ivan's made a huge mistake

[whatdidisay]

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.

Comments

[tearmeanewone]

"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.

[hostessing]

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."

[whatdidisay]

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.

[tearmeanewone]

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...

[hostessing]

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?"

[whatdidisay]

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.

[tearmeanewone]

"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?"

[hostessing]

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."

[whatdidisay]

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.

[tearmeanewone]

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.

[hostessing]

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.

[whatdidisay]

"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.

[tearmeanewone]

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?"

[hostessing]

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?"

[tearmeanewone]

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."

[hostessing]

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."

[tearmeanewone]

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."

[hostessing]

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.

[tearmeanewone]

"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."

[hostessing]

"'The Komarr Report?' I'd like to read those if they're not floating around the ship." Komarran affairs are hardly her specialty, but she can't say she isn't curious given the planet's recent addition to their Empire. "I'm surprised more from Barrayar hasn't made its way here with how long my son and nephews have been aboard this ship."

[tearmeanewone]

"Oh no, we have at least ten copies on the shelf right now!" Come to think of it, she's not sure if Miles and Ivan and Gregor know that... Well, something for the tour, Elizabeth supposes. "I can check one out to you when we're over there. The MIDs make it a very quick and simple process." No writing required! No hand-tracking checkouts! It's quite amazing, actually.

"Perhaps more has and they've chosen to keep it quiet," Elizabeth says with a slight shrug. "We do on occasion receive items specifically directed to us, so it may very well be that Miles or Gregor or both have a veritable trove of things from Barrayar. But I make it a point not to snoop in other peoples' things," she jokes with a smile.

[hostessing]

The need to check out anything is a foreign concept to her, but she understands the process. She wonders how the books are kept here, digitally or paper like old, antique collections? She almost asks before deciding better of it, she'll see for herself on the tour soon enough.

"Thank you, Elizabeth, I would appreciate having a copy to read. If they have anything of the sort, they have yet to inform me." Much like Ivan neglected to inform her of Elizabeth until he absolutely had to, but she's not afraid to pry into the boys' business if needed. "Have you received much from home?"

[tearmeanewone]

That sounds like quite the double-edged comment, 'they have yet to inform me'. "Well, I'm sure that if they are holding anything back, it's for... timeline preservation purposes. I certainly wouldn't withhold anything from my parents unless it was important."

Like... everything she'd let Booker find out on his own after Columbia.

"Oh, no, not at all. And I think I prefer it that way," she says with a little laugh. "I prefer being here-- my timeline isn't a place I want to go back to."

[hostessing]

Well, her son had declined to inform her about Elizabeth. It does make Alys wonder what else the boys have been hiding from her. The ship is large enough that there could be several well-kept secrets.

"Mm," she says in mild agreement with Elizabeth's first statements, her focus shifting entirely to Elizabeth's apparently dislike of her home. "I'm sorry to hear that. Even with the danger aboard the Moira you prefer it here?"

Barrayar may be considered a horrible place by most of the galaxy's standards, but she would still prefer to return home than remain.

[tearmeanewone]

"I know it sounds crazy, believe me I've been on the end of some stunned looks when I say that," she says with a laugh. "But the place I came from was... much worse. No family or friends, just violent addicts with their minds thoroughly addled by genetic mutation. Not even a nice place to visit."