video ;; action for Lion House

[shiro2hero]

So... what'd I miss?

[What's up TAB network, it's your friendly neighborhood spaceman out of hospital after a disaster mission to that hellscape planet. Looking halfway decent -- surely those circles under his eyes are normal and, you know, right arm in a sling is fine. Totally okay.]

[Managing the TAB is a little difficult since he's got a bag full of armor slung over his good shoulder but oops. Oh well.]

Anything I need to get updated on? New faces or issues?

[On his feet and already trying to leap back into work. Good going buddy.]

For anyone I've missed, I'm Shiro -- and if anyone out there knows the name "Voltron", let me know.

[Because if Hunk showed up while he was out, others might have too.]

[After making that little announcement, he'all continue on to the Lion House in the 5th district. And probably stand in the front walk for a minute to brace himself before marching on inside.]

Comments

[shiro2hero]

... Pidge used her bayard on Lance on a regular basis. She gets angry, she lashes out, and she moves on. It happens.

[Because, yes. He can absolutely believe Pidge punched him. But if she were holding a grudge, he'd have heard about that by now.]

Besides, I told you. It was my choice. You can't take responsibility for something I decided to do.

[Allura... though... Allura he doesn't know how to explain. He can't imagine she's thrilled with him, either. Would she see it as a waste of her own sacrifice? If he kept throwing himself into fights, here? He just asks, after a long pause:]

Have you asked her?

[Knowing her, it's one surefire way to find out a definitive answer.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

So I've heard. I guess where I come from, breaking someone's nose means something different.

[Darin doesn't answer Shiro right away. Instead, he takes his seat again and clasps his hands on the table, fiddling with his thumbs.]

...No. I haven't.

I'm afraid to.

[He lowers his head in frustration as he answers, his voice meek. Tired.]

[shiro2hero]

Well, from where Pidge comes from, it means she's mad, but as long as she's still talking to you... she'll forgive you.

[He should know, right? If she can forgive him for having left her brother behind...]

You should.

It's better to clear the air, then sit here wondering. I... I can promise you that. [He shakes his head, looking at him directly.] Talk to her. Try to.

It's more than I've been able to do.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Heh...that's easy for you to say. Really.

Before all this happened we...I don't know.

We were talking. Just...y'know, talking. And I started to feel like maybe I was...

Well, no maybes about it; I was wrong about her. Yeah we still argue but...I don't know. I can relate to her. I think.

I don't know. There was progress. I was trying.. I thought maybe I'd finally stopped looking like such a...

[He wrestles with words and grunts in annoyance and frustration. This was a hell of a lot easier when he just hated her arbitrarily, but here he was wondering what she thought about all of this.]

[He stands and starts to pace.]

It's easier to just assume she hates me. I'd rather just think that and not have to hear it. And I know that makes me a coward but...

But...I don't know. I deserve it. I know in some capacity I deserve it.

[He realizes how many times he's said "I don't know" and just turns to Shiro with a helpless shrug. He's lost right now.]

[shiro2hero]

No, Darin. It's not easy for me to say. There's... things I need to talk with her about, too. Things I'm not ready to -- I might never be ready to.

[Most of them involving guilt. And most of them he doesn't know how to say without coming off as ungrateful. That he's angry with her. When he doesn't even know really what he is.]

[But back to the real problem.]

I'm glad you tried. I really am. [Then he shakes his head. Still direct. Still honest.] You don't.

I really can't think of why you would. People make mistakes -- and don't you say this is because of whatever it is in your head.

Don't be me. Don't take the easy way out and ignore it. You're better than that. And if she's angry with you, then figure out how to fix it.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Better than you? Either you're flattering me or your still loopy from the painkillers.

Speaking of, you're gonna get a kick out of the things you said.

[He laughs and takes his seat, a little more relaxed.]

Why are dealing with Princesses such a pain?

[He says this with a lopsided grin, a teasing tone in his voice]

You'd think two guys like us would be capable of talking to one without turning into a jabbering mess.

[shiro2hero]

Be better. I'm not on anything right now.

... Lucio said something about cookies.

[But at least Hunk is actually here and he didn't hallucinate that.]

[He shrugs his good shoulder at the question.]

It's... complicated, on my end. She's in charge of us. And... well. I told you why.

[Yeah see he owes her big time. He sort of blurted that out during the last argument between them he'd witnessed.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Oh believe me, there's more than just that.

[Darin just lazily drops his chin into his hand.]

...You know, I think if we just talk to her like a person and not as a Princess and a leader...I think she'd really appreciate that.

[shiro2hero]

... More than the cookies?

[Way to make him Concerned, Darin.]

I know. I know she would, and I agree, that's best. But... there's... things I don't know how to say to her. No matter how I bring it up.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Definitely more than just cookies.

...Why not just start with...'thank you?'

You said it yourself, you owe her your life. Complicated or not, she's just like the rest of us. Maybe instead of apologizing for 'not being good enough' thanking her for being there could get the conversation going.

[shiro2hero]

Great. Do I... want to know?

[No, Shiro. You don't.]

I don't know. [He takes a moment to push his good hand through his hair.] It feels inadequate, I guess. Like just 'thank you' isn't enough for what she did.

Maybe that's stupid. I don't know.

[You said that already.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Yeah but...the way I see it? Before she's a princess, she's a girl. She's gotta be close to our age, right? Twenty two? Twenty three?

[shiro2hero]

... try over ten thousand. You'll be closer.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! WHAT?!

[shiro2hero]

She's over ten thousand years old.

... most of that was in stasis, but. Still.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Holy crow no wonder she's like the crankiest person in space!

[shiro2hero]

... did you just say--

[No, that's less important.]

She's not the crankiest person in space. Weren't you just saying you wanted to start treating her like a normal person?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Yeah but then I found out she was a fossil.

All joking aside though? I'll bet you a thousand sencs that just thanking her would go far.

I kind of...get how she feels. Like I said, we talked. And I know maybe I'm not everyone's go-to guy for advice? But I think maybe you should trust me on this.

[shiro2hero]

I swear, if I find out you said that to her face, I will ground you.

[Somehow. Don't ask him how.]

[He blows out a breath, ruffling that dumb puff of white hair.]

Glad to hear she was taking my advice... I told her to talk to people. Get some things out.

I'll think about it.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Actually, she joined me on a tanglesnake hunting job. At first I was just antagonizing her to get me to leave me the hell alone but...

...In the end, I kind of liked having her around. It was...different.

...Nice.

...And if I find out you told her that I will make my personal mission to drive you to drink.

[shiro2hero]

...



She changed shape, didn't she.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...


How'd you know.

[shiro2hero]

Because. It's...



It's nice. When she does that.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...




I agree.

Subject change?

[shiro2hero]

Sure.



You want to talk about baseball?