middaeg | aguril catch-all

Entry tags:

voltron: takashi shirogane

aguril catch-all

Who: Shiro and open, with one closed prompt
When: Aguril
Where: Around
What: Quests, and bonding
Warnings: none for now, will edit if they come up

CLOSED TO KEITH

[ So... yeah, it’s been a month since Shiro arrived in Aefenglom. He’s very, very aware of the risks of going too long without a bond, and to be honest, even he isn’t certain why he’s been dragging his feet. It’s silly, and he feels silly for it. It’s Keith, after all; even in spite of Shiro’s own hangups, he trusts Keith more than anyone.

He knocks on Keith’s door when they’re both home, and this time, luckily, the conversation is a little less heavy. ]

Hey, Keith, do you have a moment?

PATISSERIE PR

[ Shiro isn’t sure how he feels about the whole romance thing, but he’s not going to let that hinder him from helping someone... and Karen definitely needs help. While he isn’t too down for helping in the kitchen, what he can do is hand out or put up fliers. And Shiro is determined to cover as much ground as necessary...

Maybe you’re helping, too, or maybe you’ve been handed a flier. Either way, Shiro’s here with a smile. He’s not afraid to be enthusiastic about the work he’s doing right now, too. ]

Have you been to Karen’s Patisserie? If you haven’t, you definitely should—they’re some of the best pastries I’ve ever had.

[ And with an endorsement like that, given so confidently... it might be hard to doubt it. ]

FORGET ME NOTS

[ Gathering seeds, huh? Sure, it’s a bit riskier, going out past the city, but Shiro’s alright with that. After all, someone has to do it, and he’s fine with taking on riskier favors so someone else doesn’t have to. Still, if you’re on your way to gather the seeds, too, and you’re obviously alone, Shiro will speak up-- ]

Need someone to watch your back? I’m more than happy to.

[ They’re all in this together; Shiro isn’t sure he’d be able to forgive himself if someone got hurt out there and he’d be able to prevent that. He might be new at all of this, but he is strong and determined and more than willing to help. ]

WILDCARD

[ if you'd like to do something else, plunk it here or hit me up via pm or at sweetstacks!

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[ All things considered, Keith should really be a little more antsy when Shiro starts a conversation like this, but as it is his friend gets a grin. ]

Of course. What's up?

[ Nyatalia mraows at Keith. Perhaps in warning not to get up from his bed because she is currently using him as a cushion. Or maybe it's a friendlier mraow to say hi to Shiro? ]

[ At least it's going to be a less heavy conversation than the last time! ... Hopefully. Either way, Shiro leans against the doorway and gives Keith a grin, too. ]

Well, I've got a problem. I'm a Witch without a bond, and kind of in danger of exploding...

So I figure I'd come to my best friend to take him up on the offer he gave me a while back. If you're still up for it, anyway.

[ Oh. So this is just about bonding then? Nothing bad? Despite the fact that Shiro being utterly flippant about going supernova isn't actually all that funny, it does make Keith smile more broadly. ]

Yeah? I wasn't gonna nag you about it, but I was getting a little concerned.

[ He shifts a little, testing to see if the cat will be nice enough to let him stand, but she mrrrs. Ambitions thwarted, Keith goes back to giving her some chin skritches. ]

Is this a precautionary thing or have you been having trouble with your magic?

Edited 2020-08-13 01:50 (UTC)

[ Shiro isn't about to have this conversation hanging out in the doorway, so... he pulls up a seat and reaches out a hand for Nyatalia to sniff before he graciously provides pets. ]

Concerned about me? That's a surprise. [ He moves on; it's not actually that surprising, even though Shiro is still a big question mark when it comes to concern directed at him. But it's Keith, so he accepts it easier than he would otherwise. ] Anyway... it's a precautionary thing.

[ A pause, and then because this is Shiro-- ]

It'd be pretty inconvenient for all of us if I let it get out of hand, anyway.

[ Nyatalia is being so spoiled..... she leans into Shiro's hand with an approving chatty kitty noise. ]

Well someone has to be concerned about you.

[ The tone is joking, though Keith isn't actually joking. As much as Shiro may be someone they can all lean on as a leader and a friend, Keith knows damn well better than the others that Shiro's been through a lot. Of course he's going to fuss like that's his job. ]

But either way, I'm pretty sure nobody here considers anything you're going through an inconvenience. [ A beat. ] But I'm glad you're taking care of it in advance.

You've got me there.

[ He really does. It's not easy for Shiro to let himself be fussed over or vulnerable, but with Keith it's not particularly difficult, either. It helps that he's petting Nyatalia, who's pretty darn cute and thus something else to focus on. ]

So... bonding ceremony, right? Do you have a time that works for you?

If you can convince the cat to get up we could go take care of that now.

[ Nyatalia perks up like she knows they're talking about her which makes Keith heh in amusement. ]

But really whenever you want to do the ceremony, just tell me. It doesn't take long. [ And of course, he's willing to drop more or less anything to go help Shiro out!! ]

[ Shiro gives a quiet chuckle and pokes the cat's nose. Very, very gently. Boop. ]

What, and move the queen from her perch? Sounds like a bad idea waiting to happen. [ Shiro, encouraging Nyatalia's self-indulgent behavior... Truly horrible. ] I've got a pretty open schedule, so maybe if she decides to move, we can do it soon.

Otherwise, I think you're trapped forever.

[ The boop makes Nyatalia stare up at Shiro with just the slightest tilt of her head. Poor baby is so confuse... ]

It was always that easy, huh. Let's just hope the Galra never find out about cats.

[ Keith grins, giving her ears a contemplative skritch. ]

Sounds good to me. I know you were worried about bonding and stuff. Did you want to talk about it?

Well, my lips are definitely sealed.

[ He smiles and gives Nyatalia a scritch under the chin. ]

I don't mind talking about it. Honestly, I feel a little ridiculous for being so worried about it. [ There's a thoughtful pause. ] After all, you're my best friend. The one who's always been there for me.

[ The kitty is being so spoiled.... her eyes close as she starts to purr away happily. ]

It's okay. I get it. Sometimes you just need to keep certain things to yourself. And I'd never make you talk about anything you didn't want to.

[ It's something Keith is still struggling with. After all, he still hasn't quite figured out how to break the news about what happens after their fight with Zarkon.

.... which, ugh. Well if they're bonding, Shiro's going to know he feels guilty about something big, isn't he....? Keith's expression grows more contemplative at that, the cat skrtiching coming to a stop. ]

And I appreciate that. More than I can ever say.

[ ... But he certainly catches onto that. Shiro's focus shifts fully to Keith, and he actually turns to face him. ]

If there's something on your mind, I'm more than happy to listen. But if you don't want to talk about it, I won't press the subject. Just know I'm always here if you need an ear to shout into.

[ Keith's eyes stay on Nyatalia for a moment longer. He's always been able to talk to Shiro about everything and just because this is hard, doesn't mean he gets to be a coward about it. He looks up, this time meeting his best friend's gaze with more resolve. ]

I know you are. And you don't know how much I appreciate that. You've always listened to me, even when nobody else would.

[ A deep breath. ]

There's something ... real important that I should tell you. But it you want to take care of the bonding thing first, it can wait. It's about stuff back home so there's no rush.

[ He glances down at the cat. ]

SO if you don't mind, I want to -- [ But before he's done talking, Nyatalia simply picks herself up, and jumps off the bed. ] Oh. Well that takes care of that.

It's up to you, Shiro.

[ For a few moments, he studies Keith--not really too scrutinizing, but he's definitely curious. It's got to be something pretty big, and how resolved Keith looks tells him that much. Of course he wants to know right away, but... ]

Of course I'll always listen to you... and that won't ever change, either. But... why don't we take care of the bonding first?

[ That's more an immediate concern for them both, and if Keith needs more time to figure out how to talk about this thing, then there's that. ]

Ready when you are, since your cat's decided to release you.

Okay.

[ The tension in his shoulders sticks, but he's audibly a little relieved. The bonding issue is definitely more time sensitive. He hops off his bed quickly before the cat can change her mind and grabs a red umbrella that he has leaning against the window sill. ]

Let's go? [ A beat, and a half grin as the pair of them start heading out of the house towards the coven. ]

Did you want a bonding gift by the way? People seemed kinda split on whether they're customary or not.

[ Ah, a bonding gift. Shiro decides not to allude to the anonymous post from a while back... ]

You don't have to worry about a bonding gift. [ He says it lightly enough, mostly because... it's been a while since he's gotten any kind of gift. He's not totally sure what he'd even want. ] What about you, though?

[ ... as if he hasn't been thinking about them anyway. ]

[ A contemplative hmmm. ]

Well, I don't need anything in particular. But you've only been here for a month. There's gotta be something you could use.

[ Or at the very least, something that could feasibly be offered in apology for avoiding the truth for as long as he has? He'll mull this one over as they make progress towards the Coven. ]

[ He matches that hmmm. Honestly, he's got clothes, they've got food, and a roof over their heads. Apart from that, he's admittedly at a bit of a loss about what he could possibly need. ]

How about this: I'll give it a bit of thought. How's that sound?

Alright. If you think of something, let me know. Otherwise you might just end up with something from the Forge.

[ So you know, a knife. A handmade knife that Keith made himself with all of his good intentions, but still a sharp stabby thing. Is this what Shiro wants in his life? Probably not.

As they make it through the last few stretches of the walk, they'll see the coven just ahead. ]

[The hours after Keith disappeared were foggy. Allura remembers running beyond the frozen river, driven by something beyond herself – a vampire thrall, she would come to learn later. But the thrall ended and then she felt pain. Like her soul was severed in two, as her bond was broken.

And then she was alone.

She’s not sure how she got back to Aefenglom on her own. She went into the river too, at one point, desperate and searching, but returned home alone. Shakenly told the story to their friends, about going into the Wildes with Keith, about the ghostly apparitions, and then how she lost him.

Wrapped in a blanket and sitting in the kitchen, her attention is brought to the present by the clink of a mug as it’s set on the table in front of her. She blinks, then focuses her eyes up.]

Shiro. [Ancients, she’s really out of it. She looks to the window, trying to remember what time of day it was. How long it had been since she and Keith left earlier this morning.] We- We should go back out there. We need to look for him.

Edited 2020-08-11 22:18 (UTC)

[ Shiro's been through some awful things, but this... his bond being forcefully broken... nothing compares to that. Shiro thinks nothing will ever compare to that. It's taking every ounce of strength in him not to go running to look for Keith. But he knows-- he knows that if his head isn't in it, it could be dangerous.

Deadly.

And besides, he's not the only one suffering right now. There's Lance. And Allura. Even though he feels off-balance, like something's been knocked out of place (and it has, hasn't it?), he needs to take care of them, too. ]

If we go out there in the state we're both in right now, we'll only get killed ourselves.

[ But, god, he wants to. It's tearing him up inside to do nothing while Keith-- He draws in a sharp, shaking breath as he sits across from her with his own mug. Tea. Strong, strong tea for both of them. ]

[She tries to dampen the surge of frustration she feels - a habit she picked up from bonding with Keith, to keep from distracting him with her often over-the-top emotions - only to once again remember that she's alone with her feelings here. Feeling her eyes burn, she stares down at the mug of tea.]

But we don't know how long this state will last. [Said helplessly, even as she knows that Shiro is right. Keith might not have until they're both in their right minds. Then again, they're no good to him dead in the Wilde either. But she was spiraling. Words coming faster than she had the time to think about them. Angry at herself,]

I should have looked harder. I'm sorry, I didn't know what to do.

Allura...

[ They might not be able to feel each other's emotions, but right now, he knows how she's feeling. Frustrated, guilty. Angry at herself. He's angry at himself, too--angry for letting this happen to Keith.

But he's not upset or angry at her. Far from it. ]

You don't have to apologize. It-- [ His hands tighten on his mug, and he makes a conscious effort to loosen his grip. The last thing they need is a mess to clean up. ] ... It's the sort of situation that's not easy to figure out.

... But I know how easy it is to blame yourself.

[Feeling at a loss wasn’t an new feeling for her, but normally she found her comfort in throwing herself at the problem, keeping herself busy, doing something to make it better. But she feels helpless here. Watches Shiro’s fingers white-knuckle around his mug and she drops her eyes to her own mug, looking at her reflection in the surface of the tea.]

Is this how it felt… on the Galra cruiser. I forced you to escape while I stayed behind.

[She wasn’t thinking about how Shiro would feel if the worst happened to her then, she’d just been concerned with protecting him, with no concern for her wellbeing. Just like Keith had protected her in the woods.]

[ Ah.

That gives him pause for a few long moments. It feels so long, the silence, before he nods. ]

I understand why you did, Allura, [ he says quietly, carefully. He rubs his thumb against the ceramic of the cup, and when he speaks again, his voice is heavy. ]

But I felt so helpless. We came so close to losing you for good. If that had happened, I'm not sure I would've been able to forgive myself. Watching you go, so close and so far away at the same time--that was one of the hardest things I've ever done.

[She stares at the drink in her cup as he speaks, realizing that she hasn't yet had any. But she doesn't yet drink. Feeling the weight of Shiro's words in a new light after what she witnessed. It shouldn't be a surprise, should it? She was well acquainted with the feeling of being left behind, of people she cares about dying while there was nothing she could do about it. But she'd been asleep during the loss of Altea. It wasn't like this.]

I'm sorry. [Said quietly, head ducked far enough that her hair makes a curtain around her face,] I just wanted to keep all of you safe. It was my duty. But not just that. You are all my family. And now Keith-!

[She cuts herself off, voice breaking.]

Oh?

[She takes the flier, raising an eyebrow playfully at Shiro.]

If I am going, will I be helping you? Or will I only be helping... [She glances back at the flier.]- Karen?

Are you having samples?

You'll be helping me help her.

[ He chuckles quietly and gives her a grin. ]

But mostly, you'll be helping her. And you'll be able to enjoy some sweets.

I am having understanding... I am helping her and I am helping you because she is giving you coin, yes?

[She tilts her head, still not quite convinced.] These pastries were being the best you have ever had?

How am I knowing if you are giving me truth or giving me the speech Karen is wanting you to give?

[ He considers that for a moment. ]

That's not a bad point, actually. How about this--to prove to you I'm telling the truth, I'll treat you with my own money.

That way, if you're not convinced, you don't lose any of your own money.

With your own coin!?

[She shakes her head, her hair swaying as she does.] No, I cannot be letting you do that.

I will be paying, but if the pastries are not having the goodness you are claiming, then you can be paying me back. Are you finding this agreeable?

[ He offers her a grin. ]

That sounds pretty agreeable to me, yeah. Before we go that way, though, I'm pretty sure introductions are in order. I'm Shiro.

Of course! I apologize for giving you rudeness. I'm Petra. It is a pleasure to meet you.

[Despite being a naga, and thus half snake, she still gives him a shallow bow, seeming to have no trouble keeping herself upright as she does so.]

Are you having a favorite at this cafe?

Hey, it's alright. If you were rude for not giving me your name right away, then so am I. It's nice to meet you, Petra.

[ He doesn't sound terribly bothered by any perceived rudeness, mostly because... he doesn't perceive any rudeness. Regardless, he starts leading her to the place. ]

A favorite? That's a tough one. Probably the lemon tarts--not too sweet, but they're fantastic.

[She slithers efficiently beside him. At first, getting used to moving around in her new snakey body had been a challenge but she'd adapted quickly and now found that she was moving around as if her body had always been this way.]

Lemon? I am not knowing what a lemon is! I am having excitement to be trying it. Are lemons common in your home or are they only growing around Aefenglom?

[Kolivan frowns a little in some mild confusion. He's not sure why he should care about what these pastries are like. If they are edible that is all that matters, correct?

This must be a quest.]

I have little interest in pastries.

Fair enough.

[ He's not too big on sweets himself, though... it would've been the twist of a lifetime if Kolivan had a secret sweet tooth. ]

What about someone else who might like them? I think Karen's more concerned with getting the word out, anyway.

I can have Lance contacted if you find that you are unable to.

[Lance counts right? He knows that he likes sweets. He's felt that pleasure when he eats them.]

That's not a bad idea, actually. It might be a good idea to take some home for everyone.

[ A pause, and then-- ]

If you don't like sweeter things, I'm sure there are always savory ones, if you wanted to try.

[Kolivan momentarily looks confused. Momentarily mind you.]

I was under the assumption that a pastry was a sweet.

That's usually what people think of, but you can make a pastry out of pretty much anything.

So--are you interested? No problem if you aren't, but it's always nice to know your options.

[At first it looks like the Galra soldier will refuse. However, he feels he should be aware of his options for sustenance here. Especially should he need to feed the others.

Hmm....]

Very well. I will try what you suggest for food.

[ This couldn't be better-timed. Hisui just got in trouble not long ago for digging into some breakfast pastries that weren't his (though in his defense, a turnskin's gotta eat). While Kor might not be the type to hold grudges over something so trivial, Hisui doesn't like having regrets loom over him, and the thought of making it up to him crossed his mind a couple times.

Upon hearing Shiro's claim, the feline ears on Hisui's head perk up. You've got his attention. ]

Some of the best, huh? How much they go for?

Depends on how fancy you want to go, exactly.

[ He offers a grin to Hisui. ]

Most won't break your bank, though, if that's a concern.

Fancy's all good and well, but the important thing is that they taste good.

[ And so far, he's convinced. He does have some money on him at this point, in stark contrast to how things were when he first arrived. ]

Good timing, though. I owe someone a few breakfast pastries.

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aguril catch-all

b-b-b-bonding time

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Wildcard! After Keith is ko-gone-e

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ugh this is sad /o\

patisserie

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Patisserie

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Patissserie PR!

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