purusha | closed.

[ 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.

[ Allura listens to the explanation in Altean, quietly grateful. Not that she believe she would be upset in the presence of others--truthfully she doesn't have much opinion on it at all, each thought and feeling that she experiences seems new and old at the same time. A bit of processing may be necessary soon, but she's endlessly curious at the moment.

After Coran parts, she turns to Lance with a bright smile--that...diminishes a bit when he offers the gown.

Yes, she would rather just be. Naked right now. That's a phase that will surely pass.

Probably.

(The side effects of being ethereal and one with all of time and space for a few years/eternity. Depending on how you look at it.)

She huffs. ]

Very well...

[ Allura takes off the shirt he lent her and holds it out, before donning the new gown. It is more roomy, but also longer. ]

Is this acceptable?

[ Lance watches unabashedly as she undresses. It's not like they haven't been like this before; but he realizes that he'd been so swept up in happiness and relief the last hour or so that he had some how completely missed the beautiful body that she now occupied. He wonders if it's the same as she left with, even if all its perfections and flaws seem the same to his eyes. It's been so many years....

He smiles. ] You look good. [ he pulls the lent shirt back on and soon reaches out for both of her hands, taking them in his and holding them. The smile hasn't gone away. For a little while, he says nothing, his eyes soft and expression somewhat giddy. It's hard trying to summarize his feelings into his limited Altean, trying to find the word he wants. There's a light glow on his cheeks to match his thundering heart. ]

You look beautiful. I'm so lucky.

[ Some of the scars she had gathered over time--small though they were thanks to Altean healing technology--are gone entirely, as if someone forgot to add them when reconstructing her. A little softer since she hasn't been on a heavy training regiment and in the heat of battle. But she's still unmistakably Allura.

His compliment makes her smile. She holds his hands back, seemingly content to just stand there and stare up at him. Taking each moment by moment, second by second, letting his face become increasingly familiar. He's already easily the thing she understands most in the universe right now. ]

You found me...you made me whole again. Aren't I the one that's lucky?

[ Lance laughs a bit bitterly, shaking his head in answer. ] You made me whole. [ He shouldn't feel as if his whole life changed for the better when Allura came into his life, but she inspired him to grow. He wouldn't be who he is today if she hadn't been there and... her loss shaped his world just the same.

He leans in to kiss her innocently once more, overwhelmed with love still, before he he leads her away from the dark corridor. Outside it looks as if the ship has started moving again, slowly turning around to take them home. The observation deck isn't so far. A few of the crew look at Lance and Allura as they pass by, curious why there was a new woman on board, but only a select handful of them would remember who she is. As they walk, Lance hardly takes his eyes off of her, clasping her palm as they walk. ]

What do you think of the ship?

[ Allura is taking in the layout and architecture of the ship, stopping to pause every once in a while as she discovers something interesting. Sometimes she asks what it is, other times she enjoys the glow of lights and machinery.

She gives a soft hum, placing the flat of her free palm against the wall. ]

I feel the pulse of this ship. It's as if it's alive and familiar.

Yeah, that.... [ He mutters thoughtfully. He knows exactly what she's talking about, too, but having the right words.. ]

It's... another piece of you? It's hard to make clear. Our home before was the Castle from the picture. It worked because your... quintessence made it work? Honestly, I don't understand it all.

Something happened and it got, uh– [ he motions his hands together, "crushing" something in them. ] Like that?–to save the universe, and made a rock. Later that rock was put into this ship. Now it's our home. A little. Home when home is far.

We also have homes on Earth and Altea. Earth is mine and also the others'. You will have a home on both.

[ She doesn't quite understand what he's talking about. Not necessarily due to his mastery of Altean, but more so the situation is just so out of her realm to visualize and comprehend at the moment. But she does feel something, a connection to this ship. So whatever he says must be true. ]

A home.

[ That seems fitting, at least. Allura watches the metal beneath her fingers glow lightly as if in response and she smiles. ]

And we are going to see all of those?

[ She asks as she turns back to Lance, letting her hand fall from the wall. The glow dissipates. ]

Naturally, [ he answers with a grin, spoken as naturally as the word is what it is. ]

We'll go to Earth first for the people here, and then Coran and me will take you to Altea. Your home is beautiful.

I cannot wait to see it. When will we arrive?

[ The concept of how much time will need to pass for that to happen escapes her entirely. At the moment she's just excited by the prospect as well as meeting the others who are on this ship. She needs to speak with Coran again, she thinks. Maybe after this. (She has no idea how tiring it is to be alive again.) ]

Uhhh... Depends? The teleduv the Atlas uses is still very, uh.... not great.

It may be two weeks. Oriande is far, far away from home.

Two weeks?

[ She frowns slightly, trying to gather an idea of just how long that is. Her concepts of time have shifted greatly, spending both an eternity and a short while with the universe, depending on the reality. But by the way Lance describes it, it seems like it's no short while. ]

I see...but it will be worth it to return home. And you will be here the whole time, won't you?

[ Lance grins, realizing he's been leaning toward her all this time. Even after all these years, he finds he still gravitates toward her the same way. ]

Yes. Every tick of the way. I'll never leave your side. [ And he hopes Allura will never leave his. They stop in a moment outside the observation deck and he gathers up both her hands for a moment. ]

Our friends are here. They don't know Altean, so Coran and me will help. [ He kisses her softly again, holding both her hands in his between them, before pressing the button to open the deck. ]

[ Good. That's good. Not that she's necessarily nervous about her surroundings, but he's easily the most familiar thing around right now. She does not want to lose that.

So she smiles lightly into the kiss and gives a nod at his warning.

She isn't sure what she'll find when the doors open, but all eyes are already turned towards them. Allura scans the room, trying to find recognition in the faces. Coran is there, standing next to two people. Her gaze settles on them.

There's a woman with short brown hair, large glasses, and a wide smile. That smile does stir something in Allura. Next to her is a man, much taller, with white hair and a mechanical arm floating next to him. That stirs something in her as well, she feels...connected. ]

Hello--

[ Oh. Right. They don't speak Altean...

Except the girl returns the greeting in Altean and Allura immediately smiles. ]

[ There's a soft utterance of her name from Shiro, but tragically, he knows the least Altean of everyone here. His eyes dart toward Pidge, and he attempts to, very badly repeat the short phrase to her. Like an eldritch horror, it's impossible to repeat what atrocity Shiro has committed to this simple phrase.]

"Allura!" [ Coran announces: ] "These are Shiro, our former Black Paladin, and Pidge, our ever present green paladin. Pidge here was just flaunting a bit of her Altean for practice."

[ Pidge simpers and approaches, hugging her well missed friend: ] "It's good to have you back, Allura. Sorry, that's all the Altean I could squeeze out of Coran last minute." [ At least her pronunciation is good.

Shiro follows behind her, embarrassed but still with an air of confidence. ] "Allura, I..." [ He pauses and smiles. ] "It's amazing to see you again. Everyone's missed you so much. Coran said she doesn't remember anything?"

[ Lance repeats most of what Shiro said, but pauses to answer the question: ] Yeah. Bits and pieces have come back, so I think we just have to help her along with remembering anything. It could be a long process.

"That's fine. You brought all of us together, Allura. There's not a thing in all the universes any of us wouldn't do for you. I'm happy to help you in whatever way I can." [ And when those words are repeated to her, he hugs her as well. ]

[ Yes, they do seem familiar and Allura doesn't mind the hug at all. Pidge's Altean warms her heart--and her diction is pronunciation is perfect. But she manages in English, ]

Thank you.

[ Some phrases and words have come back to her just by listening to Lance speak, but not many.

Allura tilts her head as Shiro speaks, but there's a comfort and warmth in his voice that she trusts implicitly. She doesn't need to know the language to understand the meaning. Lance's translation is welcome regardless and she's happy to return that hug as well. ]

Thank you, everyone. So much in this place feels familiar to me. I can only hope that I'll come to understand it quickly. Even if I don't, I can already feel your warmth and kindness. That is enough.

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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

THEY'RE BOTH GOOD BOYS

HMMMM debatable.

>:[

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