thisavrou | 01

[The video jumps around a little, shaky as he moves around the rec area. Thankfully he's going at a pace that can actually be seen by the human eye. The screen is just a shaky shot of the pool area, jerking a bit as he speaks.]

So, the pool. That's a really nice touch. Almost makes up for us being stuck in space. But, you know, I'm going to give it to you guys because I've always wanted a pool- well a bigger pool. We had one of those blow up kiddie things, but no one over the age of eight wants to be caught dead in that thing. Anyway, this. This is a step towards making this place less like a weird prison sentence.

What's not cool, on like the top ten list of really screwed up things about this place, is what you're lacking. You do have some issues with with rabid dogs and apparently you guys blew up a planet, like what? And while I'd really like to punch whatever lost my headphones, hey. I'll live. But the worst thing?

[Peter finally comes into view, a frowning mess of silver hair and bad fashion.]

I've not found a single Twinkie in this place. No Ding Dongs, no Ho Hos. Not even a Sno Ball. You guys are really killing me here.

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[Tugging angrily at his hair.]

This is natural! No one's deformed. Mutants might have freaky powers and maybe some freaky looks but they aren't deformed. I'm not deformed. Seriously, just dig the hole deeper. Who thinks its a good idea to talk shit about mutants to a mutant?

I just-- ( wait. hold up. ) Freaky powers? No one said anything about having powers.

[So much sighing and rubbing his eyes.]

You're talking shit about mutants and you're not even acknowledging the powers? Come on, the abilities are the best part.

[The screen becomes a blur and Peter's in the mess hall instead of the rec room.]

Powers! That's why everyone has such an issue with us, right?

( what the hell did he just do? teleport? no... )

What, no. It's about harmful mutations in the genome and threatening the stability of a limited population-- you're a mutant and you get powers?

( there is only one person who has powers in his universe and ivan doesn't even know that telepath exists. )

[The screen blurs again and Peter's on the observation deck, drink in hand. He gestures with it at the screen, undoubtedly making a mess.]

Duh. Haven't you been listening? Of course we get powers. What are you babbling on about genomes and populations?

Because that's what mutations do -- if they gave you powers we probably wouldn't be so jumpy around them, that actually sounds useful.

( and not, you know, horrifying and damaging. )

That's not what mutations do? Dude, what are you talking about?

[And now Peter's starting to catch on.]

You don't even know about the powers? Why are you freaking out then?

It's ( ivan's mouth works, he frowns, and the shrugs. ) a Barrayaran thing? It makes sense when you're on my planet.

Well, it's freaking offensive where I'm from.

[He groans, takes a few laps around the room to burn off the frustration.]

Look, just don't go saying stuff about mutants okay? Like, explain this calmly and without saying anything gross.

Like it's not back home. Only it's offensive to be called one, I guess. ( instead of this. ) Even if it's true where I come from? ( ivan waves away this with a hand ) Yeah, okay. Explain that mutants threaten a limited population pool back home to anyone who self-identifies as one here.

( he's got it. probably. maybe. a little. but then he squints at the feed curiously. )

So. What is your power?

Yes, that's exactly what I'm asking you to do. Explain. [He says it slowly, like maybe the guy didn't understand him the first time. He does tend to talk fast when he's upset, better slow it down just in case.] Why are they a threat?

I'm fast. Very fast. Like outrun bullets fast.

They were, back when we were cut off from the rest of the Nexus. Only 50,000 original colonists on a planet bathed in radiation when it's already trying to kill us? Yeah, mutations are bad -- destabilizes the population.

( or something. he's probably the worst at explaining this. )

What about energy weapons? Seems like a nice talent to have, I guess.

Radiation? And you ended up with death instead of superpowers? Lame. Sounds like your world sucks.

[He's only being surly because he still feels insulted. Normally, he'd be all over something like this.]

How fast do they fire? Because, like, in the time it's taking you to say a sentence I could have already run laps around this ship.

It's ( uh. ) not terrible.

( yes it is. barrayar is 100% awful. )

Don't know. Never used a projectile weapon before. I've got a stunner here, if you wanna try.

Riiiight. Sounds like a real paradise.

Dude, are you offering to shoot me? [Yes. Peter, you were practically telling the man too.]

What, and Earth's better? There's a boring planet if I ever saw one.

( also: he nearly died on it. so he and earth are officially on the outs. )

Seemed more like you wanted to be shot.

Maybe your Earth. Mine's got powers, remember? And other cool stuff.

[How can Earth being boring when there's so many places to break into? Huh? Huh]

Not shot. Shot at, maybe. But, like, actual harmful contact isn't something most people want.

Yeah, but it's Earth. It's not important anymore, except as, you know. The place where it all began. Even if they had powers, it wouldn't change that part of it.

( earth: kind of outdated in 3000 and some CE. )

It's a stunner. The worst it's gonna do is give you one hell of a hangover when you come 'round. If you get hit.

Pretty sure the place that started human life makes it sort of the most important.

[Dude don't be trashing Earth, it's his favorite planet.]

Yeah, but that means being knocked out for however long around some guy I don't know. If it hits.

Historically, sure. But it's way behind Beta Colony in terms of technological output and the Cetagandans have the big empire. It's got a weight, though, if you wanna put it like that.

( he doesn't think that's fair, considering it's the only one peter's been on. maybe. )

Well if you're as fast as you say you are, it won't.

I am putting it like that. I don't know what those places are so. Yeah. Go Earth.

[And what? No. No. This guys surely ain't dissing the speed.]

I am as fast as I say. I'm the fastest thing on this ship!

( is this how miles feels when he gets people to do what he wants, or at least tries to? ivan can see why his cousin does it so often. )

So you'll be fine. Although I believe you, you don't have to prove it to me.

( actually true. but you know, peter, don't you just want to find out if you are faster than energy weapons? )

[He does want to find out, his pride is on the line here.]

Of course I'd be fine. Got nothing to prove to anybody. But, you know. Might be fun to show it off.

I'm down for a demonstration whenever you are.

Might just take you up on that, dude.

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