( the far shore ) IC INBOX.

[galrarm]

This is Shiro. Leave a message.

Comments

[galrarm]

I'm never too busy for you, Pidge.
Do you want to come over?

[tinygreen]

It might be easier if you come over here.
I don't want anyone overhearing what I need to tell you.

[She doesn't want Keith to overhear.]

[galrarm]

Of course.
I'll be there right away.

[ And not too long after he sends that message, he knocks at her temple door. ]

[tinygreen]

Thanks

[The door opens by itself and leads Shiro into a planetarium. It's currently off, leaving the room with a strange black and blue glow that barely illuminates it.

At least the other door on the far side is open and admitting visitors to the main area. Just don't trip into the fountain.]

[galrarm]

[ Shiro makes his way inside, and he casts a glance around. It's always a bit startling, whenever he comes here. It's so familiar, but with a touch of Pidge that's unique and entirely her own. ]

Pidge?

[tinygreen]

[Pidge won't be found in the main area. No, Shiro might have to look for a bit. She's hiding in her quarters, feeling restless and anxious about having slept for two days and waking up with memories she didn't have before.

She even felt older than she should have. Worn out. It wasn't very fun.]

[galrarm]

[ He moves carefully through her temple. There's almost a heavy aura around the whole of it; it worries him, but eventually, he finds his way to her quarters. The doors open before he even touches them, and when he sees her-- ]

Pidge, [ he says softly. He thinks he knows what happened. Shiro walks over and sits on her bed. ]

[tinygreen]

[She looks up as he comes in, her cheeks a bit red, eyes puffy. Has she been crying? Looks like it.]

Shiro... I'm sorry. I think... I know everything you do now.

[galrarm]

Hey... you never have to apologize.

[ Gently, he pulls her into her arms. ]

... It's a lot, isn't it?

[tinygreen]

[She nods at that, clinging to Shiro.]

I know who it was that Lance died for now... I know how you got that arm. I know who we lost, how much we lost... but we managed, didn't we. Somehow.

[galrarm]

We did.

[ He lets her cling. They both need this, because Shiro hasn't been able to talk to anyone about any of this. ]

We made it through because we had each other. We stayed a team--friends--throughout our toughest trials.

And I'm proud of you all.

[tinygreen]

[She clings a little tighter. That battle against that strange machine still rings in her head. A fight that almost killed them all. Even with the Atlas, they almost lost. If it hadn't been for their bond...]

Shiro... thanks... I'm glad we survived. I'm glad we could save the earth. [She swallows hard.] We came here, and now we're stuck here. Stuck in this place while our earth needs help. What about my mom and dad? Matt? What are Allura and Coran doing? Romelle? Even Hunk... I want to know how they're dealing with us being gone, because they can't form Voltron without all of us together.

[galrarm]

[ He rubs soothing circles on her back. ]

... I don't know. I wish I did. [ He lets out a heavy breath. ] I've been worrying about it, too. But they're all smart and resourceful and so strong. Even without us... I hope they'll be alright.

[tinygreen]

[Soothing circles help a lot.]

They're down a Paladin and down someone to pilot the Atlas... but you're right. They can hold out till we're back. Even when we're not all together, we somehow manage.

[galrarm]

Exactly. And with all of your family together? They'll more than manage.

[ He squeezes her a little. ]

Are you going to be okay? It's a lot to process. We've all... lost a lot.

[ His voice goes quiet, his eyes a little distant. ]

[tinygreen]

Yeah... Matt can fight now, and dad and mom can protect each other...

[She still doesn't want them to fight. Her parents should be protected. She's hoping Matt is doing so in her stead.

Hesitating, she looks up.]

I'll be okay... but will you be?

[galrarm]

[ He almost tells her he's fine. But... he hesitates. ]

... I'm still working through it, to be honest.

[tinygreen]

[She hugs him tightly.]

You're not alone, Shiro... if you need someone to listen, I'm here. You listened to my worries, and I want to do the same for you.

[galrarm]

[ He hugs her back, not as tightly. He doesn't want to hurt her. His grip is firm, though. ]

I have all of his memories--the clone's. He was... an accurate recreation, at least.

[ He lets out a breath. ]

He'd made a video log, and in it... he said he thought it was his fault that you all were dragged into this war.

[tinygreen]

[How is he going to hurt her with only one real arm.]

... he still wasn't you. I think I knew that from the moment I scanned his arm...

[She just refused to want to accept it. It just became apparent more and more over time.]

Shiro... none of us would blame him, or you for that. We followed you because we wanted to. Except maybe Hunk.

[galrarm]

[ do you want him to yeet you, girl ]

He had my thoughts and feelings... even if he was more rash and impulsive. Temperamental. [ He shakes his head. ] I don't blame you all for thinking he was me.

[ ... ]

If I hadn't crashlanded on Earth, you all would still be living normal human lives.

[tinygreen]

[Woooooooow please don't.]

Him yelling at Lance, letting Keith run off like that, and running off to help Lotor... it should have been so obvious he wasn't you. There was so many signs.

[She huffs at that.]

We would have found a way into space. Anything to find my family, and Keith would have gone, too, to find you.

[galrarm]

[ ... ah. He sighs a little. ]

You have a point. Neither of you are very good at giving up.

[ Gently, he ruffles her hair. ]

I'm really proud of all of you, you know.

[tinygreen]

[Pidge would have stolen a ship at the rate she was going.

She huffs softly at the ruffle, fixing her hair.]

We're proud of you too, you know.

[galrarm]

[ Well... he wasn't quite expecting that. ]

Really, now.