[Video]

[lonered]

[Keith spent a long time debating whether to bother with video for this or just go with text. But the truth is, for what he's aiming for, it's better to do this virtual-face to virtual-face. Or something. He's even done bothering with the frankly ridiculous mask. For now.

The video opens to a fairly normal looking teenager (aside from the fact that what's visible of him is definitely dressed in a skin-tight vaguely glowy futuristic space suit), hesitating a moment like he's still debating on how to begin.]

So. Uh.

[Good start, Keith. Solid.]

I guess all of us are stuck in the same boat whether we want to be or not. And apparently that boat is headed for some other world before we know it.

I'll be honest. I don't know if we can trust this Astoria as far as we can throw her. [And he knows she can hear this, but he's said as much to her face, so there's that.] But for now I guess I plan on going along to see how things play out. [Which after discussing with Shiro, he feels pretty okay about, as plans go.]

But... just waltzing into other worlds, and potentially meddling in them... that could go bad really quickly if someone makes an enemy of the wrong person. If that happens, it might not be a terrible idea to know what we've got on our side.

Not just magic either. Because... that's really new to me at least. But we all bring some experience or skills or knowledge or something to the table, right? If we're gonna be any sort of team, we may as well know our strengths. And what we might be lacking.

[Maybe? Keith is now wondering if it was a bad idea to give him a way to talk to so many people at once. But he's committed now, no help for it. So he'll even go first.]

I'm Keith. Uh... I guess I'm pretty good with a sword. Pretty good in anything that flies. And I'm mostly used to being in space, lately. But it does't sound like that'll be helpful in this El Minha place. Also apparently I can fly now. So... there's that.

Anyone else feel like sharing?


(( hit him up, hit each other up, threadjack as you like! ))

Comments

[Video]

[spaceforged]

They tried to get out of my way at the same time I tried to reverse thrusters to get out of theirs. [And he'd smacked right into a mountain. Not one of his finer moments.]

Anyway. A crash pad and maybe a practice course? I can think of a few ways to help people practice their flying. Shapeshifted or not.

[Video]

[lonered]

Ouch. Can't imagine that ending too well.

[Poor Shiro. At least he lived to tell the tail. But right okay yes, focus.]

A practice course sounds like a great idea, yeah. I'd like to work on maneuvering better. I bet other people would too.

[Video]

[spaceforged]

Just make sure you don't spend all your time in the air.

[He knows Keith and thinking it over adds.]

We should think about protective gear as well. Depending on the ability. ...not sure how many shapeshifters we'll have this time.

[Video]

[lonered]

...I won't.

[He totally will. He may need to be dragged down. But. That doesn't mean he can't pretend he's grumpy at even the insinuation!!]

Huh. You know I hadn't thought about that at all.

[But it's still a good idea.]

[Video]

[spaceforged]

Got caught up in being able to fly? [His tone is a bit teasing, but from his grin he totally understands it.]

Don't worry, we'll figure everything out and help other flyers get used to their magic. You did really well on your first flight.

Re: [Video]

[lonered]

[So called out here. His lips purse into an expression he'd like to not call a pout, but it's kind of a pout. ...he totally did, Shiro. In his defense though, it's amazing. He can fly without a ship now. And Shiro can fly... as a ship!]

...maybe a little. Its kind of incredible.

[He admits. And will stop pouting because praise from Shiro kind of has that effect on him at the best of times.] Well I didn't crash so I'll count it as a win as far as first tries go. I'm pretty eager to give it another go, really get a handle on it. I bet others are too.

[Video]

[spaceforged]

I was more worried about you pushing it too far than crashing. [It's more amusing than he wants to admit to get Keith to pout. He would tease him so more but, he's distracted by the idea of more flying.]

Whenever you want to try again I'll go with you. Like I said I need to get used to the upgrades and I'll keep an eye on you.

Still looking around for straps to fit my other shape. It was easier when it wasn't the size of a truck.

[Video]

[lonered]

I don't always push things.

[Yes. Yes he does. There is a whole list of people who can provide multiple concrete examples. Some on film. But he's quick to jump at that offer.] Yeah? Great. Then soon. Before we wind up in that El Minha place anyway.

[More practice before he winds up needing it.]

Straps, huh? There's one guy who can just... create inanimate objects out of nothing. Maybe he could help you out.

[Video]

[spaceforged]

Maybe. I was going to look around and see what could be modified for it, for now.

[He could reference so many times Keith pushed himself. But a good number of those times had saved him or Black. Besides, a leader has to push themselves. They can't lead if they don't have a handle on things. He lets it go.]

After this call and everyone responds soon enough?

[Video]

[lonered]

[So many times. So so many times.

But Keith will let that subject drop too because it's far more exciting to latch onto Shiro's next words.]

Yeah, definitely. I'm ready whenever you are.

[Video]

[spaceforged]

I did learn something just now. I didn’t notice it before but, the watch changes size when I shift shape. I could probably text like that but I’d have to learn how. Lion feet are not conductive to the task.

[Video]

[lonered]

[Keith snorts while trying to hold back a laugh because the image of Black Lion Shiro trying to figure out texting is amazing.]

Maybe stick to video or audio. But it's probably useful you can still access the network even in that form. Even if it's not secure, it's still a quick way to get in contact, and there might be times we need that.

[But he's still trying not to smirk.] I want to watch you try to text though.

[Video]

[spaceforged]

Does it translate growls to words? I can't talk as a Lion. [He hadn't tested it before. Maybe he could get around that problem that way. He shrugs and adds, lightly.]

You can see a lion text if it has to happen. But until then you'll just have to imagine it.

Re: [Video]

[lonered]

Oh hey that's true, you're not actually talking, talking. Huh.

[Complicated, Shiro. Who knew shapeshifting into an alien lion-shaped warship via inexplicable magic could carry so many complicated questions.]

Maybe you should test it out. The growling. ...and the texting. [Come on Shiro give him this. He asks for so little. ...okay that's not true at all.]

But at the very least you could probably start a communication if you needed to for any reason. If you were in that form and in trouble.

[Video] 1/2

[spaceforged]

[Keith has valid points. Enough to convince him to try it. Once. The feed briefly shuts off as he shapeshifts.]

[Video] 2/2

[spaceforged]

[And clicks back on to the familiar glowing yellow eyes set in the face of the Black Lion. He presses his nose to the screen for a moment and his low rumbling growl fills the speakers.

At first, the test is just one long Growwwll. Speech to text has a bit of a fit that's similar texts, then finally.]

Keith?

Re: [Video] 2/2

[lonered]

Ha!

[Keith notes, surprised and a little impressed.] It works! ...is that what my name sounds like in Lion?

[Very interesting. ...also a little intimidating to be skyping with the Black Lion. But intimidating or not it's oddly cute. Is it wrong to find Shiro cute in this form? It probably is. And yet here Keith is.]

[Video]

[spaceforged]

[This is a really weird experience and that's coming from a space pilot that shape-shifts into an alien Lion-shaped machine. He leans back so his nose isn't too close to the screen. And does the lion equivalent of a shrug, lifting his shoulders and letting them fall back down. He attempts words again, by which there's just more rumbles and growling.]

I guess so. This is really weird but, at least we know it does work. I can deal with this in an emergency.

[Video]

[lonered]

It definitely is. In the off chance you can't safely change back, at least you can get in touch with someone.

[He's kind of trying not to laugh though. Lion trying to talk is still weirdly cute. ...so is Lion shrugging.]

[spaceforged]

[Shiro changes back and stretches one arm after the other. Keith can laugh all he wants.]

It would be good for scouting too. I wouldn't have to change back to give a report or assessment.

[lonered]

[Keith will. But maybe later to himself. For now he focuses and nods.]

Good point. So definitely useful to know.

[It really sounds like Shiro has figured out this power of his and its best uses. It's a reminder of how long Shiro has been in a situation like this already.]

[spaceforged]

I can’t signal without a tool but this could work for that too.

[He rubs the back of his neck, chasing that strange feeling of his body not being his away. It’s a side effect he has long gotten used to.]

Keith. Did you notice any side effect or draw back to your flight power?

[lonered]

[Keith isn't expecting that question but he considers.]

I've still sort of just started to use it, I guess. But... so far, I just get tired. Like, my whole body manages to hurt after a while, like I'm using all my muscles at the same time. Which is weird, because I don't think I'm using any of them.

[But if that's the worst of it, maybe he'll be okay.] ...do you have side effects, Shiro?

[spaceforged]

[Normally he’d private the conversation at this point. He weighs on doing it. But new Circle members need to know about this possible drawback.]

The longer I’m in the form of the Black Lion the harder it is to stay in control of my emotions and the more alien being the Lion feels. I can’t hold for more than a few hours but...I don’t think it’s a good idea to be in it for longer than that. Even Twi and I’m shaking off those side effects when I change back.

[Well with that pleasant thought out there.]

And it sounds like yours could be using all of your body at once. First time I ever changed shape I was utterly exhausted. Try to rest more than you normally would until you’re used to it.

[lonered]

[Okay so see, Keith is really glad to know this. But he's also concerned because honestly it sounds more than a little frightening. Like Shiro is half losing himself to his other form. And he knows full well how closely and deeply Shiro's managed to bond to the Black Lion. And now to be in that form.]

Definitely not a good idea to push it then.

[But now Keith has something to keep an eye out for.

A nod, distracted really, at the comment about his powers. If he's just worrying about exhaustion, it's less concerning. He's pushed himself to the point of collapse before; he knows what it feels like and how to recover.]

I'll make sure I keep my strength up.