[She hesitates for a moment. She feels like she's not up to being strong for her team right now, even if she knows she doesn't need to keep composure, that there's no war to keep calm and strong for, seeing her this distraught? She can't, even though she probably needs it. (She's also probably doing a terrible job of keeping those feelings from leaking through the connection.)]
Thank you, but maybe later would be better.
[... Yeah, girl needs more help than she lets on.]
[ On this day, Allura will receive a visit from a messenger bird carrying what appears to be a letter and something rectangular hanging under it, connected together by a string wrapped around the envelope.
It drops it off with her, and the rectangular "thing" is actually a case with separate compartments (think of a pill box), very plain and cheap, except each compartment have small labels on them with a single word on top: 'sweet's, 'dry', 'sour', 'spicy'...
There are two of the sweet labels, and what they're about is explained in the letter, written in the same language as all the rest, with an attempt of her name made on the envelope ("Allora").
As for the letter... ]
Hi, this is Red. I hope you're doing okay and got plenty of rest after everything that happened. I wanted to say thanks for helping out as much as you did with Elios, and I thought your animals might like the berries I sent too. They're dried berries from my world. Most animals like the sweet berries so I put in extra! People can eat them too if they don't like them.
Let me know if you ever need anything or need a hand.
Red
[ ...and indeed, there's dried berries inside that have been cut into smaller chunks. Since he remembers her mice-like animals being the size of a hand! ]
[Later that same day, the same messenger bird will find Red again, bearing a different note written in another strange language. It... also doesn't answer if she's doing alright, and might reference someone Allura doesn't know Red is having a spat with, but minor details, right?]
Dear Red,
Thank you very much for the berries. The mice are already very fond of them (it helps that a basket or two of berries from the Berry Best Farm occasionally makes its way to our house), but drying them and cutting them into smaller pieces was especially thoughtful of you. And thank you in return for being an excellent leader and coordinator in our efforts. I doubt any of our attempts to aid Elios would've been nearly as successful without your guidance. Please let me know if you need anything more as well.
It has. When Elios was causing the ice storms, any times I would've produced juniberries turned to ice instead. And the flowers that I'd made permanent didn't survive the cold.
[And then afterwards... will, Elios' attacks had all dredged up painful memories, so the reminiscing that produced juniberries became something Allura wanted to avoid, at least for a little while.]
ALLURA! [Screaming, Usagi, no need for that.] Oops, that came out louder than I meant. Allura-chan! I have something... well, I mean, I don't really know... okay so this is gonna sound weird...
When one goes out of town for a trip, the wise thing to do is prepare. Especially if planning to go into the wilderness. Especially on the surface. And that is exactly what this Jedi is doing. It's been while since he went on a long trip like this without the use of an airship or a teleporter. In fact the last time was to the mountains before Anakin had disappeared and then came back not remembering anything here. And even then it was on this island. The lands beyond Shaarnath were much more desolate and unknown. So it was best to be prepared.
The Jedi could be found meandering around the marketplace. In tow was a strange creature with a saddle and Obi-Wan's various purchases strapped to its back. A smaller version of the animal also trotting behind with its lead rope tied to its mother's saddle.
It's quite the entourage and while he still sometimes gets odd glances, it seems that many are used to it by now. This Jedi has been leading that creature or riding it for some time now. The man just going about his business, always with a calm and approachable air about him as usual.
Meanwhile, Allura's doing some shopping of her own, tired but still trying to maintain a calm and pleasant image. This month's been off to a VERY rough start between accidentally confessing to Usagi, Lance being sent home, and this whole fiasco between Leia and Anakin. Allura's dreading the next committee meeting now, because from where she stands it's going to be a miracle if the whole thing doesn't devolve into an Anakin vs. Leia show. Right now she's heading for one of the shops specializing in emotion teas, her mice riding on her shoulder and trying to give Awesome Princess Friend some encouraging nuzzles. She could definitely use a blend with some strong calming magic these days.
Over the past year or so, Kevin has deeply enjoyed being full-time in the training division of the Enforcers, rather than splitting his time between training and patrolling. Naturally this means he's working overtime to patrol anyway more often than he isn't, and just as he thinks things are settling down and he might have some time to go soft, some sort of new set of thefts or Arehtei instability or natural disasters calls his attention.
On the plus side, he is very well paid.
But he's also tired, so although it's a bit of a shock when the Princess Allura turns up looking for ways to help out with the aftermath of Aiada's storms -- usually she's the first in line to be away, when a new expedition is announced -- it isn't any effort at all to put her to work. There is always something needing to be done at times like these. Better yet, Allura is accustomed to working towards the interests of a group, but also possesses a driven independent streak. Once Kevin tells her something she can do, she just does it, with very little further direction from him.
What this means is that Allura gets to experience Kevin Regnard when he is in a true and proper work-mode, rather than...whatever he's usually in. There is no sparkling, no flapping. No heckling from the sidelines, as he did when Allura came in to show his students their way around a staff earlier in the month. He actually sounds like a reasonable person who says reasonable things as he bosses some of the other officers around, coordinating just who is patrolling where with the ease of long experience. This was his job before he left this division, and he's the one who showed many of the more recently recruited officers their way around the beat in the first place.
But Kevin just isn't the sort of person who likes to stay behind and manage; that's what the guy who replaced him is for. Once everyone's territories are settled, Kevin's out on patrol too, Allura in tow. He relaxes noticeably then, despite the fact that they're headed into the depths of the slums. This, he tells the princess, is where he always targets the bulk of his attentions when disaster strikes, and they're bound to see plenty of action keeping an eye out for looters and damaged architecture there.
Normally Allura would be going down with the rest of the expedition. However, envy's one of the emotions that Allura has the least experience with outside of a ritual, so she's not sure her dunamis would be that effective down below. Besides, if whatever is encasing Aiada fails, more fighters and dunamis practitioners will be needed above in order to buy the expedition time.
In the mean time, there's plenty of damage control to do up here. And really, it's not too surprising to see Kevin acting serious. Yes, he has a tendency to flap about, but Allura's first and most common impression of him is when he's serene, perhaps a bit coy or maybe a bit grumpy, depending on the mood, but usually the sparkling is just icing on top of a self assured cake. (Oh, if only she knew.) It's not too much of a stretch to see him carrying a more serious air, giving out orders as the two of them, plus one or two of the native Enforcers, start passing by a set of buildings with particularly dark alleys, favorites for some of the criminals that like to take advantage of the chaos and then slip away into hiding.
"Alright, this is the street you said that one trio of muggers has been favoring lately?"
Edited (Now with ten percent more driving force!) 2017-10-22 04:51 (UTC)
[Of course Allura answers the tone, even though she doesn't recognize Weiss she speaks, and quite surprised too. Honestly, she'd taken the (shorter) white-haired girl's silence as a desire not to interact with her anymore, which Allura took in decent enough stride. Aside from the casualty she went into the blind dating thing with, this place was quick to give her LOTS of other things to think about.]
Weiss? I... thank you, that would be nice. Is everything all right?
[I mean yeah, Weiss just stated her intentions, but this was still pretty sudden.]
[ When Allura wakes, she will find that her crystal is glowing! Her emotion drops for the month of Octha have resonated with Empatheias' giant crystal, and a reaction has been formed.
By her feet, she will find a small plush of a horse. Upon touching it, she will start thinking who the horse could be from. The sense of suspicion will only last for about five minutes before she decides what to do with the plush.
(Thank you for submitting to the Emotion Tracker!) ]
[Her smile softens a bit, juniberries sprouting and pooling around her feet.]
It would be indeed. It could help to resurrect extinct flora, or give aid to people suffering from food shortages. I know the last year in particular was hard on this world's plant life, so I'm glad they were able to recover and celebrate properly.
[Coran becomes distracted as the juniberries sprout. He would be the first to admit that he took the flower for granted when they were readily available. Allura had enjoyed them much more than he did back then, but after not seeing the real thing in so long his heart swells at seeing them.
In fact the flowers will be getting a bit more sunshine with how happy he is to see them.]
I don't think I would have even thought to bring back extinct flora. [He kneels down to gently touch one of the steams. He won't pick it, but it seems impossible that he could actually be touching one right now. He breaths in deeply. That's the smell of juniberries he remembers.] Princess, these are amazing. They're just like the ones from home.
[Who knows how the wyvern found out where the Altean princess was, perhaps he had a bit of help, but Malenzio had arrived in a surprising amount of Christmas gear: A winter sweater to keep warm of course but also bells tied to his tail and antlers that miraculously haven't fallen off or been chewed on yet. In his backpack was a letter for Allura from a certain familiar demon.]
I was worried I wouldn't be able to deliver this in time due to the snow, I hope you don't mind getting this from Malenzio instead.
It ain't much but I thought you might like it!
-Emizel
[Inside the note was a vibrant shell necklace that shined multiple colors depending how the light hit it. It should look familiar as it was one of the shells found in the Shaarnath oasis several months ago.]
[Oh noooo it's so pretty and cute~! Allura loves it! And of course Malenzio will get tons of scritches... and a return gift to send to his master, all wrapped up and everything.]
[Not Christmas day, but Christmas Eve, Allura will find a pumpkin pie in front of her door. As well as a homemade ornament. The box is special and makes sure the pie stays warm. Attached is a note.]
[More presents! In this package by the door, there's a tin of yummy cookies, purple earrings, and a hideous hand-knit purple sweater that says ALLURA in yellow letters. Minnie tried.
Card!]
Merry Christmas, Lady Allura! You're a royal dear ♥
[Yang apparently believes in celebrating the holidays even after they've passed. ...Or she's late to deliver her gifts, who knows.
But either way, Allura will find two gift-wrapped packages left for her on her porch. One contains a selection of herbal teas, some to help with relaxation and sleep and others to give energy. The other package contains sweaters for her mice.
The card with it reads: "Don't forget to take it easy! Happy holidays~ <3 Yang"]
[For Allura, Hunk has made her a round, squishy mouse friend. Hopefully, the Space Mice won't get too jealous. He's also baked up a special batch of fudge just for her! Attached is a card where he's drawn them enjoying a bowl of what looks like food goo together while wearing Santa hats. Inside reads:]
Happy Holidays Allura!
Thank you for all your support, and kindness. I hope you enjoy the holiday season here! May the new year bring you lots of luck and happiness!
[In a neatly-wrapped box, Allura will find a pot with a few small blue starflowers planted inside. Attached with it, a note indicating the gift is from Leia, and a short explanation about the flowers being a sort commonly found on Alderaan but grown here through dunamis, as well as well-wishes for a good holiday, whether or not she celebrates it.]
[Waiting on Allura's doorstep when she gets home is a yellow rose with a yellow ribbon wrapped around it. There is also a box of heart-shaped chocolates with a card. All it reads is:]
[But then the seen goes from pastoral pinks and blues to reds and blacks. The bridge of the Castle of Lions, every winder filled with fighter ships razing the settlements below, the sky that should be a soft glowing blue thick with fire and smoke. A helmeted figure, skin gray and deep with wrinkles, eyes glowing purple.
"Zarkon."
"Your fleet has been destroyed, Alfor. I will be there shortly to claim Voltron."
Alllura's never been so scared in her life, everything she knows and loves is being destroyed, it CAN'T end like this, she won't let it! She rushes to her father's side, the gently confident young face now aged and looking pained, almost... resigned?
"Father, we must form Voltron and fight before it's too late!"
"It's already too late. We must send the lions away. We can't risk them falling into Zarkon's hands."
What? No, they can't let Altea fall, sure the Black Lion is pilotless now but they can still try--
"We can't give up hope!"
But then he touches her neck, a spark of magic to a nerve and she starts falling limp in his grasp. "I'm sorry, daughter... If all goes well, I will see you again soon."
"Father..." Even to the last, she's still fighting to stay awake.
[... Ah. She doesn't understand half the details of what is happening but it isn't hard for her to get the gist of this. She's seen enough fights and battles by now to understand. The sky flowing with fire and smoke above and here in front of her two desperate people doing what they can to save it all... or rather, to save what they loved.
Ah. She presses a balled-up fist to her heart, looking sorrowful.]
[That sounds so lonely. Even lonelier than losing Altea was, still is. Still, Allura's never been a fan of people saying their tragedies are nothing compared to hers, and she's sure the moon princess feels the same. So instead she'll just step forward to hug the girl.]
[She hugs Allura back and closes her eyes, both exhausted and grateful for the support. She took a deep breath and actually smiled.]
It's alright, Allura. I'm not upset by it. I don't know what the future holds, not entirely, but I'm not scared. I'm not even upset. I may not have chosen this but I chose to keep going and that will always be my choice.
[Well, aside from their planets being there, and their loved ones surviving in one piece, but in times like this it's hard to have one's cake and eat it too.]
[Their planets not being destroyed and their families being alive would be better, yes. And just having her new family of Han, Luke, and Chewie with her is also a feeling that ranks just as high, but it's still up there.]
Are you moving into reconstruction soon, then? Or is their army still too prevalent to begin that yet?
[Sure this holiday is apparently supposed to be about love and romance or whatever but Yang loves her friends more than anything so she's going to be gifting her friends some things too today.
If she can't give it to her in person, Yang'll leave her gift with one of her housemates. It's a gift-box full of chocolate chip cookies and a cute little baggie for the mice that's full of carrots cut up into coins.
Mm, another thing that can hopefully change once we've won this war.
[Even if they're their enemies and have done horrible things, and mercy is a luxury they can rarely afford, there should at least be some respect afforded for the dead.]
It will be difficult. More difficult than defeating Zarkon in the first place, I imagine. For generations, that culture is all that the Galra have known.
[Even within the Blade, it still shows through. The fact that they at least take death more seriously does not change the fact that "or death" is still an option, no matter how realistic.]
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