001 Video - un - Recording

[whatarethose]

[Shuri is sitting on her assigned bed when she flicks on the device she'd been given. She doesn't mind sharing a room with other people but it's a first for her and she's adjusting to the change. It's a lot louder here than the palace of Wakanda and she currently has no lab to retreat to.]

This looks like it'll be my home for awhile so I thought it best to give a general hello. My name is Shuri.

[She really isn't interested in the festival that's going on but she has a few questions that can only be answered by those who have been here for awhile.] I have a few questions.

First I'd like to talk to those who work in technical fields. I'm the head of the R&D division in Wakanda and I'd like to do something similar here. [It's the best way for her to help out and no matter where Shuri is, she wants to help those around her.] I was told when I arrived that there are many labs here but I'd like to hear from you, which is the best.

I'm also looking for the Avengers. If any are listening, I believe you know my brother T'Challa, King of Wakanda. [She hasn't met many of the Avengers but she assumes that some of them are here since people are being swept away to a moon via a portal.]

Thank you for your time.

Comments

[lionunchained]

Oh of course there. Some people do tend to get focused on one thing that others are ignored.

Wow, that's impressive. Well, there is always the option that you could think about what you'd really want to work on and go into business for yourself. I'm sure people would want to join you.

[When she asked, Shiro glanced off the side, speaking to someone off screen]

You might as well come closer. She heard you.

[As he turns back, a robotic black lion pokes its head into frame]

This is Black, a sentient robot lion from my world.

[whatarethose]

[Shuri isn't looking to make a lot of money here. She only has to have enough money to live. What she wants to do is help the people around her and she wants to use her inventive skills to do that.

Her train of thought is completely derailed when he brings the black lion into view.]

What is that?!

[Her voice is loud as her jaw drops at the creature.]

How is she made? Can I see her? What makes her sentient? Does she have a soul in there? Does she need repairs at all? I've love to work on her. [Shuri is a little too excited about the adorable black lion machine.]

[lionunchained]

[Shiro just chuckles as Black sits down, leaning more into frame to try and look at the phone. Yes, Black is trying to see who is on the other end of the conversation]

Black is a robot from my world. Usually they are large enough that we can sit inside and pilot them, but they were apparently shrunk coming here.

I'm still not completely clear about how they were made, I get the feeling though that they kind of... designed themselves out of the ore they were being constructed from. Yes, you can see Black. I think what they are made of has something to do with why they are sentient. No soul, but they have a power no one can accurately explain. At some point, they made need repairs. Luckily we haven't run into that situation yet here.

[Did he get all the questions? He thought he did]

[whatarethose]

Maybe a by product of traveling through the portal.

[Shuri thought a loud to herself as Shiro continues.]

I'd like to take a look at him. It's possible that he has a soul and that it's growing and developing with his intelligence. It isn't an easy thing to measure.

[lionunchained]

I think so. If they were full size... well, I'd only be as big as Black's claw. They are very big.

Of course you can see him. I'm not sure about developing intelligence, but developing more of an ability to act on their own. They were pretty smart before.

Do you want to come here and meet him or we can come to you.

[whatarethose]

[Shuri's lips move as if she's saying wow very slowly.]

That's what learning is all about. [She informs him with a gleeful twist to her lips. Shuri can't wait to get back home and tell her brother and mother about a black lion robot that was alive. Maybe she can make a panther for T'Challa.]

I'm at the communal building but I can also come to you.

[She has no pressing matters to attend to.]

[lionunchained]

[The fact that she is excited about the idea of meeting Black bring a smile to Shiro's face. It seemed that no matter where the lions were, whether it was back home or here, they always seemed to draw attention. And in a good way most of the time]

I can bring him there. We can meet outside. The stairwell can be a little tight with his wings.

[Yep, black lion with two red wings]

[whatarethose]

[Shuri nods her head.]

Okay. I'll head out front.

[lionunchained]

Sounds good. Be there in a few.

[And the video ended and Shiro immediately grabbed his jacket and asked Black to come with him. Asked because no one told the Black Lion what to do. Black did indeed come with him and they walked together from the house to the communal housing.

When they arrived, he spotted the young woman standing out front]

Hey there.

[whatarethose]

[Shuri reaches the front door first and waits. She doesn't mind the wait though her dark eyes skim the horizon looking for a large black robot lion. Once she sees the hulking figure come into view she runs forward, her mouth pulling into a smile.]

Wow.

[It's far more impressive up close.]

How long have you had him?

[She walks around the lion, running her fingers along his leg and shoulder as she passes.]

[lionunchained]

[Black was larger than a normal lion. If she were familiar with the species, a liger would probably be the best reference for size, almost able to put his head on Shiro's shoulder without trying.

Shiro took a step so she could walk around Black and take a look at him. Black has gotten used to this fascination and lets her look]

A little over half a year now, at least here. We have been partners together for much longer.

[whatarethose]

Where did you find him or did you make him?

[She continues to inspect him, asking one question at a time as she sorts through rows and rows of data that she's compiling in her head.]

[lionunchained]

They were made more than 10,000 years ago by a race called the Alteans. They are supposed to help keep peace in the universe.

However, the original paladin of Black Lion lost his way and is trying to repress and control the entire known universe. King Alfor, the last king of Altea, sent the lions away to keep from Zarkon's hands. Black was sealed in the castle until the other four were brought to him.

[whatarethose]

It sounds like a lot of work to keep one man away from a lion.

[She pauses thoughtfully.]

Does he not choose his pilots?

[lionunchained]

He does. The problem is he wanted all of the lions because they are the only thing strong enough to stop him. Individually one lion isn't as strong as the whole, but having one lion prevents them from forming Voltron. Black is the head lion... literally. When they form Voltron, he's the torso and head.

We also did have an issue when Black encountered Zarkon again during a battle... I guess the bond is not as easily broken. Though he'd chosen me, he kept speaking to Zarkon and Zarkon was tracking us through him.

[whatarethose]

[Shuri continues her inspection of the lion before turning to face the man. While what he says makes sense, there is something in the way he has talked about the lion and what he said now that bothers her.]

I thought you two were friends?

Why would your friend do that to you?

[She's loyal and can't understand why anyone, machine or not, would sell out their friends.]

[lionunchained]

[Shiro looked down at Black, who looked back over at him]

He was confused. He'd trusted Zarkon. They'd bonded, fought together to bring peace. I guess... the change happened quickly. If King Alfor realized what was happening and dispersed the lions quickly, he never had that connection when Zarkon changed. Zarkon couldn't find him when the chamber he was in was sealed so there was nothing to end that.

When we found out what was happening, I tried to strengthen my bond with the Black Lion. Black showed me his home world, the home world of Zarkon, showed me his past. Zarkon tried at that moment to track Black. We ended up... in some weird astral plane fighting for the Black Lion, the one who would be the paladin. Zarkon finally broke that bond in that plane, saying trust had nothing to do with it, that power was the only thing important and Black attacked Zarkon, which saved me.

The tracking stopped after that.

[whatarethose]

[Shuri listens like she's taking notes inside of her head.]

Interesting.

Would I be able to keep checking on Black Lion? I want to see how quickly he's developing and how fast he learns. [The story sounds like that of a child learning who to trust but she senses more intelligence in the lion that stands before her now.]

[lionunchained]

Sure if you'd like to. He's already started figuring things out, like the fact that he's made of metal and heavy.

[Sounds like it should be obvious, but considering that wasn't something that ever really came into play back home, realizing they could hurt someone just by leaning on them was an improvement]

[whatarethose]

If he's okay with that too of course.

[She smiles at the lion and waits for his reply too.]

I'll stop by in a week or so.

[Shuri thinks that it'd be easier if she came to him.]

[lionunchained]

[There was a moment of silence from Shiro as he looked at Black. The lion grumbled]

He's okay with it.

Sounds good. You could also meet Red. She's one of the arm lions... when they transform.

[whatarethose]

Does Red also live with you?

[lionunchained]

Yeah, Red also lives with us. She's bonded to Keith. Well... both of them are bonded with Keith at this point. I'm still trying to figure all of that out.

[whatarethose]

It sounds complicated.

[She isn't sure if he wants to talk about it or if he's just stating the awkward for her benefit.]

[lionunchained]

[It was just something that was on his mind recently. It was kind of hard to get rid of. Black grumbled at Shiro, sitting down and looking back at him]

Yeah. Sorry about that.

[He smiles again to reassure her]

So what sort of things did you make back home?