After season 8, or, Atlas's crew first time hearing about the Captain's clone [locked to friends]

[somekindofspacefather]

ic, playercest yup but others can join, anybody who knows Hiroki or 'Yani' or however they know him might join, or who knows Shiro,


And then, suddenly there was a heated argument on one of the decks of Atlas.

"What?! The other Shiro's alive, somewhere deep in Atlas, and you never thought to mention that to his only true and honest friend in the world? That is, to me?!" Lance shouted.

"Lance. I thought Hiroki might disappear at any moment. Why should I get your hopes up, only for him to soon die on you again?"

"Well, he never died on me, he died on Keith, by Keith's blade I imagine!"

"La--"

"Okay, that wasn't fair. I'm sorry. Keith prolly saved Shi-- Hiro's soul or whatever."

"Hiro?"

"You said not-your name is Hiroki, right? I could call him Hiro. Or even, wait for it... Hero. Ta-dah!"

Romelle meanwhile was busy explaining to Leifsdottir who Hiroki was, complete with the gestures while telling the whole story. Leifstottir winced slightly in slightly apathetic sympathy while Romelle gestured about Hiroki beating everybody up before kidnapping Prince Lotor and leaving.

"So... you're not mad anymore? And, wait, Takashi was cloned sometime??" Curtis asked, finally deciding to join in on the, er, conversation, for a lack of any better word.

"If the Hero exists somewhere deep inside our new Castle, of course I'm not mad. I'm relieved. And I gotta talk to him. Or will you say my connection's not deep enough? As if I wasn't the only one who actually still cares that Hero used to live??"

"Lance-- actually, Lance, right now, I was searching for a way to make it possible for Hiroki to contact his fiance again."

"Oh."

Lance then grinned and, on one of the Atlas monitors quickly typed in, Congrats, Hero, and I'm gonna be your best man on your wedding! Whenever you get a body or whatever. I think bodies are mandatory on weddings, but, what do I know? I'm just Loverboy Lance.

Shiro tried very hard not to facepalm. He wondered whether 'Hero' has gotten Lance's message, or whether he was too deep inside the Atlas's consciousness to get it.

He tried again to concentrate on finding some way to contact Hiroki, and on finding some way to contact Ziggy Stardust. If he could contact them both, he'd be able to relay messages between the two lovers, at least. Hiroki'd like that. To hear from him.
And he knew Hiroki'd like to hear from Lance, too.

Would he like to hear from Shiro? Shiro blanched at the thought, unsure and suddenly illogically upset. They decided to be twins, and yet... and yet...
He didn't hate Hiroki. But Hiroki hated him, didn't he? He should. Shiro had Hiroki's original body now. That had to be very... ugly... no matter the intentions... in Hiroki's eyes. Had to be. Right? The way Ziggy reacted, it had to be.

Hiroki wasn't Ziggy, yeah, but Shiro's learnt more about Hiroki from Ziggy, Lance, and Keith (wordlessly from Keith), and Allura, than he ever did from the clone himself. So far.

Takashi Shirogane tried again to contact Hiroki. Stubborn... Hiroki, that is, still not replying...
Then, Shiro tried again to contact Ziggy.

Meanwhile, Kinkade was recording all of this. The new Atlas movie was going to be great as far as he was concerned. Ditto Rizavi.

Comments

[stillconfusedaboutaliens]

"I'm still not sure I get why the witch'd try and clone Takashi and then possess said clone, instead of simply trying to possess real Takashi. Overcomplicating much?"

[ihadmydoubts]

"I think I know. You know, I am actually Altean, too, and I've read stuff about Alchemy."

"See, it's about the strength of the mind."

[stillconfusedaboutaliens]

"Nah. Nonsense, still," Curtis replies.

"Picture this," he continues, speaking with Romelle rather quietely while Shiro's busy.

"Picture this. I wake up, thinking I'm Takashi. A creepy witch is in my head. I try to kick her out. Because I'm Shiro. I'm not, but I don't know that. Hence, I try anyway. Because in my mind, I'm Takashi, and I don't know that yet. That'd how it'd go, I think. That's what I imagine it feeling, anyway. The clone, I mean. And, well, that's cool, and a bit sad, because, well, point is, I'm not Shiro. In that hypothetical situation, I just don't know it yet. It didn't know it. See my point?"

[ihadmydoubts]

Romelle nods carefully, slightly lost in thought now.

"Yea, I think I might see your point. Poor thing. I guess... maybe Honerva thought it wouldn't be, er... as headstrong as Shiro?"

[stillconfusedaboutaliens]

"If it-- he?--- thought he was Shiro, thought he was the real Takashi, man, why wouldn't it--- he?--- be headstrong as hell?"

[ihadmydoubts]

"Aaaand I'm lost now. What's a hell?"

[stillconfusedaboutaliens]

"It's what Cap's clone must've been feeling when he realised he's not the Cap. I imagine so, at least."

[ihadmydoubts]

"So. Quizak?"

[somekindofspacefather]

"Guys, I love you all, but, hey, you cut it out? For my clone's sake? I don't think I can contact Hiroki or Hiroki's family when you're accidentally making fun of his existence."

& now I'm almost asleep. so till tomorrow. zzz

[stillconfusedaboutaliens]

"Sorry, Takashi. And sorry to, er, Takashi's clone if he can hear me. If he can, then, to Shiro's clone -- I'm Curtis, by the way. Your brother-in-law."

[ziggyplayedguitar]

While touring, traveling across dimensions wasn't the easiest thing to get away from but Ziggy did manage to sneak in a moment to return the contact to Shiro by locking himself in a dressing room.

"What do you want?" The voice, and potentially video, comes across a little annoyed because Shiro still isn't his favorite person but he kept trying to put that aside. His clothing probably crazier and brighter than usual due to his performing.

have a not military (as it's not a military issue) report

[somekindofspacefather]

It's been a while. Seriously, it has. And so, the alien's voice is the music to his ears, or whatever-

"Hey, Ziggy. I just thought I should tell you that my clone is fine, as far as I know. I mean, White Lion's told me, Hiroki's more stable than ever, so there's no need to worry. He's somewhere deep inside Atlas. Deeper than I can reach, but that's his choice. Hiroki's. I can't exactly convince him that he's not contagious, you know, with Rift Entities and such, when for all I know, he might be. And I might be as well. It's just, unlike him, I don't think self-imprisonment is the best option? But I think it's just a phase. He's young. Very young. Sometimes I forget that, and get frustrated with him, but then I remember how I was when his age. Trust me, I was just as bratty and annoying and self-pitying in the noblest ways I could think of at that time. So it's fine. I'm sure he'll miss White Lion and Atlas someday and then stop locking himself in almost-inaccessible deep parts of Atlas's consciousness."

"White Lion's kindly informing me of Hiroki's state from time to time, and yeah, his existence is now fully stable. It's thanks to Allura and White and you."

And thanks to Shiro as well, but Shiro either doesn't fully realise that or always minimises his own part in his mind.

"In short, I hope you'll be relieved to know that Hiroki's spirit is doing just fine, he simply has a maybe justified tantrum where he won't meet anyone because that's not safe. Meaning, the more he cares about someone, the less he wants to personally meet them right now. Just to be clear. I won't say it's not personal, because, well - it is. In the opposite way? Well, I just wanted to explain, just in case you ever wonder."

"I think that's all I thought I should tell you. I've been trying to contact others, too. After all, we're family."

"Er. If you're busy, I can excuse myself right now. I think I haven't forgotten anything important. To be frank, I was just wondering if someone should talk to Hiroki."

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Ziggy listens to rambling and has various opinions throughout the message. There are several times he wishes to mention something but refrains for various reasons. The main reason is he doesn't want to start an argument. He and Shiro don't have the best luck of staying civil long.

After a long silence he asks only one thing. "Do you need me to get my mother's ship and meet you?"

[somekindofspacefather]

Takashi Shirogane himself wonders whether he should've tried being more diplomatic, but, well, it's been over two years since he's had any contact with the half-alien musician. With Hiroki's lover.

His mother's ship?

Shiro nods.
"Yes, that might be for the best. If you could. I'll send you coordinates. And I'll tell my crew about you, so that they don't have any even potentially violent thoughts. Just in case."

The IGF-Atlas crew isn't violent, but that's by human standards. Since they are soldiers, so, just in case, though Shiro thinks it's best if Ziggy just doesn't look too deep into anyone's thoughts, especially Shiro's own. Because speaking of violence, if Ziggy looks too deep, he might even see some memories about Haggar, or Zarkon, or, Voltron forbid, about Sendak, and nobody wants that. Literally not anybody. Hiroki's never ever mentioned Sendak to Stardust, that's how far not wanting goes. Yeah, anything relating to that would be bad and unwanted.

Shiro sounds calm, but there's an underlying excitement, inside. Shiro wants to help his clone, his... brother, Hiroki out of his funk, and he wants to see Ziggy Stardust again, and he'd love to see an Anthean ship. An Anthean ship! He's curious.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

I'll start out when I get the coordinates.

Ziggy waited and then would head to his mom to borrow the ship. It would take some time but not that long given the speed of Anthean ships. The black, oblong sphere heading straight to the Atlas as soon as he can.

Ziggy isn't sure how to dock with the Atlas so when he gets there he sends a communication to get more information.

[ihadmydoubts]

Romelle talks him throuch docking. She's done it before, with others. And it's been more interesting than she's assumed, always. Somehow. Maybe she's simply found one of her callings. (Her other calling is cooking. With Hunk. Somehow. That's just Hunk's fault, probably. She's never thought she'd be any good at it. Her mother certainly never had suspected she had it in her.)

...and welcome aboard! We take all the aliens here, even full-blooded Galrans, though I'm still not sure about that, but you're an Anthean, so that's much less suspect! Don't ever try to date a Galran, though, unless you're very kinky or submissive, I guess.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

[Ziggy steps out of the small, round ship while smiling at Romelle but his mind is already reaching out to Hiroki.]

I am kinky and submissive but I don't need any other partners. [He chuckles a little before giving her a hug. He's glad they're all still ok.]

1/2

[somekindofspaceuncle]

[It might feel like something of Hiroki's subconscious mind reaches into contact happily, completely unconsciously, but then seems to realise something and hastily retreats deeper into the Atlas as if in fright. So, hi?]

2/2

[stillconfusedaboutaliens]

[Romelle, meanwhile, quite unaware of Ziggy's current interactions, hugs him back.]

[Meanwhile, one of the Atlas officers, there seem to be quite a few on board, approaches Ziggy curiously, and after greeting, says:]

So, er, how to put it best-- you're Takashi's brother in law, aren't you, sir? He's just told me about you. Pleasure to meet you.

[Takashi didn't say Ziggy might dislike me very much because I'm not Hiroki etc... but it was definitely in the man's eyes, because Shiro just couldn't lie, so Curtis decided that any talk should be, well, cautious. Not because Stardust was a half-alien or anything, but because of possible delitcate feelings and stuff, yup.]

[ziggyplayedguitar]

[Ziggy sighs at Hiroki's behavior and decides to attend to the people in front of him since that other problem will need some private time.]

Sister and Miss. [Ziggy corrects gently because it might not be the most common thing here, either.] I'll be Hiroki's wife.

[Ziggy isn't reading anything specifically. He can feel the man is a little nervous but he doesn't think about anything than Ziggy is new to this place. He can't tell anything deeper than that right now.]

[stillconfusedaboutaliens]

I see!

[He smiles, as Ziggy doesn't seem offended or anything.]

Takashi wasn't quite clear on the matter himself, I think, so now I know. My name's Curtis, I'm Shiro's husband.

[They're actually heading to their honeymoon now or soon, though Curtis supports Shiro's decision to take care of clone... brother? first, before that, making sure he's fine. Family's important.]

You know, I had no idea about Hiroki's existence until today. So I'll just try not to say anything weird.

[Handshake? Somehow most aliens still had handshakes in some way or form (not always with hands, mind), so as Curtis relaxes somewhat, he offers Ziggy one.]

[ziggyplayedguitar]

I don't talk to Shiro much. [Ziggy admits easily. They just never got along long term. Maybe that would eventually change.]

That's unfortunate. [Ziggy knew Hiroki would be better with more friends but obviously that was going to take time. Ziggy looks down at the hand and then up at the slim man. His mind was on Hiroki and there's a flicker of a smile before he hugs Curtis too. After all, Hiroki would call this man his brother in law.]

1/2

[stillconfusedaboutaliens]

[slightly surprised, Curtis returns the hug]

Shiro said Hiroki has some mental hang-ups recently, or something. And Shiro hasn't been able to do much about that, as his brother's currently avoiding everyone, or something.

[How do people avoid others in spirits, especially closely connected spirits, he's got no idea, but he'll take Takashi at his word about that.]

I guess you're here to help Hiroki through that?

[or just to visit. Because maybe Ziggy didn't know about all that yet.]

2/2

[tesla_highfive]

[And then another person enters the room. Together with all Allura's mice, they seem to like her very much. She's here because Shiro thought she might be able to help with Shiro's clone stuff, she has no idea about Ziggy and anything yet, but-]

Hey. You look a lot like Major Tom, are you related? I met him once, a few years ago. He's so cool!

I'm Pidge.

[Green Paladin, she thinks at the same time, but doesn't say it outloud, because the Lions have all flown away somewhere far away from the galaxy by this time anyway, so it's not like the Paladins are still Paladins, technically.]

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Yes, I've been able to reach him before. [Ziggy feels the worry rising up inside. He wonders what has happened to his lover but he is confident that he can help him come out of hiding.

Ziggy has just pulled away from Curtis when he looks up to see the other two. The mice he smiles at despite still having a tiny scar on one finger from their bites but the other gets an eyebrow raise. The energy is high and the mind loud.]

Tom is my father. [Ziggy offers quietly. The few years ago part catches him a little off guard but he accepts it without question.]

Ziggy Stardust.

[tesla_highfive]

I see. Tell him I'd love to meet him again.

[Pidge hasn't yet been told who Ziggy is, so she has no idea why he's here.[

[somekindofspacefather]

[Shiro's been trying to contact Hiroki and encourage him, but for now, he's decided he should at last greet Ziggy in person and so, he comes closer.]

Hey. It's been... a bit over two years, on our side, I mean.

[has no idea how long it's been for Ziggy.]

And, just so you know, we've won the war. Everything's safe now. For now, at least.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

He might travel here himself. I promised to show him the ATLAS. [Ziggy looks from Pidge to Shiro.]

Any time is too long for me. [That as serious as he can be. Any tiem without Hiroki was too long.]

I'm glad the war is over.

[tesla_highfive]

He might? I can't wait! And yeah, war's over. It was seriously tough, though. Like, all the Realities except one disappeared at one point, Honerva's doing of course, to give you some idea.

2/2 also, btw, ever since getting new internet, my discord barely works, so if I'm rarely gonna be

[somekindofspacefather]

[able to use Discord, that's why. Oh, maybe I'll try on mobile. :) Also, I keep making faux pas online with all my acquiantaces, prolly because I'm home all the time. So if I ever said smth weird, sorry, I can blame it me not getting out much since the beginning of pandemic (rather, not getting out past home and garden/yard at all, but, ehhh), but, yeah. XD sorrry /ooc]



Speaking of her, I think Hiroki might be afraid that he's full of Dark Entities just like Honerva deep down, and that's why right now he's hiding himself somewhere in the corner, spiritually speaking? Dunno. If Allura was still here, he'd probably agree to come out, believing she might be able to exorcise all that from him, but... yeah.

[any time without is too long, huh? Takashi knows that Ziggy feels the same regarding Ziggy]

[ziggyplayedguitar]

{The pandemic is making all of us a little stir crazy.]

I can ask him and my mother. I don't want to think about realities disappearing.

I'll try. I've been in the spiritual real with him several times before. I might be able to find some help once I travel there. I'll just need somewhere to interface and someone to watch so I'm not disturbed.

[somekindofspacefather]

Yes, you can find him in spirit. I... I can even guide you to him, if we have to, though I'd rather not, without his consent. Because of the way our spirits are linked, mine and his, he'll never forgive me if I do that.

But. I can. So if you get too lost... well, gimme a call, I can risk being hated by him.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

I should be able to find him easily. It's more someone to watch over my body while I'm projected. After fighting with Honerva I'm worried I'd wake up aggressive and hurt someone.

[theemokid]

[where did he come from, so suddenly, Ziggy might ask. But then Ziggy might notice a teleporting and telepathic space wolf next to Keith (and Lance. They teleported to this spot together.)]

"Lance here can watch over your body while you do your mental thing. He's good, he's done it well plenty times with Allura."

Lance opens his mouth, a little surprised, then closes it and nods.

Then says, "Yup. Hi? 'S me. Lover boy Lance here, a Blue and Red Paladin, a honorary Altean, a best friend to all unknowning shiroclones and good body watcher... I guess?"

Ziggy might notice that though Lance is hundred percent human, he's got Altean markings on his cheeks. Markings that feel quite like Allura's, though they look different.

Shiro nods. "Lance and I can watch over your body."