And for a family, I guess that makes me some kind of space uncle?

[somekindofspaceuncle]

 

[Thread continuations. To avoid unnecessary captchas. And for new threads, too. Feel free to hit up with anything if we already threaded. Or even if we didn't, I'll reply if I've seen you around./ ]

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from 'two truths and a lie', with Shiro (everaegis)

[making_sacrifices]

Everyone in the Castle ship is still shocked, understandably so.

Lotor has to be persuaded that there's not going to be any killing done here right now, no matter what he thinks about Haggar and her puppets, because no one here is a puppet, as far as the Paladins are concerned.

Lance blames himself for not realising anything sooner. After all, Shiro had tried to tell him something, in the Voltron mindspace, and Kuro had tried to tell him, about not feeling like himself or whatever.

And they'll definitely have to explain everything to Keith when he gets back - he's on the Blade of Marmora mission right now.

They restrain Kuro just in case, though no one's happy about doing that. But they have to be ready for anything.

And then Allura, looking resolute and determined, touches Kuro's forehead. She can explain more later, but right now, she knows, she feels, what she can do. There's Haggar's Quintessence lurking inside this man, assaulting him, making him prone to listen to Haggar's commands. A forced connection almost from beginning of Kuro's existence. Allura manages to extract Haggar's quintessence.

What everyone else except Allura sees is just Allura touching Kuro, Kuro glowing, and then... his eyes are suddenly back to normal colour again. Kuro takes a deep breath, blinks rapidly, and then looks around quickly, in a mixture of utter confusion and fear, it seems.

"Don't be afraid, Haggar can't reach you now," Allura tells him. "You're safe."

Kuro for a second stops trying to look over everyone as if to check if they're real or hallucinated, and tries to focus on Allura.



"Allura...? I- I had nightmares... I--- need to know if I didn't hurt Shiro...! The real one..."

Kuro's breath hitches, and he's clearly in an utter panic now. The memories are coming back to him. All the memories.

"Shiro can tell you everything, if he's ready to," the princess replies calmly. "We don't even know the whole situation yet, so you can ask him. All I can say is that you're on our side, and you've been fighting very hard for us. Your spirit has been fighting for us the whole time. And it's still ready to do so. I didn't know about your battle. Thank you. You can rest a little."

Kuro seems to relax slightly at that, at least. And he at least seems slightly less confused. Very slightly. However, he doesn't seem ready to do any resting any time soon. Maybe still trying to sort through everything that happened. Looks at Shiro now. To make sure he didn't do anything to Shiro.

Lance was leaning closer to Kuro now, to apologise, and to take restrains off, but now Lance's not sure now's the right time, so he waits.

[everaegis]

It’d been more than strange to find himself retuning back to scenes he knew from Kuro’s memories yet had never “felt” like he personally experienced them himself. Of course, knowing what he did of things to come, Shiro couldn’t help but feel a surge of dislike for Lotor. Never having actually met the prince, he still knew what the man would do… did… one of those. Kuro hadn’t been himself during that time either. Kidnapping Lotor and then challenging Keith and everything else that led up to Allura fusing Shiro’s mind with his clone’s body. But just because he knew the future didn’t give him a right to change this one, so he forced himself to deal with it and keep his mouth shut. Try to smooth things over as best he can while he’s there.

Shiro knows this is only temporary. Eventually they’ll have to find a way to return him to his own timeline. But for now, he has no complaints about being here in this one. It gives him a chance to help all over again. Shiro stays by the Paladins as they work, going along with what they decide and only giving his opinion when he feels it’s safe to. From binding his brother to Allura’s work on removing the mental link Haggar’s created between herself and Kuro. Shiro gets to watch this time as she works, wondering if this was what it looked like when the Altean princess fused his consciousness with his cloned body. He knows she can do it, but he still stays beside Kuro for the time being, holding his hand even while he’s unconscious.

When Kuro finally comes to, Shiro keeps his hand in his, firm and warm but not locking him there if he jerks away. “It’s all right,” he offers as well, hoping to give Kuro another voice he recognizes. Even if it’s just his own. The confusion and fear on his face are expected, but he wants to be there in case they overwhelm. There’s a warmth in his chest when Kuro’s first concern is whether or not Shiro’s okay, though he has to sigh silently when he’s dubbed “the real one” in front of everyone else. Not exactly a fact he can run away from, but not one he wants to be referred to. Even if their lives are now and forever going to be “original” and “clone” because of who they are. He’ll simply have to get used to it.

“I’m okay, Kuro. I’m right here.” Shiro hope they can avoid a major panic attack or breakdown, but understands if either happens. He’s not sure what he’s filling the other man in on, but assumes it’s going to be their time in the station. If Haggar had been in control that entire time, despite Kuro’s fighting, then it’s probably not expected the other man remembers much of any of it. Shiro leans over him and looks down at his face, showing him he’s there and unharmed. “I’m proud of you. You never gave up.” He squeezes the man’s hand, offering a soft smile. When Lance apologizes and then makes to remove the restraints, Shiro nods, figuring it’d be the next best thing to do. Give Kuro his freedom. Let him make his own decisions from here on out.

He is in quite a difficult state of mind, Kuro is. Of course he'd jump at a possibility of

[somekindofspaceuncle]

[possibly righting the wrongs, in some sense, when an ally suggests... / ]




Lance has already hugged Shiro, whether Shiro wanted it or not, and he hopes Shiro wanted it just as much, when Shiro and Shi----Kuro (with Kuro with these strange eyes, and suddenly smirking at Lance like in some slasher movie, making him very uncomfortable) came home. (The Castle of the Lions was a home away from home.)

Lance wasn't the only one who hugged. Despite the strange situation.

He hoped Shiro - the not Kuro one - would get how sorry Lance was for not doing more, not listening more carefully (could he have?) in that magical weird space place in Lions.

Lance hasn't hugged Shi---- Kuro yet, though, since all the revelations. So he hugs Kuro now. Hunk seems ready to join. Pidge glances at Shiro instead, first, as if asking permission. Allura doesn't move yet, observing. Gently, as if everything was delicate right now.

"I'm not Shiro," Kuro says, when Lance unbinds him. "Lance, you don't understand. I'm not Shiro."

"I get you, Sh-- Kuro," Lance replies. "I'm not Shiro, either. I tried to have an affair with Black, but was soundly rejected, that's how nonshiro I am. It's a heavy burden, I know."

Lance smiles a little. This is all still weird and overwhelming, but he's trying.

"But I look like Shiro," Kuro whispers.

"I've been told I look like Matt," Pidge says, suddenly. "Do I look like Matt?"

Kuro stares, then utters, "Only a little! You're...you, Pidge!"

And then he stares, bewildered, again, as his thoughts catch up to his words.

Then Kuro turns to Shiro for.... support....? And asks,

"It's not like Pidge looks like she's a carbon copy of Matt! And this is all... not about the looka! Tell them, they don't understand the dangers, tell them how dangerous I am, I don't... I don't..."

And then he's crying. In Lance's shoulder. Oops.

"He says he's dangerous," Lotor, in the same room as everyone, but currently hanging back, says. "And he was made by Haggar, wasn't he? If everything is clear now, can I kill him? We can call that an execution. For treason."

Kuro tries to stop crying, and glances over at the prince.

"I guess that makes sense,"

Kuro says, clearly, even though he is free now, or perhaps because of it, in current state of mind, prone to agree with a suggestion that he, Kuro, should be executed.

The other Paladins stare at Kuro now, as if he just said the most absurd thing possible.

Then Hunk says,

"Allura, Shiro, Lance, hey, can anyone tell Kuro that he's not getting executed no matter what he says??!? That's not even a question!"

Kuro shakes his head at that, and whispers, "No, Lotor's right. I'm a traitor. I, I don't quite remember, but I'm sure I'm a traitor. That feels like it's true. Tell them, Shiro."

Kuro glances at Shiro. Expectant? Wary? Resigned? Trusting in whatever verdict he might hear, having appointed Shiro a supreme judge of Kuro's crimes of not-being-shiro, it seems? All that and more.

"Keith is my leader, but until Keith is here, and he's not here right now so I can't answer to him, until then, Shiro is the acting leader and will decide my fate," Kuro whispers.

Yes. Really.

He's tense. He doesn't yet seem to know that Haggar, Honerva, can't take over him right now.

"E-execution might seem-- logical. But that's up to Shiro.", Kuro adds, pushing words out, even as it's...

Obvious that he is scared.

2/2 it's still morning here, heh...xD

[somekindofspaceuncle]

But, despite all that, it feels wonderful to hear that his... brother...? Says he's proud of him.

Despite the fear, Kuro also feels immensely grateful. But he's not saying anything about that. Or that he's grateful to Lance for the hug, one that, despite Lance hugging Kuro briefly, Kuro doesn't reprocicate at all, not knowing if he should.

Let Keith and Lance and Allura and true Shiro decide, Kuro thinks.

(Yes, he knows Keith's not back yet. The principle remains.)

He looks at Shiro. What's the verdict?

[everaegis]

Of course he hugged Lance back, as welcoming and enjoying in it as he always did. It felt good to have his friends back with him again, felt good to physically hold them and know they were there. Yes, he tried to calm things down when they arrived. The fact there were two Shiro’s standing there, one of them with that slasher smirk and the other with a new arm and white hair. He couldn’t explain much—didn’t explain much—and said he’d answer those questions later. But he spent some personal time with Lance, wanting the other young man to know he wasn’t angry with him. Held him close and told him it was okay. Things were going to be okay, they were okay. He hadn’t been there in his world to accept that apology in person, but would do so now. And when it’s over, he stands back and watches the others react.

“Lance…” Shiro sighs at the way the Cuban puts it. Tsk, have an affair with Black. Seriously. Oh well. Lance would always be Lance. The eternal romantic. The way he comforts Kuro and tries to alleviate some of his fears is appreciated and admirable. The way they all come together and try to affirm Kuro’s difference from Shiro and his own person is heartwarming and there’s little Shiro can do but smile gently at the sight. It means a lot to him they’re accepting his brother.

When Kuro turns to him for support, Shiro moves over to stand beside him and rests a hand on his shoulder. Even as Kuro cries on Lance. “It’s okay, Kuro. They know the dangers. But those dangers are one now. Allura severed your link to Haggar. You’re not a danger to anyone anymore.” Unless he chooses to be of his own volition. Which would be helpful of that choice aims Kuro at their enemies. Just like the rest of them. As for the “I’m not Shiro” protest, well… he’ll have to talk to him later about twins and stuff like that. Which is how he’s looking at it. Something for another time, when Kuro’s not flustering in emotions right now.

Shiro turns a harder look at Lotor when the Galra hybrid speaks up. “So were you,” the Black Paladin reminds Lotor firmly. “On both accounts.” Because Lotor is dangerous and he’s said so himself. And in the technical sense, Haggar ‘created’ Lotor simply be the proxy of being his mother, while Zarkon influenced how the boy was raised into a man. There are more things he’d like to say to the prince, but forces himself to keep his mouth shut for the same reasons as he’s not saying anything else about the future. This has to play out at least similar to how it did in his world.

“No one’s killing anyone. If you have a problem with that, Lotor, you can take it up with me.” And promptly clenches his fist, the blue glow at his shoulder brightening slightly in a not-so-veiled threat. Touch him, and I’ll break you.

[somekindofspaceuncle]

The still very new Emperor glares at Shiro now. At this man he thought he knew, but apparently has never met before. Yet another time when Haggar would, so to speak, in a way, manipulate reality, at least as far as Lotor was concerned. Yet every Paladin, right now, Princess Allura included, seemed downright accepting of having been deceived?! So he glares, and...

Allura comes up to Lotor, takes his hand in his, and whispers something to him. He seems to relent.

"You all know how to contact me. It's just not useful nor pleasing to stay here and talk to a puppet of Haggar's," Lotor says, and leaves. Allura follows him, apparently ready to explain more to Lotor. Coran follows them.

Everyone else stays.

Kuro looks at Shiro, who apparently decided that Kuro doesn't deserve a death sentence, anytime soon. That's a relief. So much so that he relaxes a bit more and won't be stiff and unresponsive at any displays of affection now.

And he also tries to think of the situation right now. Coupled with all that he now suddenly knows, remembers, tries to process...

"Haggar," Kuro says, with a grimace, "is Lotor's mother and wants to see him, nowadays. Wants to see her son, more than anything. So she was watching him."

"Haggar is Honerva?" Pidge asks. "That makes sense. Although Lotor said that's impossible."

"Enough about Lotor! Hey," Lance says, turning to Shiro now, "I don't know what happened, but why are we ignoring that Kuro seems to think he, Kuro I mean, is a criminal? He's not!"

Lance turns back to Kuro, and says, loudly, "You're not. You never attacked any of us. What, you accidentally had some contact with Haggar? It's not like you wanted to!"

"Makes you think of mermaids' kingdom, right?" Hunk asks.

"We're NOT telling him about mermaids' kingdom, Hunk, there are things better left forgotten," Lance replies.

"Should I be wary of mermaids??" Kuro asks, confused. He then yawns, despite himself. The whole ordeal was very taxing on him, though not as much as it could've been, he is sure. Somewhere, deep down, he could feel that Allura was as gentle as possible. Still, he's exhausted. But he doesn't want to sleep. Maybe he just wants to be --- sure, of everything... before he sleeps.

It's impossible to be sure of everything.

Meanwhile, Pidge asks Shiro if Shiro's alright. Because Shiro surely has been through things, too, so Pidge is worried now. (She might even contact Matt later. Later. Right now is still time for the paladins to get understanding on this whole situation, first.)

"I'm not a criminal?" Kuro asks, after a few more seconds, outloud, but barely audibly, asking seemingly no one in particular.

Maybe he's just musing aloud.

Hunk tells him he'd have to have done some crimes.

Kuro was almost smiling, but now, he almost sighs.

"Attempted murder of Shiro when we were on the station," Kuro says. He looks at Shiro for... confirmation? Reaction? He might barely know what he's looking for.

Hunk, Lance, and Pidge gasp at that.

Kuro flinches. Right, there was that, even if he barely remembers... even so... there was. Memories are coming back to Kuro, now, still. Allura did something, he's sure, inside him, and now, memories are coming back. No, not coming back, that's not right - It's more as if something shone light at memories that were hidden and disconnected. Perhaps it had to be done, maybe a side effect of throwing Honerva's traces out.

"I'm glad I didn't kill him. You." Kuro adds, changing from talking about Shiro in third person to talking directly to him about him.

And then winces, because how does that even sound, to others?? He didn't think.

What sort of person even says such a thing?

Still...

"I'm glad I'm not dangerous anymore. If I ever am again, please..."

Kuro thinks back, on everything. He remembers more now than he ever has in his life, before.

"If I'm ever dangerous to any of you, just, if that hapoens, get rid of me."

"But if I'm safe--"

He yawns again. Sorry. Exhaustion.

Let me stay, he wanted to say. But perhaps, everyone knows, already.

[everaegis]

Shiro returns the glare. It’s strange to face the man who betrayed so many, from his friends to the Alteans to his own race, and yet despite all that history, never actually met him. He has Kuro’s memories from the time spent with Lotor, knows all about how the man works and the lies he’s spun. He can even see how he’d become friends with Lotor. The man is charismatic to an impressive degree. But unfortunately, knowing what his plans are and who he is on the inside, Shiro feels nothing but loathing for him. It takes supreme effort not to spill everything he knows. And puts the time-displaced Black Paladin in a very strange moral dilemma. He’ll have to deal with that on his own later. “Goodbye, Lotor.” How he wanted to retort something else when the Galra hybrid threw that barb at them. Lotor’s one to talk about puppets of Haggar…

At least the removal of his presence makes things easier for Shiro. For now. He looks back at Kuro, the firmness in his expression mirroring his resolve in his eyes. He made his choice and has no regrets over it. It’s the right choice to make and if he has the way to, he’ll save as many of the other clones as possible. But that’s an issue he and Kuro can tackle in the future. Seeing Kuro relax like that just reaffirms Shiro’s choice.

“It’s not impossible,” Shiro offers to Pidge, backing up his brother’s claim. “Lotor doesn’t know much of his family beyond what they want him to know. He’s as much a pawn to Zarkon and Haggar as he thinks they are to him. He is their son. And Haggar—Honerva—still has plans for him. Out of loyalty to Zarkon, herself, or some remaining love in her heart, I don’t know.”

The firmness in his tone fades a little when Lance launches into his own tirade to defend Kuro. It brings a small smile to his face. Good boy, Lance. “I think we’re all in agreement there,” he offers, looking from Lance to Kuro to tell the both of them that thought process is the one he’s supporting all the way. A small laugh rumbles in his chest at mentions of the mermaids’ kingdom. Yeah… something the Blue Paladin will never live down. Thanks, Hunk. He turns to Pidge next when she addresses him. “I’m fine, Pidge. Just a little tired from the event. We had a hard time getting out of that station.”

When Kuro’s question and Hunk’s innocent comment end up troweling the dirt again, so to speak, Shiro exhales in a tired manner. He knows Kuro has a lot of misplaced guilt to work through. Those feelings are still shared between them and Shiro’s been up plenty of times at night, trying—and sometimes failing—to convince himself he’s not at fault for the things Haggar forced his clone to do. Yet they sit in his mind as if he did them himself, from the memories through his eyes to the words coming out of his mouth. Every one of them he feels in his chest like he’d committed them personally; they are one and the same with him, part of him forever. There’s no separating them. The merger was seamless. For better and for worse.

Of course… this does raise the issue of “himself” in this timeline. The original Shiro still trapped within the Black Lion’s consciousness. They need to get him out as well. Shiro can’t stand in for himself in this timeline forever. It’s… a head-hurting quandary, that’s for sure. Again, something they can deal with later.

“Haggar took control of Kuro and we fought,” he explains to the other Paladins. Then to his brother. “You’re not to blame for that anymore than I am for providing the cells to create you.” Just going to try and nip that guilt in the bud before it grows too far out of control. Kuro and Shiro—neither of them had a choice in what Haggar forced them to do. And thus, neither of them should be held accountable for it. Shiro’s not blaming Kuro and he's going to do his best to keep the other man from blaming himself. No matter how many times he has to keep repeating the same logic. (Because he knows damn well how hard it is to accept his own advice.)

Shiro rests a hand on Kuro’s shoulder. “You aren’t a danger to us. You won’t be. I trust you. And Allura.” He offers a small squeeze to comfort him, then looks to the other Paladins. “Thank you, all of you, for taking care of him for all this time. I never got to say that to you before.”

1/2

[somekindofspaceuncle]

Kuro leans into Shiro's touch. Now that he knows that he's not getting capital punishment (if he was, if his friends, no, his family, felt that was deserved, he'd agree and wouldn't try to defend himself, really, but, honestly, he was glad he was being given a chance to live despite everything), he's more open to touch, not that he didn't crave it moments ago, too, it's just - he thought it'd have been weird. It'd have been as if he was pleading for mercy, when he wasn't.

Now, however, is different. Now that he already knows everyone (except Lotor, and well, Lotor is Lotor, when it comes to all things Haggar, of course it's hard for Lotor to yield, that's alright) surely tolerates Kuro being alive, Kuro's open to touch again.

Starved for it, really, even though it hasn't been long, but the 'nightmare' - no, memories - make it seem longer, to his feelings.

Yes, so... he now wishes he returned Lance's hug. He'll next time.

And he wishes Keith would return soon. Very soon. He really wanted to see him.

Though - that posed its own problems. Keith was... Shiro was like a brother to Keith, long before all other paladins were. What if Keith doesn't accept Kuro? Considers him a fake, considers him someone who put a stop to the search for Shiro, who messed everything up?

Because, actually... wasn't that true? Kuro didn't do it deliberately, he fully thought and believed he was Shiro, but still, he's done all that, hasn't he??

Surely Keith would hate him now.

Kuro looks down, but he's NOT going to share those thoughts.

"Zarkon's dead, Lotor killed him, so it's not like there's any loyalty to Zarkon left," Hunk remarks, and Lance, Pidge, and Kuro all nod.

"She wants to see her son," Kuro says, slowly, as if recalling something very, very distant, and at least remembering Haggar pulls his thoughts away from own life matters, from the matter of Keith and all the feelings, so, there's that; and it's hard to recall Honerva, but it's possible, now that Allura's cleared his mind, "ever since she's remembered that he's her son. Because she's Honerva, but she's also not Honerva. Since the Rift. And-- that makes sense. That's what was in her thoughts. Of course, she wants to use him, too, but that's not all. She remembered Lotor being her son, so she now tries to be Lotor's mother. In ways she knows. Which are... not good, I'm sure."

Lance protests that this doesn't really makes sense, that about Haggar being and not being Honerva, either somebody is someone or they're not!

"No, it makes perfect sense, what doesn't make sense is your failure to understand basic things! You're lucky that no one here punishes for that," Kuro replies, irritated now, wondering why Lance doesn't get it. It makes perfect sense to him right now, so he doesn't get why it wouldn't to everyone, and he's now irritated. It makes perfect sense. For a long time, Honerva lived without certain memories of the past, and then she had them again. And memories make difference in life, so... What doesn't make sense about that? Anyone should understand that much, surely!

He tries not to see Lance flinching. Maybe he shouldn't have said...

Alright, enough thinking about Haggar, he decides, as that's just irritation all around.

He looks down when Shiro informs others of their fight.

Now they will surely despise him. He grits his teeth and looks away, readying himself for any fallout.

Maybe they'll rescind the don't-kill-Kuro decision now. He hoped not, but really, wouldn't they be in the right even if...?

Kuro wanted to live, really wanted to live, even after remembering everything, but he'd agree to whatever decision all the paladins would make.

When Shiro thanks others for taking care of Kuro, Kuro's not sure what to say, really. He wants to thank them, too, but it all feels, to a part of him, like he was accidentally commiting some longterm awful deception. Pretending to be Shiro, to them, in order to have a place in the world, when in truth, back then, there was no place for Kuro, no place apart from the whole Operation Kuron that gave birth to him. The examinations, the tests, everything in the facility and then on the ship... awful places to be, really.

And then there were paladins - whom he accidentally deceived, didn't he?

No, he thinks. No, in my memories, I was Shiro, I didn't know better, so I didn't lie to them, not once. It's true, and he can repeat that to himself, no matter how many times, he still feels as if---

2/2

[somekindofspaceuncle]

Hunk suddenly hugs Kuro.

"I tried to kill Lance, once," Hunk says. "Only it wasn't really me, and I had no idea what was going on when I came to, would've no idea if Lance didn't tell me. And you know me, so you know I'm not lying if I tell you about monster that messed with everyone's heads."

"Yeah!" Lance pipes in, sounding more confident now, despite Kuro's outburst later, because when it comes to the mermaids' kingdom, he's pretty sure about all the details. "Quite a nasty thing. All the rebels thought the queen was at fault, but she wasn't, the monster messed with her head, too."

Hunk nods.

And then Lance proposes to declare, forever, that no one blames anyone for ever accidentally having monsters in their heads if they didn't ask for it.

Kuro chuckles a bit at that, after a moment of surprise, and then says, smiling softly, "Shut up, you're terrible. Thanks."

In a moment, he looks serious serious again, but he leans much closer closer to Lance and Hunk, ready to allow himself a comfort of having a family again.

Hunk beckons, to Lance, Kuro, Pidge, and Shiro, that it's high time for a group hug, really.

[everaegis]

Shiro relaxes further as Kuro responds like that. Part of him continues to wonder if the other man will eventually flinch from his touch. He has reason to, as much as he has reason to not. It could go either way. But now, feeling him lean like that, it puts his mind a little more at ease. There’s a part of him that wants to encourage Kuro to pull himself away from the group and go take a rest. He’s been through a lot. From the event on the station to fighting Honerva to being cut free from the witch’s mental control to all the questions and life worthiness he’s dealing with right now. Those yawns, smothered and not, are pretty indicative of the other man’s state. It’s only Shiro feeling that Kuro connecting and being supported by the other Paladins right now is really important to stabilize him that keeps him from firmly escorting his brother off for said rest.

“Lotor killed Zarkon?” Wait what? Shiro pauses at the comment from Hunk, but then the memories come flying back and he waves a hand to tell everyone it’s okay. Right. He’d been trapped in the Black Lion when that happened. Only got the bits and pieces from the conversations before getting the entire story when he merged with his clone in his time. “Sorry. I remember.” Before any of them decide to jump in and give him the story. He knows. Right now, there’s more important things than rehashing. While Shiro can agree that Lotor might say he’s not loyal to Zarkon, there are elements of the late Emperor that live on in his son, whether Lotor wants to admit those aspirations or not. As the future will inevitably prove…

Shiro starts when Kuro suddenly goes from struggling with his thoughts to barking at Lance. He rubs the man’s shoulder, giving it a few pats. “Hey, hey… easy, Kuro.” He frowns at the other man, not liking seeing Lance flinch like that. The memories of his clone—himself—snapping at the Blue Paladin another time still weigh heavily in his chest. “That was uncalled for.” Not everyone got the existential messes behind other people’s split psyches. Calling Lance out for it like that was both hurtful and rude. “Things like that aren’t “basic” to most people.” Just because it makes sense to Kuro doesn’t mean it makes sense to everyone he talks to. Haggar and Honerva aren’t a set of original and clone to make things easier to understand. It’s a lot more complicated with her.

He looks to Lance. “Honerva lost her memories a long time ago as her personality warped due to the Quintessence poisoning. She forgot almost everything about herself and began calling herself Haggar, becoming the witch. Now she’s starting to remember her lost past, waking “Honerva” back up. In that sense, she’s two personas: the amnesiac witch, Haggar, and her original self, Honerva. That’s what Kuro means by Haggar is and isn’t Honerva. Just like a mask is and isn’t your face. So long as you wear it, the mask is your face, since that’s all people see or know you as, even if it’s not your true face.” Similar to how some people got by on aliases and false identities. Hopefully that helps Lance clear things up for him. If it doesn’t, Shiro’ll gladly help talk him through it later if he likes.

But there’s no hiding his surprise when Hunk abruptly opens up with that story. For a few seconds, Shiro stares at him and Lance in confusion, until he remembers the mermaid kingdom the two of them went to. Right… that mess. He doesn’t offer comment, since the two Paladins are doing well enough explaining and Lance doesn’t really like not being in control of the story details. Some embarrassing moments happened in there; he’s sure of it. But won’t pry because it’s not his place. That’s up to Lance. He smiles in approval at the proclamation, only to scoff a little when Pidge adds her normal sarcastic unless they asked for it dry wit. Well… can’t argue with that either…

That’s when Kuro leans in and Hunk’s inviting them all in, so Shiro steps forward and includes himself in the embrace. Kuro in the middle because he’s who needs it most. “It’s great to see you all again. There are some things I still need to explain. But they can wait,” he offers after a few long moments of enjoying the hug. “Right now… I think Kuro could use some rest.”

Hey. I happen to have a break in work rn, and doing various tags. :)

[somekindofspaceuncle]

The hug is mutual all around. Kuro, in a whisper, apologises to Lance, because it's true, he shouldn't have snapped. At all. And he mutters, quietly enough that maybe only Lance and whoever else might be closest might hear, "I'm just, not very much used to being completely and only me, yet, whoever that might be. I'm really sorry."

"Yes, you need to tell us things! Wait, if Kuro's the one who's been here all this time, Shiro, and not you, then, where have you been?? Captured somewhere, or-- I don't even know???" Pidge asks, with confusion giving in to serious concern.

Truth is, to Pidge, since finding the Green Lion and then over time, slowly, Shiro's become sort of like another big brother, though of course never as important as Matt, too.

"But where coul you have been, that we've never heard a thing about you-" Pidge continues, until she trails off. "Wait. You are actually here right now, you're not some hologram or something, Shiro-- no, you're not, we hugged."

She's relieved.

And then Lance registers Pidge's question and Lance's attention turns back to Shiro.

(What, he had some relationship bumps with Kuro, don't blame him for concentrating on Kuro a bit, for now. But now, he actually thinks back to Shiro and all the implications.)

"You-- you've never played in the Voltron show, have you??" Lance asks.

Pidge shots him a look, but Lance doesn't seem ready to back down from asking.

It's not about the Voltron show at all, that's just, well, a measure of time, so to speak. An example of events past, that Shiro's apparently not been around for, as Paladins are now realising. Lance's realising how long Shiro hasn't been here. Which is a bad thing. Though, on the other hand, it's also realising how long Kuro's been here, which is a good thing, for Kuro's sake, and, quiznak, that's all complicated, and it's a good thing they're both here right now, to avoid any such further previously unknown dilemmas! But yeah, the only way he voices that, for now, is said question.

Kuro might understand the intent, at least, maybe, as he quickly nods and then says,

"Shiro's never been on the Voltron show, that's true. But, er, he can be on the next one if Coran ever makes another. Because..."

And Kuro turns to Shiro at that,

"Because, just so you know, people love you during those shows. Really. It's a bit weird and overwhelming, even, but, it's not bad, once you get used to it. Not bad at all."

And then... the matter of Kuro needing rest.

"I don't need rest. I'm rested."

To prove it, he tries to get up. He does so, but collapses, only not collapsing to the ground because Lance and Hunk quickly support him.

Hunk stares at him, and then asks, "Kuro, what are you so scared of?"

Apparently not even thinking of trying to lie, Kuro just replies, smiling softly because he's grateful for the concern, "Resting. Sleeping."

And then Kuro adds, "It's alright, I'm fine, I really am, I don't need to sleep yet. Right, Shiro? Tell them I don't need to sleep yet."

Kuro really needs to sleep soon, he's running purely on adreanaline now and that's almost over, he just doesn't yet accept that he'll take a nap sooner rather than later because his own body will force him to do so.

"I mean, I bet I don't need more than a few hours of sleep every night, it's just natural for me," Kuro adds.

He tries to make it sound like a guess, as if trying to make an impression, in order not to worry his friends that he sleeps soundly every night, normally, but the truth is, he's rarely slept for more than a few hours at a time for the whole time he's been alive so far.

"I'm fine, see?" Kuro says, as he manages to sit up, at least.

"Not to worry, you can cast all your fears away, young man!" Coran shouts, as he enters the room again. "Oh, Allura's with Lotor, she's explaining things to him. But I'm here, to make sure nobody hurts themselves! And that means you, Kuro, don't hurt yourself, you need to rest."

"Altean... lullaby?" Kuro asks, staring at Coran. "I'm not a child - I think."

Kuro now gives a look, a what do I do??? look, to all his paladin friends, well, paladin family really, including Shiro. What do?

"It'll make all your worries go away." Coran says. "My pop's lullabies are the best, for any child that's afraid to sleep because of storms and somesuch, I'd know."

Kuro smiles. Confused, but touched.

"They're probably full of Altean things I wouldn't understand, though, so it'd be wasted on me," Kuro says, next, apparently still not quite willing to rest. But touched. Really.

[everaegis]

Shiro feels better when Kuro apologizes. Sure, it’s supposed to be private, but trying to whisper to someone while everyone’s mushed together in a group hug is not the best way to keep something between two people. But he respects the attempt and thus doesn’t say anything or respond to it. As much as he’d like to give Kuro another encouraging squeeze on the shoulder. Nah, let him have his personal time. As the guy said, it’s a trying time where he’s adjusting to being himself and not whoever else someone wanted him to be.

He leans back from the embrace and gets a little distance again so they can all talk without being pressed so close. Only to blink at the question. Oh right… that. Where he’s been. It’s hard to hold back the truth from her, especially when she looks at him like that. But this crashes into another one of those “future” talks and he’s stuck, trying to figure out if he should explain something ahead of time or not. Memory serves correctly, the final battle with Lotor and the revelation of where “Shiro” has been this entire time isn’t too far off. Throwing something wrench-wise into this timeline could damage it.

Shiro frowns and rubs the side of his head. “That’s… sorry, Pidge, but I can’t remember where I’ve been all this time. I just remember the battle with Zarkon… and then waking up on that station where Kuro found me.” He feels bad for lying, but in the end, that’s just how it has to be for now. Until he and Kuro can work something out. The only way to set this entirely correct is to make his way to the laboratory station where Kuro fought Keith (even if that doesn’t happen this time), and retrieve another clone for the real Shiro of this time to inhabit. He can’t leave… well… himself, stuck alone and drifting in the Black Lion’s consciousness just because he happened to crash this timeline and free Kuro from his fate. Neither Kuro nor Shiro deserve to be trapped in any manner. It’s one hell of a dilemma.

Thankfully Lance is there to throw the topic in another direction and this time it’s Shiro’s turn to look confused. “The Voltron show?” Wait… wait… oooh, those memories are coming back. And so is that gut-dropping sensation because no thank you to that stuff. “Sounds amazing…” he deadpans under his breath. When Kuro talks about his popularity and getting used to weird and overwhelming, Shiro lifts both hands in a show of answer. “Ah, thanks. But I’ll… let you keep doing that, Kuro.” Anything Coran’s running is something he’s wary about jumping into. The man’s great and all, but ever since trying to play “food lion” with that stuff so early on, Shiro’s has reservations. And if Kuro’s hesitating, all the more reason to toss his brother under the proverbial bus and sit this experience out. Thanks for taking one for the family, bro.

Now they can focus on Kuro getting some rest. Which—and he’s not surprised to see this—his brother instantly rejects. And then practically falls over, though Lance and Hunk grab him before he hits the ground. Shiro sighs in relief and quiet exasperation. There’s more Keith in Kuro than Shiro. Then again, Shiro’s pretty stubborn about people wanting to take care of him too, so maybe it’s the same issue. They’re both stubborn and self-reliant and sacrificial. Kuro’s answer about his fears, however, surprise him. Because Shiro tends to be more reserved about his fears. He’s not sure he would’ve answered Hunk like his brother does. Even though that answer ends up kicking the Black Paladin in the heart. Dammit, Haggar… Even now she’s tormenting Kuro. And she’s not even connected to him anymore.

When Kuro turns to him for support, Shiro quietly shakes his head. “No, Kuro. You need to rest. You’re practically running on adrenaline right now. When it wears off, you’re going to crash hard.” And it won’t be pretty. He won’t argue about the “few hours of sleep a night” thing, because that’s true for both of them. But this isn’t a normal day or night or… whatever time it is right now. Not much day/night system out here in space.

Shiro jolts hard when the voice of eternal youth and exuberance blasts into the room. On the one hand, good that Allura’s trying to talk some sense into Lotor; on the other, Shiro doesn’t want the princess anywhere near that man. He’s going to have to talk to her privately. Unless Lotor blows his own cover early. Something for later because there’s a far more pressing emergency right now. And that’s the safety of Kuro’s ears and brain. The last thing he wants is his brother having “Hexus Plexus” blared through his brain in effort to get him sleeping. It drove him and Keith nuts in less than two minutes; it’s that bad. And yes, he’s grateful for Coran offering to tend to Kuro right now, but… no… just… no.

Shiro steps up beside Kuro and offers Coran a small smile. “Thanks, Coran. But I’d really like to help my brother fall asleep… a little more naturally this time.” Actual sleep. Not unconsciousness. Shiro rests his hand on Kuro’s shoulder again, offering a reassuring pat as he looks to him for agreement, then turns to face the other Paladins. “Sorry for cutting out so soon, guys. Forgive me?” He’ll catch up with each of them again later. Right now, Kuro needs to get some rest or else it’s going to be a wreck on his body’s state.

Kuro doesn't yet understand that no one will merge him with Shiro when Kuro is fully alive,

[somekindofspaceuncle]

[That is, with all that happened with magic of accidental time travel, Allura wouldn't do that to a now fully separate and conscious and not dying person, who is now Shiro only as much as he has copies of all Shiro's memories, but that's not quite the same. Not 100% identical person anymore, and also not dying./]



Kuro, barely awake now, because yes, he's close to crashing, nonetheless hears when Shiro replies to Pidge. And he frowns, because that's not truth, and why should he lie to Katie, er, Pidge, didn't.... didn't Shiro say he's in Black, that's why, that's ptobably why Kuro couldn't get into Black's consciousness, into the mindscape, that is. When everyone experienced that whole shared Lion mind space thingy, shared consciousness, 'Shiro'... Kuro.. had experienced nothing. Literally, which is worse than usual nothing. Back then, moments later, Lance helped him realise that, accidentally. Back then... Kuro was wondering npw, if...

Did Black Lion reject me going deeper because Shiro was already there, maybe? Or... did Shiro reject me?

He glances at Shiro. Maybe, at heart, Shiro never wanted to meet him. Never wanted him to live, probably, either, possibly considering him some kind of Galra produced abomination.

But it was different now, surely.

Still, Shiro was, as he said on the station, inside Black. Shiro's spirit was. And... and was going to use Kuro's body as his body, right? With possibly some part of Kuro surviving deep in Shiro's new memories.

But that all meant, for Kuro... death.... didn't it? He was going to die, in some near future, for Shiro.

Somehow, right now, Kuro didn't want that to happen. Was that too selfish of him? But for now he sleepily decides that if it HAS to happen, he'll ask Shiro for a bit more time. Because... he's very glad he got to see Lance, Pidge, Hunk, Allura, and Coran again, but also, he feels he doesn't want to die or even half die or whatever before seeing Keith again, even for a moment. And Shiro's been so understanding all day today, surely he'll grant Kuro that.

Right???

So, for now, there won't be a peep about Shiro's presence in Black Lion from Kuro's mouth, sure.

Maybe I'm too selfish. Shiro, in this time, needs to have a body, and I'm refusing him that...or maybe I'm just tired, of having to give up..., Kuro thinks.

Kuro wonders - maybe if he obeys Shiro, Shiro will let him live a bit longer. That would be nice.

So, when Shiro says Kuro needs rest, instead of protesting, Kuro nods, weakly, as he's almost falling asleep already. All other paladins smile at that, so that's great, too.

They... care. Truly. He's delighted at that. If he must leave them soon, he's at least really happy to see they might like him, even when he's no longer Shiro.

He'll have to thank them, and Coran, and of course, when he's back, Keith (no, he couldn't take for granted that Keith wouldn't be freaked out by his existence, he wasn't just Shiro anymore...) for that, before he will surely have to disappear for good, whenever the day comes when Shiro must be back. In this time.

He nods and tries to make a step, well, he can walk even that tired, but probably only with support. Or he might just fall down face first, otherwise.

Coran seems a bit disappointed that he won't get to sing Kuro best lullabies. Everyone else seems to side with Shiro's decision.

Kuro smiles tiredly, though it's now also tinged with melancholy and longing.

"I'll rest," Kuro says, making up his mind about something, tired as he is, "but only on condition that I can still wake up tomorrow."

"No one will blame you if you sleep for next week!" Lance says, missing the point, or rather, not knowing Kuro's point, but, despite that, almost making Kuro laugh.

Everything hasn't been fake. That's wonderful. Kuro wonders briefly, vaguely, if Lance can teach him how to sparkle.

What? Who wouldn't want to sparkle?

But he's never going to SAY that, that'd be too much.

Anyway...

No merging while he's asleep is what Kuro means, and he hopes Shiro gets that, and grants him that. Even if Shiro, in current time, apparently stuck in Black, surely has more right to live, probably, for many reasons (Kuro spent some of recent moments pondering that, a lot), surely a little delay wouldn't be the end of the world?

Meanwhile, other paladins tell Shiro that sure, they will talk later.

Kuro dozes off, because well, apparently he's run out of adrenaline for now. And maybe he also learned to trust Shiro enough that he trusts Shiro will grant him at least one more day of independent life, so it's okay to fall asleep right now. At home. With family.

Short or not, life could be... good... apparently. And then, he's completely asleep. Nightmares might begin soon, but they haven't yet. Dreamless sleep due to exhaustion.

[everaegis]

His lie to Pidge will be discussed later on. Shiro told Kuro of the truth earlier on simply because he didn’t know where in time they were. Or if they’d even remember anything of it once things moved forward. Does he regret telling the other man? No. But he’ll still want to talk to him at some point to explain some of his misgivings about just opening up about the future with no regard to what could happen.

As for the other aspect of Kuro fearing Shiro hated him and didn’t want him around, well… he doesn’t know how else to make his intentions any clearer. And since Kuro has all of Shiro’s memories, and up until recently had though he was Shiro in his entirety, he should know more than anyone else that Shiro doesn’t hate him. There are very few people that the Black Paladin actually hates. Though Sendak verges very close to that line… in the end, if the Galra had been lying wounded and about to fall to his death, Shiro would have attempted to help him. Might have taken the man begging for help, but he still would’ve reached for him. Haggar and Zarkon, on the other hand… That’s a question Shiro doesn’t really want to ask himself. All things said, however, Kuro should know that Shiro doesn’t hate easily. And certainly doesn’t hate him.

Regarding the other man’s potential death so as to house this time’s Shiro… Again, something Shiro will have to speak to Allura and Kuro about privately. He really doesn’t think Kuro runs any risk of being used for that purpose, now that he’s been freed from Haggar’s control and just started on his new life. But that also means they have to find some way to help Shiro from this time as well. The only way he can think to do that is to procure another clone body from the facility. One that hasn’t yet been activated beyond its normal biological functions. It won’t be easy and Shiro himself feels unnerved about going into that place, seeing so many of himself floating within the violet tanks, and then having to… “pick” one to be the host for his own consciousness from inside Black. Ugh, the idea even now is unsettling, but he’ll have to confront that later. Simply put, Kuro won’t be killed. No matter how many times Shiro has to tell that to his face to get him to maybe almost believe it.

But right now, Shiro’s quickly stepping forward and putting an arm around Kuro’s chest to keep him from falling onto his face, bodily swinging the other man to lean against him. “Okay, big guy. That’s enough excitement for you today.” Shiro gets that “condition” his brother says and part of him wants to heave a sigh and smack him for it. To think the guy still believes Shiro’s going to just sneak up and merge him without a word. Maybe some of that influence of Haggar is still sitting inside him, bringing those kinds of bitter thoughts. It’s disappointing, but Shiro can’t blame him for it. He lets the depressing statement slide and doesn’t rise to it. Kuro’s exhausted and his mind’s frazzled right now. He can be forgiven for having his emotions going all haywire for a while.

Mentally agreeing with Lance’s statement about leaving the other man to rest for as long as he needs, Shiro nods to the other Paladins. “We will. I promise.” Visiting with each one of them. With that, he… decides it’s easier to just scoop Kuro up bridal style and carry him that way, rather than try to get the sleeping man to ride on his back. He leaves the room, carrying his brother with a quiet expression on his face. So many things to think about and ask, plan and talk about, a future unsure and strange, but promising all the same. Walking the halls gives him time to think on a few things, some he wants to dwell on, some he doesn’t. It brings a sense of nostalgia around as well, since in his time, the Castle of Lions had been sacrificed to correct the ruptures in the universe Lotor’s mech had caused. He missed this place… even though he personally hadn’t set foot in these halls in a very long time. It feels strange, since he’d died before the ship was destroyed, but didn’t regain his physical form until after it was gone. Like walking through his own memories.

Even found his room without a problem.

Shiro deftly makes work of Kuro’s armor, but leaves it at that. Doesn’t want the other man waking up in a pair of boxers and nothing else. Awkward… He rests his brother on the bed and fetches a washcloth. Dampens it enough with cool water, then focuses on wiping his brow and face, cleaning the grime and sweat from it. It’s just something he can do for him while he sleeps. Afterwards, Shiro kneels by the side of his bed and rests his head on his folded arm, metal hand holding onto his brother’s. He promised he’d be here with him to watch over his sleep. And that’s exactly what he’s going to do. Even if he ends up falling asleep himself a few hours later.

from The ❤E X P A N D E D❤ Heart Meter Meme, with Ziggy (ziggyplayedguitar)

[somekindofspaceuncle]

[OOC: continued from here. /ooc]

"You win. You'd say something like this and there's no way I'd ever hurt you."

He'd stop himself somehow, he hopes.

Continued from the random questions meme, with Ziggy (ziggyplayedguitar).

[somekindofspaceuncle]

[OOC: continued from here. /ooc]


[They could both use some optimism, nothing wrong with that. Besides, Shiro's never believed in anything being forever, not quite, and so, neither had Hiroki, but--]

Yeah, but there's proof your dad must've been great at the flirting with aliens and all. After a time, at least.

[He chuckles awkwardly.]

[And begins the dance. He knows how to, after all, probably better than he knows how to joke. He knows how to dance, but he himself has never danced much, not really. He, not Shiro. So now he wants to dance with Ziggy.

And yes, closeness is good. To him, it's perfect. Like any touch that doesn't hurt or at least not much. And... like air.Like the sky, out there to learn, explore, be free out there, be alive, forever, feeling like forever, that is, even if just for a moment. (Oh, if anybody ever asked Hiroki, not that anybody would, about Shiro's innermost feelings on stuff like that, Hiroki'd never, ever share those with anybody. That stuff's Shiro's quiznaking private stuff, like, half the time Hiroki'd gladly pretend to forget that he remembers feeling all that.

So, yeah, like that, and also, relatedly... Like breathing. Like Ziggy, as well. And he's not sure for a moment whether he wants to lead or whether he wants to lead or whether Ziggy does, but surely he'll feel it in a moment, and adjust to whichever, so he's not awkward about that at all. No, there's just warm longing (and, if one looked deep inside, an inherent awkwardness of feeling just a tiny teeny bit like a fraud whenever he does familiar that'd be far less familiar if he had no memories of being Shiro- er, had no Shiro memories. But that's just deep inside now, and no longer overwhelming everything he does. Just slight background noise that he can now put aside, usually.

And if anybody ever asked him if he wants not to have twenty five years of real Shiro memories, frankly, Hiroki'd be extremely horrified and would never opt for that. Who'd he even be?! Definitely not who he is now. It's like, yeah, somebody could say most of Hiroki's life was, unknowingly until death, a three dimensional watching of an extremely detailed documentary movie and having thought he actually had lived it, but, well, so what?? It was fine, now, he didn't want that erased. He'd just like to add more and more moments of his own memories, now, thanks. If he's going to always remember these in as much detail as he remembers Shiro's, better than Shiro himself does, he knows from the man himself - well, then, can't wait to make more of his real own!]

So let's dance.]

If you think I'm so great at flirting with aliens, you must be mistaking me with your Dad or with Keith's Dad - now those are true masters. I'd bow to their authority.

Alright, maybe that wasn't the best joke. Don't tell Keith, he could think I'm making light of his parents or something.

[It might've been just a few minutes before everything went to hell, but I'm still glad I've lived long enough to personally meet Keith's mother for a moment. Later I felt like that when meeting your whole family, too. 'I'm so glad I still exist and could meet them.' Something like that. Surely you understand. Hiroki thinks, not minding whether Ziggy hears or not. It's a bit embarassing, really. So many feelings.]

[He smiles.]

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"You win too. You are stuck with me loving you even if you protest."

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"Yea. I win."

Fully serious, there.

"Then I shall enjoy being stuck."

"I never fully told you, but-- I always hated the cold, because the planet I first landed on, it was snowing, but, you... you're so warm, even when you're cold. You feel like you warm me anyway. How do you do it, Ziggy?"

He nuzzles against Ziggy's cheek.

Continued from Manhattan's Diamond King , with Ziggy and possibly Jack when he's up

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"No, Ziggy. If you're unhappy, that'll make me unhappy, too, see? Whether I exist or not. So, please, when someday I get old or die, or whatever, find some happiness anyway, however you define it, whenever, wherever, with whomever you wish, I'm not gonna make any exceptions there--"

Closer. He pulls even closer to Ziggy, as closely as he can.

"And when you're happy, then know that's me being happy, too, even if you can no longer see me."

"Whenever you smile, and... with these wonderful eyes of yours... I'm glad, too, wherever I am. That's how it'll always be. You're the precious one to me, so if you like me, take care of yourself well, or you'll break my heart. Do whatever your heart desires, always - for you, and for me. Wherever you wish, with whomever you wish. If you need to. For yourself... for me... I think, for me, as long as you try to find satisfaction and joy and happiness and pleasure in the world, whether I'm there or not, as long as don't try to erase yourself-- that means I'm not bad for you. And that means I haven't betrayed your love, still. That means we're both still faithful to each other, wherever we might be. You can be with as many people as you like, that doesn't change the thing, I've realised. Just... just, what I've said before. That's faith, between you and me, beloved. Ziggy. Okay?"

"Otherwise..."
Hiroki smirks a little.
"Otherwise I might just haunt you to tell you to go out and have some fun, all your kinds of fun, just with right people, of course, no one that would break your heart, just with good people... and you don't want me haunting you, now, do you, Princess? I'm veeeeeery bad at haunting."

Continued from two truths and a lie, with Mari (i_am_the_most_abnormal)

[somekindofspaceuncle]

[OOC: continued from over there. /ooc]

No wonder.

And, er, thank you. If you need anythin, I want to help.

*Friendly inexperienced world traveler appears* XD

[beyondthenorms]

[She smiles softly to him.]

I'll keep this in mind. Thank you.

[Did she really need anything from him? She's not sure on turning to him for help on any of her most difficult problems and worries. Yes, he's a very nice person. She feels overall at ease with him, but...

Well, she'll just casually ask him a question, changing the topic.]

How long have you been traveling in space?

Oh, right, we haven't introduced ourselves yet! [She offers her hand to shake.] I'm Mari Broderick.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Ziggy kissed Hiroki's cheek. "How is that human saying... um.. Cold hands, warm heart?"

"I'll just be a ray of sunshine when it's cold."

:D

[somekindofspaceuncle]

No problem.

I've been away from Earth for a few years now.

You're right. [Handshake. He's got a prosthetic arm.] I'm Shiro. Nice to meet you.

[beyondthenorms]

[She's surprised to see the prosthetic arm.]

What happened there, Shiro? Did you lose your arm?

[Her voice lowers at the third question.]

Did it really hurt?

[somekindofspaceuncle]

[Since Mari's used her full name in introduction, Shiro now wonders if he should've said his, too.Takashi Shirogane.
Maybe later.]

[Her question catches the Paladin (and astronaut / soldier) offguard. Lance did stare at his fake arm once (and so did Keith once, subtly, but Keith was
basically younger brother of Shiro's, so, as a matter of course...) but never asked outloud. Because----]

There was an evil alien witch.

I suspect it did hurt. Unless they did have...used good anasthetics?

[He gives an awkward smile.]

Who knows, maybe they had. Not that I'd rememb-

[Ah. He suddenly touches his head.]

Not that I'd remember exactly, if they had.