Sixth Cream Cake: [Written/Action]

[vor]

[Filtered to Ivan Vorpatril, 65% unhackable because it's early and he's sick.]

Ivan,

Would you please look in on the horse for me? The Imperial Ass seems to be having trouble getting out of bed today, as the Imperial Sniffles have turned into the Imperial Plague. We apologize for Our impending death and your impending resulting frustrations.

Regretfully,

Gregor

P.S. If this letter caused you alarm, please give yourself a refresher course in detecting the Imperial Sarcasm.

[/Filtered]

[Gregor is sick as a dog. Apartments adjacent to his have probably heard violent, deep, chesty coughing for about two weeks now. Ordinarily, he'd have on-site approved physicians checking him out and prescribing whatever antibiotic was necessary, but here, he has to actually go seek out help. So. To the Battle Dome clinic he goes, looking specifically to see Adele LeBlanc when she's in. He will wait for her, if necessary.

Afterwards, he's going to the library, then the bakery for coffee and something sweet. Anyone stopping in can see him sitting inside, devouring a psychology textbook and sipping coffee, the cream cakes reduced to crumbs. They are the only thing he has eaten all day. He is not looking great, occasionally falling into bad coughing fits, for which he ducks outside, but recovering fairly quickly. When he heads home, he goes straight to bed despite his plans to work out. And the fact that it's the middle of the day.]

[Filtered to Phoenix Ikki 79%]

PI--

I suppose we're supposed to be pen pals, whatever that entails. I hope you're adjusting to the village well.

--GB

Comments

[Action, Clinic]

[fleurdesel]

"As soon as I have something for you, I will contact you and provide you with the medication and what changes you will have to make to accomidate it. Beyond the very basic requests that you take the recommended dosage, don't mix it with anything else, and do not imbibe alcohol while on it there's not much that will be changed. It should not be a bother."

[Action, Clinic]

[vor]

"...No alcohol?"

[Action, Clinic]

[fleurdesel]

"It varies depending upon the medication, the individual, and the dosage. To be safe I would recommend none whatsoever until we see if what I find works for you or not. Then...it depends on the medication."

[Action, Clinic]

[vor]

He looks neutral. The nuances would add up to "annoyed" and "disappointed" when viewed by skilled eyes. A pity Ivan's not here. "Very well. Thank you, Dr. LeBlanc. Is there anything else?"

[Action, Clinic]

[fleurdesel]

"...if it is truly that vital to you Gregor I'll see if I cannot find something that can be taken with alcohol- in moderation. Getting drunk is stupid enough when you aren't on medication."

She would know, really. He wouldn't have asked if he didn't want to have at least a glass of wine, and he has shown an appreciation for them in the past.

"Unless you've anything else you wish to discuss. General health, odd itching, your sex life, etc."

[Action, Clinic]

[vor]

"Don't worry about the alcohol, as long as you find something that works." A sigh, and he rubs his temple with one finger. "No, nothing else. Thank you for your time."

[Action, Clinic]

[fleurdesel]

"You know you may call me whenever you have need of me. Be it for medical advice and treatment or simply to converse."

[Action, Clinic]

[vor]

He was standing up, but slowed when she said that last. Now he smiles and gives her a polite nod.

"Thank you," he says gently, genuinely touched. "You really mean that."

[Action, Clinic]

[fleurdesel]

"I do. It's...difficult enough, here with the environment as it is. Worse still when one is on their own, or feels isolated."

She manages a very small smile for Greg. "You aren't. I'm not one of your Vor or a Barrayan, but. I'm here whenever you need me."

[Action, Clinic]

[vor]

Most of the Vor or any other Barrayarans aren't there for him, either. The only person on the planet who doesn't see him in a class by himself is Cordelia, and that's because she's Betan and all their castes are optical illusions to her. Maybe that's what's so comforting about Adele. She, like Cordelia, would look at a child emperor and see the child rather than the emperor.

"I'm always isolated." He tries for a fleeting smile and fails. "Now there's a Barrayaran here, and I have to be his emperor when the situation calls for it. When..." He swallows. "When I talked to King Arthur--I can't believe I said that--he seemed to think being here made him...not-king. But our oaths don't really work that way. If all three planets of the empire blew up in some freak cosmic mishap, all the survivors would still be the Imperium, and I'd still be Emperor. Even if it was just me and one other. I ran into another dimension and I can't even run from that. Demonstrably. Don't mistake me, I couldn't be happier he's here. But here, I don't even know if I can uphold his rights the way I'm sworn to. I don't have limitless power over anyone here but him, and if I'm forsworn..."

No one will know back home. But he'll know, here.

[Action, Clinic]

[fleurdesel]

It's not something she can empathize with, not really. Politics and obligations- familial obligations and professional obligations, that she understands and deals with day in, day out. Words made and debts to pay. It's rougher and simpler than what it is that Gregor seems bound to. And there's terribly little she can think to say or do for him in this. What she can do for the moment is reach out, rest her hand against his shoulder and give it a squeeze. A physical validation that for the moment, at least, he is not isolated. She's not much and knows it. But she's here.

"I don't think anyone would one to impose upon his rights, here. At least not intentionally, and not in a way that cannot be prevented. You're his emperor and while things are markedly different here and I'm but a surgeon, I know enough of those hat wouldn't want anyone's rights imposed upon here to perhaps lend a bit of weight to whatever it is you would need say, or have done, to protect his rights and your own. It's. Most likely not how things are done in your world. But it is what I can offer."

[Action, Clinic]

[vor]

He hesitates, then nods. He'd been unloading, not asking for help, but... "I owe you a few favors already, you realize."

[Action, Clinic]

[fleurdesel]

She can't help but offer. He may never need it, but something can be gained from knowing one has options. "They aren't debts to be paid Gregor. I've come to consider you a friend. LeBlancs take care of their friends."

[Action, Clinic]

[vor]

"And you've made a friend with power. Actual power, even if it's diminished to almost nothing here." It's a thoughtful statement, but not accusatory at all. "If you ever need anything within that power, let me know. I have ways to legally protect you, as well."

[Action, Clinic]

[fleurdesel]

"Friends in high places. It'd be a change of pace for me." She huffs a soft laugh and considers something for a moment. "Would I have to swear an oath to make the protection truly legal? I'm not entirely certain as to the particulars."

[Action, Clinic]

[vor]

"I won't deny you help, either way. We won't get into the particulars of oath-taking at the moment, but if you're ever cornered and you do swear to me, anyone who has a quarrel with you would have to come through me--if you come to me, your liege lord, for protection. And I would have to do everything in my power to help you, and investigate the problem. As for what would be different if you took oath, it would give me the power to serve as a sort of liaison, diplomat, judge and jury, whatever you need. I can even station Ivan as your bodyguard. And I can release you from your oaths at any time."

He pauses, feeling rather like a madman for offering up his de facto heir as a hypothetical bodyguard when, if anything, the reverse should be true. It would be, back home.

"It's not perfect, and it may not even be sufficient, but it's what I can offer."

[Action, Clinic]

[fleurdesel]

"It's more than sufficient Gregor. I hope to not have to ask for your assistance or protection, but should it ever come to that? You will be he first I call."

[Action, Clinic]

[vor]

"I should be the last person you call, especially if you have friends who can protect you physically, as you've said. I should be your last resort. We take our oaths very seriously, Adele. Your soul is in your breath, and your breath is in your word. We don't turn people into citizens simply as we please. Understand this before you come to me with that request. I'm a safety net, not a weapon."

[Action, Clinic]

[fleurdesel]

"I think you may have misinterpreted my intent. What I mean to say was that if I required, specifically, your services, I would contact you first. It's not something to be done lightly and I've no intention of ever doing so without due cause and consideration. Should I have need of a weapon, I have enough without involving anyone else, let alone you."

[Action, Clinic]

[vor]

"I thought as much. I just...wanted to be sure." He sighs, mildly annoyed with how paltry his protection really is here. "I suppose I should be going."

[Action, Clinic]

[fleurdesel]

"I understand." More than just his certainty. Their frustrations were somewhat similar- even if she had no real power of her own in her world with which to compare this to. "Bed rest. Fluids. I'll find what I can for your other concern."

[Action, Clinic]

[vor]

"Bed rest, fluids, and drug vapor. Thank you." He gives a polite nod much like a bow and turns to go.