[Semi-open] Stress finally takes its toll

[padadin]

Who: Shiro and Ulaz, Shiro and you
Broadcast: No
Action: on Duotera (for Ulaz), the SS Blameless (open)
When: Throughout this week
Warnings for the Ulaz thread: Mentions of Shiro's year in captivity, possible mentions of torture, experimentation and losing his arm; Shiro having a panic attack with flashes of said memories.

1. Closed to Ulaz

[After a really, really shitty month, Shiro must admit it: Ulaz arriving has been a blessing for his mood. Part of him knows it's messed up that people are brought back from death, but it's not like he can do anything about Atroma's plans (yet, he hopes) and damn if he won't enjoy something nice actually happening to him for a change.

He already lost one "purple". Let him have the other.

They arrive to a nice system, too, which also helps, considering they're still waiting for the third dream to happen. One less thing to worry about. So the main issue in Shiro's mind now is... questions. So many of them. When Ulaz arrived, Shiro wanted to give the poor man time to settle down, so he kept himself in check. But he can't wait any longer.

So time to make a good use of the planets! Duoatera has a nice climate and beautiful hills, so Shiro invites Ulaz for a hike. With only nature (and Procyon of course) surrounding then, they can have a private and calm conversation while exploring. So here is Shiro now, near the hills area, dressed in a nice jacket and ready to go, dog sitting next to him like a good boy.

He smiles when he sees Ulaz approach.] Hey. I'm glad you came. Have you ever gone hiking before?

2. Open - SS Blameless

[Maybe you heard from Ulaz, or from Shiro's teammates, or his crew - or maybe you've just been wondering why Shiro hasn't been around much. But the story is only one: someone finally passed out from all the stress and is now stuck in bed. And hey, maybe you've also been wondering why that someone hasn't taken the captain's room when he's now the only captain of the ship.

Well, wonder no more! Because that's where he is now. You can thank the very tall and very strong purple alien for that.

They haven't moved his stuff yet, but Procyon (now quite bigger and with longer hair) is there with him, taking advantage of the bigger bed and taking care of his master at the same time. And Shiro does have his communicator and tablet, because resting isn't a word he knows of.

He's bored, alright.

So if you're visiting him, you'll find him going through documents on his tablet. Please stop him before stress starts going up again.

Or maybe you are just passing by for whatever reason, making your way through the Blameless' slippery hallways. Since the captain's room currently has the door open (you can also thank the alien for that), Shiro will see you walk by and take the chance to speak up.]

Excuse me, can I ask you for a favor, please? [He almost sounds... ashamed? To be asking this. He feels silly asking for little things he could be doing himself, okay.]

Comments

[the_tailor]

[It's taken flipping long enough, but Shiro's finally moved to the captain's room. Lance makes a reminder to buy a fruit basket for Ulaz, or whatever the Garlan equivalent of one is. Unfortunately, Shiro's also sick, which...isn't that unsurprising considering the ball of stress he'd become.

He's walking into Shiro's room now with two mugs of tea, one for the sick boy in question. Lance raises an eyebrow as he puts one down on the nightstand.]

What's up, fearless leader?

[padadin]

[Procyon wags his tail when Lance enters the room, but he doesn't move from his spot to receive him like he would usually do. He's playing guard, see?]

Not much. [Shiro answers with a sigh, frustration showing. At least he has tea now? He grabs the mug and takes a sip.] Thanks, Lance. I suppose you weren't able to convince Ulaz to let me get up?

[the_tailor]

Are you being serious? I'm gonna thank Ulaz for finally getting your butt to rest and lay down in bed. The guy deserves a medal, he managed what Keith and I couldn't even do combined.

[Lance moves to sit down on the bed, reaching over to give Procyon some pets and ear scritches. Good boy, watch over your human.]

[padadin]

[Procyon raises his head, looking proud of himself. He's being good, yes, he can protect Shiro! Watch him! Shiro, meanwhile, does NOT look amused.]

So you're all teaming up against me. [Ulaz does deserve a medal, but not for this, let's be clear.] This is unnecessary. I'm fine, Lance.

[the_tailor]

[Definite good boy! The best boy. He drops a kiss to the top of Procyon's head.]

If that's what it takes, then yeah. You have an unhealthy habit of working yourself to exhaustion, buddy.

Closed to this guy

[scalpelofmarmora]

[It had been a weird couple of weeks for Ulaz, having essentially woken up from apparent certain death in a weird ship only to be transported to another weird ship. Well, at the very least he had found a group of people that he had known from home.

The upside to this was that not long after arriving the ships had reached a group of planets where one was inhabitable currently. It had been a while since he'd been on a planet and not just on a base or a ship. Not like the Galra carried about their medical officers doing anything but that... being medical officers. So he was going to take the chance and explore the great outdoors.

And then Shiro invited him to come along on a hike. At the appointed time, he showed up, arriving to find Shiro with his dog]

Of course I would come.

[Shiro had invited him]

It has been while since I have been hiking. Are there usually opportunities like this with?

[And he is ready to go whenever Shiro is, glancing down at the dog. He'd seen a lot of different species before, but this one was new as well]

[padadin]

[Of course I would come, he says, and Shiro feels a little guilty. Like it's a set up. Which it isn't! He genuinely wants to hang out with Ulaz! He just happens to have some questions as well.

Shiro is ready to go too, but Procyon must do the obligatory sniffing of feet first. This person is purple, just like him! That's nice.]

That's Procyon, by the way. He was a gift for the holidays. [From Atroma, but hey, details.] Opportunities for relaxing activities depend on the planets we reach, but yes, it's not the first time we get to do some hiking.

[scalpelofmarmora]

[Ulaz looked down at the dog as it came over to sniff him. He likely smelled different than what the dog was used to. After all, it had probably never seen a Galra before. He crouched down to get a better look at the canine before glancing back up at Shiro]

A gift? [He's not going to ask from who]

I suppose it is better to not always encounter hostile environments. [He stood back up again, ready to go himself, taking a step off in the direction they had been planning on going] It's been deca-phoebs since I can last remember doing something like this.

[padadin]

Yes, a gift. Some people got stuff from home. That's how Keith got back his Marmora blade, and the others got their bayards.

[It's a different smell but not a bad one! Procyon is getting used to smelling lots of different aliens. Part of the fleet life. You're cool, Ulaz. Now let's get going! Shiro follows his friend when he starts moving, ready to enjoy this walk even if he has a delicate subject in mind for later.]

It definitely is. Hostile environments aren't the rule for the fleet, I've learned, although it doesn't mean we don't get them at all. I definitely felt that way too when I arrived - being here it's not ideal and we were kidnapped for exposure but... it also feels like a break from home, doesn't it?

Blameless

[tempredmental]

[Keith leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, smirk firmly in place.]

Only if that favor doesn't involve me letting you get out of taking a much needed break.

[padadin]

[BIGGEST SIGH.]

I'm fine. He's exaggerating, and something tells me you're going to do the same.

[tempredmental]

Now why would I do that? I'm just concerned for your well-being. Passing out cold and being forced into bed rest isn't exactly an exaggeration, and you'd do the same to me. You know it.

[Keith looked maybe a little smug.]

Besides, it's not like there aren't things you can do... but something tells me that... [He nodded at the work Shiro was still doing while being told to relax.] ...isn't what Ulaz had in mind when he told you to take it easy.

[padadin]

[Shiro looks away because... yes, he would do the same, in fact they already had an argument over seeing doctors for your injuries and it didn't end well. Let's keep that in the past.]

I'm just keeping an eye on the ship status. No big deal. [It's his duty! You can't take duty away from him.] Other things to do, huh? Does that mean you're willing to give chess another chance?

blameless

[universal_charm]

<sub>[ As it turns out, he's come to visit Shiro. That things have turned out like this isn't exactly a surprise. He's been in a similar position before, though Bones has taken more action to curb that in recent years. It was hard being in charge of a rowdy group, wasn't it Shiro?

Anyways, here he is, knocking before simply stepping into the room, a small box underneath his arm and two juice packs. Sorry. No beer this time, Shiro. ]</sub>

You know you're not supposed to be working on bed rest.

_{[ If you were Lance, he'd bonk you on the head with a juice box about now. ]}

[padadin]

Nice to see you too, Jim.

[That may've come off a little too sarcastic. Not something Shiro does often, but he's definitely frustrated and bored right now, so. He does put the tablet down on his night table though - not because of the resting orders, but because it's rude to stare at a screen when you have visitors. Procyon quickly raises his head from Shiro's lap to sniff the air - hello, new person, nice to meet you.]

I'm fine. Ulaz and my team are just being overprotecting.

[universal_charm]

Well, if I've learned anything in my years leading a ship, it's that you listen to your doctor.

_{[ Bones is screaming from somewhere, far far away, but Kirk does listen. Mostly. Sometimes. Like 40% of the time, okay? It's a good amount for him. He came closer and offered one of the packs before plopping himself down on the edge of the bed, placing the case on his other side. ]}

You'll have to introduce me to him sometime - Ulaz that is.

[padadin]

[Shiro raises an eyebrow at that, not really buying it.] If your doctor ever shows up then I'll be sure to ask him, then.

[He accepts the pack with a mumbled thanks and Procyon leans in a bit to sniff at the case. He's playing doggy bodyguard, see, must inspect everything! After drinking some juice, Shiro nods, smiling at the mention of Ulaz.]

Sure. He's in the Caprine, but he's coming to check on me later. Thankfully Atroma gave him the right augment.

blameless;

[invigorates]

[ Before her conversation with Ulaz is even finished, Lioriley has already started to make her way toward the captain's quarters. It takes her a few seconds longer then necessary, mostly because she isn't sure where the captain's quarters are, but eventually she makes it.

Just in time to be asked for help, as it were. She can't help but frown — never so excited to see people in bed with the knowledge that they were not feeling as well as they should. ]

Of course. [ She answers without thinking, half in the room and half out of it now. ] Your friend Ulaz informed me of what happened. If there is anything you need, I am happy to oblige.

[padadin]

...of course he did.

[OH FOR QUIZNAK'S SAKE, ULAZ, DID YOU MAKE A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OUT OF THIS? Shiro sighs, and his puppy licks his hand as a comforting gesture. Don't worry, master, he is trying to say. We purples love you.]

My "friend Ulaz" also dropped me here in the captain room, but all my things are still in my old room. I'm not going to make you help me move- [That's reserved for certain castmates of his, get those little shits to work.] -that would be crazy. But if it isn't too much trouble, I would need at least some of my every day stuff.

[Since apparently Ulaz wants to leave him here for a couple of days.]

[invigorates]

[ Don't be internally rude to your doctor friend, he's just looking out for your well-being. ]

'Tis hardly crazy if I said that I was willing to assist you. [ It's not like she has anything better to do anyway. ] If you could make a list, I will gather what you need. [ She can guess most of it — obvious things like clothes and such, but if there's something specific he wants then he should probably write it down for her. ]

[padadin]

That's nice of you, but it's not necessary. There's no point in bringing everything right now when I can't go around the room, putting it where I want.

[And just sleeping surrounded by boxes would make things a bit depressing. Speaking of that, he adds to the list he's now sending to her communicator a photo collage that he has on the wall in his old room to go with the basic necessities like change of clothes and some of Procyon's toys.]

Thanks for the help. I know the pictures aren't exactly urgent, but the room is rather gloom right now. [And while moving properly is out of the question, he needs something to help him forget who was the owner of the room before him.]

Blameless

[alwayscomeback]

[Of course Sokka came as soon as he got wind of this. As he enters Shiro's quarters, and catches him on the tablet, he folds his arms- leaning on the door-frame and letting out a loud, over-dramatic tutting sound. ]

I'm pretty sure that doesn't count as bed rest from stress, dude. That looks like the opposite of that.

[padadin]

[Sokka gets two looks at the same time: approval from Procyon, annoyance from Shiro. Is everyone going to team up with Ulaz? Geez.]

I'll take it you aren't here to help me escape either, Sokka.

[alwayscomeback]

[He lets out a chuckle, shaking his head. ]

Unless your idea of escaping is actually doing something relaxing that isn't work, then no. No I am not.

[padadin]

[Time for another sigh. He feels he's going to do that a lot while he's stuck on bed.]

This can barely be called work. I have duties as a captain, Sokka.