Relaxing at home (Open to Nexus people)

[hellomajortom]

It had been a crazy few weeks. Learning about a place with so many aliens, reuniting with his wife, and finding a house. It was a lot, nevermind his son being the usual tornado of chaos. The house they had eventually settled on was human built but the style had given his wife a jolt of nostalgia. He hadn't been to Anthea, but he could only imagine this architecture was similar to her home. It was a beautiful house, small, minimalist, and warm with all the sunlight. Right now thin bluish curtains were drawn on most of the windows, another thing his wife had insisted on. He cared little about it though now that they were in place he could appreciate the beauty. Tom imagined at one time Anthea must have been beautiful with its open air houses and sheer colored curtains.

He turned his mind away from Anthea as he sat on the porch swing reading. The past of his wife's people always felt hopeless and depressing. Instead he smiled to himself. His son had been here earlier, high on more than drugs. The stream of Anthean had been welcome to hear as Ziggy spoke to his mother. Truth was they were both talking too fast and high pitched for Tom to keep up from across the room. He got the gist though from human culture. His son had someone or several someones with how his son was, what kind of someone in a place like this Tom could only guess but the signs were there.

That had been a few hours ago. The two of them had left, giddy like school girls, for the plaza and shopping. Tom had been invited but he had so little time to relax during the recent NASA projects that he was going to take his time to do nothing. What was the use of retiring, semi-retiring, if you didn't enjoy it. He took a moment to look at the cats laying on the porch at his feet. There were six now that his wife brought in from wherever she had found them. Most of them looked Earthly though one, one Tom was sure hadn't hailed from an Earth. Still he barely gave it a passing thought.

With one of the cats now settling in his lap on the porch swing, Tom went back to reading and listening to the sounds of people occasionally walking by.


[More images of the house here]

Comments

2/2

[somekindofspaceuncle]

But...

"Now you are being obtuse and you know it! I don't want to kill Ziggy if I'm ever under Honerva's control again!! For all I know, I should just kill myself right now. But... Ziggy asked me not to do that."

[hellomajortom]

"It's longer on my Earth, too." Tom shrugs because she doesn't really matter anymore in his life. "She was probably cheating with him before the mission. It doesn't bother me, never has much. By the time I returned I was in love with someone else."

Tom knew depression when he heard it. He'd been there when he was in the asylum after returning, and even more so with the addiction.

"Are you talking about mind control?" Tom is curious. He'd read Anthean history about it but they never did it any longer. Tom sighs heavily at the suicide comment. "You must be important. He rarely asks others for things."

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"I see."

He wants to say he's sorry, again, but stops himself.

He shudders upon hearing the very words mind control, even, then steadies himself. Hiroki knows he has to keep focused.

"Yes. Mind control. The witch, she... that."

"Really? I thought he'd ask everyone he loves, and he - I think he loves everyone. It's, sort of - it's pure, really. And with such intensity. But I just know I'm surely, for him, a shiny new toy he'll soon grow bored of and throw away, and. I. I'm fine with that, truly. An hour with Ziggy is more than I've ever deserved or could deserve. That's why - I'll make the most of it. I know... I'm selfish. I'm sorry. And I'll love him - forever. After he leaves me, after he forgets me. It makes no difference to me. When someday I'm probably no longer myself, I'll still love him. Even when I won't exist anymore."

[hellomajortom]

"Ziggy will know if something is wrong with your mind, before you do." Tom knew this from how quickly both the Antheans picked up on any slide toward depression. Once they learned a mind, any deviation was noted quite quickly.

"He does love openly. I can't say about the future but you made it passed the 24-hour boredom test. Usually people don't make it to the morning." Tom loosens the hug a little to look at the man carefully. "You should probably stop wasting time worrying when it will end and enjoy now. Give yourself a chance to be hopeful for the best instead of dwelling on the worst."

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"There's no 'the best'. I've died, sir. My existence here is probably temporary at best. Shorter than that, even, at worst."

"But, that's exactly why - I'm truly blessed. Beyond measure. And, you're right. I'll stop worrying."

"I am hoping."

[hellomajortom]

"She's never said it, but I'm almost certain I was dead when Aletayria pulled me out of the capsule."

Tom pats the boy on the back encouraging. "Ziggy has as much hope as he has love. I think he'd be glad to see you be hopeful about your future, whatever amount of time that is."

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"That reminds me of - well. My first near-death experience? If the Black Lion and Keith were slightly late, I wouldn't be here, now."

There's lots of affection, there, one needs no skill to see that, truly.

"The Lions are Volron. That reminds me, I haven't finished explaining Voltron to you. Where should I even begin? It starts with a comet. The Lions of Voltron were created from it, by a brilliant Altean Alchemist, Allura's father, Alfor. The first Red Paladin."

"Hope... yeah. Thanks."

The back pat is welcomed, with a smile. Any normal touch is, he might notice.

[hellomajortom]

"Something we have in common then." Tom comments with a reassuring affection.

"You can tell me if you want." Tom smiles. "Or another time. I'm sure we'll see each other again." He's a dad and knows quite well what is going on between the two boys, more than they probably know themselves at this point.

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"I should hope not so much. I wouldn't wish a week in a shuttle with no food and no water on my worst enemy."

"No, I want to tell you about Voltron, Major. Where should I even begin?"

[hellomajortom]

"Gamma radiation poisoning and suffocation." Tom wasn't too bothered about his experience now, but he also got something incredibly life changing out of it.

"I don't know enough to ask, to be honest."

1/2

[somekindofspaceuncle]

Hiroki looks at Major Tom with compassion.

"That's horrible. It's good you've survived."

"I guess I'll just start at the very beginning. That one is, well - someone who was there at the time told my team and me what had happened back then. It's important to know."

2/2

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"It all began ten thousand years ago, far away from our Milky Way. Many, many light years away."

"Five wise kings and leaders reached an agreement and stopped warring with each other. Together, they became known as the five Paladins."

"They helped bring peace and stability, rescuing innocent civilians from various threats, in many places in our universe."

"One night, when they were celebrating their victory in Zarkon's palace, on his planet - Zarkon was one of the Paladins - a meteor suddenly hit the ground outside."

"It was a strange meteor, made of a material unlike any previously seen in our universe. And it made an even stranger and more mysterious hole in the ground. There was something off about it, unlike anything we've ever known."

[hellomajortom]

"My wife saved my life." He was honest about that, even if thier first meeting had been rough.

Tom is listening intently. He's grown interested in alien history overtime. "What happened with the meteor?"

That seemed to be the direction of the story.

1/2

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"King Alfor of Altea, one of the Paladins and the father of one of my friends, Allura..."

"King Alfor knew the meteor, which was actually a splinter of a comet, had to be examined. And the strange hole, no, rift, as well. And Zarkon trusted Alfor with that."

"Alfor called a brilliant alchemist, Honerva. She..."

There's venom in speaking that name, hatred, like Hiroki can't help it, he loathes the woman that much.

Because he does.

2/2

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"Some time later, Zarkon checked up on Alfor's and then also met Honerva for the first time. According to Alfor, Zarkon probably fell in love with Honerva at first sight. She didn't know that, honestly, and thought Zarkon was a strange man, really, looking at her as if she was some very uncommon object."

"The Rift made by the Comet... it wasn't simply a hole. Honerva discovered it was a gateway to other realities. Yes, literally. She managed to 'invite' a subject from there - a small dark enity which was able to cross the space between realities. And that was simply fascinating, so Honerva was trying to research that Dark Entity."

Hmm...

"And then all hell broke lose. The Dark Entity suddenly multiplied, more than Honerva ever believed possible, and broke out of its special container."

"Alfor and Honerva managed to create a shield, to contain Dark Entities and so, Daibazaal, Zarkon's planet, had been saved. For a time."

"But the shield wouldn't hold forever. Alfor created something amazing from the Comet's minerals: the Lions of Voltron. The giant robot lions... but they were more than that. They are sentient. And create a mental bond with the pilot, the Paladin. Only with the Paladin they choose. The five Lions of Voltron. Combining, in need, into one giant robot, Voltron."

"Voltron... The Paladins, for the first time forming Voltron, managed to defeat the Dark Entities. The planet was saved."

"Alfor asked Honerva, who was by then Zarkon's wife and Queen, to stop the research. The gate should be sealed."

"Honerva, angry, and Zarkon, wouldn't listen. Voltron could fight off any Dark Entity, so there was no problem. And the things that could be discovered in the Rift or in another reality were simply invaluable to the understanding of our realities. Alfor was a coward and a fool!!! Honerva thought."

Oh...

"By the way, Honerva's the one who cloned Shiro, ten thpu6years after these events. But, let's get back to the matter at hand."

"Years passed. The research continued, despite Alfor's misgivings."

[hellomajortom]

"You don't have to talk about her, if you don't want to." Tom knew that name from his wife helping Ziggy. If the woman was enough to make his child angry he could understand the venom. Ziggy never hated anyone, or they thought he never would.

Tom nods to the descriptions of the lions. "I have some experience with something similar. The Antheans, partially, pilot their ships with their minds. I wasn't good at it but I understand the principles. "

In general, he just listens while trying to commit the names and events to memory. If this man was who his son was with, even if it was only temporary, it was worth trying to remember their history.

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"I think I hate her, more than anything. And how come... I've only just realised... I know her mind? A little... Probably because I was linked to her until I... nevermind. I'll only mention what's necessary."

"The five Paladins of Voltron were protecting innocents everywhere and became a legend thorough our reality."

"Years later, Honerva, still continuing her research, was dying from the overexposure to the rift's special quintessence. Quintessence is simply life energy. It's in all living beings. A massive source of energy."

"Anyway, Zarkon tricked others as for his true intentions and they all flew Voltron into the Rift. There, Zarkon tried to save Honerva because the Rift is full of Quintessence that can even bring back to life, but... things happened and everyone thought Zarkon and she died. They didn't, they were resurrected."

"And then Zarkon began the war."

"Ten thousands later, five young humans, including myself... no, not myself, Shiro, I need to remember which memories are his, seeing as I might meet him someday-"

"Five young people found the Blue Lion on Earth. And that's how it all began for five of us. We became the current Paladins of Voltron."

Oh...

"I wonder if I'm even a Paladin? Black Lion let me fly, when I thought I was Shiro-- but Black must've known. What I am. And despite that-"

He smiles.

"I guess I am one of six paladins now. If only for a short while."

That revelation makes him really glad, and,really...

Black Lion's opinion about Hiroki's right to exist is very important to Hiroki.

"Anteans have sentient ships? I'd love to fly one. I know I'll never fly again, but... if only I could."

He shakes his head. Does it even matter, anymore? There are no ships in Nexus, are there?

"I miss the Black Lion. Zarkon's been trying to get it back with violence, and I think I'm beginning to understand what he felt. Although I'd never do that. Black isn't mind. I was only ever filling in, it turns out. As a paladin, and as 'Shiro'. I can accept that now, though."

[hellomajortom]

"Ziggy feels the same about her from the behavior I saw."

He listens quietly unless something catches his attention for a nod or curious sound. However, there is one thing he doesn't understand. "What is Quintessence?"

Tom shrugs at the question about Anthean ships. "I don't know if they're sentient. I think they use telepathy, or empathy, or some other mental ability I don't have to control them."

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"Ziggy hit her once, for me. I'm very grateful."

Grateful with all of his soul, if he has one. Hiroki smiles.

The question is understandable, who would the Major know? He should've explained immediately.

"Quintessence is a source of energy, but, that's not all, if you want to know what it is, exactly, Quintessence, it's... life. Spirit. Soul. Every living being has its own unique quintessence inside it. It can be used as fuel. Was used as fuel, by the Galrans under Emperor Zarkon and Honerva."

"To put it simply, take you, for example - there's Quintessence inside you that could be siphoned off if somebody wanted to take it."

"Hmm. So maybe those ships aren't quite sentient?"

[hellomajortom]

"I think I understand." Tom could grasp the concepts separately. It was fitting them together that was difficult. "The action is akin to vampirism then? But instead of blood they drain off the soul?"

Well, that was a terrifying idea.

"That'd be a question for my wife. I only have a basic understanding of the technology. The ships have no buttons, levers, switches..... just a glowing orb and a blank, smooth surface they touch."

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"Yes, exactly. Although, Quintessence doesn't taste like blood, to be honest. Doesn't taste like anything."

"For your wife? I see."

Hmmmmm.

"Sounds fascinating. The ships. I'd like to meet them."

[hellomajortom]

"Is that a common practice where you're from, to eat Quintessence?" Fatherly instinct was kicking in, a concern that this man might be feeding off his son. He can't help but consider it.

"She has her ship here. They have cloaking technology so I can't tell you where. It's invisible." Tom knew it was invisible to most being's eyes but the Antheans could still see them because of how their eyes, or maybe even brains worked.

1/2

[somekindofspaceuncle]

Wait a tick. What??

"No, of course not, no one does such a thing. That'd be horrid. I can't even imagine. Who'd do such a thing?"

2/2

[somekindofspaceuncle]

And then, slowly, it comes back to him, what he's said just some ticks ago.

The taste of Quintessence... how'd he, Hiroki, have known it...?

...just... how...?

And then, suddenly, he remembers.

Before he was Shiro. Before he was a person. Before anything, truly.

Hiroki suddenly pales for a moment, and then, he looks sick.

[hellomajortom]

Tom gets concerned about the response and comforts Hiroki without thought. He's used to his family reacting physically to spoken words. He can't place what set the young man off but the instinct is to comfort.

"Are you alright?"