riverviewlogs | [open] try to tell the difference

Entry tags:

[open] try to tell the difference

who: cisco + anyone!
what: catch-all post
when: the rest of november through december
where: various places
warnings: will add as needed

[use a prompt from the tdm or come plot with me @

platoapproved. ]

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Yep. Magnetic. That way you've got something extra keeping your feet in place, but nothing that's gonna break your ankle if you get twisted up in the harness. Plus, if shit gets really really real, long as you've got those on, you'll still be able to get a grip on Red even without the saddle, since she's metal all over. That's really a last resort kinda thing, though. Wouldn't recommend trying it out unless you have to.

[ As he is talking Cisco starts fastening the harness onto Red, tapping each front paw in turn and waiting for her to lift them before he could slip the thing on. After that, it's a matter of tugging, cinching, strapping, adjusting, and re-adjusting. If it ends up working out, he'll show Keith how to do it himself. He'd tried to streamline the process, so Red could be battle-ready in no more than a few minutes.

Once he's gotten the thing in place, Cisco takes a few steps back, scrutinizing before he gives a nod. ]

Go ahead and give a whirl, now, see how that treats you.

[ And Cisco watches Red intently, looking for any places the leather might bunch up, or twist awkwardly. Those sorts of things wouldn't be an issue, right now. Probably not even an issue for a few months. But over time, they would cause strain, and weak points, so it's better to catch them now if at all possible. ]

[Keith attached the other strap as well while Cisco explained and got Red settled into the gear. The magnets had just enough pull that he had to adopt a slightly wider than usual stance in order to not feel the pull. These were definitely not something he'd want to wear if he was doing any actual fighting on his own.

Once Cisco gave her the go ahead, Red walked around a bit. She couldn't really 'feel' the harness to say if it was comfortable or not, but she'd know if it got caught in a joint or a hinge or something like that. Confident it was okay like this, she took a quick run around the park. She moved her legs more when she was running than she did flying, but she also did a couple of laps airborne, too, before returning to let Cisco inspect for any slippage or tangles.

Keith watched, his hands on his hips, observing her movements. She didn't seem to be struggling.]

She said it feels fine. Didn't get in the way of anything that she could tell.

[ Cisco had evidently been scrupulous with his measurements and notes the first time through, because he doesn't see any problem areas at all; when Red lands he checks all the fastenings, and none have loosened even a little. It's all exactly as it should be, which is itself a kind of surprise. Is this how things are, when he actually can take his time and do things properly? He could really get used to that. ]

It all looks good to me, I don't see any issues. Keith, you wanna go ahead and give it a try, see how it feels?

[ Unless there's a huge problem with the actual riding of it, Cisco thinks this might take a lot less time than he's actually anticipated. Now, he could part ways with Keith right away, find some more work to stir up for himself to do. Or... ]

Maybe after this we could go and get a coffee? I'd love to chat, if you've got the time. Not often I get a chance to talk to a guy who rides a dope-ass psychic flying robot lion.

[Keith walked over as Cisco confirmed that everything had held the way it should and that nothing had slipped or bound up in a joint. Red seemed pretty pleased overall with the fit, and she watched Cisco and Keith curiously as they worked on getting Keith strapped in.

Keith considered the offer, and then shrugged with a slight smile.]

Sure. That sounds pretty cool.

[And, granted, Keith didn't normally ride on Red, but this was a weird place. He gave Red's neck a pat once they made sure everything was secure.]

We'll be back in a sec.

[The Lion took a few running bounds across the park before launching herself into the air. She stayed close to start, doing a few maneuvers at lower speeds and heights before Keith let her push it harder. They were making sure things were good at certain levels of riding before increasing the stress on the harness in increments. Keith took a lot of risks with Red when he was inside the cockpit, sure, but this was way different, and she was faster and flew higher than his hoverspeeder back home, too. It was definitely an adjustment for both of them.

They worked their way up in complexity for the maneuvers until finally, just to be complete, Keith leaned forward and wrapped his arms tightly around Red's neck. Once he was set, she came in low over the park to reduce the height he would fall from if this didn't work, and then pulled off a barrel roll.

When they landed, Keith was laughing, still with his arms wrapped around the Lion's neck, but it had been pretty exhilarating to push their limits a bit more.]

[ Cisco watches them, half because he wants to be able to rush to help if there is a crash, and half to observe if any problems emerge with the saddle now that there is a rider. But there don't appear to be any. As he watches that final barrel roll, he makes a mental note - magnetic gloves. Gloves with a magnetic component that could be turned on and off, easily but without accidental activations. Yes, he could manage something like that.

But then the two of them are landing, and Cisco applauds, looking genuinely delighted. It's hard to believe the two of them aren't used to moving together in this particular way - but then again, they are psychically linked. ]

Damn, dude! That was incredible! Some real Top Gun shit!

[ And of course, because he doesn't want to be impolite: ]

Nice flying, Red.

[ He waits for Keith to recover from his exhilaration and dismount, before he starts showing him which clasps to undo in which order, to get the harness off his Lion. He'd designed it to be a simple process, both on and off, and it's only a few moments before they've gotten it off Red and Cisco has tucked it away in a duffel bag that he hands over to Keith. ]

You never need repairs, you know where I'm at. So, how 'bout that coffee? There's a cafe, like, right there. And, uh, Red you can come, too. If you want?

[Keith sat up, releasing his hold on Red's neck and grinned a bit at Cisco. It really was a whole different level of flying like that.]

That was awesome.

[He worked at undoing the straps so he could climb off, Red purring in excitement underneath him.] I know, Red... this is great. [She lifted her head and tail, looking quite pleased for a robot that had no facial expressions, but she was definitely basking in Cisco's praise.

Once on the ground, Keith watched and worked with Cisco on getting the harness off completely, and then placed the ankle straps in the bag, too, before taking it and slinging it over his shoulder. Keith glanced in the direction of the cafe.]

Yeah, sure. Sounds good. [He looked down at Red, and she looked back up at him, and then he nodded.] We're in. Though, she wants me to remind you that she doesn't need to eat. [As if Cisco couldn't figure that out. Keith just looked amused.]

[ Cisco laughs, amused by the remark. ]

Sorta figured that one. Doesn't mean she can't appreciate the ambiance, though.

[ If, that is, flying robotic lions from space have a sense of ambiance. In any case, she seems content to stay by her pilot's side, so Cisco leads the three of them in the direction of that cafe. When they walk inside, the barita does a bit of a small double-take at Red, but (probably wisely) chooses not to comment. Cisco orders himself something absurdly caffeinated, with a ludicrous amount of whipped cream on top, waits for Keith to order, and then the two of them get settled at a little table by the window, with plenty of room for Red to curl up nearby, in a patch of sun (maybe she has solar panels?). ]

So how long have you two been flying together?

[ Surely that's an easy, simple question to start with, right? ]

[Keith shrugged a little with a small smile. Cisco wasn't wrong. He'd always wondered just how sentient the lions were, and, here, they seemed even more so. Surprise, surprise. So, maybe she would. He didn't seem to get the impression that she was bored or anything by the idea.

When they got there, Keith's drink of choice was definitely less milkshake like, but also loaded with caffeine... a salted caramel macchiato, light on the cream. He usually drank plain coffee with a little bit of sugar, but, hey... if someone else was going through the effort to make it, he'd go a little fancier than usual.

And he liked caramel.

He sat down, the Lion settling next to them at the table much like a dog would, loafing herself as much as she could on the floor. Robot lions didn't loaf extremely well. They weren't as flexible as their living counterparts.]

A couple of years now, I'd guess. Though, for the past few months back home, Lance has been flying with her after I took over for Shiro in the Black Lion. [Keith shrugged a little.] Shiro was missing for a while, and I was sort of his second, I guess. I had to pilot Black in a pinch when he was in trouble once, and maybe he took that to mean that the Black Lion trusted me enough to take over as leader if needed. [Keith stared down at his drink for a bit. There was something of a shadow over the topic, like Keith wasn't happy with how things had happened.] Which, when he went missing, the Black Lion accepted me as its pilot. Red accepted Lance. And Blue, Lance's Lion, accepted Allura, the Altean princess. Her father helped develop the Lions initially.

[He wrapped his hands around his cup, and looked down at Red, just sitting there quietly on the floor.]

I don't think the Lions really give up any of their bonds unless something actually happens to the Paladin, though. When we found Shiro again, he was able to go back to piloting the Black Lion again, and because the original Black Paladin kind of turned, we keep having to prevent that bond from reforming. When Lance started flying Red, I could still sort of feel things from her... especially as he tried to get used to her speed. She's the fastest one. Lance wasn't used to it because Blue isn't as quick.

[Keith had been surprised, especially after Red had essentially rejected Allura, but then got concerned when Lance had showed trouble controlling Red's speed. He got a handle on it, but still. It had been a little nerve-wracking. Keith still missed flying with her now and then. It seemed the reluctance to release a bond went both ways.]

[ Cisco listens, sipping at his coffee, following along as best he can. It's a bit of a musical chairs of people going missing and pilots switching Lions, but he manages to keep up. And while he knows it doubtless isn't that simple, he can't help asking: ]

Wouldn't it have been simpler for Allura to just take over the Black Lion, and for you and Lance to stay with Red and Blue?

[ From his perspective, it seems the clearer solution. Why shift three pilots, rather than merely swapping someone new in for Shiro when he went missing? If pilots were somewhat interchangeable, why not? ]

Wait, the original Black Paladin? And what do you mean... turned? Like, turned evil?

[ He's doing his best here, but apparently the question he'd believed was simple is a lot more complex than he'd thought. Had there been a whole set of other pilots, before Keith and his friends had come along? What had happened to the rest of them. ]

Also, sorry, did I hear you wrong, or did you say you're friends with a princess?

Oh... uh, sorry. [Keith rubbed the back of his head.] Didn't mean to just barrel through all that so fast. I know it can be a lot to take.

We all actually tried to take over with the Black Lion, but... well, you've seen how Red interacts with me. The choice has to go both ways. So, the Lion has to be okay with the person piloting it. I was the only one that Black was willing to respond to.

So, Allura tried Red. But Red didn't respond to her, either. And then, during our first mission after the Black Lion picked me, Blue locked Lance out. Which, was kind of odd, but I think the Lions might be more connected to each other than we know. Allura thinks that Blue locked Lance out because Red said to, because that was when Red actually called out to Lance for him to pilot her. And then, once Lance was in Red, Blue accepted Allura.

It was weird, and a lot of changing, and I'm not sure I even really understand it all. Sometimes, it's just better to go with it.

[There was a soft rumbling sound from Red, like she knew something, but wasn't saying.]

But, yeah... the original Black Paladin was Zarkon, who happens to be the emperor of the massive empire we're trying to defeat. He keeps trying to take the Black Lion back, and, for a while, still had his bond with it. Shiro managed to almost break it. I don't know if it's severed completely, but, while I could still sort of feel something in Black for Shiro, I couldn't feel Zarkon at all, so... maybe he did. It's still a risk, though, until we're completely sure.

Coran said it had something to do with handling too much quintessence or something, I think. But, he was corrupted by the power, and turned vengeful against the other Paladins. He took over the Galra, and then turned it into an empire, conquering and enslaving other races and planets. He holds most of the known galaxy. We're trying to build a coalition of rebels to take him down.

[Keith chuckled at the last bit, though, and nodded.]

Yeah. Allura is the daughter of King Alfor, who helped create the Lions. Apparently, he was a very talented Altean alchemist. Because of her royal line, though, she's really strong with using quintessence herself, and can do some pretty amazing stuff. But, she and Coran are two of the only three Alteans left in the galaxy. Zarkon almost wiped them out. The third, Honerva, was turned evil, too... with Zarkon. She works with him, using her quintessence and alchemy to do things to people. She was the one who replaced Shiro's arm. She was trying to make him into a living weapon.

[Talking about what had been done to Shiro was a sore point, too, and the small chuckle about Cisco's reaction to Allura being a princess was quickly wiped away by Keith's anger over how Shiro had been tortured and forced to fight like a gladiator slave.]

[ Cisco listens quietly as Keith explains, and while it still sounds to him like the Lions are a bit over-picky about who is piloting them, he supposes it is probably a pretty important thing, having the right pilot. They're telepathically connected, after all. Doesn't get much more intimate than that.

It's a strange experience, hearing Keith tell these fantastical stories about the world he comes from. It all sounds, to Cisco, like something from a movie he would have loved as a child. But, while he might have reacted to that story with wonder and excitement and a million questions, when he was new to the Quarantine, he's a little more circumspect, now. It's not that he's lost his enthusiasm or sense of wonder. Far from it. He merely knows that all of this isn't necessarily thrilling to Keith. For him, it's real. It's his life, and probably lots of it is terrifying and daunting and not safe and distant, the way a movie would be. ]

Damn. That's a lot. So, this Zarkon dude sounds epically messed up.

[ The whole wiping-out-an-entire-people thing, plus the trying-to-take-over-the-galaxy and enslaving-other-worlds things... that's a whole lot of evil for just one guy. ]

You guys got a plan to take him out? I mean... I know you're stuck here for now, but. You're going back eventually, sounds like.

[ When Keith mentions that this Honerva person had been doing experiments on Shiro, had amputated his arm from the sound of it and tried to turn him into some kind of weapon, his expression goes even more grave. Softly, he mutters: ]

That's so fucked, man.

[Honestly, if Cisco had decided to share with Keith about super powers and meta humans and weird stuff like that, he'd probably find it just as out there. But, it was true. And Keith was sort of in the same boat when he heard about the strange things that were normal in other worlds now. Those strange things could be highly dangerous, or even just really upsetting for another person to talk about.]

Yeah. No one really knows exactly what happened, but he was a strong leader. He had to be, or the Black Lion wouldn't have agreed to work with him in the first place. But, he let himself get twisted, the way I understand it. And now, he just wants the power.

[Keith nodded.]

That's the goal... when we get back... to end the Galra Empire as it is and help rebuild the worlds they destroyed. It might be nice to stay here. [He had to think about Lola, but they'd gone into that relationship full well knowing that things might happen that would separate them here.] But, for now, it's important that we get back. Who knows? Maybe, once things are finished, we can come back here.

[He shrugged a little. He wouldn't hold his breath, though. He rarely got what he wanted in life.]

Yeah. He wasn't the only one they did it to, too. And prisoners were often sent to fight for their entertainment... like Roman gladiators or something. Somehow, he managed to survive.

Sometimes, evil people are like that. Charismatic. Good leaders. Good at tricking people into trusting them, at first, until their plans are far enough along that they can show their true colors.

[ Cisco has seen that progression play out in slow motion - hell, he's been a part of it, been one of the people who was duped. It's easy to imagine that it had been similar, with Zarkon. Nobody starts off with rants about conquering all the worlds in the sky, and betrayal and murder and megalomania. People generally built up to it gradually.

There's a hint of bitterness in the way Cisco spoke; he tries to make it sound neutral, but a little of that lingering anger shows through despite his efforts. ]

Hell, I don't see why it couldn't bring you back after. I've heard stories, about people who were here, then went back through the portals, only to come back again, years later from their point of view. If they've got the tech to bring you here once, they've got the tech to do it a second time, once you've saved the galaxy.

[ Cisco listens to the details about what had been done to Shiro, turning his mug between his hands and feeling a touch queasy. It never ceased to amaze him. How cruel people could be to one another. How deeply they could dehumanize and hurt each other. Gladiator fights? With prisoners? For entertainment? It was repulsive. ]

That's.... that's so awful. Has he got somebody he can talk to here? That kind of thing... even if you do survive, it affects you. Sometimes in ways that don't even pop up until you're somewhere safe to deal with all of it. I know the names of a couple good therapists, if he needs 'em.

[ Maybe it's a bit presumptuous, to make that offer, but Cisco would rather be rude than not offer to make those connections. ]

Yeah... and, regardless of what he's like now, he definitely has that going for him. Whether it's out of fear or not, a lot of the other Galra still follow him and believe in him. Not all, but a lot.

[Keith shrugged. He honestly wouldn't mind coming back to Riverview once he felt things were solid enough back home that he didn't need to be there. Right now, he had this huge obligation hanging over his head that he wasn't ready to let go of, and there were still questions about his past that he felt the need to get answered. Being in Riverview wasn't accomplishing any of those goals.]

I guess I'll find out someday.

[Though, the memory canister had did something weird. And it showed him that there was a chance that things were still happening back home for him. Things that had him involved. He wasn't sure how to feel about that.]

I've offered to listen, and I try to support him the best I can. He doesn't always tell me things, though, and he says that he doesn't remember all of it. Which, considering how traumatic it had to be, is entirely possible. He might have blocked a lot of it out. But, he could also be hiding things from me. I don't know.

It could be worth a shot... if he'd take it. Just... don't tell him you know. If you do meet up with him, and he does tell you things, that's fine, but I'm not sure how he'd feel about people knowing ahead of time.

[ Cisco listens with a grave expression as Keith talks about how he's tried to help and support Shiro. He's glad, that Keith had come to him for a harness for his Lion - he seems like a good dude, and Cisco's glad to have met him. Nodding silently, he pulls out one of the little napkins from the holder on the table and a pen from his pocket, scribbling down a name and phone number and passing it to Keith. ]

Just taking a guess here, but Shiro's probably gonna be more willing to give it a shot if you're the one giving him the number, not me. I mean, I'm just some guy. You're his friend.

[ He tucks away the pen, sinking back in his chair and giving a little sigh. ]

I won't tell him any of that, if we meet. Which is probably bound to happen at some point, I mean. Not that big of a town. But trust me. I get you. I've had some pretty messed up shit happen to me. I mean- [ A little touch of dry humor, in that, as he pauses, gesturing at the number on the napkin. ] -so I get it. I'd feel awkward as hell if I met somebody and the first thing I found out was they knew about any of that stuff.

[Keith reached out and took the number, looking it over. He wasn't sure how Shiro would take this at all, really, but after the ghost event? Keith was concerned. He nodded, folding the napkin carefully and placing it into his pocket.]

Yeah... I've seen some of his reactions to things, too. He's been through a lot... and I can only imagine where it's left him. I worry about him. He pulled me out of a really dark place when I was a kid. I want to do the same if I can, you know?

Thanks.

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[open] try to tell the difference

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