Re:Dates and Prank Wars

[balancingedge]

Who: Keith, Shiro, and you!
When: See prompts
Where: Voltron House and Arito proper
What: The Prank War in the Voltron and friends household begins. Also dates and getting busted on one. (But was it really a secret or is Lance just that dense?)
Warnings/Notes: We tried so hard to keep back the gay spoilers. It lasted X tags.

Just A Quiet Evening (locked to Takashi Shirogane) - 9/29
[It was Shiro’s choice this evening, and thankfully everyone else seems to be out or in their rooms by the time both are about to leave the house looking… well, halfway decent and decidedly not in work uniforms or job armor. It’s a small miracle, despite the fact it’s still casual clothing. Keith in particular is sporting a light jacket, a decent shirt that isn’t just another black t-shirt for once (it’s red plaid; no one should be surprised at this point). Plus, by this point he’s fairly certain everyone at home had gotten the subtle clues. (Oh, how wrong he is.)]

Ready? [He asks, waiting at the back door as Shiro approaches, a relaxed almost-smile playing at the corner of his lips yet it dances in violet eyes. He’s been looking forward to this all week.]

A Quiet Evening Interrupted (Locked to Takashi Shirogane and Lance) - 9/29
[All seemed to be going rather well, all things considered. For a college town, there was plenty of cafes to choose from. There was even a lovely window seat available when they arrived to the locally-owned cafe they’d decided upon. On the edge of town and surrounded by college housing, but cozy and inviting. Both are chatting quietly, relaxed and very much in their best yet-still-casual attire…

Keith’s smiling at some joke Shiro just told. What is this madness?]

The Pranks Begin… - 9/30
[Everything seemed to be going rather well this morning. The sun was shining, the desert insects were still buzzing, the college kids were likely still nursing a hangover from illegal drinking the night before… It was the start of a good day and nothing could go wrong.

Except for one teeny tiny little thing: And that thing being vibrant green dye going down the drain as Keith showered. He stepped out of the shower, drying off when he noticed some of the color come off on the towel.]

… [He sighs, wraps the towel around his waist, and goes back into their bedroom proper to get his slate.] Very funny, Shiro.

[Except his expression says anything but that. Instead, he takes the device, walks back into the bathroom, and slams the door.]

Careful this morning Lance. Someone decided to start some pranks.

[Then followed by a mass text to everyone in the house (except Shiro):]

Whatever you do tomorrow, don’t sit in Shiro’s usual chair at the table.

[He has a plan, but that will have to wait. He turns the water back on and ups the temperature to as hot as he can handle before going back in, leaving the device on the counter and the bathroom door locked.

...and is very, very grumpy when he can't get all the green out before work. He sits down at the table, fully dressed, irritated and very much attempting not to show it. He's not very successful. Especially if someone starts snickering.]

Not. A word.

A Poked Lion is Never A Good Thing - 9/30
[He tried so hard and got so far, but in the end his hair is still a dark shade a green. Keith seems irritated by this fact as he wanders the local shops in Arito and, later in the afternoon, Sparks Golsaucia. In Arito he’s looking at… shampoo? Especially since a certain someone was so kind to add hair dye to his.

And then, in Sparks Golsaucia... huh. That certainly is some super duty glue he’s looking at. What ever could that be used for?] “WARNING: Do not use acetone to remove”... Perfect.

[... Uh oh.]

Wildcard
[Want to run into Keith while he’s still wandering around before the fifth and thus while his hair is still green? Feel free to poke me! He’ll likely be working on his Custom Job still, along with flying and working on trade routes.]

Comments

[spaceforged]

Just A Quiet Evening
[Shiro pulls the zippers on the cuffs his dark leather jacket down just far enough to expose his wrists. He joins Keith at the door and looks him over with a glint in his eyes. They both look their casual best. His grey shirt makes a decent counterpoint to his jacket and his dark jeans emphasize how casual he's intended to be.] Yeah.

I've been looking forward to this all week. [Subtle as they are he sometimes wonders who gets it and who doesn't. The idea is often discarded. They're happy and their dates have been wonderful. He opens the door and steps through, reaching for Keith's hand as he does so.

It's almost a reflex by now.]

A Quiet Evening Interrupted

[The evening has been going well. He'd picked a cafe he likes and Keith hadn't come to yet. The food is good as always and conversation has never been a problem for them. Shiro's smile grows wider as Keith smiles. He leans forward towards him to keep talking, lowering his voice.]

And that is why there's a dent in the left bulkhead near the bridge in The Rush. [He finishes as he picks up his mug with his fingers brushing against Keith's.]

He'll never admit it! But now you know.

For the good of the Pride. 10/01
[Everyone had been feeling pretty down lately. They have a great deal of downtime to kick their heels and while he could have suggested team building exercises...it seemed better to distract them all entirely. He'd taken his time to study and go over his plans. The way to get all of them distracted would be to hit the two most likely to hit back. Lance and Keith. Both of them are like different brands of explosions.

Both were equally likely to see red and find their means of revenge. Enacting his plans were even easier. Lance sleeps like the dead. Tying a bit of string to his wrist and connecting it to a small bit of wood holding open his window was child's play.

With Keith...a shower before bed gave him the perfect out to inflict green hair dye in his shampoo. He went with green because it's the least offensive color. He had to provoke him not send him into a rage or cause geniune hurt. Both plans went off without a hitch. But...Keith had made him stare when he came out of the bathroom in just a towel. Then he'd seen his hair and made his face as impassive as possible.

Laughter would have been his death.

He knows to expect at least one counter prank and soon. He just hadn't expected it the following morning. He'd checked his shoes and the floor before he got up. Even done checks of his shampoo and anything else he used. Keith is a clever man but it can't hurt to check. Once he'd showered, shaved, and gotten dressed he heads downstairs. Shiro greets everyone with his usual 'morning' and a small smile.

He circles around the table and settles into his seat. It's a fatal mistake. He doesn't realize it at first. Someone asks him to pass the plate of bacon and he moves to stand up.

The chair comes with him. He stills and sits back. He still has the reach to move the plate and he does it. Experimentally he shifts in his chair and the chair shifts too.

Not enough to cause any noise but enough to tell him what is going on. He finds his boyfriend's bluish violet gaze and narrows his eyes slightly.] Clever.

[He drinks his coffee. He is asked to pass something else. He sighs. It's far enough down the table he can't do that and maintain his dignity. Shiro shakes his head.]

...I'd rather not. My butt is glued to this chair.

Just a Quiet Evening...

[balancingedge]

[Keith raises an eyebrow at where he stops with the zippers on his jacket cuffs, but doesn't say anything about it. He can guess why and it's exactly why he didn't go for leather tonight. Meeting his gaze, he smiles faintly with a nod.] So've I.

[He could tease him about always wearing grays, but it looks good on him. It's always have and somehow doesn't wash him out even with his hair color. Also if he keeps that train of thought going they may not make it out the door, so he discards it. Instead he takes Shiro's hand in his, closing the door behind them with the other. It's almost a routine to him now.]

So, you gonna tell me which one we're going to, or..?

[Because all he's said is "cafe" and "dress casually" - no name. It may have driven him a little crazy.]

[spaceforged]

I’m surprised you haven’t found it yourself. It’s called the Lone Drake. It isn’t far from the airship docks. [He leads Keith down the front steps and onto the street with a smile on his face.]

They serve a lot of really good food! I like to hit it right when I come in if I get in late.

[It’s a favorite of his. They serve a lot of soups, sandwiches, and good hearty meals for when someone has time to sit for a while. He tends to favor the sandwiches and soup when he needs to leave or comes back. Once they’re on the street he grins and relaxes a bit more than he usually does in public.]

Their family has been here for generations.

Interruption!

[thegoofball]

[It shouldn't be strange to see Keith and Shiro out and about - after all, despite this approaching Calamity, everyone's still living their best life.

What is strange, however, is seeing Keith and Shiro so close. Seeing them touching so casually, too. Lance has always seen Keith as someone distant, Shiro as someone more reserved, so the casual brushing of fingers gets Lance's attention.

It's why he saunters over to that little cafe, a casual smile on his face.]

Heeeeeyyyyy, guys. Fancy seeing you here.

[Out in the wild.]

rude

[balancingedge]

[Well, had been going well. Past tense. Mostly because he can't help but snicker amusedly in an attempt to keep from laughing aloud.]

Wow, no wonder he-

["-doesn't talk about it; that's embarrassing," he was about to say, but then he hears a familiar voice call out and he stops himself. Oh. Keith blinks, smile slipping slightly as he looks toward the owner of the voice, his fingertips briefly brushing Shiro's hand as he raises his hand to give a slight wave as he sits back straight.]

Could say the same of you, Lance.

[What does he want?]

u kno

[thegoofball]

[He's been waiting for this. For Keith's payback. His own will come later, much later, when Shiro isn't expecting it.

So he doesn't bother holding back when Shiro admits his butt's glued to the chair. Not in the slightest.

Enjoy that Red Paladin laughing his ass off at you, Shiro.]

"for the good of the pride," he said... ;)

[balancingedge]

[Keith is quiet; a normal kind of quiet as he sips at his coffee and pretends not to notice the slight shifting and awkward pause as it dawns on Shiro what has happened. He says nothing even as he takes a bite out of his toast until Shiro tries to catch his gaze and he meets it; a single eyebrow raised.]

What? [It's an honest question. At least, it'll appear that way considering Lance is trying not to laugh already. He'd warned everyone else about that chair ahead of time, after all. Though it's not until Shiro says something that an amused glint sparks in his eyes.

Gotcha. And he's not the least bit sorry as he sits across the table, a fiendish smirk crossing his lips.] You did fire first.

[He laughs. Not nearly as heartily as Lance, but discreet high five, go?]

9/30

[thegoofball]

[Do you hear that, Keith? Do you? The sound of of a bang and a scream?

Because, yeah. Someone already knows.]

Yeah I figured that out the hard way.

[balancingedge]

[Yeah, he sure did hear that after he closed the bathroom door again. He blinks. Well, he tried.]

You OK?

[thegoofball]

I'm going to murder your boyfriend. He's not very funny, Keith.

10/20

[thegoofball]

[It's Keith and Shiro's date night, which means...

It's time for Lance to get his revenge, finally, for the stupid prank war Shiro started. It starts with dye in Shiro's shampoo and conditioner - bright, bright blue.

And then the hard part. Picking out all of Shiro's white clothing takes a while, and so does mixing up all the dye. But Lance has time. He has faith in Keith.

So, by the time the two return home, his work is done. Shiro's clothing is back in his closet in varying shades of blue, and the shampoo and conditioner are primed in the shower. He'll probably regret this, but it's probably worth.]

[spaceforged]

[It had been a good day. It had been Keith's turn to pick and he really hadn't expected it. Shiro had come back home with his arm around Keith's waist until he parted from him to go take a shower.

That's where it all went wrong. He had been tired and let his thoughts drift. He rinsed and noticed there was blue going down his drain. Bright blue.

For a moment he stared. Then he rinsed off and grabbed a towel. Thinking better of that he grabbed a bathrobe and tied it shut. Hair dripping and sky blue, he grabs his slate and takes an unamused selfie.

He sends it to Keith and Lance. No shirtlessness for either of them to admire.]

So, Lance. Keith. Do you have something to say.

[balancingedge]

[If Shiro expected an answer right away, he's not getting one. Well, aside from the sudden roar of laughter on the other side of the door; distant, likely on his bed or looking at the closet. Considering he was thinking of taking a shower after him? It's likely the latter.]

Wow. I know you love the sky but didn't think you'd try to imitate it.

Maaay not wanna check your side of the closet either.

[thegoofball]

Yeah. You look great.

[He's not even the SLIGHTEST bit apologetic.]

Blue's a good color on you.

10/22

[balancingedge]

[He waited a couple days before he went to enact his revenge. Mostly at Shiro's expense. Keith wakes up a little earlier than usual to put his plan into motion.

It's a simple one too, really. One that got pulled on him in the Garrison once or twice. He's very quiet as he sneaks into Lance's bathroom, raises the seat, and places tiny little popper fireworks under where the seat would rest on the toilet bowl. He lowers the seat gently once they're placed, returns to his and Shiro's room, and washes his hands in their bathroom sink. Keith gets dressed for the day and even heads down to make coffee!

And now, he waits...]

bye

[thegoofball]

[Lance is not an early riser - and once he's awake he has a lengthy ritual. Showering, doing all of his skin care, even a little bit of shaving because he's not a fucking animal. So there's a gap between Lance waking up and Lance realizing what's been done.

To say he's startled is an understatement.

When his investigation turns up poppers, it's not hard to put two and two together. It must have been Keith.

Who else would it have been?]

You must think you're pretty clever.

[He appears in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest.]

it was nice knowing you

[balancingedge]

[Keith is already getting out another mug down when he hears the startled noise upstairs. Music to his ears. Though by the time Lance joins them downstairs, he's schooled his expression back to a neutral one from the smirk he had to hide behind his coffee. He slides the small peace offering along the counter a bit closer to Lance.]

I have no idea what you're talking about. [L i e s.] You alright? Thought I heard a yelp upstairs.

The Revenge for Ass to chair. The Rebuttal

[spaceforged]

[Over time, the college kids of Arito have turned approaching the robotic lions into hazing or drunken dares. In turn the Paladins have turned this hazing into a challenge and a sport. Hunk's prototype paintball guns have been refitted. They still fire paintballs but they don't leave the typical bruising welts of traditional paintball guns.

It's a lot like being slapped on the back but with paint. Just enough to wake up the unwary or make a drunk think twice. Each gun is fitted with different paint. Shiro sits in his chair nearest to the Black lion and aims carefully through the sight. Today's group is a bunch of drunks.

In hindsight controlling their volume with the Lions might be a mistake. Then again it makes them part of the community. The paintballs have been met with good natured joking from the students. The seat closest to him has been made ready for the person that always sits in it.

He's not even remotely sorry for the mayhem to follow.]

[balancingedge]

[It's been an interesting little challenge lately; far better then the sudden prank war that started thanks to a certain someone getting both him and Lance in one fell swoop. Yet, like most things, he's very focused on what is going on with the current group of drunks. And, since Shiro's been sitting here longer, he asks:]

So, how many do we have today?

[He rests his hand on the back of Shiro's chair. Not sitting down just yet.]

[spaceforged]

Six. They're all drunk. [Shiro adjusts his sight and sets the paintball rifle into the stand in front of his chair. He doesn't have the skill with a gun he used to have. But, he's still a decent shot as long as he isn't in combat.]

The one in the lead is faster than the others. He'll reach Green in about five minutes. [Rather, he won't. Shiro breathes in, sighting and releasing it. Just before the sight would be over his target he squeezes the trigger. The gun fires just as the target is sighted over his prey, making a soft whoomp. He nails them right in his intended target the shoulder.]

Not Even Revenge for the Paintball Incident: Under the Radar

[balancingedge]

[He can't even claim this as revenge; only a continuation of the prank war he perpetuated by getting the other three teammates present. He's still waiting and steeling himself for Lance's payback, but there is something he could do. Is it warranted? Nope, because boy did Shiro's last one backfire spectacularly.

He's still going to do it though. If it hadn't backfired, he probably would have glued his weights to the wall or the floor.

Instead, before they go to see whatever the doll museum has to offer, he lingers in their bedroom a little while. On Shiro's side. He won't see what it was until much later, but he figures they will probably need the laugh once they're back. After all, it's nothing too bad. He just swapped out the contents of his lover's underwear and sock drawers, and perfectly mirrored where everything had been placed previously. No big deal~

So long as Shiro doesn't look in the closet to see that too has been reversed.]

[spaceforged]

[He's exhausted. Shiro trudges up to their room and opens the door. He steps through into the room and pulls his coat off. He drops it onto the coat rack by their closet. His shirt follows, dropped into the hamper by the bathroom on his way to his dresser. He's pulled off his boots, socks, and pants as he opened his underwear drawer and found...

Socks.

He blinks. The drawer is closed. Maybe he's just tired. He pulls it back out. Nope. All of his socks arranged exactly like he'd last seen them. He shuts it again. The drawer below it is pulled out. His underwear. He changes into his night clothes. But he double checks to sleep pants just to be safe. Nothing nefarious.

It has to be Keith. He fitted a new lock on the door since Lance's fiasco and nothing has been turned blue. He gives the room a once-over to check for anything else. It's overly paranoid. Yet that might save him from a new shade of hair or some surprise that will prompt a very valid reflexive attack.

Nothing.

His eyes drift to the closet. This time he's more than ready to take this carefully. He presses up against the wall by the closet and uses his spear to open the sliding door.

Sven the Moogle is there in the closet. He looks at Sven. Sven looks at him. He leans his spear against his shoulder and points at the door. Get out.]

[balancingedge]

[Sven had been very, very quiet. Keith had left the window open so he could get into their room while they were gone and record the reaction. He knows that the others needed a laugh, and he agreed with his charge. This has been comedy gold and if any of them think he hasn't recorded almost every single one, zey are sorely mistaken! As such, the moment he hears the door unlock, he fluttered into the closet, keeping the device steady despite the desire to laugh. He lasts up until the spear prods the door open and zooms past him the moment it's clear he's not about to become a moogle shish kebab. Past and out the door, laughing. He barely misses Keith, who pauses at the door and blinks.]

...Was- that my slate?

[Ugh, not again. He's going to need a word about that moogle getting his own at this rate.

The picture of innocence. So far.]

11/01 - The Prank War spreads...

[balancingedge]

[He'd come by while between flights for the day, having messaged Naoto to see if he could get a hand in this. Mostly to gain access. When he explained why, and especially with how a certain two others in the group have been teasing him for knowing what an RPG is, somehow the Detective Prince agreed.... In their own ways. So when she's preoccupied by something Pidge wanted to show her, he switches to Black Paladin and gets to work.

It doesn't take long for his armor's tech to figure out the password, nor does it take long to download the files he needs before uploading something else. What that is will become obvious very soon, once Futaba comes back. To make it even more obvious, he changes the names of all the file folders and arranges them alphabetically.

Not to mention changing the screensaver to the file he downloaded to her laptop: a broken screen image. The wallpaper is also now a collage of screenshots of her and Ren throwing each other under the proverbial bus and ruining one another's dignity, as well. The payment to Naoto? A photo of said dignity ruining, and more baked goods. Why is this a thing that still happens.

Other than that, it doesn't even look like anyone was even in Futaba's room...]

text; pretending it’s in Courier because mobile

[promiselisting]

[ And thus when Futaba first gets home later, there is a pronounced shriek from her room. Followed by ringing silence. And then.... ]

KEITH YOU JERK!!!!!!!

[ like most of it is fine and actually a little impressive but that screensaver he just shaved ten years off her life she swears ]