thisavrou_log | ivan's made a huge mistake

Entry tags:

bioshock: elizabeth dewitt

ivan's made a huge mistake

Who: Ivan Vorpatril (

whatdidisay), Alys Vorpatril (

hostessing), and Elizabeth DeWitt (

tearmeanewone).
When: Before all the nonsense with the mutant-zombie-what have you. The night of the 13th, maybe?
Where: Ivan's new room.
What: Someone's effort at keeping his mother away from his girlfriend fails spectacularly. One man can only be so lucky.
Warnings: Groats, Ivan.

Ivan's not sure how he got roped into this. No, that’s not quite true, his mother had asked for weekly meals and Ivan had considered the size of the ship and his ability to effectively avoid his mother for weeks at a time, and come up with the sobering conclusion of not possible. So: dinner.

He has a nagging feeling that he's potentially missing something, however, but he's faced with his mother in his private room this time. It’s tastefully decorated — a light wall color, light wood, with highlights of a familiar Vorpatril blue and gold. There's a version of a window set into a wall — wide and synced to the ship's clock. Ivan went for a light, airy look that doesn't put one into mind of a small, tiny room on a ship. But it also, thankfully, meets her critical eye when it comes to design and, well, most everything else.

"We've decided to let visitors in," Ivan explains to his mother, offering her his arm to take before they go to leave. "Now that he’s actually got himself sorted out. You can come see him, if you want."

Miles should be better at being a functional human being since last time his mother ran into him. Or so Ivan hopes.

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Oh... that was apparently not the right thing to say. Elizabeth looks a little awkward and apologetic at Alys and Ivan as she slides into the offered seat. "I'm... sorry, Ivan knows I'm literally millennia behind you both, sometimes I use out of date expressions. But please, call me Elizabeth."

She's picking up on some of the heat Alys is directing at Ivan while talking to Elizabeth, and she's unsure of what she's expected to do. Yes, there is something to be said for someone who could cut deep without anybody ever seeing a knife, but she's taking jabs at Ivan. Her son. So maybe it isn't as harsh as it sounds...?

"Difficult?" Elizabeth tilts her head. "Oh, you mean because you didn't tell her about me? But you were so busy with Miles..." she smiles at Alys. "I wish I had a relative like Ivan has Miles."

She waves the apology off with a small smile. If anyone should be apologizing for giving Elizabeth that impression of her, it's Ivan.

"I seem to recall several moments of seeing you without Miles around." Another glance at her son and what she wouldn't give for a cup of tea to go with this conversation. "I may not know you as well at this age, but I would think you'd apprise me of those important to you aboard this ship."

Which is the closest she's coming to I think you have a romantic interest in this woman for now. Hopefully either Elizabeth or Ivan would fill in the blanks without further prompting.

Oh yes, Ivan picks up on that implication and shifts uneasily. This is exactly what he didn't want to come up in any meeting between his mother and Elizabeth; eyes flicking from her back to Alys and back to some unidentified point on the wall. "That was my mistake, Mamere. I won't make it again in the future." So in other words, yes.

"You don't, Elizabeth. He's far more trouble than he's worth."

Elizabeth is already on her way to open her mouth an insist that Ivan is important to her in a friendly sort of way, but he beats her out to... not deny it. For a moment, Elizabeth looks stunned, but sits quietly with her hands in her lap and feeling the implication of Ivan not correcting Alys. Maybe because she clearly has him under her thumb, which seems to be the theme of this conversation but maybe it's something else...?

"Ah... trouble, yes, but speaking as someone with no family, the grass is always greener." She turns to Alys. "I think Ivan's protesting too much, he takes care of Miles like they were brothers."

That at least is good to hear and she rests a hand reassuringly on Ivan's arm for a brief moment. The assurance it won't happen again is taken for now, helped by the fact that even as an adult Ivan hasn't shunned his cousin.

"I was hoping. He's not much older than Miles." She remembers well hearing the news that Cordelia and Aral Vorkosigan were to be having a son shortly after she became pregnant herself. If only they knew what a mess was to follow that. But Miles and Ivan's relationship isn't what she's interested in learning about and she redirects the conversation.

"So Elizabeth, Ivan. How did you two meet?"

Is his mother really asking him how they met? Ivan squirms slightly, back to wishing to he could throw himself out that window. "The captains threw a party for the new arrivals one month. We met there." He kissed her hand and brought her ice cream. There's nothing about that that his mother might dislike. And he offered to carry books for her, later -- also completely normal and acceptable.

It's a mixture of both, Elizabeth. His mother is terrifying, he hadn't been kidding when he said that, even when he was just two years old to her.

"They might protest that they've been watching over each other on the ship, but I know better. You don't have anything to worry about," she says with a little teasing smile directed at Ivan. Their relationship was incredible, from what Elizabeth could garner. Between Miles turning down a date with her in hopes of making it less complicated for Ivan, and Ivan not leaving Miles' bedside despite the promise of kissing, she felt they cared a great deal about one another even if Ivan wouldn't stop grousing about his cousin doing stupid, reckless things.

Elizabeth smiles at the memory-- considering everything they've been through, that party seems like it was ages ago. Back then, Ivan had been the handsome man talking about politics at her, and she had been trying to keep her secrets secret while carrying on a conversation. They're better now, and she's glad for it. "I'd been on the ship for maybe two hours? And he saw me staring at a radio and probably realized I'd never seen a space ship before, let alone been on one."

He'd probably talked to her because he thought she was pretty, but this sounds better.

Very good friends if Elizabeth's look means anything to Ivan. She subtly glances between the two of them and can't help but wonder if her son feels the same way. Hopefully so because if he's stringing this young woman along...

Outwardly she's still smiling though she is contemplating how easy it would be to send her son out of the room to fetch them tea or something to drink. How long of a walk was it to the mess hall or that dreadful, makeshift cafe? It's a thought in case she needs to speak with Elizabeth alone.

"I'm glad my son welcomed you." Even if she's entirely certain it was to make a move on Elizabeth. Well he's at the age he should be courting so long as he's doing it properly. "How long have you two known each other now? Ivan's mentioned being on the ship for months."

It absolutely was to make a move on Elizabeth, but as it worked, Ivan's not sure what the problem is. Elizabeth is pretty, and Ivan's weak towards women at the best of times. With a small population pool he's doing the best with what he's got, alright.

"About six months?" That seemed about right. Ivan shifts uncomfortably, though, wondering what his mother is working up to, and fearing it might be exactly what he thinks it is.

Edited 2016-04-18 02:44 (UTC)

And doing quite well, if Elizabeth says so herself. They've dated, they've had deep talks about their pasts, they've read together, Ivan's taught her a few things about the physical aspects of relationships...

"Yes, about that I'd say," she confirms, smiling brightly at Alys. "And he's never lost patience with me once-- quite a feat, considering I'm asking questions almost constantly about life traveling between planets."

She has absolutely no idea if this is building up to anything in particular, and she's missing how uncomfortable Ivan seems...

There are a few questions she could ask, but it's becoming clear that even after six months this is still new to them. Or at least, that's the impression her son's withholding of information gives her. She'll have to pry more out of him in private.

She'll start small then. No point in asking about marriage and the couple's future when she is still learning of their present. Being on a ship dragged from various dimensions hardly helps.

There's a small nod of approval at Elizabeth's mention of her son's patience. Good. If he's showing that level of care then she hardly feels out of place asking, "Are you two serious then?"

There's that urge to just make a break for it. Out the door, out the fake window. Anywhere to get out of this conversation that he knew was coming. At least it isn't are you going to get married, which is possibly the only thing worse at this point. Maybe if.. maybe if he just does what he does best.

"Serious, Mamere?"

And play the fool. He doesn't know, they haven't talked about it. He doesn't think so, mostly because of that not-talking-about-it thing. His eyes flick to Elizabeth for some clue, some sign, but mostly: he'd like to make his excuses and leave.

But he has the gut sinking feeling that his mother would stop him right in his tracks if he tried. Good God.

"Serious about what?" Elizabeth tilts her head, looking to Ivan for some kind of guidance. Of course he's looking at her and it seems now they both don't know what to do. So she looks back at Alys. "What do you mean?"

She gives her son A Look. She knows he's aware of what she meant or should be anyway. Well if neither of them know what she means, she can be more direct.

"It sounded as if my son was courting you," she explains and glances towards Elizabeth. "I want to know how serious both of your intentions are."

Alright, well that didn't go as planned. Ivan's insides twist uncomfortably -- this is way too close to the ultimate no question for comfort, and he tries to pass it off with a laugh. "We haven't talked about it."

Which is true. They're not even exclusive as far as Ivan's aware, although they haven't talked about that either. And he doesn't want to explain that to his mother either, come to think of it. Maybe if he does throw himself through that window it'll put him in a coma. Time to escape? Absolutely.

"I should-- go get refreshments?" Please let him leave this conversation, please let him go. Please let him escape using propriety as a shield.

Elizabeth still doesn't quite get the entire picture, and she imagines it's a discrepancy in terminology. Ivan's context clues, leaping in to laugh and brush the question of how 'serious' she is off, tell her that the question is more serious than Elizabeth imagines. It spares her the embarrassment of telling Lady Alys that she's quite serious about dating Ivan and that she'd never leech his attentions without giving back wholeheartedly. That would be a concern, obviously-- if Elizabeth was treating Ivan as a thing instead of a person.

"Uh..." she looks between Alys and Ivan helplessly for a moment. "I am a little hungry..."

Starving, actually, given she'd spent all day cooking a meal. But that's definitely off the table now, she can see that much. And maybe she could have a more frank conversation with Alys without Ivan making her so nervous with his strange and tense behavior.

There is not one ounce of Alys that believes her son wants to leave on pure chivalry. She studies Elizabeth for a moment before her gaze shifts back to her son, studying him even harder. She could keep him, but she has a feeling that at this point, it would be more beneficial for her to speak alone with Elizabeth.

"If you'd please. Bring back dinner and tea." The statement is accompanied with a light touch to Ivan's arm because he will be back or she will track him down using the MID network, somehow.

Refreshments should keep him busy long enough and she's sure he'll dally where he can, though hopefully not too long if his friend is hungry.

"Of course." Ivan bows to his mother first, and then to Elizabeth with an overlay of good luck in his eyes before he departs in as much of an organized fashion as possible. He's sure his mother will at least be more gentle to Elizabeth if he's not there, since half the questions were aimed at him more than they were her.

Tea and dinner. Right, he can do that.

~~Ivan if you leave and don't come back, you'll be lucky to see her ankle in the next ten years.~~

Elizabeth smiles warmly at Ivan, trying to reassure him that everything is fine before he hurries away. She's still smiling at Alys after he's gone-- nervous yes, but overall she's excited to talk more with Ivan's mother. And, of course, she wants to impress her as much as might be possible.

"So, how have you been settling in? Is there anything you've been missing?"

With her son out of the way, Elizabeth has Alys' full attention. Poised and polite so far. How much of that is her usual attitude and how much is part of meeting the mother of the man she happens to be... courting? Cordelia would likely chide her and say the proper term is dating or simply two adults spending time together, but her son isn't getting any younger. She has to wonder if he has plans in mind already if Elizabeth is the reason he dodged Alys' questions about marriage when she first arrived.

She returns the smile with one of her own, no less genuine. Alys is glad to be finally meeting someone her son is interested in.

"I miss having my feet on solid ground. This is my first time having ship duty," she says the phrase with a light sniff of distaste. The young Vor boys may chase after it with vigor, but she had been very much fine back on Barrayar. "I trust you've become adjusted with how long you've been here?"

Yes, Ivan's mother does seem to be a high-class woman, someone not used to having 'ship duty' as she puts it, but Elizabeth doesn't hold it against her. Being thrust into potential manual labor when you weren't equipped for it sounds like it would cause some disgruntled feelings.

"Hopefully we'll be landing at a planet after we leave Del Pascia-- some of them are just beautiful. We visited a planet where most of the architecture was made out of glass."

...and then it was destroyed.

"Yes! Yes, I was assigned as head librarian when I arrived. The collection was... not much more than what the captains gave me, and between what's come out of the Ingress and what I've acquired on various planets, it's more than quadrupled."

Thrust into new work and torn away from her old. Thankfully with the Vor boys here, more than twenty years older than she remembers, she's slightly assured that Barrayar doesn't fall apart in her absence. Now theirs that far in the future she's less sure of, but it's not a thought to get tied up in.

No, instead she gives her full attention to Elizabeth and raises a brow slightly. So her son is dating a librarian. A respectable profession at least, if not entirely what she had in mind for Ivan.

"I heard this ship made frequent stops." Not to planets made of glass which sounds highly impractical, but she supposes Cetaganda has done worse.

"I haven't had a chance to see the ship's library yet. Maybe after dinner you and Ivan can accompany me and give me a proper tour."

The eyebrow raise doesn't go unnoticed by Elizabeth. She'd seen a similar look on Gregor and Miles' faces when she'd brought Ivan some reading material. Really, what was so surprising about Ivan dating a reader? She makes no apologies or response to the surprise at her profession, though. As far as she's concerned, the fact that Ivan' hasn't read much up until this point means they spend a lot of time reading together.

"Yes, that would be lovely," Elizabeth smiles, thinking to herself that showing Alys what she's built from almost nothing would certainly be the most impressive thing she could do. "We have a whole collection of nothing but materials unique to the different planets we've visited. You can get a general idea of what kinds of frequent stops we've made."

At least something can be said for Ivan's taste in who he spends time with. With the way the young man had been darting around and keeping his acquaintances away from Alys, she had been worried.

"Have any arrived from places we call home? From what I've seen, it seems a fair amount comes through the Ingress unintentionally." Some sort of mail system, supposedly. The whole ship seems to be haphazardly run from her perspective.

"Yes, actually-- the Ingress often delivers materials from our originating timelines to the library. We have approximately a dozen copies of 'The Komarr Report', which I understand comes from your and Ivan's timeline-- as well as 'Vorthalia the Bold'? Ivan gave that to me to read, though I haven't quite gotten to either yet. It's entirely possible and actually quite likely that various things that we're familiar with come through the Ingress."

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