03 ✨ video

[lioness_rampant]

[ Hello, Network! Have one alien princess with a Pachirisu draped around her shoulders. She's out shopping, looking a little bemused in front of a sign featuring lacy pink and red heart designs. ]

Could someone please explain to me what Valentine's Day is? And what are these? [ She points at the poster behind her. ] Someone said they're hearts. Human hearts don't actually look like this, do they?


[SCREENED to: Pidge!]

[ This portion is a separate video screened to Pidge, because Allura has further questions and is a little too shy to ask them publicly. She's clearly in a department store, surrounded by racks of lacy garments. ]

Pidge, I don't suppose I could ask for your advice?

Comments

[lioness_rampant]

Yes, and a proper date, too. Not just the weekly trip for groceries.

[ She laughs, but Pidge's surprise draws Allura a little short. She and Keith hadn't exactly announced that they were together after Shiro's wedding, but she could have been certain their friends had gotten the message? ... Or... perhaps they hadn't, if Pidge's reaction is any indication. ]

Well, it... it's Keith.

[pidge_out]

[And her eyes go even wider. Brighter, at least, and there's definitely a smile growing across her face.

Keith. Allura and Keith. Their once-loner leader sucked it up and asked out the quiznaking princess.

She has so much to bug him about next time they talk.]

That-- That's great!! [And she really does mean it, however awkwardly happy she might be coming across.] I didn't know you guys were- I'm so happy for you!

Well then, I- I guess we need to find you something that'll really knock him out!

[lioness_rampant]

[ Allura seems relieved by Pidge's obvious excitement. She isn't sure what she expected, exactly, so the enthusiasm is welcome in spite of the awkwardness. ]

He's a very... no-frill sort of person. I am... moderate frill, but everything here seems to be all frill or none at all.

[ She's already selected a few and laid them out on a table. ]

I quite like the color and the flowers on this one, but the layering here could be good.

[pidge_out]

[She laughs a little at the "frill" scale she's offering. It's completely appropriate (and accurate), but it paints a funny mental image.] You guys are kind of "form versus function," aesthetically speaking. [Pidge adjusts herself a little, clearly making herself more comfortable in her seat while she peers curiously at the items Allura has already chosen. She hums thoughtfully, tapping a finger to her chin while she looks over each of them.] The layers look like they'd be more comfortable... But aren't these kinds of clothes supposed to be more revealing? Wouldn't that be too much cloth? [Why is lingerie, anyway? Why not just go straight to lacy, skimpy underwear instead??]

[lioness_rampant]

The truth is... [ Allura sighs deeply here, running her fingers over the silky fabric. ] Alteans have quite different customs. That's why I thought it'd be best to consult with a human friend.

You see, we have markings all over our bodies--not just our faces. It's a common tradition for us to... gradually reveal them to our lovers. It's very intimate.

[pidge_out]

Oh... Huh. [Pidge never thought to even ask about that. She's known Allura for so long and gotten so comfortable with her that sometimes she forgets exactly how and where their biology and customs differ.] That's kinda cool.

In that case, I guess the more layered one would be better... [She squints at the screen again, re-examining the options.] What about the one with the longer skirt-like part? It also looks pretty layered.

[lioness_rampant]

[ In fairness, it isn't like Allura has spoken at all about the courtship practices of Altea with any of the paladins--even Lance, back in their world. It certainly never came up with Pidge.

She nods, blushing slightly, though her face is off-camera now. ]

It was common to use a length of ribbon to wrap our limbs. None but our parents and our partners ever see the full set of our markings--they're deeply personal.

[ She clears her throat. ]

But yes, I do like this one. But I like this color better, I think. It would stand in contrast to my skin.

[pidge_out]

Whoa... That's so much more meaningful than with us. [She kind of frowns at the thought, too. Humans really are simple creatures, especially compared to the rest of the universe's inhabitants.] I mean, there's definitely still a sense of vulnerability in being naked in front of someone else, but it doesn't seem as intimate as the act of showing your markings sounds.

[She'll shake the thought off. That's neither here nor there; right now she needs to help Allura figure out what kind of sexy human lingerie will suit Altean custom.]

Yeah, those colors are a lot nicer... I guess the store doesn't happen to carry one of those in that color combination, huh?

[lioness_rampant]

[ Allura begins to hang her selections back on the racks they'd come from, humming contemplatively. ]

I wonder if he would like that... the ribbon, I mean. There are many different ways to wind the ribbon, and it's typically passed from mother to daughter. Mine... she was never able to show me, but my aunt Elena taught me when I was old enough.

[ That took a surprisingly depressing turn, but Allura keeps pressing on. Finding a selection of lingerie in the style they settled on, she rifles through to see if they have the color she wants. ]

I appreciate you being willing to help me with this. You know if you need help with anything that I'm here, yes?

[pidge_out]

[There's a pang of sympathy for Allura at the mention of her mother. For as much as Pidge fights and bickers with her own mom, at the end of the day she still loves her to pieces. She lets the moment pass so that Allura doesn't have to linger on it too long, just offering a small, sympathetic smile if she happens to glance back at the screen.

So back to the lingerie search they go. She watches Allura go through the items on the rack, keeping an eye open for something in the color they're looking for.]

I know... It's actually kinda funny. You're like a big sister to me, but this is probably the first time we've ever actually been able to do something... sisterly. You know?

[lioness_rampant]

[ Allura gives a small laugh at the last comment, grateful for Pidge's discretion in allowing the somber moment to pass. This isn't the time for that. Maybe another day. ]

Is this the kind of thing sisters do together? Visit shops and purchase undergarments?

[pidge_out]

I... guess so? [She chuckles a little herself, shifting so that her back is pressed against the wall for support.] It sounds like something sisters would do, don't you think? Oh-- I think I see something near the end of this row.