purusha | closed.

[ 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.

[ She most certainly does not see what he is getting so worked up about. Allura blinks a few times, frowning at his hands on her wrists. She doesn't like feeling so constricted. It's already strange enough to be inhabiting only such a small space at once.

But when he gives her permission, Allura doesn't hesitate to shirk the suit off entirely. Ah, blessed freedom. But then he's handing her his garment instead. Allura pauses. ]

You do not need it?

[ She accepts the shirt, but just kind of holds it up looking at it. It's...decidedly less tight than the flight suit she was wearing. ]

[ He shakes his head. ]

Earthlings are... strange. Guess I can't be sure about Alteans, [ his lips twist. ] I'll find you something better soon. [ He pauses as he observes her, soon reaching out to give her a small clue as to how to pull the shirt on. It's a simple T-shirt with a breast pocket, as much was obvious when he'd pulled the photo out of it earlier. The photo is still there even after she puts the garment on. It only does as much to cover her torso, but it'll have to do. He smiles and takes her hand to lead her along. ]

Coran will be happy to see you. [ The old Altean, unsurprisingly, waits just beyond the door of the airlock. ]

[ Strange, yes. Earthlings? Another word that seems familiar even if she can't place the meaning. It is a strange situation none the less, but she accepts it just as she accepts his help and instruction in the moment and puts on his shirt. It's less restricting, which is nice, a little billowy on her if almost indecently short, but she's clearly unbothered by it. But it does smell different--like him? It's comforting.

She walks alongside him and manages to get out, ]

What is Coran?

[ Her questions are answered just as fast as they're posed. She's met with an older man with bright orange hair and a shocked expression. Allura stops immediately in her tracks, her own eyes widening as she fights against confusion and recognition. ]

"Allura...it really is you!"

[ She looks between Lance and the new man, then focuses solely on the latter. ]

Coran...?

[ There's barely a moment between saying his name and Allura being wrapped up in a tight embrace. She's a little startled by it, though something smooths over in her expression, perhaps some understanding, that let's her return it. ]

"By the ancients...!"

[ He pulls back, wiping a tear from the corner of his eyes. ]

"We'd all thought that Lance here had finally gone off the deep end into the Hornsburgle Swarmnest when he demanded to come out here, but he was right all along."

[ Allura tilts her head, registering..."Lance" and "Hornsburgle Swarmnest", but... ]

[ To be expected. Lance releases Allura's hand to give her and Coran a little bit of space, sliding his hands into his pockets and grinning. It doesn't... occur to him immediately that there's a problem here, warmed as another piece of the family falls back into place, but eventually it clicks. ]

Uh... Coran? Uno problemo. [ Oh wait, maybe we shouldn't introduce another language into this dialogue. He beckons his attention, reaching back out to take the princess's hand and squeeze it. ] Allura doesn't... actually remember anything.

[ And so he continues to explain the last half an hour to Coran, in significantly less intimate detail, but enough for his friend to understand. ]

My Altean is garbage, otherwise I'd explain it to her myself, but yours is great! Obviously... –I don't know what she needs to know, but you're going to actually be able to explain any of it. [ He looks to Allura, taking out the photo and showing it to Coran . ] This was the photo that helped her remember some things. I think... if we help her remember it'll come back to her on its own.

[ With some hesitance, he switches back to Altean: ] Coran can help. He knows you best. I'll find you better clothes, then we can see our friends. Please talk to him. Silurjoma. I love you. [ A brief kiss on the cheek. ] I'm going to ask Veronica for one of her night gowns, so it'll be a minute. Go easy on her, alright?

[ Allura watches Lance talk more than she understands the language, but she can gather what he means, anyway. Realization dawns on Coran's face and she does her best to read the exchange without words. ]

"Ah. Yes, yes I see..."

[ Coran regards Allura with a hint of sadness, but shakes it off quickly. ]

"I suppose it would've been too easy for the universe to resurrect the Princesse without some sort of give and take. But if she's able to recall anything, I'd say that's an excellent sign. I'm sure we've got plenty around this ship that can help joggle her memory."

[ Allura switches to Lance as he speaks and nods.

Coran smiles fondly and places a hand on Lance's shoulder. ]

"You needn't ask. We'll be right here."

"Princess Allura--"

Princess?

"...We're really starting from step one aren't we? Well, no matter! I've known you since you were knee high to a Turwigg, so if there's anyone who can fill in the holes in your memory, it's Good Old Coran!"

[ Lance smiles, an odd sadness mixed into his expression, when Coran affirms him. In the years that had passed, the man had become no less a father to him than his own. He can't imagine how good it must be for the old man to see the princess again, who may as well have been his own daughter from the fond memories he always held of her.

With some reluctance, Lance leaves to the bridge, met by Shiro and Pidge who had attended the journey, they eyes huge as they looked at Lance. Shiro, practically with his heart stopped, is the first to speak" "You.... really found her." ]

...Yeah. Yeah, we did. –Oh, right, Veronica! [ All eyes are on Lance for the duration that he lingers in the bridge, the conversation dull but necessary as he whisper begs his sister for help. Eventually they'll leave together, Lance walking clumsily backwards as he speaks to Shiro. ] I'll let you guys know when she's good for more company, but buzz Keith and Hunk in the mean time. Oh man, Hunk's gonna' lose his marbles. Veronica, do you remember if the space mice are on boa– [ Zooop.

Eventually, Lance returns with a cute pink night gown in hand, but he doesn't reenter the hall immediately. Instead, he listens quietly around the corner to see if now is an okay time to interrupt or not. He knows full well how important this moment must be for Coran, and Lance is more than happy to wait. ]

[ When Lance leaves, she's left with this new man--a little familiar and very talkative. Or so it seemed. As soon as Lance is gone, silence falls between them.

And then he just holds her for a moment. A long moment. One that Allura doesn't argue against. Then he speaks slowly, starting with the basics. Her name, where she came from, words that all ping something in the core of her being. He could go into the deep history of Altea and the legacy of her family line and of Voltron, but instead he tells Allura about herself--that she is kind and curious, determined and stubborn, intelligent and dexterous, a born leader and a beloved friend.

She isn't sure why, but it makes her want to cry.

He asks her what she knows of Lance, since she remembered the picture. She gives bits and pieces in Altean of what she's seen and he helps fill in a few holes about Earth, and then about Oriande, where she awoke. Allura asks Coran who he is, and he simply says, "Your family". She believes him.

When the door opens again, Coran has a small tablet pulled up where he's showing her pictures that he's loaded from the Castle--pictures of her childhood. Allura seems enraptured, but she senses something near by--like another part of herself.

Allura looks up and around. ]

Lance?

[ WOOPS. Lance stiffens before appearing around the corner with a laugh and a blush. ] Man, princess, I haven't even turned the corner and you're – oh right, crap. Altean.

[ A hassle, really. He's going to have to do some heavy reading to get up to pace so he can actually talk with Allura again normally. He approaches, not offering the night gown just yet, attempting in weak Altean: ] Remember anything?

[ Coran turns to greet Lance as he approaches, though Allura's gaze doesn't leave Lance until he switches to Altean. She glances at the tablet where Coran has a picture up of Allura has a little girl, standing at the helm of the Castle with Alfor leaning over her to guide her through the motions.

She taps the screen and the picture enlarges. ]

This feels familiar. But I can't place where or when.

We lived here. [ Lance explains with a smile, tucking the gown under his arm and taking his free hand to hold her around the back and smiling. He's seen some of these pictures. He asked Coran to print a few of them out for him. ]

I sat here and Keith went there. You and Coran flew the ship. You have pictures of us, Coran?

"Indeed I do! Just a tick." [ He takes the phone and begins to scroll, speaking as he does so. ] "I'll say I've become quite picture happy in my years. Hmmmm... Ah, here we are!" [ the device is returned to Allura, a photo of the paladins when they were all still living in the castle. He zooms in on Keith, and then the others as he addresses each. ] That's Keith. He said you were like a sister to him. Hunk here is my best friend. And these are Pidge and Shiro. They're here on the Atlas now.

You have so many more friends, Allura, but we all became family because of you.

"And Lance here could very well be considered your Ceremonial Man, princess. Husband is the Earthling word, I believe!"

[ Lance laughs and reaches out to jab the old man. ] C'mon, man. He means boyfriend.

Edited (edits like a million time) 2019-01-01 03:38 (UTC)

[ Allura looks between Lance and Coran, before accepting the tablet again to look at the new pictures. The faces--yes, they do feel familiar. There's a flash--something of the team on the bridge, standing about as the others point their fingers back and forth and make strange "blam blam" and "pew pew" noises--it doesn't make any sense. ]

They're here?

[ She looks up again then. She would like to see them--perhaps...-- ]

...Husband?

[ Yes, that's the word that she should be remembering, right? ]

You're the other part of me. I know that.

[ That's why he has those markings on his cheeks, isn't it? She can feel herself in them. ]

[ There's a part of him that knows if she ever collects all her memories, he's going to be teased so bad for this conversation.

Regardless, he smiles at her, a flush in his cheeks and a stutter in his heart. It's so sweet, and his lips part to return the words, but faintly Coran is humming a tune that Lance nor Allura is going to know or remember, but it's definitely the Altean equivalent of "Here Comes the Bride." Lance pouts, catching on all to quickly to the jubilant tune, but he knows he shouldn't be getting mushy. ]

"Sorry, sorry! Just having a bit of fun, Lance. I always knew you two were as destined as Kvarian Torelions are to the Hiusan ice fields. What's say we pick up on this later, princess? I have more than a few anecdotes about your youth I've been itching to reminisce on. I'd imagine seeing the rest of your family is more important right about now." [ The old man smiles to his eyes, wrinkles lined at the corners. ]

[ She's all fond smiles up at Lance until that humming, which catches her attention and her gaze. Allura tilts her head slightly, frowning at saying that she doesn't recall or recognize, but that's something she's going to encounter quite a bit for a while now, she feels.

Seeing her family, though... ]

Even though it's...much like seeing glimpses of someone else's life, it all still feels familiar...Yes. I would like that very much. May we see them, Lance?

[ He nods affirmatively. ] Hunk and Keith will be a few varga, but Shiro and Pidge are waiting.

Coran can you have them meet us in the observation deck? And clear it out. I don't want to overwhelm Allura. And can you repeat that for her so she knows what's up?

[ Coran agrees and, as requested, repeats the command for Allura; Lance chuckles at the few differences that Coran slips in there, but it's Coran; he's nothing if not eccentric. He steps back to allow the old man to embrace Allura one more time before bidding them well. Lance untucks the gown from his arm and offers it to Allura. ]

I know it's uncomfortable, but Earthlings prefer clothing. This should be very easier on you.

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this isnt even a lance tag its just all coran look at him go

bless coran tho

the better boy in this thread