it's been so long between the words we spoke {OPEN}

[shiro2hero]

Who: Shiro or Shadowmaru & YOU
Where: Various
When: During the Basculegion Swarm
Summary: Open log for Shiro and Shadowmaru's encounters with the Ghost Generating Fish
Rating: PG13 - will update if necessary


Log:

> SHIRO'S THREAD

> SHADOWMARU'S THREAD

If you'd like a custom starter, let me know! PM or redfirelight

Comments

[heartofalioness]

[Good, good, that's better than nothing. Slowly she brings a hand up to his shoulder, in a wide arc so he can hopefully see it out of the corner of his eye.]

It's all right. I'm here... Whatever those are... [She wants to say they can't hurt him, but... she doesn't know that for sure. This much, at least, she can promise.] I will not let them hurt you.

[shiro2hero]

[One of his pokeballs vibrates. Like it's trying to get Allura's attention.]

[The closest figure is staring at them. Straight on. Its whole face twisted into a mocking leer. Granted, the ghost of Sendak probably looks different than he did the last time a few people have seen him, but that's how Shiro remembers. The fact the ghost is slowly frosting over - even the one yellow eye gradually turning to a chunk of ice in its head, as if launched into the absolute vacuum of space - probably isn't a great sign, either.]

I - what's happening -

[heartofalioness]

[She's about to launch into an explanation, fight the fear with facts, when she hears the rattling.]

Shiro? I think one of your Pokémon is trying to help you. One of your Pokéballs is shaking.

[shiro2hero]

[He can't take his eyes off the ghost. Not right now. But his hand fumbles. Reaching for the vibration.]

[And freeing his Umbreon. Because what better to square up with a ghost fish than a dark type? She's snarling, her fur standing on end, markings glowing. Nebula looks back at Allura, in the you handle him sort of expression.]

[Then proceeds to leap through the ghost. To Bite the offending Basculegion.]

[heartofalioness]

[Ah... she gives a solid nod, glaring at the ghosts before unleashing her own salty black cat.]

Fraldor, Crunch and Thunder Fang, do not stop! [The electric lion snarls before darting forward, eager for a scrap even if this Pokémon wasn't distressing his Trainer's family. Meanwhile, Allura takes Shiro's shoulders and gently turns him towards her.] See? This is the work of a Pokémon. Ours will take care of it, and the apparitions will disappear.

[shiro2hero]

[Nebula is, frankly, glad for backup. The sooner they can KO this fish, the better. She ducks backward, avoiding any accidental sparks from the Thunder Fang, and leaps back in to assist with a Dark Pulse.]

[His eyes try to stay on the apparition. He tries to keep his gaze on it, but Allura turns his head. Turns him physically away from it.]

A... pokemon?

[heartofalioness]

Yes, Basculegion. [Her serious tone softens ever so slightly.] Keith and I were shown our fathers. It wasn't permanent.

[She wishes it wasn't, but she's still glad that's a truth she can give Shiro.

[shiro2hero]

You -

[His eyes abruptly focus again. Like a light's come on. Like he can finally see Allura's face after a fog.]

You saw... are you all right?

[heartofalioness]

[Ah... of course he would be more concerned about them. A faint smile appears as she squeezes his shoulder.]

We're fine, Shiro. Thank you... [As fine as the two of them can be; at least it was a good haunting.] Right now I'm more concerned for you.

[shiro2hero]

[Listen, it's not the best coping mechanism in the world, but it's better than a lot of his other ones...]

You're okay. You're both okay. [If he says it more times that makes it true, right?] I - I'm fine.

[He is not. But, fortunately, the two trained pokemon are making short work of the offending fish, causing the apparition to flicker and fail.]

[heartofalioness]

Yes, we are. And you will be too. We'll protect you.

[Take a few more deep breaths, Shiro.]

[shiro2hero]

No... No, I'm fine. I -

[He is not fine, but asking the others to look after him? Haha, nope. Can't do it. Not today.]

[heartofalioness]

Shiro... breathe, please.

[Enjoy the soothing sounds of two cat-like Pokémon blasting the ever-loving crap out of a ghost fish in the background.]

[shiro2hero]

I'm - working on that.

[Hey, that's a start there. That slight tinge of humor in the words.]

[... that and Nebula starting to chuck the fish with a flick of her head. Come on, let's play catch!]

D20 says it's fish smacking time for Allura too!

[heartofalioness]

[Good, the humor is a good sign. And a few more volleys of the fish- Fraldor getting surprisingly into it with how serious he usually is- and WHEEEE, Team Fishy's blasting off again!

.... Except not, because Fraldor's aim is off and SMACK goes the nearly ten-foot-long ghost fish into the royal face!]

GAH!

they're doing great

[shiro2hero]

[Well. That's one way to break the tension. With a whole other kind of tension!]

Are you okay!

[He's jerked bolt upright. Like he's about to launch himself into a standing position.]

[heartofalioness]

Nng... yes, I'm fine.

[Just mildly stunned and recovering from being thrown to her backside. ... Oh, and there might also be a ghost of Space Elf Mufasa nearby now.]

[shiro2hero]

Okay. I didn't know it -

[He didn't know the fish would go flying like that. Is what he wanted to say. Except he trails off. Looking up.]

[Oh.]

... would do that. [He pauses, his eyes on her ghostly father.] We can leave - if you need to.

[heartofalioness]

No. [Said a little too hastily before she reigns herself back in.] It's fine, Shiro. [A sad smile.] This is one ghost I do not fear.

[Alfor gives a sad smile back.]

Hello, daughter... [And a nod to the man beside her.] Paladin Shiro.

[shiro2hero]

[Well... if Allura is okay with this. Then he is too. If she isn't upset by this, then he'll go with it.]

Sir. [Wait - ] Highness.

[Does he bow? He's going to.]

[heartofalioness]

[The ghost gives a soft chuckle.]

Alfor will suffice. We are both Paladins of Voltron, after all.

He has a point, Shiro.

[shiro2hero]

Yes, sir. Old habits.

[Plus, you know, sign of respect. And this man definitely deserves said respect, all things deeply considered.]

I'm glad to meet you - though I really wish it were in different circumstances.

[For Allura's sake - though that goes unsaid.]

[heartofalioness]

[He knows, and nods.] As do I.

[Only slightly better than the corrupted AI, but they should be meeting without ten thousand years between them and a war he failed to prevent thrust on their shoulders. On his daughter's shoulders, long before she was ready.]

Father...

[shiro2hero]

[Whatever else he wanted to say here, Shiro cuts it off. Looking to Allura instead. His hand rests on her shoulder.]

Do you want some time with him? One on one?

[He'll leave, if she does. Give them space, time. Do whatever he can do.]

[heartofalioness]

No, it's... it's fine, Shiro.

[Not just because she trusts him, but because she really doesn't want to leave Shiro alone again in case he gets haunted again. And... well, she got plenty of time alone with her father's AI, and now she kind of regrets that none of the others got to know him. Sharing him won't hurt not this time.]