[Open]

[padadin]

Who: Shiro and you
Broadcast: Yes
Action: If you want, he's on the Blameless
When: Saturday evening

[Text closed to Keith - Friday night]

We've arrived to the new system. How are you feeling?

[He doesn't know about the planet bringing back the sensations of the dreams yet, but he worries.]

-----

[Video - Saturday evening]

[When the feed starts, an armor wearing Shiro is sitting down and taking off his helmet as the light blue lights of his suit go off.]

This is Shiro, co-captain of S.S. Blameless.

[His face is serious, and his tone of voice means business.]

Last month, certain members of the fleet had visions about the planet we were visiting and the incident that happened after. But there are certain dreams that didn't find their match there, and it seems this new system has brought those sensations back. So early today, I went down with a teammate that had those dreams to investigate. [He frowns a bit, obviously not pleased with the result.] There are some small towns, inhabited by the orange-skinned people we usually encounter. They're heavily armed, too, because of a group called the Vieziri. They're dangerous, deadly hunters that have made the locals live in constant fear.

[His hold on his helmet tightens - it's frustrating, not having his lion, being limited in what he can help with. But he continues, the natural leader in him shining through.]

I know we can't stay in our ships forever. So if you go down there, please, don't do it alone. The bigger the group, the better. Bring a weapon with you, if you aren't the powered or magical kind. The locals are willing to sell theirs, too. Keep your communicators safe and close at all times, check the GPS function that our fellow fleet members were offering some time ago. Captains, it would be wise of you to know where your crew is at all times.

[He pauses. There isn't much more he can say other than be careful. So how to end such a feed?]

If a situation like Lyuku's must happen again, I can only hope we're better prepared this time. [ #famouslastwords ]

Comments

[tempredmental]

[Oh, Keith knew... he didn't want to admit it. He knew exactly what Shiro wanted, and he knew why. But he was scared.]

I don't- I don't think I can...

[He looked down. Sure... he might be one of the few on the team that could come close to taking Shiro in a fight if it came down to it. Allura, too, really, considering how strong she was. But to actually do it in reality was a whole different ballgame. Shiro had to realize just how tall of an order this was for Keith.]

[padadin]

I know what I'm asking for is really hard. [He tries for a softer tone, trying not to make Keith more nervous, but his eyes and body language are still firm.] Be honest with me - would you really let someone else do it?

[tempredmental]

[Keith looked down.]

No... I wouldn't want anyone to do it... It shouldn't need to be done.

[He was wavering, though...]

[padadin]

You're right, it shouldn't. There are many things we've done for this war that shouldn't need to be done, and yet we have to. For the sake of the universe.

[The fact these four teenagers had their lives involved in war so young... it'll never be right.]

[tempredmental]

I just...

[Keith looked away.]

I don't know if I can do everything that might be needed to 'stop' you...

[He clenched his jaw. Sure, he could probably fight Shiro... he could probably get himself to imprison Shiro if he had to... but he couldn't... do that... Keith was pretty sure he wouldn't be able to kill Shiro if it came down to that.]

[padadin]

It may not come to that. [But also, it may. And he wants them to do it if necessary, but he can leave that for another day. He's throwing enough at Keith for now.] I just need to know that you'll try - especially before it gets really bad. If you and the others stop me in time, then you can avoid the everything. Just now, you hesitated, you felt bad for me - I understand why, I would've probably felt the same way. But please remember how powerful the witch is, how strong I am. If something happens, I just want to be 100% sure that I'm okay with you punching the lights out of me, alright?

[JUST TRYING TO LIGHTEN THE MOOD!!!]

[tempredmental]

[Shiro was throwing way more than enough... too much! Too much! Keith's head was screaming to abort the conversation right now.

The look on Keith's face, even with the bad joke, was like if someone had just kicked his puppy.]

But, I-... [He sighed. He knew the 'why'. He knew the 'what'. Talking about it was way different than carrying it out, though.] Shiro... [He couldn't look back up. He couldn't look back at Shiro's face.] I can't promise anything. I'll try, but... I can't offer more than that. Not right now.

[It hurt to say even that much, and Keith was pretty sure his heart just dropped into his stomach, leaving him feeling sick.]

Please don't ask me.

[padadin]

You'll try. That's alright. That's all I need to hear. That you'll try.

[He grabs Keith's shoulders to bring him closer and he kisses his forehead before hugging him.]

Sorry for asking you so much of you. I wish I didn't have to.

[tempredmental]

[Keith leaned into the hug, bringing his arms up to cling to Shiro a bit.]

Yeah...

[He wished it didn't have to be him, either, but Keith knew that he was the one Shiro knew best on the team. If he trusted him that much, there was a reason.]