[Open]

[padadin]

Who: Shiro and you!
Broadcast: Yes
Action: At the Blameless, if you want that option
When: Tuesday afternoon

1. Action for Messer - Monday evening

[He appears back in his room, in what can be considered a habit by now. At least this time he's feeling well, and his general mood is good, even if he's been taken from home again. Wow, Atroma, no final battles this time? A holiday present, he supposes. At least he hasn't missed the wedding, he's happy to confirm while checking his communicator with one hand and petting a desperate Procyon with the other.

He's wearing his Garrison uniform, which doesn't surprise him, but his arm... huh. That's not the one he got at home, but it isn't the one the team made for him here either. Wait-- have they fused? Unbelievable. At least nobody's work got lost, he guesses.

After texting his team to tell them he's back and that he's fine, he finally leaves his room, Procyon following closely because he's missed his master. Time to check on the crew! Poor Ulaz probably had all the work for himself. And the first one he finds is-- Ah!]

Messer? Hey. I'm back. Sorry Atroma made me leave you guys again. [Even if he'd rather be at home, he has captain duties, so he apologizes anyway.]

2. Action for Ulaz - Monday evening

[After talking to Messer (which was more emotionally draining that he expected to be, but quiznaking worth it), Shiro continues his search for his first mate. Will he be in the lab at this hour? Only one way to find out.]

Ulaz? Are you in here? [He asks as he peeks inside, Procyon still following him closely.] I'm back.

[Hopefully his friend won't find the changes to the arm he built insulting...]

3. Network Post - Video - late Tuesday afternoon

[Guess who has come back after being at home for a few days? This guy! And this time he looks relaxed, a true miracle after an update! He's at the Blameless lounge, having a hot cup of tea with his dog Procyon laying on the couch next to him, head on his lap. It seems Shiro has been shopping, there are bags on the floor and a colorful pile of sweaters on the table next to what appears to be a spaceship model of the size of a grown kitten.

But all these are details. The main thing that is going to call everyone's attention is the, uh, "sweater" he's wearing. Shiro, why? (He'll tell soon.) There's also an obvious military jacket wrapped around his shoulders - both this and the sweater are lacking the right sleeve, because going home has brought modifications for his arm. It's thicker now and it... floats. Yep. Surprise?]

Hello, Drift Fleet. It seems Atroma is making it a tradition to send me home right before the holidays and to come back to a present.

[He's smiling while saying all this, eyes on the communicator on the table but glancing at the starship model every now and then.]

If anyone has been wondering, the wish-granting tree does work. I'm not sure what I did, exactly, I tried most of the rumors. But it seems to have the same limitations that our hosts have when it comes to powers and sizes. Unless there's an universe out there where it's okay to have space battle cruisers of the size of a puppy. [He puts down his mug and stares at the "toy", concentration obvious on his face. And after a few seconds, that toy starts floating up, flying in circles around a now grinning Shiro's head, and stops at the table again... only to start transforming in a thick robot lady. How cool is that?] At least some things still work. Sorry for not being able to give anyone a ride.

[The tree granting him a wish for a ship surely has trolled him good... oh well. It's still a nice little thing, and feeling the bond at the back of his head is comforting, to say the least. He looks at the camera again for one last announcement.]

Blameless crew, whenever you have a minute, your captain has something for you. [Look at that, him referring to himself as "captain" more freely now. He pats the pile of sweaters.] It's a silly tradition, I thought it could be fun to share. Almost like an uniform. To my fellow captains, maybe you want to join us to see which crew can get the ugliest Christmas sweaters?

[Just kidding! ...maybe. Is this why he's suddenly wearing that old gift from Fie? RUN!]

Comments

[vartex]

[Messer's momentarily taken aback, brows lifting slightly, but he's quick to shake it off and nod his head in greeting. People vanishing or falling into the Atroma-induced comas has become somewhat commonplace in the fleet since his arrival, so he's more or less gotten used to it. Still weird as a concept, yes, but far from the worst thing to happen here.]

Welcome back, captain. You're awfully popular with them, aren't you.

[He should be glad that the same thing hasn't happened to him, although it makes sense- people often return with new memories from home, and it's not like he can get any of those, so what would be the point?]

[padadin]

[It's funny how different the word "captain" feels now. It almost makes Shiro don't want to insist on asking them to just call them by his name. The greeting gets a nod back, and the comment gets a huff.]

Thank you. Judging by how my account usually looks? I guess I am - also my team. Keith and Lance just came back too. At least this time we weren't taken right when a battle is finishing. [Look at him, he's not hurt! Mark the date on the calendar, folks!] Has everything been well here? Still on the same system?

[vartex]

No issues to report. [He takes an idle sip of the coffee he'd fetched from the kitchen just before heading down this very hall.] We have yet to move on- it hasn't been that long since you were last awake, comparatively.

[Considering how sometimes folks end up comatose for the better part of a month, this was a pretty short timeframe.

His gaze drifts down to the arm, already having noted the uniform.]

Seems that a few things have changed.

[scalpelofmarmora]

[Where else would Ulaz be? Lab or bridge or kitchen are pretty much at this hour so when Shiro comes wandering in with Procyon, Ulaz is there. He looks up hearing the foot steps first and smiles faintly]

I am. Welcome back. Things have been running well while you were gone even though we were short handed.

[Full moon and all. Not like they weren't prepared for it at least.

He reached into a desk drawer and pulled out something. A treat for Procyon. Dog probably knew what it was even if Shiro didn't immediately. Good dog, Procyon.

He hasn't fully noticed the new arm yet]

[padadin]

Thank you. Glad I didn't miss anything important.

[The fact Ulaz is keeping treats for Procyon in his desk doesn't go unnoticed to Shiro, and he chuckles as his dogs quickly goes over to take before returning to Shiro's side. He'll be a bit paranoid for a day or two, don't judge the poor thing.]

It seems you two have hit it off. Thanks for taking care of him.

Video

[eternallyoutrageous]

[He couldn't have just been off the communicator when this post went up, but no...

And now that he has seen it, he can't UNSEE IT. So of course comments must be made]

Goodness me, what on earth are you wearing?

Video

[padadin]

[Shiro has no doubt this is only the first of many English men that will be soon crying at his idea. He offers the guy on the screen an innocent smile.]

An ugly sweater. Western Christmas tradition.

text

[tempredmental]

us too

[padadin]

Together again, huh? At least Atroma keeps the family spirit.

What is the last thing you remember now? Does "assigning the lions entry points in the Atlas" mean anything to you?

video;

[dreamvour]

Stop getting sent home.

[that's it, that's the message]

video;

[padadin]

[Awww, look who is being the biggest tsun today. Shiro smiles.]

But if I don't go back, I can't bring you more candy.

video;

[princessences]

Shiro!

[ She is happy to see him and can only hope that Keith and Lance are not far behind. ]

You are really making a terrible habit of this, you know? And...what is that monstrosity that you're wearing?

video;

[padadin]

Allura. I was about to text you. [An amused huff.] That complaint will have to be sent to Atroma.

[He looks down at himself. He knows it's ugly - he thought the same thing when Fie gave it to him. But it says a lot that people are putting more attention on the sweater than on the Atlas or his arm. Geez.]

An ugly sweater. Some people made a tradition out of wearing ugly Christmas sweaters for the holidays. [Shrug! He just thinks it's funny.] Are you free right now? There's something here for you too.

Video;

[dandyofawolf]

[He looks...

So unimpressed.]

I'll decline the offer. Thank you.

[HE IS NOT COMING.]

Video;

[padadin]

[And Shiro isn't surprised. Just amused. Very amused, and it shows on his face.]

Are you that afraid of a sweater, Biffy?

video;

[axi]

[Kaname's going to skip the welcome backs and focus on the fun.]

I think the Bloodsport would be up for this.

video;

[padadin]

[A smart girl, he needs back up over here. Have a grin.]

Glad to hear we have you in, Bloodsport. I've noticed that most shops in this planer are willing to customize orders because of the holidays theme, so that would make this fun for creative types.

[Meaning Miss Performer over here and her boyfriend the photographer.]

video

[pidge_out]

[Pidge's face is all lit up like Christmas morning just to see Shiro back in one piece. Getting a text from him is one thing, but actually seeing him over the video feed is quite a different experience.

And also one that means she is staring not so subtly at Shiro's little robot toy.]

What.. What is that?

video

[padadin]

[The fact that even while she doesn't knowledge of the future she manages to jump on the Holt object doesn't escape Shiro, and it warms his heart. He smiles softly at her, the love he has for this family showing.]

This is the IGF-Atlas. It has been miniaturized, like Lance's cow. [His smile transforms into a grin.] Remember that we would talk to your dad about the building of a new castle?

[He stops there, letting in fill in the gaps.]

voice;

[aspearing]

A wish granting tree? ... I suppose with everything that's happened while we're in this situation, it's not far too surprising, but even the thought of one is amazing. Have you discovered any limitations with it?

[padadin]

Weirder things have happened for us to get things from home, haven't they? It seems it does come with limitations, like it has happened in the past. The little ship you saw me introduce is usually the size of a castle. None of her weapons work, either. They're only tiny dots of light.

Action

[sandywolf]

[Coming in for his own cup of tea.]

That is a rather fascinating machine. How does it work?

[See how he is totally ignoring that ugly sweater thing, Shiro? he is totally ignoring that ugly sweater thing.]

[padadin]

[Ignoring is allowed... for now. Being in the same room is already a big success, considering Biffy's reaction as precedent.]

It's a battle cruiser, a spaceship similar to the very ship you're in now. She got downsized when she was brought here. My arm is connected to her so I can pilot her with my mind.

[ video ] /walks in late with starbucks

[universal_charm]

_{[ He's glad to see you back, Shiro, but... ]}

I think I need intensive therapy. And laser eye surgery.

_{[ Just - why Shiro? WHY? ]}

[padadin]

[Totally innocent smile over here!]

I take it you won't accept the challenge, then?