purusha | closed.

[ Lance smiles and presses his head into her hand when she touches him this time, easing into this at last. He'd forgotten how soft her fingers were. His heart aches underneath a layer of happiness; without the weight of her loss, he realizes just how much pain he'd lived with since she'd gone. ]

Hahaha.... You think I understand? [ he chortles skeptically. ] I can't explain. Something called me here. It's you, maybe? It's here, maybe? [ he also looks up, the scenery beautiful.

and then down again. ] I'll tell you everything soon. My Altean is very not good still. We have friends who can help.

I want to take you home. [ He stands finally, reaching his hands out to her. He speaks in plain English: ] Allura, c'mon.

[ When he speaks, she looks up again, following his gaze to the world around them. Something about it is familiar, too. The mix of warm and cool hues, the white stone, the floating islands--similar, but changed. Something at her very essence knows this. A voice inside her head purrs as if in confirmation.

Yes. This is a safe place. He is a safe person. A part of her. An anchor, perhaps, in this reality. She was everywhere and every time at once, but now she is here. In this moment. With this person only.

A few key words ping her. "Friends", of course. And "home". There's a small pang in her chest--it makes her think the latter is filled with something of hurt, but the way he says it...it can only mean good things. And she trusts him. ]

Yes.

[ Not in Altean. She takes his offered hands and allows him to help her up and smiles for the first time. ]

Home.

[ That's where she wants to be. ]

I was called home.

[ Lance smiles and laughs, clutching her hands between them. He nods. ] Home.

If you remember, tell me. [ he grins, and turns toward the sky, pressing a spot near his chin. ] Guys, can you hear me? ...It's Lance, do you copy? Oriande to Atlas. [ Nothing. ] Ugh, figures. [ he turns back. ] Well guess it'll be a surprise. C'mon, it should be safe going back to the scoo–oh right, Altean.

It's safe, just don't– uh.... [ He pauses, lifts up their joined hands, smiles, points at them, and then grips her hand tight while making a very determined face. ] Understood?

Edited 2018-12-20 07:16 (UTC)

[ He's speaking again in words that don't register, but a few pop out.

"Atlas."

"Oriande."

It brings her pause as she looks around them. Both of those words...both feel like home. Is that where they're going?

When he directs his words to her, he has her full attention. She blinks, gaze dropping to their hands as he tries to explain through touch and mimicry to convey his message.

She nods with a small smile. ]

I will hold on to you, Lance.

"Hold on to", yeah, haha.... Good, [ he smiles. Never let go of me. The words flash through his heart, but he puts the thought on reserve. That moment, years past, will be the last time he'll ever let Allura slip away from him. For the moment, he only wishes he could feel her bare skin in his hand as they walk along, moving at an even pace through the surreal landscape. ]

You feel okay? You was gone very long.

Edited 2018-12-21 06:21 (UTC)

[ Allura keeps her word--her grip is firm, though with less strength that she might have been prone to before. Still new, perhaps, and finding out how all her limbs work again. But walking comes naturally enough, though she does take a moment to curiously watch the way her feet move along the ground. Each step radiates a small puff of stardust beneath her feet, slowly dissipating with time, as if the last remnants of the universe are finally leaving her to her own.

His question draws her gaze as his voice has been each time thus far. Her lips part to speak, but she pauses as language fails her ability to accurately describe what it is to feel newly made, but unafraid. To feel familiar, to feel right, but different. Coherent thoughts on the subject are difficult. ]

I feel...

[ She places her free hand at her heart. ]

Whole.

[ Allura gives a small hum. ]

How long is "very long"?

Seven deca-pheobs. [ He pauses and laughs painfully at himself. ] Not so long, I guess. It was... It felt like forever. I thought never would I see you again. You look very well. Exactly as I remember.

I'm glad you feel whole, but... you'll feel even more whole to see your friends again, I think. [ He grins, a bit playful. ]

[ Seven deca-phoebes. She has been part of everything in multiple expanses of time. Seven deca-phoebes is nothing in comparison to the existence of the universe and all its incarnations.

And yet...the way he says it makes her believe that it's seven too many. ]

My friends...

[ Something occurs to her all of a sudden. ]

Paladins.

[ Yes. The words feel synonymous. She gives Lance's hand a squeeze that's edging on being too strong. ]

That is you, isn't it?

[ Allura stops then, taking the moment to look up at him, trying to place the familiarity in memories that feel as fleeting as time itself, as if part of some other reality. But bits and pieces feel right. ]

My Paladin. My friend...

[ Her gaze softens then, falling on the blue crescents on his cheeks. ]

A part of me...what makes me whole.

[ Lance pauses their advance as she seems to connect words and memories togethr at lightning pace. He moves toward her, closing the distance between them a little closer. Her paladin; he smiles and flushes. He takes back her other hand and holds it in his, a soft smile on his face. ]

You have given me these, remember? The last time I saw you. I think..... You left a piece of yourself with me.

[ He pauses, holding a finger up before he draws both hands away. It takes a moment, but he undoes his space suit and reaches into the breast pocket of his shirt. Out comes a picture, folded in thirds from the way he unwraps it, and then holds the picture out to her with a smile. ]

I don't know what the word is, but this was our first. We're cute, right? [ He grins a little wider, laughing. ]

Edited 2018-12-21 07:39 (UTC)

[ Left a piece within him...an interesting concept. She's vaguely aware that she's been part of everything for that feels like an eternity, but specifically this person? This blip of life in the expanse of existence itself?

He must be important. Very important. Truly her anchor.

She watches his actions curiously, not prepared for what she's about to see.

Her eyes widen as she looks down at the image.

--Flashes of night--a large tree, a warm dinner around a table, balls of light falling like flower petals around her feet, warm lips, tightness in her chest?--

Allura sucks in a sharp breath, pulling back from him and staring at his face with wide eyes. ]

...

[ There's a heavy pause as she scans his face, her eyes clearer and more focused than they have been this entire time.

Slowly, her gaze drops back to the picture as she takes a step back in towards him. Gingerly she touches it, tracing out the lines of her own hair, and then Lance. ]

Allura...

[ Is her. ]

Lance.

[ Is him. ]

Something took our picture. There was bright light...

[ Allura touches her bottom lip as she shifts to look him in the eyes. ]

I feel something warm.

[ Worry rushes him first when she pulls away, but then agin, he did pull out something that, to him, was more powerful than any object in the universe. It ebbed his sorrow. It gave him purpose. He stares at her, anxious but the feeling wanes in time, especially as she comes closer to him again.

He smiles as she touches the photo, realizing with each word that some things are coming back to her. He folds the picture up, his prized possession, and slides it back into the pocket against his heart, pulls the pieces of his suit back over his shoulders, back to something more slim and comfortable looking, and then closes the distance between them. ] Me also, [ He whispers, eyes hooded as he looks down at her. Hands slip around her waist, drawing her back into his arms. His forehead presses to hers. There's a pause to acclimate to the moment before he bows his head to meet her lips. ]

[ She doesn't move away as he draws in, her eyes not leaving his face and only closing when their foreheads meet. Her hands naturally come to fall on his chest as she breathes in the air shared between them.

Whole. Complete. It feels right. It's why she trusts him even if she only senses bits of distant memories that don't fully feel like her own.

When their lips meet, a rush of emotion surges through her. No images, just feelings--confusion, some hurt, and then acceptance, encouragement, the slow and steady budding affection growing in her heart. It feels old and new at the same time, like an old star being reborn anew. Allura presses her lips against his in return, ever so, before drawing back to hold his gaze. ]

Silurjoma.

[ She's called him that many times in the past. Allura had laughed at the notion of calling your lover "babe" after an infant, but returned the sentiment with an Altean term of endearment.

Mark's Glow. The one that makes your markings glow with affection. ]

[ It's been so long since he's heard the word, he'd forgotten its translation–but the meaning is not lost on him. He grins and flushes happily, smoothing a curled hand up her spine. His cheeks flicker and glow again. ]

Sweetheart, [ he answers, kissing again with more firm lips, as though he's finally accepted the love of his life is finally back at long last. If he weren't so worried about alarming her, he'd give her everything he'd missed these past years–but his hesitance is spoken for. He draws her back into the hug from before, standing now but still as tight and desperate. ]

Allura... You won'd understand any of this but... I wanted so much from life with you... things that, without you, I knew I'd never want in the same way. I'm such an idiot, but I just couldn't move on. Everything, everyone reminded me of you, but none of it was you. And now you're here and we can be a family and you can be a queen and I'll show you all the amazing things you made possible... I.. I can't even put what I'm feeling into plain English.

[ Tears swell in his eyes, his voice breaking with tears again. ] I love you. I– love you so much, Allura. I'll hold onto you forever. Okay?

[ No, most of what he says doesn't translate, having since forgotten most everything but Altean. She understands her name, she understand "you" and "I", but more than that it's the emotion behind his voice that does reach her heart. It's a mixture of joy and pain--joy breaking through pain. The budding tears in his eyes cement that.

She reaches up with both of her hands to smooth her thumbs along the base of his lower lids, wiping away the tears that threaten to fall. When he speaks Altean again, she feels her heart flutter.

And it's suddenly as if the words pour out of her without effort-- ]

I don't understand what has happened, but I feel at the core of my being that I am here because...I am supposed to be. Because of you. I will not let go.

[ Lance leans into her hands, beautiful and smooth, trying to smile while holding back a sob. He better calm down before they get back on the Atlas–not that anyone would blame him for getting worked up again. ]

It's hard to believe that I can so much do. [ He takes in a slow breath to calm himself. He turns his head to kiss her wrist. ] I'm happy you're here.

[ But he closes his eyes and rests in this quiet moment, realizing he's worked himself up. His hands remain around her in the mean time, his thumb smoothing over a single spot on her back. At last, his eyes open, looking refreshed. ] Sorry.... Sorry.

We still have a long walk. C'mon, Silurjoma. [ His pronunciation is quite bad, but the sentiment is there. As is the rest of his Altean, anyway. ]

Edited 2018-12-22 03:32 (UTC)

[ He can take all the time he needs. Her concept of time is a little different now, after all, and she doesn't seem to mind just standing there and taking in his presence, basking in the familiarity of it even if she can't place how deep the sense is. She is just trusting her instincts and his own, wherever this will lead her.

There's no reason not to. ]

I will follow where you lead, Lance.

[ And she does without hesitation. Her mind wanders from place to place as she commits the scenery to memory. She has been here before--that she is certain of, though how or why escapes her. Is this where she came from originally? Is this her home? No, Lance said that he is taking her home, which means that it isn't here.

Perhaps it's "Atlas". ]

[ He'll leave her to wonder at the landscape, trying periodically to contact the Atlas as they make their way back to his point of entry. As much as he wants to talk more with her, the language barrier makes it hard; and so he stays quiet . and helps her with soft hands and a warm voice. Of course, every time he catches her eye, he smiles, eyes glimmering, and squeezes her hand.

At last, the scooter is in sight, and he points it out to her, moving to the small device and pausing. ] Let's see. These are supposed to be emergency vehicles, so... Here!

[ a hatch opens, revealing a slim suit and helmet; he pulls them out at the shoulders and holds it out to her. ] Here. It'll make you safe.

[ The vehicle is a curious one. Allura hadn't been really expecting anything, as each moment is a new experience from the last. But she is curious and unafraid as she inspects it, watching Lance open it up to reveal something--

--oh. She is to wear it, isn't she?

She blinks before, looking down at herself for a moment. The fact that she hadn't had a single thing on this entire time had never occurred to her. The fact that Lance has been clothed this entire time also hasn't occurred to her. The differences draw a small "oh" from her as she accepts the suit.

Allura turns it over in her hands again and again, testing out the material between her fingers. The garment appears simple enough and she can see where her arms and legs should go, so she slowly dons the uniform. It's not exactly graceful and Allura realizes that she's put something on backwards the first time, but she manages it in the end. Who would have thought putting on clothes was a skill? ]

Is this correct?

[ A chuckle slips out of him as she realizes the stark difference between their amount of coverage. And don't worry about putting it on backwards, Lance steps in easily to help her put the suit on correctly before any real embarrassment can happen.

When she asks her question, h e holds up one finger, offering the helmet to her now. ] And this [ The real skill is how the fuck does Allura get all that beautiful hair into the helmet, because she's totally done it before. Lance pauses. ] Uh.... Here, hold this. Er– Hold, please.

[ Wrapping around her, he starts to spin her hair onto the top of her head and hold it in place for her. ]

[ She is just very lucky that, somehow, she can get all her hair into that bun, but his method seems to work well enough. Allura holds still as he works, picking up on what he's doing fairly quickly. Once she feels that bundle of hair pressed against her head, Allura takes the helmet and slowly eases it on from the front, as not to mess up his hard work.

It seems successful and Allura hears the helmet bind and click into place with the suit automatically.

It feels...constricting. Very constricting in comparison to how she had been stretched across everything for so long. Allura isn't sure that she likes this very much, but Lance is also wearing a suit and he said this would keep her safe, so...so she trusts him. ]

How long must I wear this?

[ As if an attest to how rarely he needs Altean, he pauses to count out the Altean numbers on his fingers. ]

About ten doboshes. [ He grabs the scooter then in one hand, taking Allura in the other, and directs her to wrap her arms around his waist. ] Hold on. Don't let go.

[ It doesn't sit well with him that he can't cradle her while they travel, but he needs both hands. ] Close your eyes if it's scary. [ He can't be too sure; and with some warning, the machine lifts them from the ground. His helmet closes in the same moment.

The travel isn't quite ten doboshes, but from the beautiful landscape into the void and toward a ship in the distance, it can seem like forever. The suit she wears has no microphone, and so for a moment they only have a faint feeling of touch and silence as they drift through space.

Lance, we have a visual on you. Do you copy? ]

Yeah.... You'll never believe who's with me.

[ Ten doboshes. Very well, she can accommodate that. She does settle behind him and wraps her arms around his waist as directed, holding on tight. The lift of the scooter fascinates her more than it scares her, though she feels a strong pull--a heavy pang in her chest as they start to pull away from the world in swirls of pink and purple. It feels like it's a part of her, but so he is. So she must go.

The transition from beautiful other realm to the emptiness of space is a harsh one. Except she knows more than anyone it isn't exactly empty--but her connection to it is severed. It's an odd feeling as if she's on the outside lookin in at the twinkling stars lightyears away.

Empty. Dark. But beautiful.

As soft sigh at the beauty of it, the only sound being that of her breath in her helmet. Allura leans into his back a little more. She can feel his chest moving, the only indication she gets of him talking. Looking forward, she can see a structure looming ahead as they draw closer and closer.

Is that home? ]

[ The ship opens to them, and when the air lock closes behind them, the gravity settles back in, bringing them both back to their feet. Lance turns to see her, smiling with relief and ease to see that she's still here, still with him. His finger holds up one, looking up for a minute as the airlock rushes with oxygen At last he gives the thumbs up and takes his own helmet off. ]

Welcome aboard the Altlas, [ He wouldn't know how to say that on Altean. ] Everyone is excited to see you, but I asked only Coran to come. He can explain everything. Okay?

[ Allura watches the mechanisms of the ship with open interest, including the door to the airlock closing around them. She does wait until Lance takes his helmet off to do the same, so very glad to feel that she has some space around her head again.

Atlas. Yes, she recognizes that. This must be the Atlas.

Allura is already unzipping her suit when she pauses at another word that rings familiar. ]

Coran?

[ Something about it lights her eyes up.

And, yes, don't mind as she moves to just start taking that whole thing off. ]

Woah, woah, woah!!! [ He launches forward and grabs Allura's wrists. ] Let's not get naked for the crew just yet, huh?

Er– You need clothes. [ He hesitates, looking briefly bewildered, before he manages to put together what was bothering Allura. She probably doesn't even remember what it's like to dress properly. ] Take that off. [ And at the same time as her, he takes his own suit off off, promptly taking his shirt off afterwards and offers it to her. ] Here.

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