driftfleet | [Semi-open] Stress finally takes its toll

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[Semi-open] Stress finally takes its toll

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.]

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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.

[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?

[Keith narrowed his eyes, giving Shiro a look that said he knew better. Ship status his butt.

At the suggestion, though, Keith sighed.]

If it'll keep you from working, then yes.

[It was that important to Keith that Shiro got the rest he needed.]

[Shiro arches an eyebrow. Last time they tried chess, it didn't exactly go well. And it's obvious Keith doesn't exactly want to play, but well... if they insist in being guard dogs, then he's getting back at them. Besides, Keith could do with a new patience lesson.]

There's a game of chess in my room-- [...ah.] My old room, I suppose. It's a small box, it came with Atroma's gift basket. Could you pick it up, please?

Yeah. I can do that.

But you stay put, got it? I won't be long.

[Keith looked down at the dog.]

Make sure he doesn't leave. I'm holding you responsible.

[He wasn't sure how much Procyon would actually understand, but... eh. It was worth a shot. He seemed like an oddly smart dog. With that, he headed off to get the game from Shiro's other room.]

There's some irony in you telling me to stay put, Keith.

[Procyon raises his head all proudly and barks. Oh yes, he understands, and he'll do his best to complete this mission! ...fuck, even his dog is plotting against him, what is Shiro's life.]

[Keith just scrunched his face at Shiro in response before going to get the game. He was glad, though, that the dog was at least helping. However, as promised, it didn't take him very long. He'd been in Shiro's room before, and knew where the basket was already, so it was only a matter of moments for him to find the chess game and return.]

Here we go.

Thank you. Do you still remember the set up?

[He chooses black for himself and starts putting the pieces on the board - but it doesn't have to do with his paladin color. He just wants Keith to have white so he can start. And if he looks amused, well... he may be remembering the last time they tried this.]

Yeah.

[Keith set up his side of the board perfectly, as if he'd just been playing yesterday... which he obviously hadn't... but patterns were easy for him to remember.]

Okay... [He had a blank slate to start with, but he wanted to figure out a strategy at least... so he considered his options for a moment, and then made his move.]

[Shiro has to admit he's impressed. Not because Keith remembers the pattern (thought that's pretty cool too) but because he actually stopped to think of a move, and also he hasn't scolded Shiro or asked him what is going on with him to have passed out.

Not gonna complain about that for sure. He makes his move too.]

So, how has Duotera been treating you?

It's okay. The whole system is kind of weird, I guess, but... [He shrugged.] I haven't spent a lot of time down on any of them.

[He watched Shiro make his move, and then narrowed his eyes a bit, thinking again before making one of his own. And, if Shiro thought he was going to get out of this little visit scott free, he had another thing coming.]

So what happened? [He looked up at Shiro now.] Ulaz said you passed out. Are you okay?

Because of the extreme weather, you mean? I thought you'd like seeing a desert again.

[Keith is actually thinking his every move, that's so nice! Aaaaand then the question comes and things aren't so nice anymore. Quiznak. Shiro pretends to think about his own move more than he really needs to gain some time. He doesn't want to talk about it.]

I'm fine. [He sounds tired of that question.] I had a panic attack. It's not a big deal.

[Keith made a face.]

It's really not the same. That place down there isn't just a desert. It's almost the surface of a star.

[Yes, he was exaggerating, but it was pretty rough.

At Shiro's response, Keith frowned a bit.]

It is a big deal. If it's bad enough to make you pass out, then yes. It's a big deal. [Worried bro is worried!]

That bad, huh? I hope you're at least having fun in the other options.

[So please don't guard him 24/7. Get out there!!! Once again, Shiro takes the excuse of thinking his move before replying.]

It's just stress, Keith. My head and blood pressure probably had a bad moment too. I... was kind of having an argument with Ulaz when it happened.

[Keith shrugged.]

There are a few things.

[He watched Shiro for a second, and then made a quick move. Good thing, too, because he might have dropped that piece at the next statement. As it was, his head shot up to look directly at Shiro now.]

Ulaz? What happened? Did he do something?

[This better not be as bad as his suddenly paranoid brain was thinking it could have been.]

[His first instinct is saying no. Ulaz would never do anything to him. But he has to admit... he's still a bit butthurt over the lack of answers, so...]

I try to ask him about the year I spent with the Galra, but he didn't want to give me answers. He said I had the right to know, but the time wasn't right.

[And he leaves it like that before returning to his chess move. Because, let's be honest here, him passing out kinda proved Ulaz right.]

[Yeah... it would, and Keith caught on to that right away. He frowned a bit in concern.]

It affected you that badly?

[Guess what? Oh yes, Shiro is taking his time making his move again to delay the answer. It seems this is going to be his repeating tactic today.]

I... snapped at him. I got angrier and angrier, it was getting hard to breathe. Then he mentioned something that triggered the panic attack. [A sigh. Obviously this attack didn't end like others had in the past.] He thinks it has to do with stress.

[He thinks? Shiro, it is.]

[Keith watched the board so Shiro didn't have to feel like he was under scrutiny. Though, he sort of still was, in a way. Keith was listening closely to more than just the words.]

What did he say?

[His tone was gentle, coaxing it a bit, but leaving Shiro the chance to back out if he wanted. But, Keith wanted to be sure that this was just a thing that happened. He trusted Ulaz, but he was more worried about Shiro.]

[If what Ulaz said had to do with the torture he went through, with the gladiator matches or anything similar, then he would consider not answering. But it wasn't the case, and they're already talking about this anyway, so may as well.]

It wasn't anything big. "You need to calm down, you need to stop this." It doesn't sound like much, but my brain suddenly remembered a time when he said the same back... [Back in the prison ship.] Back then.

[Keith wasn't even really paying attention to the game anymore, but he moved a piece anyway...]

So, he triggered a flashback... But... you've never passed out from one before.

Are you okay?

I'm fine! [He sounds really tired of that question, only two steps away from snapping.] Ulaz said stress just probably caught up with me and together with the flashback made a bad combo. You don't need to worry, alright?

[Keith looked a little hurt. Why wouldn't he worry?]

Shiro... Of course I worry about you. You're important to me.

Don't shut me out.

I am not--!

[Oh, don't give him that look, you'll make him feel like shit! Shiro sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. It's been a long day... or more like a long, long month.]

I told you everything that happened, not details were kept secret. I swear. I don't know why this time it was different. Ulaz said it's the stress finally catching up with my body. [He looks around the room -the captain's room (her room)- and throws his upper body back on the pillows, closing his eyes when Procyon comes to nuzzle his face.] Maybe I'm just tired.

[There. He can admit that much.]

[Keith flinched a little when Shiro almost snapped at him. He stared down at the board, the game forgotten for the moment, especially when the dog managed to wedge in between Shiro and Keith like that. Keith nodded a little, giving a small sigh.]

It's okay to be tired, Shiro. It's okay to take some time for yourself.

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