epistemically | Ic Inbox

I wish I stayed.

[ She grabs the bottle of bourbon, sitting down at the table. ]

What would be different if I had stayed? [ Let's get Shiro's mind off of the other things. She'll focus on her issues. ]

Mmm... [That's something to think about. He only knows the broad strokes of Keith's life; he's sure if he asked Keith would tell him, but he also knows Keith values privacy too.

He stays with the tequila for now, hoping it'll get him drunk quick.]

I don't know if it would've kept his father alive. But I know he wouldn't have been alone for so long.

[ No. It wouldn't have kept his father alive, would it? She would still be without him, but she would have her son. ]

I'm grateful that we spent time together. And I'm glad you were there for him.

Mm. [He intones and feels that first wave of liquor hitting him. He pours another shot and downs it before sort of sitting back into the couch.

He's quiet for a few minutes, just... thinking. How would his life have been different if he hadn't met Keith? How would Keith's life had changed? They do bring out the best in each other, the farther back he looks. He knows Keith would do - did do - anything for him. And by the time they'd crashed on that planet alone, he knew he'd do anything for Keith just the same.]

Was there ever a time you remember before the Galra empire being the way it is now?

[ What an odd question. She contemplates it, however, glancing at her shot glass. Did she remember the Empire being any different? Once, perhaps, when she was too young to understand but did that count? The Empire was vast as it was cruel. She had seen many in the Galra command get cut down simply for disagreeing with a comrade or a superior officer. ]

Once, as a child. My mother was a lieutenant under Zarkon's right-hand man. Before Sendak rose up through the ranks and found the Red lion. She was fierce, strong, but starting to see the empire for what it was. Unfortunately, she was not trained in espionage, so acts of sabotage were noticed quickly.

I remember the night she died so vividly compared to most. She disobeyed a direct command to not rescue the head technician. Her commanding officer ran her through and left her to bleed out on the bridge. Until that day I had believed we were doing the right thing with the Empire. That the universe needed our guidance and aid to uplift them -- yet she died, eyes open, watching as those she believed she trusted move forward without her because she was weak.

[ Krolia grabs the bottle of bourbon she bought herself, pouring herself a shot before she takes the slightest of sips. She rolls the liquid on her tongue, enjoying the burn before she sighs. ]

I was what you would consider a teenager when I sought out Kolivan.

[Shiro keeps his peace, watches her as she calmly explains how she had to watch her own mother be killed for not agreeing with an order. So it seems like as far back as the oldest person he knows, the Galra have been like this... He wonders what the empire was truly like before Zarkon twisted it to what they know it as now.

When she finishes, he eyes a different bottle and considers picking it up.]

It sounds like you've made your peace with it by now. But for what it's worth, I'm sorry.

Peace is relative. It simply is and was. Unfortunately, her eyes were open too late, but she helped me realize what I must do. [ She takes another sip of the bourbon. ]

If you want stories before the empire... Kolivan would have them. He is not forthcoming with those stories, but he remembers a time before the Empire when Zarkon was more benevolent.

Maybe I will if I see him again.

[Whiskey, looks like he picked up. He carefully pours that into his glass, something he can sip more slowly as he feels his muscles getting looser now. What a strange feeling, knowing his muscles are fine. They aren't at risk of spasming or hurting anymore unless it's routine overuse.]

I don't remember my parents.

Maybe. [ There's a pause before she chuckles low. ] He would hate this place.

[ She loves the warmth that settles in her stomach, keeping her glass full. ]

Do you wonder what kind of parents you would have had?

Sometimes.

[He takes a slow sip of his, feeling it burn the way down.] I have to look to my grandparents to even guess what they were like, and trust their stories they told me.

I hope they were kind.

My mother was kind, at least as kind as one can be in the Empire. [ Her father, however, was cruel, wanting to rise above his station by any means necessary. ]

Tell me about your grandparents.

[Well - that gets a smile. Thinking about his grandparents isn't something he's had much chance to do since everything started going off the rails for him. But they're a soft thought for him.]

They were kind. Took in their young grandson without a second thought. They understood some of the ... difficulties I had, and agreed to take them on without hesitation. [A slow sip of his whiskey.] When they saw I had an interest in flight, they encouraged it, did what they could to get me involved and into the Garrison so I could be on that road.

[He wishes he still had a picture of them.]

They were kind, hard working. Determined.

They sound like amazing people. I wish I could have met them.

[ The raised him well, nurtured his dreams and helped him achieve something great. How much different would her life have been if her parents had been kind? Perhaps she would not be where she is now, longing for her home that's been lost for so long. Her heart aches and she needs to shove that down. Good thing for alcohol.]

The universe could use more kindness.

That it could.

[he wishes he could help bring that kindness to the world. Keith is the leader of Voltron now, and the others have found their way to following him. He always knew Keith had it in him to be their leader, he just hates that it happened the way it did.

But it does leave Shiro in a bit of a lurch. He doesn't know what he'll be doing if they ever even do get back to Earth, or how to make himself useful. Or even how he'll deal with the fact they were going to investigate him when he crashed then disappeared.]

Maybe Keith and the others can help bring that back to the universe.

I think you all will.

[ How do you tell someone you're from a different time? That you know how they get to earth and the sacrifices they make to get where they are? That there is still a bigger threat than all must face before this war is finally over? ]

I missed Earth. [ She admits, another shot down. ]

Missed? I know you were on Earth before, but that makes it sound like you were there again recently.

Ah.... yes well. I believe we may be from different points in time.

... Oh.

[Welp. He takes a longer sip of his whiskey mulling that over. How far different in time?]

I'm glad you got to see Earth again, then.

I am too, but I wish we could stay. It seems we are on the verge of a universal crisis but... I know you will handle it.

[ She can't talk about how she finds Keith in the hospital, how she stays with Kolivan during the lowest point in his life, how she and Keith ended up at his father's grave together-- it hurts too much. ]

A final battle, huh.

[That's the read he's getting from that. God he feels unhealthy just sitting here drinking and eating snacks, but after everything? He's deserved a few hours of this.]

... What was your favorite thing about Earth?

My favorite thing about Earth?

[ Where does she begin? The sunsets she used to watch? The cool breeze through her hair while she climbed through the canyons? Waking up to each morning realizing it's a new day? The smell of coffee through the house, the soft sound of music floating through the air -- her heart ached thinking of him. She's quiet for a while, running through everything she could think before she looks at him. ]

There are so many things I love about Earth, how do I pick one? [ She laughs a little. ] I love how... every day feels different. Experiencing the sunrise and sunset every day, watching the moon and stars as they start to come out? Magical.

[Shiro finds himself smiling as he listens. She' sright, of course. Every day is different on Earth, in a way space wasn't.]

It is magical. You're right about that.

Ic Inbox - Prismatica

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