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Allura. Hey. I don't know if you've run into him or not yet, but it looks like Lance is here too.

[No sign of Pidge or Hunk or Coran or any of the Blades. Or anyone else they might know from their world. Keith has checked and double checked the directory.]

Anyway. We're going to meet up I think to make sure we're all on the same page while we can. Out in the woods. Shiro will be marking the spot as the Black Lion. Can't miss him.

[Like. You can't. At all.]

Oh uh... also.... I guess we should probably invite Lotor. So... [Let him just pass that buck right here,] You can probably convince him to come better than me.

[No video to accompany this time. Just Keith's voice sounding just a bit tense, like maybe he's a bit worried.]

Princess. This is going to sound weird, but... did anything strange happen last night?

[Let him just hop right into it, no sense beating around the bush.]

Princess. Are you okay? Looks like whatever was going to go down in this place is starting. Where are you?

Allura, what's your status? We've found a lot down here in the underground.

In fact, we've discovered a problem that was kept off the database above ground. I hope this reaches you.

[ it takes quite a bit of . . . swallowing of pride, to send the message. it's also been radio silence, since their last talk. he has not reached out to her, nor has he really contemplated doing so. it's a pointless exercise, and lotor loathes pointlessness -- but when the plan to stop the storm is disseminated, and people begin talking strategy, something in him stirs to reach out to her.

mostly because, if he knows allura (and lotor does know allura), she will be right in the thick of it, thanks to her idiotic friends. and even if she does think him a monster, or the second coming of zarkon (which still stings, but he pushes those emotions aside), he doesn't want her to be hurt.

one part of him almost wants to apologize, for lashing out at her. but he's not quite ready to do so, after what she said to him. and one spectacularly bitter part of him wants to lie and tell her he could care less if she runs straight into a stupid lightning storm and gets electrocuted for a bunch of quasi-sentient drones.

but. you know. that would only prove her point. and, for some reason or other, lotor is loathe to have her think that of him.

so. there will be a text, sent to her watch. ]

Because you are an unequivocally good person, I am making the safe assumption that you will want to throw your weight into whatever possible to help these people.

Be careful, Allura. Trust your Paladins, not these robotic people.
I know you do not believe me, but I meant what I said.
I do not want harm to become you.

[ she had wanted to know if he was safe, but he doesn't respond immediately after the mission. instead, he keeps to himself. considering, quiet. why bother investing in something that is never going to remedy itself. allura drew her line in the sand. why does he even still keep up the charade.

because it isn't a charade, an annoying little voice says in the back of his mind. and out of all the individual here, allura holds the key to the secrets lotor is desperate to know.

so. about four or five hours after they arrive back in the temple, allura's watch will ding, with a new message.

but it may not be the one she is expecting. ]

You desire a strategically separate relationship. So be it.
You asked me my truth, Allura, and I gave it to you.
Now I want your own.

What happened to me?
What did the Paladins of Voltron do to the Emperor of the Galra that is so terrible that none of you are willing to tell me the truth?

Edited 2018-08-22 00:43 (UTC)

Hey Allura. Just wanted to check in with you, see how you were doing.

I also thought, since Astoria said we'd probably be going on a mission once she feels better, that you should know what my magic ability is if we ever need it.

I can heal people...though I guess with people's powers acting up right now that might not work all the time at the moment.

Allura.

...Hagg-

Honerva is here. She's from before Zarkon betrayed his team. Before any of it. I ran into her before the main entrance of the temple.

She asked about my shape and I told her. I didn't say anything beyond it's been ten thousand years since the last set of Paladins. I felt you should know. I'm debating warning Lotor. It's his mother.

May I speak with you.
Alone.
Preferably in person.

[ it's approximately 7 AM in the morning and he has not slept, good morning allura. ]

All-r-a
I'm...
Heard from La-
Glad to hear--from--
Seems like...messa--
Annoying but-- least we...c-- talk

...llura.

I thi-- L-nce said he... -th you?

Are y-- ok-y? Wh-r- are --u?

[Keith, currently still choking while he tries to remember how to breathe air.]

Allura. Are you here? Please contact me.

Allura, where are you?

[ it's not desperate, necessarily, but insistent. ]

Answer me, as soon as you can. Tell me where you are.

Allura. [He's covering his mouth when he has to cough. It makes the message full of small pauses.]

Contact me when you can. I'm fine, don't worry about me. Just...making sure everyone made it back.

[He thought of how to do this. Allura of all people will understand why his voice is rougher. He doesn’t have to hide a damn thing. But he has to be the rock that she can grip in the raging storm she could be feeling. He mixes it. Voice that doesn’t disguise his rougher voice and the words.]

Allura. I thought you’d prefer I talk to you privately. About, [Death.] What you’ve been through. Whenever you’re ready I’m here. It doesn’t have to be today. It doesn’t have to be any time soon.

Soon, I want to update you on what we learned. But, we killed it, Allura. We made sure it would hurt no one else. [He wants to apologize for not being there when she needed help most. But that... will get them both no where. She needs support not guilt or pain because of the pain that comes from loss.] Day or night, whenever you’re ready. I’m here.

Edited (Phone wtf) 2019-03-26 02:09 (UTC)

Room 204.

[ that's it, that's all she gets.
because he's literally been the only one who has seen himself and he has refused to go outside after being in the sun was catastrophic.
allura please help. ]

Video

Voice - backdated to July 16

text - backdated to when things went to hell and the lockdown started

Text; Backdated to shortly after lockdown escape

( text ) when the plan is released.

( text ) upon temple arrival.

Voice

Text - Backdated to 11/02

( text )

text;

Text

voice -- immediately after arriving back from Akvos

( voice )

Voice - Upon return from Akvos