OVERFLOW

[tailorable]

 

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[vorrutyer]

Dear heavens.

[ By holds up a finger for another. Congrats, Eggsy, he actually is paying. ]

You can't be a penniless prole who also says things like I was nothing. That just breaks a man's heart, and it takes all the joy out of being cruel to you. Do us a favor and be cocky, won't you?

[tailorable]

[ At that, he barks a startled laugh. ]

Hey, you buying me drinks and being nice and still saying you don't deserve to be here — it makes me feel like a proper dickhead for punching you, don't it?

[ So they're even. Well, not even enough for Eggsy to reject freebies. Once the drink is paid for, he continues. ]

Anyway, I ain't penniless anymore, and that's 'cause of more than this bullshit. [ accompanied by a gesture to his state of undress, meaning that he doesn't regularly engage in work of this type. He has a respectable job!! ] And I'm well-fit, besides.

[ Calling himself good-looking, yes. How's that for cocky? ]

[vorrutyer]

[ His glance at Eggsy is rather sly. ]

But you had your looks before. So it's money that makes you worth something? You really are a capitalist.

[tailorable]

[ He shakes his head and speaks firmly. ]

Nah, mate. The money helps, yeah, but you didn't know me before. Always dicking about. Quitting everything that mattered. [ He lifts his drink, a gesture of thanks. ] I'm worth something 'cause I'm seeing shit through. I'm better than I was before.

[ at everything, from applying himself to protecting his family. Oh, and there's the saving the world thing, but he's playing at being a tailor for now. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ Mildly: ]

Why, I think I'm offended. You've just described precisely how I live my life.

[tailorable]

[ Squinting at Byerly — ]

I can never tell whether you're taking the piss or not.

[vorrutyer]

[ Byerly grins mockingly. Then he arranges his face in an expression of wounded outrage. ]

I'm doubly offended. No one in the world is more sincere than I, dear little - how do you like to be called, anyway? I never actually asked.

[tailorable]

[ Oh, a small smile again, back at ease. Joking, right. ]

Don't think I'm particularly little, but — Eggsy. [ He extends a hand to shake, seeing as it's their first proper meeting. ] And yourself?

[vorrutyer]

Byerly Vlad Vorrutyer, formerly a disinherited fool of no account, suddenly Count Vorrutyer and Emperor of Barrayar.

[ He reaches out and shakes Eggsy's hand. ]

Charmed, I'm sure. So who is it who made you what you are, then? What's his name?

[tailorable]

[ Firm grip. Nothing special. Byerly's titles earn a lift of his brows. ]

Yeah, my pleasure. [ This time, he doesn't hesitate. ] His name's Henry DeVere.

[ a beat. ]

Sorry, can we go back to the Emperor bit?

[vorrutyer]

[ A short laugh, and he reaches for his drink. ]

If you'd like. Are you impressed?

[tailorable]

Well, I've never met an emperor before now, have I?

[ So at the very least, he's intrigued. ]

That mean I'm supposed to call you something special?

[vorrutyer]

[ Cheerily: ]

Well, the appropriate style is "Your Imperial Gorgeousness."

[tailorable]

[ His mouth ticks up at the corners. ]

So, not "that dickhead from the VR." [ teasing, seeing as that's how he had been remembering Byerly. ] By, then.

[vorrutyer]

I also respond to Dickhead. But as you like.

[ With a sigh - ]

Anyway, it's a recent promotion. Back home, I'm eighty-seventh in line for the throne, give or take a bit of disinheritance. But here, I'm the only Vor left. The only Barrayaran left. So, as is tradition in situations like that, I've stepped up.

[tailorable]

Is there much stepping up involved, with everything...

[ with everything gone, but he realises the question is callous before finishing it. Ah ]

[vorrutyer]

My, my. Don't you put your foot right in it.

[ His smile is mocking, and his voice light. Truthfully...Yes. There is. Quite a lot to it. It is his responsibility and duty, now, to advocate for Barrayaran interests. It falls to him to fight to get Gregor out of stasis, to fight to restore and renew their homeland. If other Barrayaran subjects wake up, be they Vor or prole, it is his duty to tend to them and protect them and defend them. It is...so much more than he ever wanted. It is terrifying and terrible.

But it's his duty. ]

No, not so much. I suppose I'm really just in it for the fancy title that impresses the people around me.

[ He sips. ]

[tailorable]

It's a valid question. [ but that's a mumbled, half-hearted defense because he did bring up the death of a kingdom or an empire or whatever. That's a lot of people.

Best not to dwell on it. ]

You tried chatting up the royals here yet?

[ using that fancy title, although the rules about keeping the nature of their foreignness hidden may prevent By from using status to his advantage. ]

[vorrutyer]

When you say chatting up, do you mean just speaking with them, or do you mean...

[ He winks and makes a faint kissy face. You know. Chatting up. ]

[tailorable]

EIther. Both.

[ he waggles his brows. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ Hahaha, he likes you, Eggsy. ]

Neither, unfortunately. I'm still a bit humble, I fear, to cross their radar.

[tailorable]

[ ;) ]

You planning on staying humble, then?

[ Being a humble emperor seems...difficult. ]

[vorrutyer]

Well, I suppose it depends on what they're like. But...no, I don't think humbleness suits me.

[tailorable]

I thought so. [ a wide grin. ] Glad you said it, so I didn't have to.

[vorrutyer]

So it's good we're making friends. You can use my meteoric rise to the top...