user: #dc143c

[lonered]

[USER: #DC143C]

Hey. It's Keith.

A few things.

First. I've talked about it before, but we really need a directory of who is here, a way to keep track of each other. On the network and off.

Right now the only one who knows completely who is here is the jerk that brought us here in the first place. And then more people got dragged here too. With how dangerous it can be, I think it's good to keep track of each other. And to help know who belongs to what network code.

So. Let's get ourselves a list before something else happens. Names, network codes, general idea of where people are living, so if things go bad we can keep track of ourselves. Hit me with what you've got here.

I'll try to keep it updated as people come... and go. And if anyone wants to help with that, let me know.


Second. The boogeyman. Seriously?


[And oh god the really awkward part of all this.]


Third. Uh... so. It seems a lot of people... in Ruga at least... wound up with a picture of a purple, pointy-eared woman. That's my mother. So I... will take those.



((ooc: so Keith is trying to put together a directory, in effect making an IC version of the Takens page, if anyone wants to help him out with this project.))

Comments

[lonered]

You...

[Well. That just sunk in for the first time. Hunk was... oh. And honestly it did help, even if it mostly gave Keith something to fuss about at the time. And now he feels... touched? Like his chest is warm. Is that normal? He's not sure. But. Wow. He's lucky to have good friends, isn't he?]

Oh. ...thanks.

[But right okay anyway. Yes. The picture. ...and what the hell is that reaction? Keith's eyebrows shoot straight up.] Wh...what? What kind of question is that? Of course not. It's Krolia. ...she's my mom. And she's a woman.

[So you can see THE DIFFERENCES ARE MANY.]

[atomicals]

[Hunk has a feeling it hadn’t clicked... and he didn’t want to make him self-conscious or anything? He was going through enough at the time and wow now getting thanked for that is embarrassing. Gosh. Anyway he shakes his head and gestures, beckoning Keith to the nearest mirror so he can hold up the photo next to Keith’s face. ]

You definitely take after your mom, just look! The face, the eyes (mostly) even the hair! You guys look super alike.

[Awwww. It’s sweet in a way and Hunk’s beaming. ]

You even both have names that start with K.

[lonered]

[Keith approaches the mirror warily. Very, very warily. Because what what is he looking at here? But he looks between his own reflection and the photo and then back to Hunk and.

Quiznak.

This makes him happier than it ought to. He doesn't even know her! Why should it matter?? But still... it... it's kind of weirdly nice. There's that warm feeling again, especially when he sees Hunk beaming at him.]

You really think so?

[atomicals]

Yeah, man. It's super obvious to me. If she ever appeared here, even if you hadn't told me she was your mom I would be all wait a second that lady is weirdly familiar.

[He claps Keith on the shoulder with a laugh.]

[lonered]

I guess I didn't notice. Didn't really have time to notice honestly. Things were sort of chaotic.

[And then he was here. Again. Or never left. Either way it sort of pisses him off, so he sighs and grumbles,]

This stupid place. When I first got here the last thing I remembered was flying my fighter into that Galra cruised, so I spent two months pretty sure I was dead. And then when I got sent home again, sorta, it drags me right back when I finally meet my mom.

Kind of pisses me off you know?

[atomicals]

...Uh, hold up, you did what?

[EXCUSE ME, KEITH. WHAT WERE YOU DOING?

Hunk's face has scrunched up, his eyebrows drawn sharply together as he focuses on the fact that Keith was flying his fighter into a Galra cruiser?!?! Mom is important and of course we'll get back to mom in a second but, like.]

[lonered]

[Right. Hunk didn't know that. Everyone here does just not the other paladins. Matt never ratted him out. He'll have to thank Matt for that one at some point.]

...I mean I didn't actually wind up having to. Obviously. Just we couldn't get through the cruiser's particle barrier with our weapons, and if we didn't stop their weapon everyone would've been dead. So I made a decision. [And he stands by that decision. His life weighted against the other paladins, the resistance, everyone? No contest.] ...But then Lotor showed up so I didn't have to. I pulled up at the last minute. So I'm not dead and everything's fine.

[atomicals]

[Hunk breathes in... and out. There's something to be said for hearing about one of your friend's near-death from the friend themselves. That they were about to plunge themselves into death for the sake of others.

He presses his fingers to the bridge of his nose, pinching as he holds up his free hand as an indicator to give me a second. Little freak out. Minor freak out. Keith, that's scary! Super scary! That they could've lost him and they might not have even known!]

Okay. All right. Okay, I'm letting you get away with that one since you're fine right now. But heroic sacrifices: definitely not allowed.

[Anyway.]

[lonered]

[What is that reaction, Hunk? Keith sure doesn't know. Is he really that bothered by it? It's kind of surprising to Keith. Like he's pretty sure he'd have heard something about reckless decisions if the others found out about this. But. Well. Hunk looks actually upset.

And Keith looks a little bewildered.]

It wasn't some heroic gesture. It was just the only thing I had left to do.

[Desperate? Maybe that's the word. But yes good. Let him have this one.] But okay. Got it.

[atomicals]

[This one. You only get one, and he won't let Keith get away with it again!!

Hunk breathes out a big sigh like he's only just now calmed down and then he gestures with his hands again and lifts up Krolia's photo.]

Anyway. Your mom. So, uh, what's she like? You get to talk to her much at all?

[lonered]

[Wow Hunk. ...no promises, sadly. Keith still sees absolutely nothing wrong with his choices in that moment. He'd make them again without hesitating.

But he's happy to let the subject turn to his mother.]

Not really. I mean, people were shooting at us. Things were exploding. So you know... the usual? And honestly I didn't realize who she was.

I probably should have... a couple times along the way.

[atomicals]

Uh, yeah... probably.

[Hunk pauses, lifting up his eyebrows slightly.]

Was she saying stuff along the way? Like. Mom stuff? That makes you say that?

[lonered]

I mean... maybe? I guess. I don't... really know what mom stuff would sound like.

[Keith... fidgets. That's the only word for it, reaching for his dagger because it's relevant to the story but also really just an unconscious sort of comforting thing to turn it over in his hands, give him something to fidget with.]

I mean... first she was able to activate and deactivate my sword. And then she went and jeopardized the whole mission to save my life. Which I thought was pretty stupid, but...

[A shrug.] But she said something about leaving me once, and never leaving me again. ...and I guess that sounded pretty weird at the time.

[Hunk he's so bad at this he should have realized it so many times along the way.]

[atomicals]

[Oh my god... Keith...

Hunk is about this close to pressing his hands against his face, he cannot believe Keith sometimes. Like. How does one not put it together from that. But no, let's just give Keith the benefit of the doubt. Lots was going on.]

Well.

Sounds like she cares a lot about you, at least?

[lonered]

[Exactly! Lots going on! And he never had a mom how is he supposed to know what would sound or look mom...ish?? (Because it was blatantly obvious?)

But.]

I... you think so? I guess so... thinking about it.

[Huh.] Weird.

[atomicals]

[Keith, it was so obvious. So obvious. And that's just what Hunk's getting from what Keith's saying.]

Yeah, I mean.

Sounds like it? She put everything at risk for your sake too?

[Whispers:] When you get back, don't tell her that it's weird. [IT'LL HURT HER FEELINGS, KEITH.]

[lonered]

Yeah, including the mission!

[Which Keith still thinks was a mistake on her part. But... well. He looks frankly confused at that.]

But it is weird. She doesn't even know me.

[And she left me is the part that sticks unsaid in his throat.]

[atomicals]

[He can kind of guess at the unsaid part... especially with what Keith's saying and what he knows about Keith.]

Well... might be a good time when you get back to find out why, right?

She's probably got all kinds of stuff she's wanted to tell you.

[lonered]

Yeah... I mean. I guess so. I want to know. I mean, of course I want to know what she'll tell me. I want to know her.

[He doesn't want to want a mom but he wants his mom. He kind of thought he was over this by now, but he definitely isn't.]

She's... Krolia is... it's confusing.

[atomicals]

[Shhh it's okay not to be over it. Though, Hunk has to say slowly:]

So, uh... are you going to keep calling her Krolia?

[lonered]

[He's so not over it.

But he's also looking at Hunk in plain confusion like Hunk you're smart why are you asking that question if should be obvious right? (Keith no.)]

Well. I mean. That's her name, so... yeah?

[atomicals]

How about calling her... Mom? Or something?

[Hunk pauses for a long moment.]

I mean. That might be awkward right away, but what's more awkward is probably calling your mom by her name.

[lonered]

...oh.

[This is very clearly the first Keith is thinking of this -- which really should be worrying. He's going to mess this up so badly for certain.]

You think I should? Do you think she'd think that's weird? Is it weird?

[atomicals]

Dude, calling one of your parents by their names is totally weird. I'd say go with "Mom".

[He considers something... and then he nods decisively to himself.]

Want to practice? I'll be, uh, Krolia. And you be you.

[lonered]

Even when they're... someone you just met??

[This is complicated. Why does this have to be complicated. But whoa hang on. Practice. He'll be Krolia.]

...what?

[Are you going to pretend to be his mom for real, Hunk? So he can try out the "m" word?? ...Hunk is insane. But also a good friend. But also INSANE.]