thisavrou | [VIDEO]

Entry tags:

voltron ld: princess allura

[VIDEO]

[WE INTERRUPT YOUR DEMONS AND MAYHEM TO BRING YOU...]

[Based on the setup of the ACE camera, this isn't just an impromptu video recording. Allura looks like she took extra care in preparing her own appearance (complete with earrings that are more sparkly than usual) and the backdrop, the common area of her team's shared units in the ______ Suites.]

Hello, everyone! I hope this day is finding all of you well. First, I'd like to take a moment to thank those of you who came to my father's assistance after his investigation of the Kaittos flora went off the rails. It's much appreciated, and you'll be happy to know that the vines should all be gone now.

[With a small emphasis on 'should'. Her eyes sweep the room briefly, as if she's expecting those seeds to burst open and photobomb her recording. So far, though, so good!]

But that's not why I'm making this video. Today, I am celebrating Grogory Day! ... I have to confess, though, that I don't know if it actually is Grogory Day. Attempting to convert the Altean calendar is a troublingly complicated matter, but...

Regardless! Grogory Day started as a celebration of peace accords, and grew into a holiday of peace and friendship. And you can all join in, too! All you have to do is give compliments to the people you meet — such as, "Your hair looks fantastic today!" or "You have such a handsome smile!" Another way to celebrate is by doing something nice for a stranger, just because you can.

With that in mind, I would also like to offer a special Grogory Day drink, to my neighbors in the Suites and anyone else who would like to stop by! It's not quite the traditional Grogory Day drink, but — I found something that should work, in the Kaittos market. It's blue and sweet, at least!

[... it's very sweet. Very, very sweet. Drink at your own risk.]

You've all been very patient, listening to me ramble on like this! Happy Grogory Day to all of you, and I hope to see all your gorgeous faces today!

[TL;DR: Reply or Action, get free compliments and a holiday greeting.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It was my pleasure! If I had made a guess of it the year before, I would have tried it then as well. Ah, but we must have entered the Hub by that point, right...?

[~~ignore the IC excuse for things that didn't come up OOCly until this year~~]

And thank you, Shiro! Although you're the one who's done the most good for our team with your leadership. Both in skill and in your guidance to the others. Happy Grogory Day!

We were all a little busy surviving last year. It ... wow. It's really been more than a year for us, hasn't it?

[~~it's a totally IC excuse shhh~~]

... That. That means a lot to hear. Especially from you. Thank you, Allura.

Thank you.

[Whoops, got a little bit sappy there in the end.]

Of course, Shiro. Anytime.

[She smiles, because hooray, everyone's getting in the spirit!]

But yes, it's been over a year. And an eventful year at that one. One of the reasons I wouldn't mind putting in some extra work to make this a permanent base for us — we haven't had much stability for our team, so we should start making some of our own.

[Okay, reign it in. Don't get sap everywhere.]

I'll throw in too. I mean, we're already doing our best with security, but it probably won't hurt to go the extra miles. Did you have anything specific in mind?

I'm... still trying to figure that out. I mean, I can certainly help with planning, but...

[But her tone sinks. They have a lot of plans already. She's probably not the only one who's brought up the subject of a training room, or a research archive, or how they should be divvying up the science sector.]

[They're talking about actually being useful — and the majority of her experience is working on things at a distance. Through orders, through the castle's computer, through diplomacy. They need more people getting their hands dirty, and the only time she really gets her hands dirty is when it's an emergency.]

[And of course, everyone tends to get all antsy when that happens.]

For now, I'm at least recording the information I can from the planets we visit. I know we have far better researchers on the task, but — another set of records can't hurt, can it?

But...?

[There's more there. Something she's not saying. And it's concerning -- to a degree. Maybe something's happened.]

Allura, is everything all right?

And no, it won't hurt. I'm sure you'll be more than valuable wherever you want to apply yourself. You're still helping with the security detail, right?

Yes, it's nothing that you need to get too worried about. I suppose I'm just feeling like I'm not all that useful here as a princess. So... I just have to learn to be useful some other way. Right?

[She's actually talking about it. Be proud of her.]

And yes, of course. But I can't spend all my time patrolling the ship. I should be doing something beyond that.

Hey, you're part of this team as much as anyone else. I'm going to worry about you at least a little.

[He is proud! Good work, Allura!]

You're more than just a princess -- to all of us. I'm sure you know that, but, since we're complimenting each other, can't hurt to say it out loud.

[Something beyond that -- he pauses. Thinking.]

When we first got here, someone found journal records in the library from people who'd evacuated, and been living here. I was trying to see if there were any more, but a lot of the books aren't in any language I could read. You could give it a shot, see if anything sticks out to you.

And I know Nihlus was asking around for people to help catalog the lights -- the ones that brought us here, and back to Kaittos. Have you ever met him?

Thank you. I do appreciate hearing it. [She smiles, reassured.]

Translating something like that might be beyond me, unless it happens to be in the language of an Altean ally. Still, maybe there's something in there that's more universal? If we could find a star chart, for example, I don't think it would matter which language it was in.

[Small perks of learning to drive the ship: Navigating space becomes as easy as driving on a highway. A space highway. Where, instead of exits, you have solar systems.]

No? I don't think so. If he was at that little meet-and-greet, I believe I missed him.

It could be. I haven't recognized anything beyond what I can read, but -- that's not saying much, when we're talking about the universe. [She's right, though:] If I run into any star charts next time I'm there, want me to send them your way?

He's not human. I'm not sure which species he is... but he's been here longer than we have, I think. And I know he was trying to get the station more organized in general.

Yes, certainly! But that is just an example. My point is, there might be some things I can glean from it all, even if I can't understand the text itself. It's something to keep optimistic about, at least.

Can you describe him? At least if he's organic or inorganic. [Robo or no-robo.] Something to start with, so if I see him, I can strike up a conversation?

I'll be sure to send them your way, when I run into them. Or at least some scans.

He's fairly tall. Two legs, humanoid. Organic... hold on.

[He's going to fumble through his contact info for a photo, and... photo.jpg!]

Did that come through?

Yes, I've received it!

And it helps a lot. While I haven't spoken to him, I believe I have seen him around the station. I could be mistaken, of course — are there others of his kind here?

But the next time I see him, I'll be sure to greet him. And I'll start thinking up compliments, if it happens to be today.

['Handsome' is a safe go-to, right? It can be difficult to be specific with non-humanoid cultures — what's handsome to one planet is hideous to another.]

Great.

Maybe. I haven't spoken to any others, though. Just Nihlus. I think he's some kind of operative, where he comes from.

[He grins. Nodding to her.]

I'm sure he'll be happy to hear anything you come up with. He's always been easy for me to talk to, at least.

[So Allura should have no problems at all.]

That doesn't surprise me much. It seems like you've had an easy time making acquaintances around the station.

[She's just pointing it out, not patting him on the back for it. It is interesting in its own way, since Shiro doesn't come across as outgoing and social as... say, Lance? But it's not shocking, either.]

So, do you mean he's normally engaged in more covert work than this?

I guess that's what happens when you try and figure out what's going on around here. I... just do what I figured was best -- offer to help, more often than not.

[He's supposed to be the leader, the one who puts the best foot forward, right? So he might as well act like it.]

He doesn't talk much about it, but that's sort of the feeling I get.

Sounds like you're a natural at diplomacy, then. What better way to earn the trust of others than by lending a hand?

[Okay, now it's light praise.]

That... er... does make sense, that he would be discrete about it. In fact, it might be even more telling than what he does say.

Hey, you're the diplomat. Maybe I've just picked up a few things watching you. [Okay, now he's. Trying not to laugh. As he... waggles his right hand at her.] I'd actually lend a hand, but I don't think it comes off.

[GET IT?? HAHA. He's hilarious.]

I know he's from Commander Shepard's world, at least. And they've got some kind of connection. So if all else fails in finding him, she'll probably be able to direct you there.

[You think she would know better by now. But no. She set him up for that. She only has herself to blame for the joke. She will have to live with the shame.]

... yyyyes... it's probably for the best that it stays on, at any rate. It has come in han— [wait no stop] — I mean, proven itself useful.

Now that you mention it... I should try and get to know Commander Shepard better, while I'm at it. [She sighs softly.] Maybe instead of looking for some way to get my hands dirty, I should be focusing on getting acquainted with at least as many people as you.

[She might be the diplomat, but there's a difference between knowing how to do something and jumping at the chance to do it.]

[Sorry, Allura. He just. Starts laughing. Trying his best to keep it down, but not entirely succeeding.]

I'm -- I'm sorry. It's -- it's stress release. I swear.

[The joke, he means, the bad, awful jokes. Not the hypothetical attempts to remove his hand.]

It couldn't hurt. She's always been helpful, and she's got a lot of experience leading people.

Just get nosy. Or hang around Lucio. Either way, you'll make it happen. I know you will.

There's nothing to apologize for, Shiro. I simply can't believe that I gave you the set up.

[One might even say she handed it to him. But she's already drowning in a pool of her own shame so she's not actually going to say that.]

I'm sure we would have a lot to talk about, from one commander to another. Especially if she has more experience with it than I do. [Which is most likely a yes, since let's face it, Allura probably wasn't in command of any team before the paladin squad.]

At least the Grogory Day celebrations seem to be a success. Perhaps I should have taken it further, with... a party, and decorations?

It's a pretty common saying, though. It's not like you went out on a limb for it.

[SHIRO FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.]

She'd probably like that. I know she was talking about wanting to meet the team a few months ago... when we all first got here.

[He grins, nodding.] If you want. I'll pitch in too. People could probably use something to unwind with.

[... this is why it's a stress relief for him, isn't it? He's pushing that stress onto other people.]

Yes, but I really ought to see it coming. You never miss an opportunity.

[RIGHT, ANYWAY...]

Something like the meet and greet that you set up in preparation for the security detail, then? There's not much excuse for an actual party, unless we hurry, since Grogory Day is already more than half over.

[what are earth holidays]

[Maybe. Maybe...]

Something like that. But in our quarters. Something a little more personal for our team, and hers -- if that's what you were thinking.

Otherwise, we can just claim whatever's left of the "bar". I've got it on good authority none of the alcohol is drinkable, so... no worries there.

[Is that actually a good thing? Sure, there's some advantages, but...]

Is there anything that is drinkable? It's not a bad thing to have when everyone is standing around talking. Water, at least.

From what I remember of the bar, it would need a lot of cleaning before we could get much use out of it. [A pause, before she takes note of something:] Which might not be a bad idea, anyway. The bottles alone would far more useful if we took the time to empty all the spoiled drinks out of them.

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