[ He might not know them, but he doesn't need to, to recognize the look on the face of the one who speaks first. The wet eyes, the way he's holding the hand of the other. It's grief, of a sort, and for a moment he wonders if it's possible if they knew him. There's a big blank space, that far back; it stands to reason they did, but that seemed unlikely. He was so far from Earth and it had been so long that it wasn't -- it was unlikely but not impossible.
A quick glance to Sendak doesn't help matters. The larger alien is impassive, watching them almost bored, now; if they were supposed to know each other, he thinks that Sendak would look concerned, maybe. Would drag him out.
This is a test, of some sort. Of his dedication to the Empire. What they want out of him isn't exactly clear, but he has to navigate it carefully, quickly, before they upend it on him again and turn it into something else. He might support what the Empire does, and might be a good commander, but that doesn't mean that he supports everything. There are parts to it that make his stomach twist, some vicious things that he can't support but from what he's seen, the order and structure the Empire brings is worthwhile, to a point.
The other one seems calmer - all the way up until he slaps a hand over the first's mouth and comes up against him. They are lovely. If it is meant as a gift - or a test, they're not bad choices. He can't remember ever really doing anything with anyone human - hasn't had the time or the inclination but he thinks he could, looking at them. If only the one wasn't looking at him like he'd gutted him.
Shiro, he'd been called. They had a name for him in Galran, of course, but for some reason that one...felt right. Better. If it made them feel better to call him that, he wasn't going to fight it, not when it was like a puzzle piece clicking into place. ]
You don't want to do that.
[ If he turns them away, he doesn't know what will happen but he knows it won't be good. He remembers his time as Champion, remembers the endless fighting and the 'rewards' and 'punishments.' Remembers the ring, the other aliens, remembers every bit of that. He might not be able to save everyone, but if he can do little things, then it's acceptable. It's made all the easier the higher he raises in the ranks, changing things from the inside bit by bit. He-- Shiro, can maybe fix this, too. ]
That took months to accomplish.
[ A glance at Sendak gets a nod and a hand out, a clear it's for you, why don't you do something. It isn't the first, or last time he's performed on command. Slowly, he moves closer, crouches in front of them and presses a hand to the first man's shoulder, thumb sliding lightly over it. His voice is too soft for Sendak to hear; it's only meant for them. English doesn't come as easily to him at first, the words rusty, but he manages after a moment. ]
You've been in other matches. This is just one more.
[ That's-- not really comforting and he seems to realize it a moment later. ]
I won't hurt you.
[ That said, he slips back and whatever conversation he has with Sendak is too quiet to hear, but full of sharp gestures on his part, a line of tension visible in his shoulders, his Galran hand fisting tightly. When it's over, Shiro's on his way back, taking the decorative leashes in hand. ]
i'm here for a keith sandwich with shiro as the meat tbh
A quick glance to Sendak doesn't help matters. The larger alien is impassive, watching them almost bored, now; if they were supposed to know each other, he thinks that Sendak would look concerned, maybe. Would drag him out.
This is a test, of some sort. Of his dedication to the Empire. What they want out of him isn't exactly clear, but he has to navigate it carefully, quickly, before they upend it on him again and turn it into something else. He might support what the Empire does, and might be a good commander, but that doesn't mean that he supports everything. There are parts to it that make his stomach twist, some vicious things that he can't support but from what he's seen, the order and structure the Empire brings is worthwhile, to a point.
The other one seems calmer - all the way up until he slaps a hand over the first's mouth and comes up against him. They are lovely. If it is meant as a gift - or a test, they're not bad choices. He can't remember ever really doing anything with anyone human - hasn't had the time or the inclination but he thinks he could, looking at them. If only the one wasn't looking at him like he'd gutted him.
Shiro, he'd been called. They had a name for him in Galran, of course, but for some reason that one...felt right. Better. If it made them feel better to call him that, he wasn't going to fight it, not when it was like a puzzle piece clicking into place. ]
You don't want to do that.
[ If he turns them away, he doesn't know what will happen but he knows it won't be good. He remembers his time as Champion, remembers the endless fighting and the 'rewards' and 'punishments.' Remembers the ring, the other aliens, remembers every bit of that. He might not be able to save everyone, but if he can do little things, then it's acceptable. It's made all the easier the higher he raises in the ranks, changing things from the inside bit by bit. He-- Shiro, can maybe fix this, too. ]
That took months to accomplish.
[ A glance at Sendak gets a nod and a hand out, a clear it's for you, why don't you do something. It isn't the first, or last time he's performed on command. Slowly, he moves closer, crouches in front of them and presses a hand to the first man's shoulder, thumb sliding lightly over it. His voice is too soft for Sendak to hear; it's only meant for them. English doesn't come as easily to him at first, the words rusty, but he manages after a moment. ]
You've been in other matches. This is just one more.
[ That's-- not really comforting and he seems to realize it a moment later. ]
I won't hurt you.
[ That said, he slips back and whatever conversation he has with Sendak is too quiet to hear, but full of sharp gestures on his part, a line of tension visible in his shoulders, his Galran hand fisting tightly. When it's over, Shiro's on his way back, taking the decorative leashes in hand. ]
Come on.