[Open] Back in Black

[padadin]

Who: Shiro and you
Broadcast: Yes!
Action: Also yes (Blameless)
When: Saturday morning

1. Friday night - closed to Kate - action

[He leaves the same way he showed up in the Marsiva: with the blink of an eye, a poof. Time passes at home - a long time in fact, long and awful, and his memories of the fleet never visit him there. So when he finally returns (again, in the same way, just a poof) those two set of memories collapse, leaving him a bit shaken, and with a chill running through his body under his armor (which he's wearing right now, helmet included).

He doesn't realize where he is at first - doesn't notice that the place he's landed on it's too soft, doesn't notice the presence of a woman and a dog next to him. At first he just sits up on the bed and cries out--]

Guys! Keith!

[And it's then, sitting up and letting his eyes meet something else than a ceiling, that he realizes he's not in Voltron anymore.]

What-- [He takes his helmet off, showing his new haircut, and looks around, giving his mind a moment to put the memories together. Hard to do when he finally turns and sees her, though. His eyes widen and his heart skips a beat.] ...Kate?

2. Saturday morning - open - video (or action if you want)

[Ah yes, a video broadcast, which is... not what Shiro intended. He's trying for just voice here, but we all know Atroma. If someone is getting glitched, then that's getting recorded. Gotta take care of those ratings! So when the video starts, Shiro isn't looking at the screen of the communicator resting on the sink, he's looking at himself in the mirror, a little frown on his face. He's only wearing a white tanktop, which shows some of the scars and gashes on his shoulders and muscled arms (or more like arm), and his hair is... well. Different, to say the least.]

Good morning, fleet. This is Shiro. Me and my team came back last night. I wanted to rest before talking to everyone but-- [A sigh.] I don't think Atroma likes it when I take breaks. [To be fair, the universe doesn't like it when Shiro takes breaks. He looks down at the strands of hair in his hand (it seems he's tried to cut it with no luck) and throws them in a bin before picking up the communicator and leaving the bathroom. Sorry for the awkward angle there!] Has anyone ever tried to counter or stop an augment glitch before? Can it be done?

[He doubts it, but can't hurt to ask. Back in the hallway, there's something waiting for him - or more like someone. A someone that barks, and Shiro's expression finally softens before he crouches to pick up certain ball of black and purple fur.]

I suppose not all gifts are that bad if-- [Just like that, the feed is suddenly off. Guess who thinks the communicator is a chewing toy?]

Comments

[padadin]

It doesn't sound like it is, does it? But me and my team have been traveling around the universe for quite a long time now - not just here, but at home too. We miss simple things, like snow and rain. And pizza.

[Sorry, Baku, the hair comes with bad memories. So he's being more bothered than he should be. Atroma sure knows what they're doing for ratings.]

The braid sounds like a good idea. I just hope the glitch doesn't last long.

[Famous last words...]

[dreamvour]

If it's been a while, I suppose that makes sense. Is there no pizza in space? [because that just sounds disappointing]

You could put it in a bun, too. I think that's popular nowadays. [...] That's really just asking for it to last long, you know.

[padadin]

No, unless you can find similar enough ingredients to make it, which isn't easy. It happens like that here too, you'll notice most captains hurry to restock the kitchens when we arrive to a new planet.

I don't know if your nowadays is my nowadays, but I will try different styles and see what's better. [A sigh.] If the ratings are good, I don't think what I say will matter much.

[dreamvour]

I guess I can't be surprised. It's popular, isn't it? So of course it wouldn't be readily available.

My nowadays is probably different. Humans haven't made it to space yet. [she hums] That, too. You may as well get used to it.

[padadin]

Twisted logic, but I wouldn't put it past Atroma.

I keep finding people who come from an Earth before space exploration became a thing. I'm sorry this is your first experience, but I hope you're enjoying space anyway. [Can you tell how much THIS NERD LOVES SPACE!]

[dreamvour]

It's twisted logic, but in a way it makes sense. At least, I can see how.

They've been to the moon in my world and sent probes and robots and whatnot further, but that's about it. It isn't so bad here, though. There's a lot of humanoid-like aliens, they're interesting.

[padadin]

That was a long time ago for me.

[He bets NASA is still around for Baku, too. Everyone seems to remember NASA. Quiznak, that's old.]

I'm glad to hear that. Space is amazing, and some times I'm afraid Atroma may be ruining it for people with their choice of planets to visit.

[dreamvour]

It's entirely possible. The cannibals were a bit much.

But they also send us to planets like the one we're at now.

[padadin]

That they do. Have you been having fun on the planet? Besides tasting the snow.

[dreamvour]

I like watching all the different people wander around, yeah. And the leopards.

I adopted one so I could nap with him. I think he thinks I'm really a cat.

[padadin]

Just watching? You haven't joined any of the activities? [He's about to tell her that she can bring her leopard to play with his puppy any time, but the last part calls his attention. Raising an eyebrow.] He thinks you're a cat?

[dreamvour]

Not really, no. I'd rather watch. [she hums a little, the camera shifting as she flops over in her seat. Which turns out to be the floor on one of the ships] Mmhmm. I told him I'm only part cat - technically - but he's too little to understand.

[padadin]

[His head is still a bit scrambled after coming back from around a year at home, but his memories are getting there. He remembers now that she's told him about being something like an exorcist, so he thought she has abilities. But...]

Technically only part cat? Baku, what exactly are you, if it's ok to ask?

[dreamvour]

[were this another time, she might have some fun with this. It's fortunate for Shiro that he just "came back", though, and so she'll be nice . . . this time]

I'm a baku, of course.

[that might explain it or not explain anything at all. She has to have some fun, okay]

[padadin]

[He immediately tenses, and his dog lets out a worried sound. What's wrong, master?]

You mean... like the dream eater?

[dreamvour]

Oh, you do know what I am.

[oh so casually] Not "like". I am the dream eater.

[padadin]

[A slow nod.] Bakus are well known in Japanese folklore.

[He's grown up hearing the stories... There's a pause before he finally dares to ask.]

Have you... have you been eating the dreams of the fleet crews?

[His. He wants to know about his dreams.]

[dreamvour]

Only the ones who've given me permission.

[she tilts her head, regarding him curiously] I don't do it without that.

[padadin]

[It's clear in his face the relief that reaches him when he hears that.Some little piece of mind then.]

That's very nice of you. Because... if you eat them, you can know what's in them, right? That's how the story went.

[dreamvour]

Mmm, I'll see it. [she sees no point in lying about it, especially when she's been open about everything else] It's not something I can control, but I keep it to myself.

[a shrug] It's none of my business.

[padadin]

[A long, awkward pause. She's being quite respectful of the subject, he has to admit. He also has to remind himself she's quite old, so she's probably seen tons of shit already. A night of sleeping without nightmares... it's tempting. Very tempting. But also hard to accept.]

...thank you. For telling me. You're very responsible. Some the stories weren't so-- [Yeah, ok, let's not go there. He shakes his head.] Have you been getting enough "food"?

[dreamvour]

Some of them weren't so . . . pleasant? Flattering? [she doesn't seem offended, the question delivered in her ever present deadpan tone] I'm curious which ones you know.

[at the the second question, though . . . a shrug] I get enough to survive. I'm not supposed to ask if I can eat someone's dreams, but if it becomes necessary I'll ask; it's another rule I'll have to break. [on the very short list of rules she can break without repercussions]

[padadin]

[Well... if she asks...]

Most of them were nice, but not all. They described the bakus as shy. Baku-san, come eat my dream, the kids said. But they had to do it sparingly because if the bakus were left hungry, they would eat the kids' hopes and desires as well, leaving them to live an empty life.

[So. Yeah. No pleasant.

He pauses after hearing that. Oh dear. It's still tempting, he must admit.] I don't see anything wrong with asking, you would still be respectful and not going to anyone against their will. I'll think about it when it comes to my own, alright?

[dreamvour]

Hoooh, that one. [she hums a little] It's mostly true, but it rarely ever happens. After the first time, I asked for help so it wouldn't happen again. [she tilts her head thoughtfully] I wouldn't call myself shy, though. Not like this, anyway.

[her lips twitch, almost a brief smile] I would appreciate it. Even if I could, I wouldn't go against anyone's wishes.

[padadin]

I wouldn't call you shy either. [He offers a smile - just teasing a little bit!] "Like this" you mean a human form?

And I appreciate your respect. It would help me too if I don't have them, but it's... complicated.

[A pause before he adds.]

So you don't have an actual name?