Princess Allura of Altea (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lioness_rampant) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
victory_road2019-10-08 06:40 pm
lioness_rampant) wrote in victory_road2019-10-08 06:40 pm
01 ✨ Homecoming
Who: Allura and anyone who happens to be dropping by
Where: Island Four, Beach House
When: October
Summary: Allura is reunited with her friends
Rating: Should be PG
Allura isn't entirely sure what to expect when Shiro's Skarmory touches down on the beach in front of building that seems charmingly antiquated to a person who grew up in a castle that is also a spaceship.
It looks like the kind of place someone could begin a fresh life. A new life.
It's a little daunting, this idea of starting over from scratch in a new, alien world. She might reinvent herself entirely but for her friends' presence; they tether her inexorably to her old life and the person they remembered from whatever point in time they'd been plucked.
She follows behind Shiro, equal parts nerves and excitement at the prospect of seeing them again. It doesn't feel like it's been long since they parted ways, but that parting was so bittersweet and none of them will have the slightest idea.
"I'm home."
Video
[ Allura is seated on the couch in the beach house with her Swablu perched on her knees. She waves once at the screen, smiling pleasantly. ]
Hello! I'm Allura, and this is Blaytz. I'm very recently arrived and it seems proper to introduce myself and my new companion. [ Blaytz chirrups and flaps his little cloud wings, and she gives him a scritch in the floof under his beak. ] My friends have explained many things to me, but I've no doubt there is much more that I have yet to learn.
I look forward to meeting you all in my travels.
Where: Island Four, Beach House
When: October
Summary: Allura is reunited with her friends
Rating: Should be PG
Allura isn't entirely sure what to expect when Shiro's Skarmory touches down on the beach in front of building that seems charmingly antiquated to a person who grew up in a castle that is also a spaceship.
It looks like the kind of place someone could begin a fresh life. A new life.
It's a little daunting, this idea of starting over from scratch in a new, alien world. She might reinvent herself entirely but for her friends' presence; they tether her inexorably to her old life and the person they remembered from whatever point in time they'd been plucked.
She follows behind Shiro, equal parts nerves and excitement at the prospect of seeing them again. It doesn't feel like it's been long since they parted ways, but that parting was so bittersweet and none of them will have the slightest idea.
"I'm home."
Video
[ Allura is seated on the couch in the beach house with her Swablu perched on her knees. She waves once at the screen, smiling pleasantly. ]
Hello! I'm Allura, and this is Blaytz. I'm very recently arrived and it seems proper to introduce myself and my new companion. [ Blaytz chirrups and flaps his little cloud wings, and she gives him a scritch in the floof under his beak. ] My friends have explained many things to me, but I've no doubt there is much more that I have yet to learn.
I look forward to meeting you all in my travels.
no subject
[ She doesn't notice it from a distance, but as he approaches, the difference in him strikes her.
Stars, but he's so young. His scar is gone.
It takes her a moment to recover, but she smiles at him and jogs forward to greet him. ]
I've only just arrived, yes. I'm so happy to see you!
[ The large, flexing insectoid creature, however... It makes eye contact with her (she assumes) and flexes its bulbous muscles. ]
What... is that?
no subject
[That's stated with so much nonchalance and it explains absolutely nothing. As Buzzwhole gets his flex on, Keith grins.]
Think that's his way of saying hi. [Maybe? Probably. What matters is that muscle bug isn't attempting to wrestle Allura on sight, even if he looks at the princess expectantly, hands on hips.]
He came to Johto through a wormhole that opened up outside of Violet City. A lot of these wormholes have been opening up lately so there are a bunch of aliens roaming around.
[A beat, then he looks at Allura with a smile.]
Must be alien month or something all around. Bet everyone's gonna be real happy to see you. Pidge and Lance could definitely use the distraction at least.
no subject
[ The Ultra Beast’s posturing draws her attention again, though, and she gives a little chuckle, uncertain how to respond to that. ]
... Buggy. Why is he...?
[ Allura mimics the flexing and that earns an immediate response. Buggy flexes even more vigorously, so what else can she do but make a pose of her own, her lithe physique not quite as intimidating as Buzzwole’s. She gives Keith a questioning look, as if to ask if this is normal. ]
no subject
Hey c'mon, Buggy.
[Keith holds up his closed fist to the Ultra Beast's face. After a moment, the Buzzwhole gives him a fist bump. A bit of a vigorous one that makes Keith stumble back a few steps, mind you, but definitely a fist bump.]
...We're working on that one. I think Buggy just likes showing off.
[He rolls his shoulder, then shakes his head.]
Anyway, they're both feeling down cuz Hunk got sent back home a few days ago and uh... I guess the three of them were dating each other. Dunno how that one happened.
no subject
Pidge and Lance. And Hunk. It's... not implausible, she supposes, and time has meandered off on its own here, taking the Paladins places she wouldn't have expected (and all of them farther and farther from her). She feels left behind, like some joke the universe is telling that only she cannot understand. It stings.
She licks her lips, her expression inscrutable until she shakes her head with a gusty exhalation. ]
Huh! That... that certainly is unexpected. That... I'm... It's unexpected!
[ Ah yes, that was handled about as gracefully as a pack of yalmores in a tar pit. Quickly! Save face, Allura! Say something wise and vague! ]
I suppose our hearts seldom behave in rational ways. If... if they've found happiness together, then I'm glad for them.
no subject
Okay. Didn't think that'd make you uncomfortable. Sorry for bringing that up.
[He looks away, eyes drifting back towards Buzzwhole and his other pokemon. At least they don't take unexpected offense to the things he says.]
Gonna be heading back to Violet City soon, so uh... enjoy your stay.
god I need more icons
[ Unprompted, she reaches out to grab his wrist before he can stalk off and leave her standing there awkwardly on the beach. Whatever Altean strength she had has been sapped from her--she's no stronger than a human woman can be, but her grip isn't a firm one. She just wants to keep him from escaping. ]
Don't go. I'm sorry. You haven't said anything wrong, and it's better to know for me to know the state of things here than to walk blindly into a situation. I reacted poorly.
[ Her eyes fall to the sand that spans the gap between the toes of their boots, and her fingers go slack, her hand falling back to her side. She looks more crestfallen now, more than anything. How can she explain her feelings without divulging too much compromising information? ]
It's just... It's a shock. So many of you have been here for years. With that much time passed, people change and relationships change, and... I don't know how I'm going to... to fit in with everyone now. The last thing I want to do is drive anyone away, especially my dearest friends--my family.
lmao it's really hard to play vld characters with 15 icons /pats you
Somehow, he wasn't expecting Allura to echo some of his sentiments back at him, and... well, it gets his expression to soften just enough that it's clear she has his undivided attention.]
...yeah. I know how you feel. They've all been here longer than I remember us being paladins.
[He represses a sigh, then looks away again. Allura considers him "family" then, huh? He can't help wondering if she'd still feel the same way if she knew one of the last things he'd done prior to waking up here was bring up the possibility of not rescuing her from Zarkon's Central Command, even if he'd gone with the others all the same and fought his hardest to get her free.]
It's a little awkward. [And though he's getting the feeling that Allura's discomfort had more than "shock" as a factor, he decides against pressing her on that issue. Seems like the "correct" thing to do at any rate....]
Sorry. Again. I didn't mean to make you feel unwelcome or anything. Just... trying not to step on toes.
no subject
[ Keith's admission that he understands how she feels saddens Allura. This is his team. It shouldn't be that way. She wants to reach out to him again, but this time she hesitates; he doesn't know her like she knows him--like he'll come to know her--and things are already strained enough right now without her awkward attempts to lighten the mood.
Instead, she rallies herself. Mixed feelings about Lance's complicated relationships aside, she really is happy--she gets a chance to live again, in this beautiful and intriguing world, with all of her friends nearby. It's lucky enough to border miraculous. ]
Things get better, but it takes time and effort. It is my experience, however, that where this team is concerned, they do always work out.
[ Instead of digging into the relationship dynamics, she chooses to focus on Keith himself. He's obviously been through a lot. ]
What about you, then? You've been keeping busy? Making new friends? [ She gestures at Buggy. ]
no subject
Something like that. [He offers a half smile, motioning for Houndoom and Vulpix to come over.] Been traveling around Johto and collecting gym badges. Gathering a team to battle with. Buggy's just visiting for now, I think, but these are my buddies.
[He leans down to give Houndoom a skritch as Vulpix approaches Allura, looking up at her with curiosity.]
Got a few more, but it gets kinda hectic when they're all out of their pokeballs.
no subject
So, she crouches down in front of Vulpix and holds her hand out, palm open and flat until the little fox is close enough for her to scratch and pet her soft fur, finding a spot under her chin that she seems to like. ]
They're wonderful. [ And to the Buddies: ] I hope we can be friends as well. [ Her Swablu chirps in agreement, flapping down to land on the sand and and introduce itself. ]
I have no doubt that you'll have the challenges well in hand when you undertake them, Keith. I've never met anyone as determined as you.
no subject
Well we've all been working hard to get stronger together.
[there's definitely a note of pride in his voice. delicate social situations be damned, he's quite fond of his buddy squad! even so, he can't help raising an eyebrow at the compliment in surprise.]
Considering that's coming from the princess who woke up from a ten thousand year nap ready to wage a war against the largest empire the universe has ever known.... should I be concerned? [Half smile in place, he looks from Allura to her birb.]
Who's this little guy?
no subject
[ Allura shoots Keith a lopsided grin, shaking her head in amusement. While she ruffles and fusses over Buddy the Vulpix, Blaytz hops down her arm and then over to Keith's, seeming to look him over with an inquisitive eye. ]
This is my partner, Blaytz. He's named after the original Paladin of the Blue Lion.
[ It can't go unnoticed that Allura herself is wearing the outfit of a Paladin, sans helmet, though hers is accented in pink. Finding a spot that Buddy seems to really enjoy having scratched, Allura plies it with extra vigor. ]
I think I'll train him as well, if that's what he wants. If we're partners, then his wishes are important as well.
[ Especially since the pokemon seem to be smarter than simple animals. From his spot where he's wound up perching on Keith's shoulder, Blaytz flaps a wing and chirps his approval. ]
no subject
Blaytz. [just trying out the sound of the name. a former paladin, huh. at least judging from allura's reaction, it seems safe to assume that this one didn't exactly have the complicated history that zarkon did. carefully he reaches up, brushing his finger along a very floofy wing.] Got a lot to live up to then.
[though maybe as long as blaytz jr here doesn't get allura's stuff stolen because he got distracted by a pretty bird that's already a step in the right direction.....]
Most pokemon here like to get stronger by battling. [speaking of which... he'll give allura's paladin (?) armor a more appraising glance.] .... so should there be a pink streak in Shiro's hair?