sunset_horizons | Open Post ☼ 05 | ❝Do you remember...❞

[It had taken some time in their universe to figure out the logistics of traversing realities without causing significant damage to theirs or any they would visit. It simply wasn't meant to be done, but when Shiro awoke and mentioned a world the some of others didn't recall right away, but Hunk had. It sounded familiar to Keith, like he'd heard of it before, but...

Bits and pieces float back in dreams and in images Black shares. Talking to Shiro, Hunk and Lance on an unfamiliar ship, a girl around Pidge's age petting his wolf friend, a girl clinging to him in the middle of a forest where people were slowly losing their minds-- interspersed with low rumbles and the now-familiar storm wrapping around his mind. Nights sitting on Black's head and distantly pondering an entirely different desert...

Pieces of their journey back home had a strange sense of deja vu about them. Like they'd done this before, but others... tiny things had changed. Shiro was more vocal about his memories being a blend that felt both off and right, gave advice more frequently even though he was healing physically still. They talked like equals again and through it all, he tried to fill in why some things felt so familiar.

The rest had come back to Keith at the point where they hit their lowest, just as he was about to fire back at a sore spot of Allura's at the fact he'd left them once. They had this argument before. The fog lifted, and he turned his head to look at her and whatever look was in his eyes got her to stop.

A lot changed after that. He remembered, after all. He and Allura wound up speaking privately after that, and when Lance remembered too, they all worked on the logistics of traveling to different realities without leaving tears in their own and the ones they would visit. After all, an unknown person managed to call them to one, it had to be possible to reverse engineer the process. There was plenty of time as they waited in their hospital beds.

All told, it had been four months in their reality, but the passage of time is a fickle thing. Keith and his mother know that better than anyone, so when they managed to finally pull it off, it surprised him to see that they ended up in a version of Tokyo that wasn't, well. Currently rubble like most major cities in their reality. Lions cloaked well away from city limits, everyone drew straws where they'd go scouting for familiar faces.

And, of course, Keith got the short straw to go scouting in Shibuya. Thankfully they thought ahead and packed some street clothes to change into, though that left lines of communication thin. They'd just have to meet up again later and, hopefully, no one would give Allura too many second glances. It's bad enough that, while he and Shiro both blend in as a part-Japanese-Korean and Japanese respectively, his scar and Shiro's ~~far more fitting and not as unnecessarily bulky fuck you dreamworks~~ new prosthetic and scars are eye catching to say the least.

Shiro reminded him before they all split up that it could help their friends find them. Okay, sure honey. Whatever you say. Though after the first hour or so of searching, Keith's starting to regret his life choices just a little bit of not keeping his Blades communicator behind his ear. So many people in the familiar uniform he'd seen a couple of people wearing... Well, at least he knew whose world it is.]

Edited 2019-05-27 00:04 (UTC)

[ like keith, ann hadn't fully remembered everything when she woke up in tokyo again. it was the morning when ren's "death" was announced on nationwide television. in another time and another reality, ann's attention would have been solely focused on the announcement. ren's suicide. how their plan succeeded.

but in this lifetime, ann seemed a little distracted, even prior to her photoshoot that morning. like she hadn't gotten enough sleep. that's because unlike keith and the others, she didn't forget.

her time with ren and makoto, and meeting the paladins of voltron among others. she kept her memories and woke up in the early hours of morning contemplating what she'd just experienced. but she hadn't asked makoto or ren if they'd remembered, yet. she's afraid that it was all just...some weird dream, and voltron never really existed--maybe it was some sort of imaginary robot series she'd made up in her head after futaba started chatting about her sentai series.

this, on top of their plan to fool akechi, makes her head spin.

her photoshoot doesn't go so well, and it's clear the photographers are frustrated with her as they continually try to grab her attention and get her to focus. her agency will definitely hear about this later, which ann is absolutely dreading, but she has more important things to worry about.

when she leaves her photoshoot, ann puts her sunglasses on and pulls out her phone. she starts searching the internet for specific terms: voltron. dream width. and so on so forth... but in the midst of her search, she accidentally bumps into someone. she pulls back immediately and moves to bow apologetically. ]

I'm so sorry, I-- [ she looks up... and her breath catches. there's recognition in her eyes. ]

You're...?

[It wasn't that he'd completely forgotten, but for weeks it had felt like a dream that part of him screamed was real but too much was going on and he needed to focus. He had to be the leader the team needed. During the night, sure, he could think about it. But mission always came first.

That's likely why the news stuns him for a moment as he stares up at the screen. The leader... what? For a moment he's brought back to when he was far younger, when he was angry at the world yet another time and the adults threw their best under the bus to save their own skins. Pilot error flashes in his mind at the news and he frowns. There's no way the guy with messy hair and a calm mask that hid a silly side like Ren's would...

He's about to call it quits and go meet up with the others by the station when someone bumps into him. Keith blinks, stunned for a split second when he recognizes the hair and eyes.]

Ann? [He shakes it off after a second and the usual mask falls over his face.] Yeah, it's me.

[The weird half-alien someone met on an airship.]

[ oh, she remembers. it took less than five minutes for her to figure out keith was part-alien. i'm so proud of her.

anyway. ann's totally speechless when she sees him. they're stopped on the sidewalk in the middle of all the hustle and bustle and people maneuver around them. ann doesn't care. she's still in disbelief that keith, paladin of voltron, is standing in front of her in street attire. ]

Keith?! I--uhhh?! [ ...ann. honey. ] What are you doing here? How'd you--

[ look at her. she's nailing it. ]

[Good job, gold star. So proud.

Fortunately for both of them, Keith's already thinking of what might be overheard. He raises an eyebrow and answers simply:]

We came to visit. [Yes, we. He glances to the side.] Allura, Pidge and Hunk could explain it better. Is there a better place to talk?

[Do they know aliens exist here Ann. Do they. Think about it.]

Uhh.... [ she takes a moment to contemplate this. ] Yeah, actually! How do you feel about burgers?

[ because taking keith to leblanc sounds like a really bad idea with futaba and sojiro around...and no ren. ]

Burgers are fine. [Honestly, he doesn't care. It's not food goo, or Garrison hospital food. It's more than fine right about now. He pulls a small notebook from his jacket and a pen, writes something in near-perfect Japanese, and whistles quietly. Luckily no one seems to notice or rather care about the strange wolf as Kosmo closes the distance. He hands the notebook to him and pats his head.

The canine seems to slink away into the crowd and disappears into the shadows with tiny sparks. Well, at least that still works here.] A message for the others. Lead the way.

Whoaaa! [ she can't help but peak at the message he's writing, and just before kosmo takes off, ann pats the boi on the head fondly. ]

You didn't tell me you knew Japanese!

[ priorities, ann. but anyway, she'll gladly lead him over to big bang burger. no, they're not taking the challenge, but their burgers are pretty damn good. ]

[Kosmo appreciates the pat!! Oh em gee she pat him. He'll come back for more later, just you watch. The note, however, is simply, "Found Takamaki. Meet you at Black later."]

It... never came up? Thanks to whatever was about that other place automatically translated things. [He rubs the back of his neck and shrugs a little helplessly.] My boyfriend's from here and I'm a quarter myself. I... mostly only spoke it until the Garrison.

[Aaand he might be slightly embarrassed about it as he follows her. "Big Bang Burger." Well, that's a name.]

It's a good thing I know English too, or this would be pretty difficult. [ yep. spending time overseas definitely did her some favors. ]

But hey, that's awesome! You're probably getting around just fine then. ...Speaking of which, how's Shiro doing?

[Keith chuckles and shrugs, switching to Japanese.] I'm comfortable with both.

[Again, he speaks it well. Had plenty more practice with Shiro when it was funny to annoy Sam or Matt with the two of them starting to whisper back and forth in a different language while at the table talking shop. There's been less and less reasons for it, but when they didn't want the others to understand something they wanted to keep private...]

When we woke up, he was still missing an arm and having to readjust to some things. Commander Holt, his old mentor, Hunk and Allura worked together on building him a replacement prosthetic. He's adjusting to it, but alright.

I'd ask how things are going here, but. [He nods slightly to the giant TV screen blaring the news.]

[ perfect. ann switches, too. it feels a lot more natural to speak in her native tongue. ]

I'd ask you to tell him I said hi, but if they're all here, then we might as well all get together sometime, yeah?

[ as far as the news goes, though... ann gets a little more solemn but surprisingly, she's not upset. they're at the front of the restaurant now, and ann looks up at keith. her eyes are telling -- there's nothing to worry about. ]

I'll explain inside. It's complicated, but you don't have to worry about a thing.

Yeah. Allura's been wanting to meet you, but we got a little... held up.

[Again, something to talk about inside. Keith nods, recognizing that look. He's spent enough time with the Blades and his mother to pick up on cues. He fixes his dog tags to hide the Blades symbol before following her inside.]

Seriously? Man, I can't wait to meet her, too!

[ she perks up at that, because she's heard so many good things about allura! but first things first, burgers. she leads keith over to the counter and orders two of the deluxe ones. ]

My treat, okay? If you don't mind finding a seat for us while I wait for our food, that'd be awesome.

[A nod to confirm. Yes, Allura had very much been interested in learning more about and now meeting the person Keith let cling to him in the middle of a spooky scary forest. There'd been no end to the teasing, at least until they learned he's very much not interested (and was kind of scared too but what is fear what is this thing he just doesn't know).]

Alright.

[He goes off as quiet as usual to look for somewhere to sit. He finds a table near the window that allows him to see all exits and sits down to wait.]

[ that's also part of the reason why she doesn't want to bring him back to leblanc. especially if akira's there. sure it'd be the safest place to talk, but she'd rather not have anyone ask questions.

she comes back soon enough with their food and sets it on the table. ann sits across from him and grins brightly. ]

Dig in! [ because she sure is. at some point between bites, she looks up at him again. ]

So... You go first. You wanted to talk, right?

[The countdown until Futaba asks all the questions ever has begun, Ann. There's no escaping that fact. He's even inwardly bracing for them in case they don't remember like Ann did. After all, he didn't remember everything right away either.]

Thanks. [His bites are a bit more practiced in that strange mix of speed and mannerly, far too used to having only a short time to eat. Though it's obvious he's slowing himself down after the first few bites.

He smirks faintly at the question, putting down his burger and leaning forward almost conspiratorially. It well might be, considering he lets the slight changes happen in the same gesture. His eyes turn purple and Galra yellow and his fangs elongate as the smirk turns into a faint smile just enough to show it.]

Didn't exactly want to mention the V or A words in front of so many to possibly overhear.

[He says in a low, quiet but casual tone. He leans back again and his face returns to the appearance of a normal human (ha). He keeps the quiet tone, however.]

I don't think I've mentioned this before, but Voltron's capable of crossing into other realities. We've known how for a while, but doing so without tearing holes into the very fabric of both departure and destination realities was something we needed to work out before attempting again. Pidge, Hunk and Allura were working on it for a while. [He frowns, before adding.] We relived what we experienced in the Rift before coming here. The theory is it's because of the timegap Vaikuntha created between Hunk and Shiro and me, Lance, and Pidge.

[ futaba prodding and ren's teasing are gonna be Fun to deal with. especially if by some miracle they find out that keith and ann are hanging out alone. but that'll be something to tackle when it comes.

for now, ann's a little too busy trying to process all of this information. alternate realities aren't a novel concept for her, as technically the phantom thieves do that already -- but that they can do it so freely and end up someplace like here is astounding. ann hadn't realized the power that voltron possessed until now.

that...and keith showing off his galra side is slightly terrifying? but also kind of cool. ann can't help but be startled when he shows off his fangs.

she lowers her voice. ] Okay, Mister Alien Show-off, slow down a sec -- so you're telling me you guys forgot, remembered, and then found your way here? That's pretty weird, because I literally woke up here after it all happened and thought it was a dream. You showing up here pretty much confirmed that it wasn't.

I just think it's strange that you guys had to relive everything and...I didn't.

[Oh, it will be. Keith remembers the time he met the latter in the first place. At least he's vaguely used to being the butt of the jokes.

Alien warships, Ann. Alien warships.]

Lance and Pidge did entirely for a while. Or at least that's as much as their embarrassment'll allow. [He shrugs slightly.] It... felt like a dream for a while for me, but Shiro remembered everything and started asking about those we knew on Vaikuntha the moment he woke up.

[That was fun listening to Shiro explain to Krolia and Allura what he was talking about, though Allura looked as thought a lightbulb went off over her head when he'd explained it.

He looks at her, curious.] Have you spoken to the others about it?

So Shiro was like me, then.

[ odd, that. ann taps her finger on the counter as she hums thoughtfully. ] I wonder why... Not that it matters. Or maybe it does?

[ shrug emoji!! ]

And...no, I haven't. I was gonna shoot Makoto and Futaba a group text about it sometime later today. We just have a lot on our plate right now. But I'll see if they remember, eventually. [ ren is left out of the conversation for...obvious reasons. he'll come back. she just doesn't know when. ]

Edited 2019-05-29 08:46 (UTC)

Can't say I fully understand it, either. [He runs a finger along the rim of his drink cup, thinking.] It might have to do with how we experienced points in our future while trapped in the Rift.

I was the only one familiar with the concept of disruptions of space-time in our team, thanks to a mission with the Blades. It was Hunk, Lance and Pidge's first time, and Shiro...

[His voice trails off for a moment. It's Shiro's story to tell, if he wants to. Not his. So he changes topics.] Last I remember you never disappeared for a week, so that could be why you didn't. So, what's the situation here.

[ she's tempted to ask about shiro, but the way keith trails off... she'll ask shiro about it later. ]

Nope, never did. That was just you guys. [ she shrugs. ] As for what's going on here...

[ she looks up. the billboards outside are still playing the news, but ann isn't fazed. her voice is quiet, mindful of her surroundings. ]

Ren's fine. The Phantom Thieves are fine. Actually, all of this is what we've been wanting. But the plan's pretty complicated -- I'm sure you're used to that, though.

[ so. insert the entire monologue about pancakes, that i really don't feel like writing out because it's so fucking long??? but she gives keith a general rundown of akechi and what they planned to trick him. ]

[It’s for the best if she does. As for the monologue, he listens carefully. Interesting that their feline friend is only understood by those who went into Mementos and know he can speak. He makes a note of that before pondering the rest along with the fact...]

So basically in order to turn the trap on to those who were onto you guys, you altered their perception of reality for just long enough to make sure he survived and probably was sitting there smug about it the whole time.

[He can easily see it happening. It’s also a plan he would come up with had he the means. It’s not the first time he’s thought similarly., but this time he has all of his learned skills and arsenal at his disposal.]

Might be able to help with that. [Amusement and a bit of smug pride shines in his eyes like a lion whose certain in his place. He writes down a number on a napkin and folds it, handing it to Ann.] Will have to speak with the others but from experience I know they’ll likely wanna help. Dialing that number will connect straight to my old phone once Pidge finishes hacking into the cell towers here. Should be done right about now actually.

[It’s kind of nice that she’s back to her usual self instead of how she was back in that place.] Anyway I can help on this side, I will.

Yep! Nailed it in one.

[ he's smart, and she's not surprised he understood what they were trying to do so easily. though when he suggests that he can help, ann's eyes gleam. she takes the napkin and slides it into her pocket. ]

Thanks. Nice to know the Phantom Thieves have the defenders of the universe on our side.

[ as for how they can help, though... ]

We're all reconvening in a bit once Prosecutor Njiima gets Ren back to us at Leblanc. I don't know how I'm gonna explain letting you guys in on the plan, though...

[ well. okay. she might have some idea, but she doesn't know if it's going to work. she'll wait to hear him out first. ]

[Listen he's been on enough stealth and saboteur missions to understand one when he hears and sees one. Keith shrugs slightly.]

You have a Blade, at least. Me. [His teeth feel a bit sharp in his mouth, a reaction to stress but that's all.] ...Did I ever mention the day I met Shiro I stole his car while no one in the crowd between where I was and said vehicle noticing? Or that I'd break into the office at the orphanage to steal back my knife when they'd find it?

[He keeps his tone quiet, light and slightly amused behind the slight embarrassment of what he's basically saying: I'm a spy with a record of thievery.]

I've only gotten better since meeting my mom, and from the sounds of it there aren't many traces electronically to whoever Akechi's working for. There might be something in paper or on a server kept off the grid. I have my tools with me this time, and if I get Lance and Pidge in on it we can get in undetected once we have a name or location and disappear without a trace. ...Or if anyone's tailing you guys, there's a few ways to disable a car without being noticed.

Open Post ☼ 05 | ❝Do you remember...❞

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