearian: <user name=gay4zarya site=tumblr.com> (that sure is a squint)

[personal profile] sibearian 2017-01-05 06:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"During war time, too?" she asks, looking a bit taken aback. "That is not the time for such an attitude!"
vorbratta: (you're an ordinary citizen)

[personal profile] vorbratta 2017-01-07 04:18 am (UTC)(link)
"It's Barrayar," Sonia sighs, as though that explains everything. Well, it kind of does. "They're stubborn about everything. Everywhere else in the Nexus, they've got coed armies, but Barrayar..."

She casts a glance around the camp looking a little guilty, though, frowning. "Not that I'm going to harass General Count Vorkosigan about it. I don't really...want to fight."
sibearian: <user name=gay4zarya site=tumblr.com> (that sure is a squint)

[personal profile] sibearian 2017-01-07 07:45 pm (UTC)(link)
"This is fine," she says, with purpose. "Sometimes knowing you have the option or being able to contribute in other ways..." a nod towards Sonia. "...such as morale is enough. Everything would help, and it is not all about fighting on a battlefield."
vorbratta: (while i sweep up the mess)

[personal profile] vorbratta 2017-01-08 02:06 am (UTC)(link)
Sonia smiles slightly. "No, I suppose it isn't." It isn't all about fighting, no, but it is all about war. She's tired of war. "What would you do, then? If you couldn't fight, I mean."
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."
vorbratta: (and throw me back in the ditch again)

[personal profile] vorbratta 2017-01-10 03:14 am (UTC)(link)
"What industry?" Sonia asks curiously, brow knit. She doesn't know what else there is for Zarya back home. She does smile a little, though. "You would be good at that, I think. Probably better than me. I think they'd do better if they just stuck me on a pole and waved me around a bit."
sibearian: <user name=gay4zarya site=tumblr.com> (upset)

[personal profile] sibearian 2017-01-18 12:38 am (UTC)(link)
"Metal. My father always said I would be a good metal worker. Apparently you need to have a certain mind for it. I still don't know what this mind is, but according to him I have it," she confirms with a little laugh. Honestly? Her dad could've been joking about it and she wouldn't know. It's kind of laughable how much she doesn't know about it.

"Ach, they are too controlling. The best thing to do is to let you do what you think is right! It needs a... woman's touch!"
vorbratta: (how come you wanna make off)

[personal profile] vorbratta 2017-01-22 01:14 am (UTC)(link)
"I'd think you'd need muscles, too," Sonia says, amused, and Zarya is clearly not lacking in that department. "What kind of a woman's touch do you think we need here?"
sibearian: <user name=gay4zarya site=tumblr.com> (that sure is a squint)

[personal profile] sibearian 2017-01-23 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"Firstly," she says, full of determination, "I will touch those that do not think we are equals into next week!"

A beat.

"No, that sounded better in my head. English is hard."
vorbratta: (and you wanted something better)

[personal profile] vorbratta 2017-01-30 09:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Sonia laughs, delighted nonetheless. "So don't speak in English," she chirps in Russian, grinning. "I bet you'd make a good bodyguard. With a woman's touch, of course."
sibearian: (kill streak queen)

[personal profile] sibearian 2017-02-01 07:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Zarya laughs in delight. She'd forgotten, in all the excitement.

"Ha!" she replies, "That is not a bad idea. Do you know anyone in need of those services?"
vorbratta: (why do you pick me right back up)

[personal profile] vorbratta 2017-02-03 06:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Sonia almost jumps up and says me! but refrains, because technically, she has a bodyguard. But poor Armsman Gavalas could probably use a break, and besides...Zarya. Sonia tries to tone down the starry eyes, but her smile is diffident, almost coy.

"I hear the Princess could use another bodyguard," she suggests innocently. "She's always getting herself into trouble, you know. You should talk to the Countess about it."
sibearian: screen cap by <user name=gay4zarya site=tumblr.com> used with permission! (i caught that marenie)

[personal profile] sibearian 2017-02-05 07:36 pm (UTC)(link)
"I will bare that in mind," she smiles. "Thank you for the tip."