[she keeps it to video as well. it's less difficult for her, and her expression is reserved, brows crinkling only slightly as a telltale sign of uncertainty.
of holding something back. of not quite knowing the right answer. but she's trying. she feels like there's a continuing rift between the two of them.]
I...understand. I clearly misunderstood what you meant. [she glances away.] And the Coalition's success, following Zarkon's return to power, is thanks to Lotor's efforts with his promised alliance. He's continuously proven himself to us, to be an ally and a friend to the Coalition.
[there's hesitation to what she says next.]
My father and Zarkon had been friends once, and Lotor looks to that past history as a way for peace.
We both know that not all Galra are evil. It has taken me some time to remember that, but Lotor is genuine in his desire to return to peaceful times. It is not so much that the Coalition needs him, but that it is a way to be certain no more innocents die in a war that Zarkon started, and that others seek to continue.
You know why the Blade took so long to even be a thing. They thought that what Zarkon was making was for the good of all Galra. And ... in a way, it was, wasn't it?
[There's no denying that. The Galra still can get whatever it is that they want.]
The problem is that it didn't mean good things for other people. Does Lotor actually want to give those planets a choice? It doesn't sound like he does.
[there's a bit of a pause, and she's thinking back to what Lotor had told her in confidence while on Oriande.]
I have spent some time with him, back in our universe, speaking with him in great length. Lotor does not seek to conquer or oppress people, but to work alongside them.
[she doesn't avoid Keith's gaze over the magitek, and her expression softens. there's a sadness to it.]
He's half-Altean. He understands what it's like to lose a culture to those who only seek to conquer and destroy.
That's not what it sounded like when I asked him. I might be upset, but he didn't sound interested in giving them their freedom. Only their "autonomy."
[There is nothing in his tone around the word "autonomy," he's merely quoting it.]
Besides ... he's used the Alteans against you before. Don't you remember?
I...cannot speak entirely on his behalf, but I will talk to him about such matters.
[back home she doesn't have Keith at her side like this to frame things from his perspective. with Shiro, Lotor has had his support for far longer than he's had hers. and back home, Keith seems to at the very least support Lotor in a way that the Blades only can support him.
Keith here...is certainly different.
but Keith has no way of knowing what she knows. that small burning of faith she feels when she looks to Lotor. the soft glow of Oriande, of a truth she's never known until now--]
Didn't that cause problems before? I know we don't know everything about that time when your father was alive, but is it a good thing? And should we really be taking it from another reality? What if it hurts that reality?
We need to work alongside Lotor in order to continue on our universe's path to peace. This is a mutual alliance, Keith, one that is bringing us closer to finally ending the aftermath of strife Zarkon's Empire has caused.
[There's a lot he can say here, but he chooses not to for the moment. Like how he feels like his opinion isn't valued anymore, or how what Lotor has described sounds a lot like stripping people of their freedoms ... and continuing to do so.]
I won't argue with him again like that. ["Like that"—in public.] But I'm afraid I can't take your word on what he's doing. We knew he was smart. We have to be on guard.
[the hardness in her expression dissipates into disappointment, and then to a certain level of sadness.]
I...wish you would trust me, Keith. [she wants to say something else, but once again she averts her gaze from the magitek.] But I have hope that Lotor will prove himself to you.
Please at the very least accept that he is my friend.
Allura ... [He exhales and looks down at his hands for a moment.]
It's not you that I don't trust. I know it's hard for you to trust anyone who's Galra. But from where I stand, something about it seems off. It doesn't seem right.
[she remains quiet, and then lets out a small breath of a sigh.]
If our timelines ever do align, then perhaps things will feel right.
But even here we are on the same team, and we must focus on our mission. We cannot let our own bias get in the way of finding a solution for these people. [and even if Keith has something to say to that, she remains looking away from the video feed.] I...have to go. I will speak to you later.
[Keith is somehow surprised that he's not the one ending this conversation.]
All right, Princess.
[A beat later:]
The mission will be fine. I don't fail missions.
[It's probably an empty reassurance given his temper not so long ago, but ... it's the best he can offer. Keith is and will always be terrible at comfort.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
juniberries) wrote2018-01-12 10:58 am
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of holding something back. of not quite knowing the right answer. but she's trying. she feels like there's a continuing rift between the two of them.]
I...understand. I clearly misunderstood what you meant. [she glances away.] And the Coalition's success, following Zarkon's return to power, is thanks to Lotor's efforts with his promised alliance. He's continuously proven himself to us, to be an ally and a friend to the Coalition.
[there's hesitation to what she says next.]
My father and Zarkon had been friends once, and Lotor looks to that past history as a way for peace.
We both know that not all Galra are evil. It has taken me some time to remember that, but Lotor is genuine in his desire to return to peaceful times. It is not so much that the Coalition needs him, but that it is a way to be certain no more innocents die in a war that Zarkon started, and that others seek to continue.
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[There's no denying that. The Galra still can get whatever it is that they want.]
The problem is that it didn't mean good things for other people. Does Lotor actually want to give those planets a choice? It doesn't sound like he does.
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[there's a bit of a pause, and she's thinking back to what Lotor had told her in confidence while on Oriande.]
I have spent some time with him, back in our universe, speaking with him in great length. Lotor does not seek to conquer or oppress people, but to work alongside them.
[she doesn't avoid Keith's gaze over the magitek, and her expression softens. there's a sadness to it.]
He's half-Altean. He understands what it's like to lose a culture to those who only seek to conquer and destroy.
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[There is nothing in his tone around the word "autonomy," he's merely quoting it.]
Besides ... he's used the Alteans against you before. Don't you remember?
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[back home she doesn't have Keith at her side like this to frame things from his perspective. with Shiro, Lotor has had his support for far longer than he's had hers. and back home, Keith seems to at the very least support Lotor in a way that the Blades only can support him.
Keith here...is certainly different.
but Keith has no way of knowing what she knows. that small burning of faith she feels when she looks to Lotor. the soft glow of Oriande, of a truth she's never known until now--]
I do remember, and we've spoken of it.
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[He's not trying to push her about this since he can see he won't change his mind. But that doesn't make it easier for Keith to accept.]
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[her expression hardens a bit]
And whatever it is that needs to be done, it is something he cannot do without me.
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And you don't see the problem with that? With how much he needs you, but you don't need him?
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[There's a lot he can say here, but he chooses not to for the moment. Like how he feels like his opinion isn't valued anymore, or how what Lotor has described sounds a lot like stripping people of their freedoms ... and continuing to do so.]
I won't argue with him again like that. ["Like that"—in public.] But I'm afraid I can't take your word on what he's doing. We knew he was smart. We have to be on guard.
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I...wish you would trust me, Keith. [she wants to say something else, but once again she averts her gaze from the magitek.] But I have hope that Lotor will prove himself to you.
Please at the very least accept that he is my friend.
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It's not you that I don't trust. I know it's hard for you to trust anyone who's Galra. But from where I stand, something about it seems off. It doesn't seem right.
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If our timelines ever do align, then perhaps things will feel right.
But even here we are on the same team, and we must focus on our mission. We cannot let our own bias get in the way of finding a solution for these people. [and even if Keith has something to say to that, she remains looking away from the video feed.] I...have to go. I will speak to you later.
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All right, Princess.
[A beat later:]
The mission will be fine. I don't fail missions.
[It's probably an empty reassurance given his temper not so long ago, but ... it's the best he can offer. Keith is and will always be terrible at comfort.]