the only part that makes sense

[middlingalong]

Aunt Cordelia is going to be away for a while rescuing Miles's long-lost brother. She is concerned that in that time Miles will become so absorbed in his magic netsite that he will forget to eat, or something, which seems entirely plausible, insofar as anything about this situation seems plausible. She would like Ivan to come visit and make sure Miles is looked after. Ivan can do that. Mercifully no one is trying to get him to do any of the things involving this madness that he could not do. Also, conveniently, he doesn't want to be in his apartment for a while because a guy he hooked up with is deeply confused about how interested Ivan is in a long-term arrangement that involves flowers and cute little notes and is having trouble picking up on standard communication about that as anything other than Ivan being a closet case or something. So it's just as well.

Ivan drives up to Vorkosigan House with a suitcase and goes to check on Miles.

Comments

[middlingalong]

"Nah. Do demons come in girl?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"Yes, but I'm not summoning one for you."

[middlingalong]

"Aw, why not?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"Because letting demons know that this universe exists is a security risk. One is quite enough."

[middlingalong]

"How's it a security risk?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"Demons conjure objects. A gold coin is an object. So is a black hole. It is possible to safely summon a demon so that they can only conjure approved objects, but it's not out of the question that some of them might eventually discover non-summoning means of interdimensional travel, in which case it would be very convenient if as few of them as possible had any idea this particular universe was a possible destination."

[middlingalong]

"Are there other means of interdimensional travel?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"Yes."

[middlingalong]

"Okay then. No demon girls. Just as well, the wings and tails would be freaky."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Why do you even want demon girls if you don't like the wings and tails?"

[middlingalong]

"I haven't seen anybody with wings and tails - one tail apiece, I suppose - so I wasn't really imagining that part."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Well, I only have the one example to go on and I am not attracted to him, but while the extra limbs aren't exactly unobtrusive, they're not that hard to get used to either."

[middlingalong]

"If you say so."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Or maybe I'm just past caring about all the weird shit unless it comes in the form of being flirted with by the Empress of bloody Cetaganda."

[middlingalong]

"Which would be very disconcerting, I bet."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Very, yes!"

[middlingalong]

"There, there. At least while I am here you will not starve to death over it."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Thank you," he snorts.

[middlingalong]

"You're welcome."