aguril catch-all

[galrarm]

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!

Comments

[galrarm]

[ 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.

[marmoron]

[ 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?

[galrarm]

[ 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.

[marmoron]

[ 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.

[galrarm]

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?

[marmoron]

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!! ]

[galrarm]

[ 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.

[marmoron]

[ 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?

[galrarm]

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.

[marmoron]

[ 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. ]

[galrarm]

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.

[marmoron]

[ 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.

[galrarm]

[ 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.

[marmoron]

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.

[galrarm]

[ 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. ]

[marmoron]

[ 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. ]

[galrarm]

[ 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?

[marmoron]

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. ]