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

[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?"

1/2

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"I'm fine, just wondering how long I had been a soul vampire, after I was... born? If I was 'born'. No problem."

"This is all... Tell me... what does it feel like, to be? It's like... I woke up atop a mountain, so high up... but it turns out... I'm not the one who climbed. And so. I don't know what to do. I'm so happy, the view is great, and I felt free, but I... I don't know."

2/2

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"Please, sir..."

"Give me your orders. Because I don't know what to do, right here, right now. Tell me... whom I might be. Tell me whom to fight for."

Hiroki still looks a bit sick.

"And, also... just like you must never take someone's body against their will, you must, same... never take their quintessence. I know that...! Every human being knows that, and every Altean being knows that much more, even, so, why... what is she...?!"

[hellomajortom]

"If I understand Ziggy's explanation, you were a prisoner and forced to behave, sometimes, against your own will."

Tom could easily assume that this was forced because of the reaction the boy had to it. He listens patiently and smiles slightly.

"You have to find out on your own. It's not right for someone to tell someone else who they have to be." He pats Hiroki's shoulder again grinning, with a mischevious smile that is so similar to Ziggy's that it becomes easy to see the relationship. "The only thing I do know and can tell right now, is that you seem very taken with Ziggy Stardust and, apparently, might be on your way to something others have dreamed about since he showed up on Earth."

[somekindofspaceuncle]

Shiro--no, Hiroki Shirogane... nods.

"I escaped. Or rather, I had thought so. In reality, the Galrans let me escape."

"Who's a more perfect spy than one who doesn't know he's a spy, spying on his beloved friends, with Honerva seeing everything, huh? Right? For Haggar - Honerva - the witch, you know - that was just perfect. Mostly, she wanted to see Lotor. Her beloved estranged son, temporarily allied with the Voltron. But anything else, fair game, too. I was simply... Honerva's eyes. In my ignorance of that fact- utterly--"

He giggles, but... not happily, at all.

"A spy can't be discovered as long as he doesn't even know he's spying, wouldn't you agree, sir?"

"But... yes. You're right. About other things."

[hellomajortom]

"War does horrible things to people, especially when one side has no morality." Tom understands that all of this probably was nothing Hiroki wanted to be part of.

"It does explain why my son is so angry over this person."

Tom focuses on the idea for a minute and asks gently. "You're out of her reach in the Nexus?"

Just one tag in bed rn. Heh. 1/2

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"That's true."

"He still is angry at her? Oh."

The warm feelings feel a bit new to him, and that might show, a bit, no telepathy needed. Because it's a bit different than friendship. And more than gratitude. As well as more than a crush.

"He... he does care."

Shi--- no. Hiroki Shirogane smiles warmly. And with joy, too.

2/2

[somekindofspaceuncle]

The question about her reach startles Hiroki.

He realises he's assumed so, ever since Keith had freed his consciousness from hers by cutting that damned arm off. And he's most grateful for that.

However, what right did Shi... Hiroki had to assume he was still free, here in Nexus?

To endanger everyone, if he was NOT free?!

"I hope so," he only mutters, "but, how can I know? How can I know anything... any single thing, really...?! Sir, I.."

He wonders how to explain it.

The young man sighs.

"Several years ago, I met a guy. Adam. I fell in love with him. Or rather, we fell in love with each other. We got engaged a few months before the Kerberos mission. We were going to marry soon."

"All that is still true. Mostly. Or rather, it's not true at all, personally, with a wrong person - me - saying this. The truth is, Shiro met Adam. And those two were fiances. Etcetera."

"I never met him. Never once in my life. Never slept with Adam. Though I sure as quiznak could tell you all about sleeping with him. Factually true. But I have never met him."

"Just one example, out of many various examples I could retell. Do you see now, sir? How am I supposed to know anything??!? At all? About reality? I'm currently sorting though memories, filtring new ones - that is, ones that are truly mine - and old ones - ones that are Shiro's."

"I know... I know nothing. Nothing at quiznaking all, qui... fuck it!"

"Sorry."

[hellomajortom]

"Ziggy feels quickly and processes emotions slowly. It's been that way since childhood." Tom smiles at the reaction. "I don't think I have ever seen him not care. Though I rarely hear about, much less meet, any of his past intimate partners."

He doesn't need any more than the smile he just saw to know things were getting more involved than random sex or a friend with benefits.

Tom listens and the only thing that comes to mind is brainwashing, or military programming. There's a pause before he answers. "It sounds like you have a good handle on what memories are yours and which were put there. You might not have them sorted but you can recognize the difference. That's a start, and very important."

Tom let the words hang and then added. "Trust your partner. He can help you. God knows his mother helped me with my mind when... when I was having trouble."

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"The witch, Honerva, she had given me memories of the real Shiro. Through the right arm prosthesis," Shi--- Hiroki explains.

"The border between the memories is... my birth, I guess, and in my head I know that, but when I tell myself that..."

Hiroki gulps.

"That I was never born a bit over twenty six years ago, only Shiro was. That in reality, I was born a bit over a year ago, truly."

He's shaking a little.

"I know THAT is true, but I hate it, I hate knowing that, now, and never before MY WHOLE LIFE, all the months of... Never... I hate it!"

Oh.

Trust...

"I do trust Ziggy. I've decided... I'm his, from now on, until I stop existing. That also means, my life is in his hands, and I don't mind that."

"I'm his. That's the first choice I've made in my life as myself, you see, sir. I'm his. Whatever it takes."

[hellomajortom]

"It's difficult when reality and expectations don't agree. When I first came back I was listed as insane. The reality I knew wasn't what I or anyone else was ready to accept." Tom shrugs. "There was a lot of time in the 20 years I lived with Aletayria that I thought I was dead and dreaming. Coming back to Earth caused a lot of mental upheaval."

Maybe that wasn't the best description of what had happened but it felt right. It's a difficult place to question one's own memories. Hiroki's next statements though are bold. Tom isn't quite sure what to do with them, deciding it's the best to just let the two figure it out on their own.

"I'm happy for both of you." Tom was honest and internally hoping that the relationship might help both of them with their own baggage.

So 100% sane! :D XD

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"Mental upheaval, hm? I'm sorry."

Hiroki ponders something for a moment.

"Can I tell you a secret? Fresh outsider perspective, looking in... like a voyeur, ugh... the real Shiro, Takashi Shirogane, is a bit, hmmm... shell-shocked. Yup. But, please, don't tell anyone."

"Fortunately, I, Hiroki Shirogane, am completely, utterly, quiznaking wholly sane. I'm too young to be crazy."

2/2

[somekindofspaceuncle]

Happy for...

"Th-thank you, sir!"