Somewhere around 2/28 to 3/1

[tookashirototheknee]

I would like everyone to join me in wishing a very happy birthday to Liminal Space's best six-and-a-half year old, Takashi Shirogane!

Happy birthday, dude. If I could make things, I'd make you a cake.

Comments

[vrepit_no]

Really! ...any chance you'd be willing to show me how sometime?

[insidegalra]

I would be happy to.

[There's a pause, and that pause has a weight to it. He hasn't said it out loud since Shiro's dungeon but...] Brother.

[vrepit_no]

[There's a short, startled silence.]

Thace... I'm honored.

[insidegalra]

The honor is mine.

[Which is a direct callback to something that happened in his first dungeon, regarding his thoughts about meeting Keith.]

[tookashirototheknee]

Thanks, Thace.

I have no idea how we're doing the wedding, but I think Shiro and I would both like you to be a part of it.

[tookashirototheknee]

Oh, yes good. I like that.

[insidegalra]

I have no idea what the human customs really are, so I'm at your mercy. But I'll help however you need me to.

[bite_the_hand]

[There is a lot there, and quite honestly Eren could spend the next 15 minutes yelling about all of it. But there's a couple of things in there that reach such a new level of stupid that instead there's a long moment of stunned silence. Long enough that Shiro might wonder if Eren was going to respond at all. Until, finally, Eren continues in the most incredulous tone that's telepathically possible.]

...I think I heard you wrong. It sounded like people in your world think only men can be soldiers and only women should read books.

[bite_the_hand]

What the hell is wrong with pink!?

[Is it possible to groan in frustration over the Network? Because if it is, that's exactly what Eren's doing right now.]

[claudiometer]

[And pretty much no one who grew up with this can blame him.]

Hell if I know, dude. At least you're learning about it from people who don't know why it's a thing either?

[bite_the_hand]

That does help, yeah. If someone tried to tell me this bullshit was a good thing, I'd have to punch them. [And anyone that thinks he's joking about that doesn't know Eren very well.]

[claudiometer]

I sure wouldn't blame you.

[vrepit_no]

Not entirely. But boys are considered naturally more active and militant, and girls are taught that they should be quiet and retiring. So it fits with the society perception that way.

In school everyone is taught how to read and encouraged to do so. By my time girls are welcomed into the military no problem, but it's still mostly assumed outside the military ranks that girls are more likely to be communications and computers and medicine rather than front line fighters, which is completely wrong of course.

[vrepit_no]

[Something changes, like the feeling of distant storms in summer, that heavy, electric thrill and the refreshing breath of wet air in the heat. Thace knows that Shiro is nigh overwhelmed with pride and awe, appreciation and emotion. It's not just that he knows it - he can feel it.]

[There is a beat of silence and surprise washes over Shiro, and through to Thace.]

...Oh. Wow. Is that...? Did you mean to do that?

[insidegalra]

[The surprise is echoed, and then there's warmth, slowly creeping higher, like a sunrise on a planet. Behind the surprise there's respect and admiration and an almost tentative love of the friendship kind, like Thace isn't sure it's okay to feel something like that but he does anyway. The sudden feelings, the knowing, the intimacy.]

True Bond-- I didn't... I kept it?

[Thace is well aware that not all things from overlays are kept, but this is a surprise. A good one, but still enough to have him fumbling.]

I'm glad to share it with you. If you-- Do you want to share such a thing with me?

[thornsofmalkav]

[WORRYINGLY SO.]

[thornsofmalkav]

That's adorable.

[vrepit_no]

Definitely. He'll probably also get around to the Goldilocks Zone and how unimaginative the universe is about planets and why we need to expand the space program. Which he'll probably have some new material for since last time I heard the speech. ...Hm. Might have to hunt down some booze.

[vrepit_no]

[Joy and happiness, tinged with relief. A rock-solid respect at the base. Not a hint of fear or trepidation. Not with Thace. Not anymore.]

Yes. I'd love to share this with you. Family. It feels almost natural like this.

[Chuckle.]

You don't seem too upset about it.

[insidegalra]

Upset, no! This is good, just-- I'm surprised. Which you probably already felt.

[A beat, and there's almost a shyness to the emotions coming from Thace's end. They're positive though.]

It will take some getting used to though. I'm pleased that if there's need, I'll be able to give you my strength.

[vrepit_no]

Same here. [The emotional burst fades down to a background hum.] I think I can... Yeah. Mute it a little so you don't have to deal with that all the time. Figured that one out before Pidge started complaining about cooties.

[insidegalra]

[It feels like it's settling, and Thace isn't surprised at the faintness. Thae had mostly only felt distinct emotions from Allura when they were very close or intentionally pushing them to the front. The hum is almost distracting, because he's so very aware of it and what it means, but it's also pleasant at the same time, and Thae had been used to it. It'll just take time.]

I don't mind when the environment isn't threatening, and you're willing to be... heard? Felt? But in tense situations feedback loops are possible.

[And feedback loops could tear both of them down, negative emotions amplifying and--- Better to work out how to avoid that before it happens.]

1/2

[vrepit_no]

Makes sense. Emotions are complex at the best of times. Hang on...

[private, no protection]

[vrepit_no]

If one of us is in trouble and it's hard to speak aloud, it might be helpful to have more access than this. Widen the door a little. That way we can get an idea of how the other is reacting to certain stimuli.

[This is hard to talk about, to admit to, that sometimes it's bad enough that he winds up non-verbal, but better to be up front about it.]

[private, no protection]

[insidegalra]

I understand. It is a good idea to be able to dim, and to increase the connection. Perhaps we can practice and work out a system to support each other?