text; un: altea

[juniberries]

Has anyone here ever woken from a dream that...felt too long and too real, to the point where it MUST have happened?

Because for awhile, it truly seemed like I was back in my universe. But then I woke and
Well
I am still here. But I do not feel the same.

[PRIVATE TO: LANCE, PIDGE, KEITH.]

I must speak with you about what you went through before being brought here. Please remind me of what you remember last.

Comments

[yokunaru]

[It takes him a second to figure out what she could've meant by that.]

You mean you ended up back home to the time the anomaly took you from?

[It would explain some things he's been puzzling over since Yurio and Otabek arrived, if this is true.]

[juniberries]

Yes, exactly the moment. And as I said, it was as though I had never been here.

I remember NOT remembering, if that makes any sense.

[yokunaru]

You mean you didn't remember being on the Eluvio either?

[juniberries]

Yes, exactly.

[yokunaru]

I'm not sure how this all works, but maybe there's a chance it was actually real?

A couple skaters from home arrived here not too long ago and they insisted Viktor and I were still there before the anomaly got them, too. I've been wondering how it could be possible since then. This is all really confusing.

[juniberries]

I have been wondering the same ever since my advisor and the other Paladins had been brought in. Coran remembered exactly what I recalled happening, but the others seemed to have been taken from different points in time.

I am going to see if what I went through aligns with what they remember.

[yokunaru]

Your memories aren't matching up with theirs either?

I wish there was someone we could ask about this. The captain of the ship would be the best person to ask if he's been around a lot of anomaly people like us already, but he hasn't responded to any of the messages I've sent him.

[juniberries]

When they arrive, they hadn't. They seem to know of things that had not yet happened. But now...after waking up this morning, I DO remember them happening.

And yes, the continued distance of the Eluvio's captain continues to befuddle me.

[SHE'S...not going to say the word 'suspicious' outright but if you read between the lines, it's there.]

I had attempted to reach out to him myself, but it is, as expected, to no avail.

[yokunaru]

I could try asking the older civilians on board if they've run into something like this before. Some of them are anomaly people like us. Besides, there's not much else to do when the ship's main power is still down.

When are you going to check in with the Paladins?

[juniberries]

I shall begin asking around too when I make my way onto the Eluvio myself. Suffice to say, it's been a difficult few weeks.

I plan on checking in with them today regarding this.

[yokunaru]

Are you still stuck in the castle?

[He knows that shuttles are the best way to get to and from the Eluvio and the other ships, but he isn't sure if they're up and running still.]

Could you let me know if you figure something out once you've spoken to them?

[juniberries]

I am still at the Castle, yes, but we have a space walk set up. But with the Castle in such a state, I do not want to leave until it is necessary to do so.

And I shall certainly let you know. I do believe Lance is still on board the Castle. Pidge and Keith, however-- I can luckily contact them over the network.

[yokunaru]

[That immediately makes him frown as he quickly taps out a reply.]

Wait, what do you mean by that? Did something happen to the Castle, too?

[juniberries]

The Castle has also been affected by system-wide failures. None of the pods nor Lions have been functional since the blackout.

private text --> private audio;

[yokunaru]

Really? I didn't know the other ships were affected by the power outages, too.

Don't they have their own separate systems?

private audio;

[juniberries]

[as soon as the audio turns on, she sighs.]

That is what concerns me. The Castle's system is entirely separate from the Eluvio's, and the Lions are...far more complicated than anything I have seen on the Eluvio thus far.

[plus like. bullshit magic stuff who the heck knows.]

And yet we have been dealing with frequent power outages and system malfunctions.

[yokunaru]

Exactly like the problems we've had on the Eluvio... [Yuuri's voice trails off in concern as he considers what this actually means.]

You haven't been able to fix it?

[Experienced as the princess is, Yuuri's certain she would've had the means to fix her castle's problems any other time.]

[juniberries]

We have been unable to make any substantial repairs. Which, again, is bizarre, because otherwise the ship seems to be operating as normal.

Which means...whatever has happened is-- not normal. Again, the fact that it has affected the Lions in such a manner along with the simple pods and shuttles is incredibly worrisome.

[yokunaru]

[He's no expert on technology, but even he can tell how strange that is, when the source of the problem is on the Eluvio. Should only be on the Eluvio.

Yuuri pauses, then asks, hesitantly--]

What do you think that means, princess?

[juniberries]

[She's quiet for a few seconds, but when she finally does respond there's an uncharacteristic sense of defeat from her tone of voice.

She's tired, maybe because of the Eluvio itself, or maybe just because she's had a long...not!dream.]

Honestly? I do not know.

[yokunaru]

[It doesn't take much to notice the way her tone's shifted, and his concern abruptly spikes. Even when the entire planet of Oros had been in danger, all Yuuri remembers is how she'd held herself together and led their little group in the evacuations. It's frightening, to hear that note of defeat from her when she's always seemed so strong to him.]

Princes...? [His voice is soft and worried.] Is there something else bothering you?

[juniberries]

[SHE LIKES YOU A LOT YUURI really she considers you a friend in this shit situation but.

there are very few people she discloses this sort of worry to. like. very few.]

Nothing beyond my usual concerns for this place.

[yokunaru]

[Knowing that he wouldn't appreciate it if anyone pushed him when he wasn't ready to talk, Yuuri quietly backs off. His worry still remains, though.]

Is there anything I can do to help?

[juniberries]

[SHE'S trying to sound reassuring but there is a tired waver to her voice.]

I believe I just need some time...and for the power to regain some normalcy on both the Castle-ship and the Eluvio.

[yokunaru]

I...I understand. Um, needing the time and space to process everything. [He's done the same thing, when he felt overwhelmed by anything.]

I should leave you to your thoughts, then, princess. [A pause.] You know how to find me if you need anything later.

[He doesn't hide his concern for her, but he tries to sound as reassuring as possible as he says this.]