01 ✨ Homecoming

[lioness_rampant]

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.

Comments

[onebetter]

I am pleased to hear this. Sadly, I can't say I've experienced it yet.

[ And it's frustrating. There is only so much joy he can truly derive of people telling him over and over that the world is going to be fine when his own memory stands in such harsh contradiction. ]

Any information from after the return of Voltron to Earth is only known to me through hearsay. Though it is certainly relieving to see the account of a better future come from so many independent sources.

[lioness_rampant]

I can't imagine how difficult that must be for you, having come so recently from the field of battle as I have.

[ She seems to consider something for a moment before nodding once. ]

If it is any consolation, I can assure you that when you do return to the fight, your efforts will be successful.

[onebetter]

[ He gives a small smile, more politeness than anything. He knows he should be soothed by this. He spends a lot of time everyday telling himself this. But the lingering tension is hard to get rid of. Every morning he wakes up ready for action. Even the tangible peace around him is hard to take in, peace in his homeworld is... abstract at best. ]

It certainly makes it easier to live in the now, yes. I can't say I'll be relieved until I finally experience it for myself, but I'm glad to know that I'm not putting Earth in danger by being here.

[lioness_rampant]

That much I do understand, Lieutenant. If there is anything I can do, any questions I might answer to put your mind at ease, I certainly will.

[ Somehow, she doubts he will, but the offer always stands. ]

Are you traveling now? Training?

[onebetter]

[ He gives a nod. ]

Might as well do the challenges while I'm here. I can't simply sit still and luckily, neither can my Pokémon. It's a little strange to do something solely for the sake of it, after all that duty... But it does take the mind off things.

[lioness_rampant]

I'm beginning to think that I also would like to undertake the challenges. I've been on the move since I was revived from cryo-sleep--I can scarcely imagine what I'd do with myself without a goal to work towards.

Perhaps I'll challenge you, too, once Blaytz gets a bit stronger.

[onebetter]

It would be an honor to compete against you.

[ There's definitely a layer of prestige attached to friendly battle with The Altean Princess and the prospect is kind of exciting. James supposes that is a sign he's really getting into this Pokémon thing. ]

Pokémon grow stronger pretty quickly if you let them compete a lot - they tend to like fighting, it's exercise to them.

[lioness_rampant]

Then I shall have to train hard to be worthy competition. I'm certain you have quite the head start on me.

[ Not that Allura minds a challenge, but it's not just herself she has to consider in this instance. ]

[onebetter]

I've been here for two months only. Compared to a lot of others, that's a fairly small advantage.

But I can't say I've been lazy during that time, either. We made a lot of progress, my team and I.

[ And he shouldn't brag because it's really not much compared to experienced trainers, but he's still proud. It's nice to progress quickly at learning a new skill after all. ]