starlogs | (no subject)

[ Funny how he imagined being in space for so long and now he is and can't seem to be on a planet long enough for it to count anymore. It's not the worst fate, but sometimes he can't help but wonder what his purpose even is.

Even more so when he's given a job grooming cats. That seems like an insult of a variety he doesn't care for. Not to mention he's pretty sure cats groom themselves. ...don't they??

Whatever.

It would make sense, anyway, because a black one runs away from him and out into the belly of the ship. Not that he knows what he's doing—and it shows from the scratches on his arms—but he's pretty sure if he loses a cat on his first day on the job, he's going to get fired. Not that he cares or anything. It's just the principle of the thing!!!

Which is why he goes chasing after it without much thought, dodging people and dinosaur looking creatures along the way. Of course as agile as he is, sometimes even Keith messes up. Which happens before he even realizes it's too late. He crashes into someone hard enough to bounce off and hit the ground. Landing with a heavy thud and an even heavier groan, Keith just confirms he hates his life. ]

Ow... [ but he pushes up quick enough, rubbing his elbow and glancing up, ] Sorry.

[ Lately, Wash has had a lot on his mind. Being here on this ship, what happened on Oros, his leg and all of the limitations that healing inflicts on him, Maine and Carolina, and the cats. They aren't exactly his responsibility, but now that he's been assigned to take care of them, he feels like maybe they are. Someone has to look out for those who are weaker and since arriving in Blood Gulch, that someone has been him.

By now, it's all force of habit.

So he isn't paying as much attention as he ought to be either, when he rounds the corner and bangs into someone else. If his leg hadn't been fucked up, he wouldn't have fallen, but since it's not as strong as it usually is, the impact makes it buckle and he lands hard on his ass. ]

Fuck. [ It's an exhale more than it's a fully formed word and as he gets his bearings, he focuses on the guy he just collided with. ] Sorry. [ Which is what the guy just said. ] No, I'm sorry. That was my fault.

[ It probably was. Things usually are.

Heaving himself to his feet with a grimace, Wash gingerly hobbles over and extends his hand. ]

Here.

[ The first thought that runs through Keith's mind is that he ran into this guy so hard he actually hurt him. That... would not be good. An apology rushes to the tip of his tongue again—not that it would make up for this at all. ]

No, I—no. It was mine.

[ He hesitates in taking the offered hand because he feels bad and embarrassed and stupid. But, realizing that might be more of an insult if he brushes off the offer of help, Keith slides his hand over and holds it, though keeps all of his weight to himself to get up. ]

I wasn't really watching where I was going.

[ Which is annoying to admit, but there it is. He takes his hand back and runs it through his hair, ruffling it up even more than it already is. He shifts in a slightly awkward sort of way. ]

Didn't happen to see a cat, did you? [ He exhales, wondering how the hell he's going to explain this to his boss. ] First day on the job and I lost one already.

[ It's easier than Wash expects to get the guy on his feet, which he understands to mean that he's helping to take his own weight. What isn't clear is if he's doing out of pride or because he can tell Wash is injured. Likely it's the former. No one likes looking weak in front of others. And Wash's own pride would be assuaged by that as well.

The whole matter gets rendered moot an instant later when the guy mentions a lost cat. ]

A cat? [ Wash's eyebrows rise. ] No, I didn't. But I'll help you look. What's your job? [ He jerks a thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the shelter. ] I've got one down at the animal shelter.

[ Instantly Keith is on the defensive about the job. It's not this guy's fault, Keith is the one who brought it up first. But, he hates the name of it and isn't inclined to actually say it to anyone. He just can't do it. So, he's a little sullen when he responds; ]

A cat groomer. [ Then, more to himself, ] I thought they groomed themselves...

[ He shifts a little uncomfortably and scans the area. How the hell is he supposed to find a black cat out here??? ]

You don't have to. [ Asking fir help is such a struggle. Even when it's offered. ] But, thanks.

[ He does appreciate it even if he might not appear like he is. This just reflects poorly on him. He doesn't like that. He does start moving in the direction the cat went. Or, that he thinks it went. ]

Oh. [ He glances over and makes the attempt at a weak smile. ] I'm Keith, by the way.

[ He doesn't have to do it, but he's offering. Partly out of a general sort of vague concern for the lost animal and partly because he's not doing anything else at the moment and this poor guy looks like he could use a little help. Wash returns that weak smile with a slightly more pronounced one of his own. ]

Wash. Nice to meet you.

[ Moving along beside him, Wash keeps his attention on the corridor in front of them. He's scanning it, looking into any nooks and crannies they might encounter for the missing feline. ]

They do. [ A beat later, he realizes that might require further elaboration. ] Groom themselves. Some of them just need a little extra help. I have to do it sometimes at the shelter. Especially for the ones with long hair.

[ Does that make him sound pathetic? Maybe it does. The other Freelancers would probably laugh at him. ]

[ No, it doesn't make him sound pathetic. A handful of sentences and Wash ( what the heck kind of name... ) told him more than his "manager" did back at the grooming place. Granted, Keith doesn't know a lot about animals no matter the species. But, it just seemed common knowledge that cats groomed themselves and don't need grooming services the way that dogs do.

So.

?????

He makes kind of a face that's halfway between hopeless and fed up. It's something he's gotten down pat, sort of like an art form. ]

Extra help? What do you mean? [ he glances over at Wash in a quick there and back sort of furtive look ] I've never really had a pet or anything so... [ he shrugs ] All of this is kind of weird to me to even think about doing on a spaceship.

[ That's a sentiment Wash understands all too well. He huffs a quiet laugh in response. ]

Tell me about it. The last ship I was on was a training facility. We spent our time running combat scenarios, not taking care of animals.

[ Among other things. Less savory things. But airing Freelancer's dirty laundry is a story for another day. Not something to share with a stranger he's just met.

What he can share are some of the things he's learned during the course of his own stupid job. He looks over at Keith, flashes a hint of a smile. ]

Some cats have a thicker coat. More hair means more matting and even their grooming habits aren't enough to prevent it. So they need brushed. Sometimes the more aggressive ones need their nails trimmed to protect the others.

Edited 2017-02-26 22:46 (UTC)

[ In the long run, he supposes it's not the most unnatural thing for someone to know how to take care of cats. People have pets. People like pets. So, people tend to know about things they like. Keith assumes this guy—Wash—enjoys cats.

Even if it seems a little weird now that he's mentioned being on a ship and having it be combat training. Keith can't help but wonder where the whole cat thing comes in. Hobby? ( Do people have pets for hobbies? Is he overthinking this? Probably. ) ]

Oh.

[ Not very helpful. Then again, Keith isn't known for being that often. It's good information to have at least. ...Well, assuming he has a job after today, anyway. ]

I guess that makes sense.

[ He looks over at Wash quickly before once again looking for the stupid cat that got away. ]

So, space isn't new to you, either? [ He makes some sort of half-hearted gesture to outside the Eluvio. ] The last ship I was on is here in the fleet. [ Nevermind it's the only one he's been on in a traveling capacity. ] For whatever reason...

[ Because that's not weird, or anything. ]

What sort of training were you doing? [ one shoulder rolls in a slight shrug. ] I mean, I know you said combat stuff, but...

[ Sometimes the stars align in the perfect way for the most perfect storm of shit. That seems to be the track Keith's life is taking as of late, so he's not really surprised on a pass through the atrium when he sees a familiar shape of annoyance by the water.

Not entirely shocking to see Lance there. Keith has the thought to just turn around and head back the way he came. It'd be easy enough. It's not like he's been spotted yet. But, there's no real excuse for it beyond just not wanting to be sociable right now.

Then again, if Keith waits until he's feeling sociable, he'd never talk to anyone. Pity.

With a heavy sigh and resignation in his gait, he ambles over to where Lance is—maybe in the back of his mind hoping he startles him enough to take a header into the pond. ( What?? It would be funny, okay!! ) So, he's silent on the way over, cool-as-you-please with his hands stuffed in his pockets and his tone even and bored; ]

Hey.

[ really, it's amazing it took him this long to get onto the eluvio in the first place. sure, he went through the classes. the meetings. wandered around a little before he ended up back on the lion and back into his stuff. but if he'd know something like this existed? it wouldn't have even been a question.

like, okay, so maybe he could have done with a little less on the trees and park and nature stuff. but there's water. and it's cool. and it's out doors and it's open and whatever that weird, space-claustraphobia stuff that happens sometimes is kind of gone now?

he wonders if there are stars up in the fake sky at night.

these are the kinds of thoughts he's having when he's VERY RUDELY AND VIOLENTLY jerked out of his head and into the moment. ]

What the actual- Oh, it's just you. [ THE MOST ANTICLIMACTIC was the heart attack really worth it. also, he was pretty close to falling in. not completely, but almost. try again next time, keith. you jerk.

but okay, so the unimpressed tone kind of goes away as lance moves to stand, wiping off his pants like they had somehow gotten dirty. ] I didn't know you were here, dude. Did you just show up?

[ Damn. Well, can't win them all.

Keith still looks bored and unaffected by Lance's clear insult. If it can even be called that. He'd roll his eyes if he wanted to expend that kind of effort on Lance. But, he doesn't, so he won't. Instead he just looks at him as if he's some kind of idiot ( which, to be fair, Keith thinks Lance is sometimes ), then shifts to look out over the water. Begrudgingly, he'd have to agree with Lance that being here does kind of do away with that whole space claustrophobia. Logically he knows it's just a trick, but he'll take it.

He kind of wishes the Castle of Lions had something like this to make things a little easier. ]

Yeah.

[ Helpful. How does one have a normal conversation? File not found. Keith casts around for something normal to say. ]

Did your lion come with you?

[ Well, that's normal for them. Half effort. ]

[ LITERALLY THE MOST RUDE?????

but that's okay. lance is pretty used to keith generally being rude and mean and hard to talk to and be around like, maybe most of the time. he is adaptable and just generally great and charismatic, so he makes it work.

lance is used to picking up keith's slack generally, so what's one more, right? ]

This is pretty crazy, right? But yeah! I'm glad I got here with Blue, because I don't know how I would have survived if I didn't, but still- [ that's okay, keith doesn't really need to be able to have normal conversations with lance around. lance will conversate with himself. ]

Red's with you too, right? I mean, it's still really weird- last thing I remember was being in the Castle and then bam! [ cue hand signals plus sound effects ] I was in a weird test tube testing area. It doesn't sound bad, but I kinda wish they'd asked first? Like, we're already saving the universe, I don't mind helping these guys out either.

Edited 2017-02-14 16:23 (UTC)

[ "Great and charismatic." Right, citation necessary on that wikipedia entry.

Keith knows that Lance is fully capable of having a conversation all by himself. It wouldn't be the first time and likely won't be the last. He stands there, quietly judging him for it but not saying a word in return. Mostly because he can't get a word in edgewise yet. He does, however, nod at the question because yes, the Red Lion is here, too. Which is good. But, also a little weird because he doesn't want to think about the logistics of this whole thing.

Because it's kind of invasive in a way. How is some anomaly bringing them in with space crafts. Putting them in tubes. This is all questionable, but he doesn't know who to question or what to actually question. He wets his lips and rubs his hands on the legs of his pants. ]

I don't know that we're meant to be helping... [ he trails off because he isn't really sure how to finish it; ] But, I don't know what we're supposed to be doing, either. I could say this is the weirdest thing, but...

[ Well. Lance has been there. He's seen the same weird shit Keith has recently. ]

[ citation not needed due to the fact it's a generally known and accepted fact.

and, really, keith could interject wherever he wanted. lance's babbling is equal parts nervous, kind of terrified energy as it is him actually trying to communication and relay any sort of information. but the nod helps - that means they have both the red and the blue lions. they're like what....kind of halfway there? not really but sort of? in a way.

eh, math. whatever. ]

Then why'd they bring us here at all? Or let us leave? It's not like space travel is new to us or anything, and with the Castle we should just be able to- [ there's a noise accompanying some arm waving, which is - in some way - supposed to mimic a wormhole opening and them going through it. ]

It just seems really....fishy. But not the weirdest. Don't even say it's the weirdest. You're going to jinx us.

[ It's concerning that they can't leave. As they both know, space is... literally open space. They have no reason to stay. And yet, they seem compelled to stay. Or, not they specifically, but the ships in the fleet don't seem to be going anywhere, but remaining clustered together. Why? What's causing that? Keith didn't ask Allura about the wormhole thing, but maybe he should have.

He sort of ignores Lance for a few passing moments while he chews on that thought. That's definitely something he's going to have to look into at a later date. ]

Yeah, it is pretty suspect.

[ But, even if they could wormhole out of here, it... just doesn't seem fair to leave these other people behind. Even if Keith knows it's impossible to save one hundred percent of the people one hundred percent of the time. ]

And I really doubt me saying that is going to jinx anything. But, just so we're clear, you pointing it out is what's going to jinx us.

[ i mean, sure. the last few months have been some of the strangest of lance's life. going from not knowing that aliens existed to having to save countless different planets full of them. fighting huge empire-esque evil aliens and then finding out that??? not all of them are evil???

so this whole thing? weird but not out of the realm of understanding. he just doesn't like the idea that he's being kept anywhere. even if this place is really freaking sweet.

but then there's keith. smart, talented, totally way too conspiracy-theory-based keith. maybe lance shouldn't have said anything. is he going to find another weird hidden corkboard of ideas? ]

Yeah. Suspect. [ because that sounds smarter. still - lance crosses his arms over his chest, frowning at the other paladin. ]

No, I said it wasn't the weirdest. If you said it was, then we'd be jinxed. Duh.

[ Coran likes to pride himself on sharp reflexes and a good memory, however debatable either of those traits even are from day-to-day. And the fact of the matter is, Keith has a way of standing out in a crowd. He's not the tallest or the loudest by any means, but... there's just something so very Keith about him as a person.

It helps that Coran has been keeping his eyes sharply peeled for familiar anythings since the moment he set foot on this vessel. That seems to be the natural first step for everyone freshly arrived. That outfit, hair, and withdrawn demeanor are a blessing during times such as these.

Anyway, he'll be the one promptly making a big old scene out of it. ]

Keith! [ Look, he's waving a lot. It's him, he's the guy, he's over here. ] There you are, thank goodness!

[ And Keith likes to think he's completely unremarkable and not able to be picked out in a crowd. So much for that.

The thing is, though, is that while he is a little embarrassed because everyone on a fifteen foot radius is now looking in the direction the yelling is coming from and the direction being yelled too, he's kind of relieved. Coran might be a little weird, but he's a good guy. Not to mention just one more grounding sense of familiarity in an otherwise weird situation.

Still. He walks briskly over to where a Coran is, keeping his head ducked and not looking at anyone along the way. ]

Hey, Coran. [ Please stop being so loud. He's here now. ] When did you get here?

[ Note to Coran: the shouting worked. It's just so nice to see a paladin in these trying times, whether that paladin recently ignored a direct order not to directly engage a millenia-old warrior at the head of a massive, powerful empire or not. To his experience, anyway.

And to think, he was so sure they'd all be off to different places across the universe. ]

Not too long ago! I've just been getting my bearings. [ Coran is rarely a quiet man. But he is quieter now that Keith is within normal speaking range. ]

How about yourself, Number Four? You don't look like you've gotten into any grave peril! That has to be a good sign.

[ Look. He had the opportunity and he was going to take it. He did take it, in fact. Because he couldn't live out his life knowing the chance was there and he did nothing for it. They're trying to win and save the universe. What sort of paladin would he be if he didn't take a chance?

He gives a bit of a deadeyed sort of look at being called "Number Four" even though he knows it's just Coran being... well, Coran about it. Not that it does any harm. But still. Four?! ]

No? [ Keith drags the word out, brows furrowed slightly. ] Everything's fine. [ As fine as it can be in a time like this, anyway. ] Pretty weird place, huh?

[ Except, he kind of likes it. ]

[ Sorry Keith. Height order makes concessions for no paladin. ]

-- yes, I suppose! [ Weird. Unexpected-weird. As far as general content goes, he's kind of digging it himself. ] You can really tell that this is the hub for a lot of activity! Of course, if I'd come here on purpose, I think I'd be much more impressed.

[ Keith gives a quick look around them. It does appear to be where all the action is and it's the most normal thing about all of this. People milling around, talking, laughing, grazing around in groups. It's normal human behavior. Mixed in with some random huge aliens wandering around.

He turns back to Coran with a considering expression. ]

What? You're not impressed by just randomly showing up in some huge spacecraft that seems to have endless amenities?

[ Even though it's said so flatly, he's definitely just teasing. ]

[ He twirls one end of his mustache. He is also vaguely proud of Keith for taking this all so well. ]

Oh, what can I say? I've got a firm set of standards! It's a shame, really, I would've gladly made a detour out this way if I'd known about it.

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@wash

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@lance

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slides in here

\o/

eluvio 2017: coran shows up mid-class to bring keith his lunchbox

coran......... no.......

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