01

[violentroots]

Who: Prince Lotor
Broadcast: Yes
Action: Absolutely
When: Saturday, 18 August

[Broadcast - Video ]

[ He's aware of something wrong even before his eyes open.

Lotor's long form barely fits on the bed provided, so much so that when he wakes up with a snap, he bends the arched metal at the end of the frame with his boots. The room smells different, the air tinted with a strange sour quality that spoke neither of the familiar filters on Galra ships nor the more exquisite processes that the Castle of Lions boasted; and as his eyes adjust to the bright lights the architecture speaks of nothing he's seen before.

Strange.

He stands slowly, looking around the entirely empty wing. Good fortune or not, he seems to be the only person here - where ever here is. The last thing he remembers is returning to the Castle, Allura's hand in his, and then nothing.

Ah, there is a camera. He's being observed.

There is no point in secrecy now is there? Either someone was monitoring him or not, and he straightens his back as he addresses the camera.]

I give you credit, I have not been taking off guard like this in quite some time. Identify yourself.

[Action - S.S. Starstruck]

[ He had hardly been on the hospitality deck for a few hours before he finds himself appearing on the bridge of the S.S. Starstruck, face crinkled up in an unpleasant expression as a flurry of badly made confetti tangles in his hair and falls to his shoulders. In his hands rests a plate, and he looks down at it with a frown punctuated with a fang pressed into his bottom lip.

Ah, but he is not alone.

Across from him is one of his supposed 'new crewmates', and those eyebrows arch now, and he offers the plate out, the tone of his voice sardonic. ]

I do not imagine that you ordered this, did you?

[Private communication - Video: Allura]

[The shuttle seemed the most promising place to pick through the databanks the vessel held.

It was small; all exits and entrances visible, and it gave him the privacy of not having any of his new crew mates hovering over his shoulder. Lotor rests his chin in one hand, tapping his lips with a claw as his eyes scan through the crew logs of the fleet.

Ah, most of the paladins were here as well, crowded on one ship. And then Allura's name comes up, and he allows himself a small smile as he opens his communicator. Regaining contact with his allies was paramount... but this was personal. ]

I hate to sound pleased to find you here as well, but I will not deny that it's a relief to see a familiar face, princess. 

Comments

Shhh, he's great at diplomacy when the other person isn't a purple trashfire!

[the_tailor]

Guess they don't care much about the quality of their collection anymore, though.

[He'll just be. Crossing his arms.]

Uh huh. Sure he is

[violentroots]

Do not be too harsh when judging your own worth.

[ He is digging into the logs now, trying to get an idea of what exactly might be the problem here.]

Re: Uh huh. Sure he is

[the_tailor]

Oh, hardy har. Nice sick burn.

[He really should have realized that he was totally setting himself up for that.]

I'm talking about the most recent addition here.

[violentroots]

I am afraid I am not following. I am neither making a joke or feeling sick and injured.

[the_tailor]

[He'd be amused if he wasn't so miffed right now.]

That--forget it. Listen up. We might not have our lions here, but I will not hesitate to shove you out of an airlock the second I see you do anything suspicious. And don't act like you don't know what you did.

[Except that's actually the case, but Lance doesn't know that yet.]

PRIVATE - THREADJACK

[tempredmental]

Lance... wait... I think there's something going on here. Just... hang off a second, okay? We need to be careful.

[the_tailor]

Careful? Do you remember what we just went through back home? The guy's a maniac! I knew we couldn't trust him!

[tempredmental]

I know that! But I don't think he knows that we know! We can't tip our advantage. Not yet.

[the_tailor]

Ugh.

[This whole...Leader Keith thing was something he was really gonna have to adjust to again.]

Fine. But if he puts one perfectly manicured hand on Allura...

[tempredmental]

I think Allura can very well take care of herself if he does something she doesn't want.

[He frowned, though. Lance wasn't wrong. They'd have to warn Allura at some point.]

We'll need to tell her. Not right away, because we don't have Romelle here to provide proof, but... at some point. It won't be easy.

[the_tailor]

I know she can, but that's not the point!

[He groans, rubbing at his face.]

Yeah... She has to know the truth soon before she starts deciding to get all cozy with Mr. Genocidal Grape here.

[tempredmental]

Genocidal... Grape...

[Keith sighed.]

Just how cozy were they getting? Or are you the wrong person to ask...?

[the_tailor]

Am I right or am I right?

[He narrows his eyes at that last part.]

...really cozy. REALLY cozy. Of course, I don't care about that here--well, I do because it's Lotor and she deserves WAY better than that psychopath, but...

[tempredmental]

Lance... [Keith shook his head.] Nevermind.

Look... [He rubbed his forehead.] This is going to get messy with Allura. You've seen how she gets when there's even a hint about anything Altean. We need to be gentle about it... even more so if she's starting to have feelings or something for him.

[the_tailor]

[He just. Crosses his arms.]

I know things are gonna get messy, but I don't... I don't want her to be hurt again. I can't just sit back and watch her fall for him when we know the kind of guy he really is. It's bad enough that he tried to kill us, but he sure as hell isn't breaking her heart again.

[tempredmental]

It won't be again? Since it hasn't happened to her yet? She's from earlier on, too. But, I get what you're saying. I just don't know how we're going to convince her.

[the_tailor]

Neither do I. And I hate that we have to play nice with him again now. Haggar is bad enough, but now him?

[Yeah, Lance would clearly love nothing more than to punch Lotor out of an airlock.]

[tempredmental]

I hate it, too, Lance. You know how I feel about Lotor. [Keith didn't trust him further than he could throw him. He honestly never really had, but it hadn't been up to him at the time when Lotor came to them looking for a truce. He wasn't a part of the team back then. But, he'd definitely chased Lotor right into some dangerous traps several times in his desire to take him out. He was smarter now, but his feelings hadn't really changed all that much, especially after he found that colony.]

We can do this, though. Okay? I know we can. If anything, just keeping an eye on him and Haggar and not acting out will be better for the Fleet over all, yeah?

[the_tailor]

I know, I know. Doesn't mean I have to like it. Whatever. I already told him no canoodling with the princess.

[God, diplomacy sucks sometimes. Funny how the roles seem to have switched here.]

[tempredmental]

[SIGH.]

I'm sure Allura can handle things herself. [Please, he knew she could. She threw Lotor across the bridge of the Castleship.] If anything, she's probably stronger than we are.

[Must be something about that Red Lion.]

[the_tailor]

I know. But things get messy when feelings are involved. He broke her heart back home, Keith, and I don't want to see him to break it again.

[violentroots]

[ The conversation with the green Paladin has gone quickly south, and as such Lotor hesitates a reply, waiting several dobashes before he answers, keeping his voice easy and relaxed.]

I shall endeavor not to do anything suspicious, lest I raise your ire then.

[the_tailor]

[With Keith having talked to him, he knows now not to let anything huge slip. But it doesn't mean Lance has to be happy about the new arrival.]

Good, 'cause I mean it. And no canoodling with the princess.

[violentroots]

Canoodle.

[ ....Yeah he has no idea what that nonsense word means. ]

Of course not, strictly out of the question from here on out.

[the_tailor]

Glad we finally agree on something.

[He points at his own eyes. Then points at Lotor.]

I've got my eyes on you, got it?