Takashi "Shiro" Shirogane (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lionhandler) wrote2016-08-28 08:41 pm
lionhandler) wrote2016-08-28 08:41 pm
Entry tags:
IC Contact
If you want to get in touch with Shiro, through crystals, messenger bird, or in-person, this is the place to do so.
If you want to get in touch with Shiro, through crystals, messenger bird, or in-person, this is the place to do so.
[ The story checks out, but it's not as though he would've expected it not to. Just as before, he doesn't suspect her of holding any malice--at least, not any intentional malice. Hunk and Lance--he assumes Lance is the reason she's speaking in the plural--they're friendly guys, it makes sense that they'd make friends with a girl their age, mention they were moving, talk about food.
Not talk about making animals fight.
He'll have to tell them about that himself, he supposes, let them make their own decisions about her from there. He's already made up his mind on her, though, and he doesn't want her hanging around here any longer than she has to, so he holds his hand out demandingly. ]
OK. Hand it over.
Not talk about making animals fight.
He'll have to tell them about that himself, he supposes, let them make their own decisions about her from there. He's already made up his mind on her, though, and he doesn't want her hanging around here any longer than she has to, so he holds his hand out demandingly. ]
OK. Hand it over.
[Cold. She's feeling cold, which should be weird, because they're having a warm winter. But she can feel the temperature lowering around her, probably an effect of his attitude toward her. What did she do to deserve this? She'd love to apologize, but she doesn't know what she'd even be apologizing for. For her world being different? She's not gonna apologize for that. Her world is amazing, thank you very much.
Seeing movement on the corner of her eyes, she finally looks up, staring at the demanding hand, then at his face. To think she had though he had the most gentle smile.]
...and you're ok with having this in your house? From me?
Seeing movement on the corner of her eyes, she finally looks up, staring at the demanding hand, then at his face. To think she had though he had the most gentle smile.]
...and you're ok with having this in your house? From me?
Hunk'll appreciate it. [ It's not his gift to reject, in other words. ] But I don't want you coming back here. I'll talk to the others about that, too.
I didn't know you were here!
[Her tone-- well, it isn't snappy, it isn't really of her to do that. But it's frustrated, on the border of getting angry, shown by her now deep frown. His attitude toward her is one thing, but now she can't visit her new pals either? What?]
At least tell me why you hate me so much! I don't want to lose three friends over this.
[Her tone-- well, it isn't snappy, it isn't really of her to do that. But it's frustrated, on the border of getting angry, shown by her now deep frown. His attitude toward her is one thing, but now she can't visit her new pals either? What?]
At least tell me why you hate me so much! I don't want to lose three friends over this.
Do you really need me to explain it? You don't see anything wrong with making animals fight for your amusement? [ There's more to it than just that, but that's all he cares to share with her. ]
[So it is that. That... well, it's not exactly relieving, but close. She didn't do anything to deserve hate, at least. And cultural differences should be easier to tackle. Bianca sighs and tries to cling to memory of Elesa talking to her about opinions before she goes for it.]
I took the word animal from here. It makes things easier to explain to people. But they are Pokémon. They're smarter than your animals, and more powerful. They've been battling in the wild since before humans approached them. It's what they naturally do - not for food or protection, but because they grow stronger thanks to it. They accept a Trainer, not the other way around. They breathe fire and start earthquakes, Shiro, do you really think we could oblige them to comes with us?
[Suddenly the memory of Team Plasma and the Kyurem incident comes to mind, and may as well be completely honest about it.]
I mean, some of them have tried. With big machines and experiments. There are bad people in my world too, sadly. But they're the exception, not the rule. A Pokémon that is forced to do things, well... I think you may've seen it here too? Or maybe in your world? Those guards dogs that are trained just to bite and won't allow anyone to be near. It's horrible. But you met Munny, in the labyrinth. You've seen her around me, her Trainer, and around you, a stranger. You really think she's violent or bitter?
[She pauses.]
Or would you rather ask them yourself?
I took the word animal from here. It makes things easier to explain to people. But they are Pokémon. They're smarter than your animals, and more powerful. They've been battling in the wild since before humans approached them. It's what they naturally do - not for food or protection, but because they grow stronger thanks to it. They accept a Trainer, not the other way around. They breathe fire and start earthquakes, Shiro, do you really think we could oblige them to comes with us?
[Suddenly the memory of Team Plasma and the Kyurem incident comes to mind, and may as well be completely honest about it.]
I mean, some of them have tried. With big machines and experiments. There are bad people in my world too, sadly. But they're the exception, not the rule. A Pokémon that is forced to do things, well... I think you may've seen it here too? Or maybe in your world? Those guards dogs that are trained just to bite and won't allow anyone to be near. It's horrible. But you met Munny, in the labyrinth. You've seen her around me, her Trainer, and around you, a stranger. You really think she's violent or bitter?
[She pauses.]
Or would you rather ask them yourself?
[ Man, he really doesn't like her tone. She's talking to him like his principles are confused here, like he doesn't have real experience with this, like guard dogs are the closest brush he's had with forced viciousness. Like it isn't something deeply personal for him.
He takes a long, calming breath before he says anything back. He's not being fair. She doesn't know. It's only reasonable for her to think it's the animal part of things that has him so upset. He pretty much phrased it that way himself. He can't blame her for that. He needs to calm down and listen to what she's actually saying. It's true that Munny didn't seem abused when he saw her. He never would've guessed that Bianca made her fight if she hadn't told him. But... It's still not that easy for him to accept it. ]
...I thought they couldn't talk.
[ Munny sure didn't seem to. ]
He takes a long, calming breath before he says anything back. He's not being fair. She doesn't know. It's only reasonable for her to think it's the animal part of things that has him so upset. He pretty much phrased it that way himself. He can't blame her for that. He needs to calm down and listen to what she's actually saying. It's true that Munny didn't seem abused when he saw her. He never would've guessed that Bianca made her fight if she hadn't told him. But... It's still not that easy for him to accept it. ]
...I thought they couldn't talk.
[ Munny sure didn't seem to. ]
Not like we do, no. But they can communicate in their own language. I meant it when I said they are smart.
[That deep breath of his speaks volumes to her. He's willing to listen, and asking a question. It's start, and Bianca allows herself to relax at least a little bit when she sees again the supportive man from the labyrinth.
She searches her bag for a Pokéball and releases one of her team members - a freaking huge dog. She could've chosen Munny, sure, but there's a reason why she's going with Stoutland this time.]
Hey girl, this is Shiro. [The dog tilts her head to look at the big man, sticking close to her Trainer's legs. Things feel very... tense.] He's a friend of Pidge, Lance and Hunk. [Stoutland's ears perk up when she hears those names, looking up at Bianca with interest.] Remember them? We had tons of fun with them during that shopping trip, didn't we?
[Stoutland quickly barks with approval, her tail wagging like crazy. Those were cool guys, she wouldn't mind hanging out with them again.]
[That deep breath of his speaks volumes to her. He's willing to listen, and asking a question. It's start, and Bianca allows herself to relax at least a little bit when she sees again the supportive man from the labyrinth.
She searches her bag for a Pokéball and releases one of her team members - a freaking huge dog. She could've chosen Munny, sure, but there's a reason why she's going with Stoutland this time.]
Hey girl, this is Shiro. [The dog tilts her head to look at the big man, sticking close to her Trainer's legs. Things feel very... tense.] He's a friend of Pidge, Lance and Hunk. [Stoutland's ears perk up when she hears those names, looking up at Bianca with interest.] Remember them? We had tons of fun with them during that shopping trip, didn't we?
[Stoutland quickly barks with approval, her tail wagging like crazy. Those were cool guys, she wouldn't mind hanging out with them again.]
[ Shiro watches Bianca interact with her dog with cautious curiosity. She'd used guard dogs as an example, and now she was showing him her dog. Not a coincidence, he figures.
He steps fully outside, closing the door behind him. His pet cat's not far from the door and he doesn't want either animal to startle. With that done, he kneels down and offers Stoutland his left hand for proper sniffspection. ]
He steps fully outside, closing the door behind him. His pet cat's not far from the door and he doesn't want either animal to startle. With that done, he kneels down and offers Stoutland his left hand for proper sniffspection. ]
[Kneeling and offering his hand are small gestures but they mean the world to Bianca. So when Stoutland looks at her, asking if it's ok (she usually goes for it but today things seem tense) Bianca quickly nods her permission.
A big wet nose is now all over Shiro's hand, sniffing it and trying to guess what is that animal she smells (give her kitty to play with, would you?). Whatever her sniffing tells her it seems good enough for her, because she barks and then puts her big paw on Shiro's hand. Nice to meet you!]
Look, she likes you just fine! You can try petting her if you want. Or riding her too, the guys had fun with that.
A big wet nose is now all over Shiro's hand, sniffing it and trying to guess what is that animal she smells (give her kitty to play with, would you?). Whatever her sniffing tells her it seems good enough for her, because she barks and then puts her big paw on Shiro's hand. Nice to meet you!]
Look, she likes you just fine! You can try petting her if you want. Or riding her too, the guys had fun with that.
[ Good shake! He moves on to scratching behind her ears, still using only his left hand. What a nice, friendly dog.
...But he's nice and friendly, too. This hasn't actually assuaged his primary concern, and after a few moments, he stops petting and looks back up at Bianca seriously. ]
This doesn't prove that they actually want to fight.
...But he's nice and friendly, too. This hasn't actually assuaged his primary concern, and after a few moments, he stops petting and looks back up at Bianca seriously. ]
This doesn't prove that they actually want to fight.
[That sends her tail wagging like crazy. Good job, Shiro. Bianca tilts her head at the comment.]
I took her out in case you wanted to ask her yourself, didn't I?
[But if Shiro doesn't want to, she can do it herself. Bianca also crouches and calls for Stout, who whines in protest at first (she's getting scratches, how dare you!) but quickly joins her Trainer, sitting face to face.]
Hey, girl. Remember the battle we had on the mountains here? Against Red and Charizard? That was fun, wasn't it? [Stoutland's ears and tail perk up quite straight in attention, barking in agreement at the question.] Do you think we should ask them for a rematch some time?
[The dog lowers her front legs, raising her behind with a happy tail and agreeing with another bark. It's as if Bianca had told her she would throw a ball or something. There's a pause then, because she wants Shiro to see the differences. What can she ask for that?]
There are some new Trainers around too. Like Accerola - she uses Ghost-types. [The effect is immediate - Stoutland lowers her ears and whines in protest. Bianca giggles and reaches to pet her.] Just kidding, just kidding! I know it's hard for you to go against Ghost-types. Don't worry dear, you won't join that battle.
[Hearing that, Stoutland's ears go back to her usual position, and she sits correctly again too. Another pause before she decides to just go for it.]
Stout, I was telling Shiro that our world sadly has some mean people too. Remember Team Plasma? How they tried to steal--
[She doesn't need to finish that sentence, the dog starts growling as soon as she hears the name, the fur on her back standing on end. Bianca isn't afraid of her and hurries to hug her, telling her it's ok, they aren't here now. Stout answer by nuzzling her neck.
There's obvious love in the gestures.]
I took her out in case you wanted to ask her yourself, didn't I?
[But if Shiro doesn't want to, she can do it herself. Bianca also crouches and calls for Stout, who whines in protest at first (she's getting scratches, how dare you!) but quickly joins her Trainer, sitting face to face.]
Hey, girl. Remember the battle we had on the mountains here? Against Red and Charizard? That was fun, wasn't it? [Stoutland's ears and tail perk up quite straight in attention, barking in agreement at the question.] Do you think we should ask them for a rematch some time?
[The dog lowers her front legs, raising her behind with a happy tail and agreeing with another bark. It's as if Bianca had told her she would throw a ball or something. There's a pause then, because she wants Shiro to see the differences. What can she ask for that?]
There are some new Trainers around too. Like Accerola - she uses Ghost-types. [The effect is immediate - Stoutland lowers her ears and whines in protest. Bianca giggles and reaches to pet her.] Just kidding, just kidding! I know it's hard for you to go against Ghost-types. Don't worry dear, you won't join that battle.
[Hearing that, Stoutland's ears go back to her usual position, and she sits correctly again too. Another pause before she decides to just go for it.]
Stout, I was telling Shiro that our world sadly has some mean people too. Remember Team Plasma? How they tried to steal--
[She doesn't need to finish that sentence, the dog starts growling as soon as she hears the name, the fur on her back standing on end. Bianca isn't afraid of her and hurries to hug her, telling her it's ok, they aren't here now. Stout answer by nuzzling her neck.
There's obvious love in the gestures.]
[ Look, man, you show him a dog and he's going to treat it like a dog, no matter what Bianca says about its intelligence. All the weirdness in his life makes him cling all that more closely to signs of normalcy, and he's never known dogs to be productive conversationalists.
But he watches Stout through the conversation carefully. There's not really any doubt left after that. Her pets really do want to fight. The only abused animal here is him.
He sighs to himself and then stands back up, picking up the basket of fruit along the way. ]
Alright, you win. You can do what you want.
But he watches Stout through the conversation carefully. There's not really any doubt left after that. Her pets really do want to fight. The only abused animal here is him.
He sighs to himself and then stands back up, picking up the basket of fruit along the way. ]
Alright, you win. You can do what you want.
...this wasn't about winning. I just didn't want you to hate me. I didn't want things to be weird with my new friends!
[But she gets the feeling that even if Shiro understands now, it's still awkward. Maybe she will have to double-check with one of the guys before coming by after all. She sighs and stands up too, making a sign for Stoutland to follow her.]
Thanks for listening anyway. Send everyone my regards, please?
[They are a few steps away when suddenly she stops and turns to look at Shiro again over her shoulder, her expression soft.]
If you ever decide you do want to do something about your nightmares, you know how to contact me. The offer still stands.
[But she gets the feeling that even if Shiro understands now, it's still awkward. Maybe she will have to double-check with one of the guys before coming by after all. She sighs and stands up too, making a sign for Stoutland to follow her.]
Thanks for listening anyway. Send everyone my regards, please?
[They are a few steps away when suddenly she stops and turns to look at Shiro again over her shoulder, her expression soft.]
If you ever decide you do want to do something about your nightmares, you know how to contact me. The offer still stands.
[Well, it was now three quinta-- days since the day Allura had arrived in Verens. And honestly, hindsight shows Shiro had had a VERY good point about sharing this load. She obviously still had concerns about how he would react to certain information, but seeing this as seeking counsel, reminding herself that he wants to know and to help? Even if it doesn't completely erase the dread, it dulls quite a bit of it, the air around her only a degree or two cooler.
Still, no need to court prying eyes and ears, so Allura suggested that a nice little cafe new friends Usagi and Minako showed her the other day might be a good venue. It's small, quiet, and they have a very nice selection of teas. She's particularly fond of the rose blend.]
Still, no need to court prying eyes and ears, so Allura suggested that a nice little cafe new friends Usagi and Minako showed her the other day might be a good venue. It's small, quiet, and they have a very nice selection of teas. She's particularly fond of the rose blend.]
[ Shiro was in Verens for five months before Hunk arrived, and that combined with his friendship with Kevin (who went even longer without his resident cook and has more stringent requirements for what to stuff in his face than "is this recognizably a food") means that he's eaten at just about every restaurant in Verens worth eating at by now. So he recognizes the cafe Allura suggests and readily agrees to have their little chat there.
...If she was hoping to thusly avoid having this conversation within earshot of anyone who might be interested in hearing about Shiro's future uncertain well-being, though, she might be in for some disappointment. Because, well. Even with Hunk here, Shiro still eats out a lot, and, being Shiro, it seems he has a pretty good rapport with the staff here. Enough so that the waitress brings him a glass of water before they can even order anything and feels comfortable asking him to introduce her to his "lady friend." ]
This is my friend from home, Allura.
[ If Allura wants to specify more details than that, it's up to her. ]
She's a new arrival this month, so you might have to explain a few things on the menu to her.
...If she was hoping to thusly avoid having this conversation within earshot of anyone who might be interested in hearing about Shiro's future uncertain well-being, though, she might be in for some disappointment. Because, well. Even with Hunk here, Shiro still eats out a lot, and, being Shiro, it seems he has a pretty good rapport with the staff here. Enough so that the waitress brings him a glass of water before they can even order anything and feels comfortable asking him to introduce her to his "lady friend." ]
This is my friend from home, Allura.
[ If Allura wants to specify more details than that, it's up to her. ]
She's a new arrival this month, so you might have to explain a few things on the menu to her.
[Allura gives the waitress a smile and light nod.]
Pleased to meet you. I appreciate the staff's patience with me when I first visited two days ago; hopefully there'll be a little less I need to learn this time. I'll have a rose tea to start with, please.
Pleased to meet you. I appreciate the staff's patience with me when I first visited two days ago; hopefully there'll be a little less I need to learn this time. I'll have a rose tea to start with, please.
[ He makes a noise of acknowledgment, but leaves it at that as he reopens the door and goes back inside.
The fact that her Pokemon actually like fighting might mean Bianca isn't a horrible monster, but it doesn't exactly make him comfortable with the idea of interacting with them more. Especially not in such an intimate way.
He kind of wishes he'd never brought it up with her in the first place. He should've known from the start that it was too good to be true. ]
The fact that her Pokemon actually like fighting might mean Bianca isn't a horrible monster, but it doesn't exactly make him comfortable with the idea of interacting with them more. Especially not in such an intimate way.
He kind of wishes he'd never brought it up with her in the first place. He should've known from the start that it was too good to be true. ]
[ The waitress waves it off with some comments about how it's no problem and how after two and a half years of Otherworlders coming through, they're pretty used to it and isn't it just so nice that she's willing to try new things, sometimes they get people who get upset when the menu's not just like the cafes at home and anyway, she'll go get that tea now, so why don't the two of them take their time looking over the menu, okay?
Shiro smiles as she prances off with sunbeams in her wake, but his expression quickly sobers once she's gone. He looks down at his menu and then glances back up at Allura. ]
How badly are you about to ruin my appetite?
Shiro smiles as she prances off with sunbeams in her wake, but his expression quickly sobers once she's gone. He looks down at his menu and then glances back up at Allura. ]
How badly are you about to ruin my appetite?
[Allura smiles genuinely at her; the exuberance reminds her of Coran in a few ways.
Still, she's expected Shiro to want to start this conversation immediately, but phrasing it like that causes the air around her to chill a little bit in nervousness, even if her body language stays composed and her smile only sobers rather than falls.]
That depends on how much we cover before she returns with our drinks. Where would you like me to start? I know that Keith and Lance are further along than you now.
Still, she's expected Shiro to want to start this conversation immediately, but phrasing it like that causes the air around her to chill a little bit in nervousness, even if her body language stays composed and her smile only sobers rather than falls.]
That depends on how much we cover before she returns with our drinks. Where would you like me to start? I know that Keith and Lance are further along than you now.
Right. Keith's met the Blade of Marmora, and Lance says we've got a plan to take Zarkon down for good that we're working on.
I'm guessing that doesn't go how we wanted it to.
[ She sure hasn't been acting like they won and everything is awesome, to say the least. ]
I'm guessing that doesn't go how we wanted it to.
[ She sure hasn't been acting like they won and everything is awesome, to say the least. ]
[No plan survives first contact with the enemy, after all.]
Not quite. Once most of the components were in place and we'd baited Zarkon, we realized that we still hadn't heard from Thace about his part in the plan: disrupting Zarkon's flagship's power systems long enough to upload a virus to keep the ship disabled. The Blade of Marmora were about to abort the mission when Keith volunteered to sneak aboard the ship in a cloaked pod to deliver the virus himself. Obviously it was a risky idea and Kolivan even refused at first, but Keith insisted.
[Allura takes a second to pause and stave off any worries Shiro might have for the Red Paladin; she knows he probably knows Keith is fine by now, but it's their nature.] He's alive and well when I left, by the way.
Not quite. Once most of the components were in place and we'd baited Zarkon, we realized that we still hadn't heard from Thace about his part in the plan: disrupting Zarkon's flagship's power systems long enough to upload a virus to keep the ship disabled. The Blade of Marmora were about to abort the mission when Keith volunteered to sneak aboard the ship in a cloaked pod to deliver the virus himself. Obviously it was a risky idea and Kolivan even refused at first, but Keith insisted.
[Allura takes a second to pause and stave off any worries Shiro might have for the Red Paladin; she knows he probably knows Keith is fine by now, but it's their nature.] He's alive and well when I left, by the way.
Edited 2017-03-29 07:59 (UTC)
[ He's not super happy to hear about Keith doing something so uniquely dangerous, but he did already figure he must've gotten out of it fine, if only because, well. It's not Keith's name Allura had hesitated to call out to when she first arrived. ]
Good. Does that mean he succeeded?
Good. Does that mean he succeeded?
In a way. He made it into the core room just fine, but then he found that the codes had been switched. Luckily Thace managed to reach the core room too.
[It's there though that the damp chill in Allura's aura is more keenly felt, and it darkens the air around her as well. Juniberry blossoms start to sprout from the floor around them.]
Keith said they were "trying a workaround," but they were silent for a while, and the next thing I knew Keith just barely managed escaping from the ship with an explosion behind him, and the Red Lion moved in to save him. Thace... Thace wasn't there.
[And there's no way Keith would have left him behind if he knew a way how.]
Thace didn't seem surprised when I mentioned saving Keith's life when he first contacted me, before I knew about all the temporal disparities. Either this place brought him here just before the explosion, or... or this place is capable of resurrection...
[And honestly she's not sure which theory unnerves her more.]
[It's there though that the damp chill in Allura's aura is more keenly felt, and it darkens the air around her as well. Juniberry blossoms start to sprout from the floor around them.]
Keith said they were "trying a workaround," but they were silent for a while, and the next thing I knew Keith just barely managed escaping from the ship with an explosion behind him, and the Red Lion moved in to save him. Thace... Thace wasn't there.
[And there's no way Keith would have left him behind if he knew a way how.]
Thace didn't seem surprised when I mentioned saving Keith's life when he first contacted me, before I knew about all the temporal disparities. Either this place brought him here just before the explosion, or... or this place is capable of resurrection...
[And honestly she's not sure which theory unnerves her more.]
Edited 2017-04-01 12:02 (UTC)
It is. I've read about it, at the Welcome Center. [ Allura's lucky to have so many friends already here to explain things to her; Shiro was alone when he arrived, and he spent a whoooole lot of his first month or so here just. Reading. ] People can show up here after they die, and.... Even if an Otherworlder like us dies here, they come back. I don't know why or how. I'm not sure anyone does.
[ He pauses to take a sip of his water while he thinks the news over. ]
...Whichever case Thace falls under, he does a good job of hiding it. I didn't suspect a thing until you said something.
[ He pauses to take a sip of his water while he thinks the news over. ]
...Whichever case Thace falls under, he does a good job of hiding it. I didn't suspect a thing until you said something.
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