[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]

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?

[dreamvour]

[a little dryly] Yes, like this. I like blending in.

I understand. You aren't the first to tell me it's complicated. [or the last, for that matter]

I have a name I use when I'm blending in? [...] But no. I've gone by Baku since my creation.

[padadin]

[A nod - he notices the dry tone, but he won't push. He just wants to be sure he's doing things right. It's probably very complicated on her end, too.]

That's alright, Baku. If that's the name you want, then I'll call you that. I just wanted to be sure you're comfortable. I think there's one good thing about this place, and it's that we're all a little weird. Have they told you about the talking ponies?

[dreamvour]

[she tilts her head slowly, regarding the screen with a quiet, but intense thoughtfulness. No one's really ever cared about her comfort before, even in passing]

I'm fine with it. It's how it's always been. Where I'm from, I'm the only one of my kind. So having what I am as a name is important, I guess. [she thinks, at least. She's never been sure]

Talking ponies?

[padadin]

Just because it's always been like that it doesn't mean you can't change your mind if you want. I can understand how important it is, with you being the only one. If you ever "guess" differently and want a name of your own... just say the word.

[Because she sounds pretty unsure. He nods at the questions.]

Yes. Magical, colorful, talking ponies that came from a world with no humans. You can find them on the network if you're patient enough to go back more than a year.

[dreamvour]

I'd have to think on it. It isn't something I've ever considered before - pass coming up with a name to blend in, anyway. And I've had plenty of those.

[she is absolutely unsure]

Maybe I'll take a look. Talking ponies aren't all that weird to me, though. Considering.

[padadin]

That's fine. You have all the time in the world to think. And if you want it to stay the same, that's okay too. I just think it should be your choice, and not "that's how things are".

[Okay, that last part makes him chuckle]

You have a point. I'm guessing you've met actual unicorns?

[dreamvour]

Hmmm . . . I don't get to make a lot of my own choices. We'll see.

[for a moment, she glances off to the side, looking solemn . . . but then it's back to her usual, as though it never happened]

Only once, a long time ago. It takes a lot to weird me out.