Open to all!

[dateme]

Who: Inui (dateme) & ALL OF YOU
When: Day 3, eclipse/evening
Where: Boneyard
What: IT'S TIME FOR A POW-WOW aka we built a fire

[ So it's been a rough couple of days (literally, just two). But between nearly being blown up, marching through the desert, and generally just never wanting to see desert again, there is one good thing Inui (and Lance) have discovered: those Coral plants? Can be cracked open and eaten!

So as the sun vanishes behind the rocky formations or the moon(s), fellow interlopers might notice a distinct & nutty aroma wafting through the boneyard. Tracing it to it's source isn't hard though: Inui and Lance have started up a rather sizeable camp fire from the remains of some of the bones near the vague center of the massive grave. There they've cracked open large stalks from the coral and are roasting the mealy insides over the flames.

They've stockpiled quite a bit and have yet to cook all of it, so anyone and everyone is free to stop by and either help or take up a stalk of their own! Heck, maybe there's already people gathered there!

Whatever the case, it's a good way to kill some time, right? Maybe you've got a ghost story or a survival plan you want to share with the group? No really does anyone have a plan we could really use a plan ]


[ ooc; THIS POST IS OPEN TO EVERYONE AND EVERYONE! Feel free to make your own starters/sections, threadjack like crazy, and just generally get to mingling. The cooked Coral stalks taste like almonds and shouldn't be poisonous!.

HAVE FUN ]

Comments

[mousewhisperer]

Does Earth not have that many berries? You must have lacked flowers, too. [ Allura knew all too well the differences between worlds and how sharply those differences could manifest, but did Earth truly lack berries? She stares at him, frowning, but only for a moment because the coral pod is far too tasty to not eat.

The rations, while adequate, aren't the best. ]

We'll be out of this place one day, and back to the fight against Zarkon, and then - maybe.

[ceruleo]

[ It would be easy to start listing off the variety of Earth's produce—strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries—but it's her second statement that makes him pause. 'Maybe'. He isn't sure what kind of 'maybe' she means: the kind that says if I have time or the kind that says if we aren't all dead. ]

Would you...want to? Visit Earth, I mean.

[mousewhisperer]

[ To be honest, Allura hasn't actually considered visiting another place. So his question takes her by surprise, makes her pause and reconsider. ]

Yes. It sounds... weird, and it certainly won't be Altea, but it would be nice to see. [ If only to help her better understand the paladins. ] Do you want to return to Earth, after we defeat the Galra?

[ Because they are going to accomplish that. Allura won't consider another option. ]

[ceruleo]

Uh, yeah! My family's back there. My mama doesn't even know I'm gone and— [ He cuts himself off, mouth suddenly pressed into a thin line. His gaze slides away from Allura and into the fire. ]

I don't know. They're probably worried.

[ It dawns on him that he's never talked to Allura about this before; there'd been too many things to focus on, too many thing calling for Allura's attention. He remembers Coran's star-map, the night of the party on Arus... ]

[mousewhisperer]

[ Allura knows few details about the paladins, other than the fact that Pidge was looking for her father and brother, even though they know all too well what happened to her father. The reminder of Lance's family is somewhat humbling. ]

I'm sure they'd be proud, if they knew what you were doing.

[ It's an odd attempt at comfort, but her voice does carry her conviction. They're doing something positive for the universe.

Well, had been, until they landed here. ]

The important thing for now is to focus on getting off this planet. And surviving it so we can.

[ceruleo]

[ He imagines his mother crying with pride, and feels his heart swell, eyes becoming prickly. It's weird, in a way, being so open with Allura, and he's glad for the change of topic when it comes because it gets his mind away from emotion. ]

Yeah. It won't be easy...my skin is not loving all this dryness. [ He looks back at her, considering. ] Don't suppose the word 'Atlas' means anything to you either, huh?

[mousewhisperer]

[ Allura doesn't mind the openness, too used to dealing with people at the height of their emotions and suffering her own heartache, too. It hardly seems the moment, though.

Not that any time they're on the planet would be an appropriate moment. ]

Really, your skin? That's what you're worried about? [ Not surprising. But a good way to switch topics. Allura finishes off the coral, setting the pod down and shaking off her fingers. ] I've never heard it before. And I don't remember seeing it on the star map. Unless it translated into something different?

[ceruleo]

[ He's not just worried about his skin.


He's worried about his hair, too. And his nails...his poor, poor cuticles.

To her actual question, though, he shakes his head. ]

I mean, an atlas is like, a bunch of maps, but aside from that I'm also pretty sure 'Atlas' is some kinda myth? But I couldn't tell you the story. [ She could always ask around; goodness knows humans are a dime a dozen in their group. ]

[mousewhisperer]

[ Allura is going to steal whatever hair care products he gets, out here in this desert world. She needs them more. ]

I shall find this someone who knows this myth, then. It might be of a benefit in figuring out this world. [ Good thing Allura's gotten used to the humans. Their ears are almost starting to look normal.

She returns to attempting to brush out the bottom of her hair, carding her fingers through it. ] Have you heard any theories, so far?

[ceruleo]

[ Rude. (He would totally share.) ]

Nah. We got blown up--I got kinda preoccupied. [ For once he doesn't sound defensive, just tired. ] Didn't have a chance to ask around. On the plus side, I totally discovered this coral-looking stuff is edible!

[ /preens ]

[mousewhisperer]

Were you hurt in that explosion? [ He looks whole, but Allura knows well enough that some wounds are easy to hide. She sustained one, though it's mostly healed. ] At least we'll have something besides the rations to keep us alive.

[ceruleo]

[ He shakes his head. ] Not really, just the face. [ The scrape on his cheek will at least scab over; he can only hope it doesn't scar. ]

What about you, princess? Not too banged up?

[mousewhisperer]

[ If it scars, don't worry. Show it off, make up stories about the terrible fight, impress everyone. ]

Just my side, and it's healing. The heat is worse than any wounds I've sustained.

[ceruleo]

[ You know that's exactly what he'll do. ]

It's about as hot as home, to be honest. [ He's not saying it isn't hot, though. It is unbearably, soul-crushingly hot. ] All we're missing is the beach.

[ A nostalgic sigh. ]

[mousewhisperer]

[ Will it include super serious stories that grow increasingly more complicated and grandiose?

(Not like anyone will believe the truth, though.) ]

Your home was this hot? [ Was Earth truly this torturous??? How terrible, the castle must have been pleasant after that. ]

When we get back to the castle and have Voltron back, we will have to look for a planet with a beach. Nothing will ever be as beautiful as Altea's beaches, but we can come close.

[ceruleo]

Cuba's this hot in summer, yeah, it's kinda awful. And excuse you, I'm pretty sure my country could give Altea a run for its money. [ Does Altea even have countries? Surely it can't just be a single biome—they'd seen the King's field of flowers, and that was it.

Almost disbelieving, Lance turns to her, his expression open and delighted. ]

Are you serious, though? Because I'm totally down for a beach vacation!

[mousewhisperer]

Nothing is as beautiful as Altea was. [ Sorry Lance, that is a fight Allura's willing to bicker over.

She eyes his expression, almost - but not quite - regretting her words. ]

We'll still have to train, and the Galra will be out there, but after this, I think we deserve it.

[ceruleo]

[ You know what? Normally this is the hill he'd die on, but he'll let her have it. Earth is still on the map, after all.

Also: NO TAKE BACKSIES. ]

Haha, yes! Awesome! I knew that tough shell was hiding a party girl!

[ Lance no. ]

[mousewhisperer]

[ Oh painful. At least Altea will live on in her memories. ]

It won't be a party, it'll be for relaxation. And only if we make it out of here in one piece and we manage to find a planet with a beach.

[ In other words, don't start planning that party now, Lance. ]

[ceruleo]

Parties are relaxing!—People! Music! Great food! What more do you want?

[ He has a very...extroverted definition of 'relaxing'. ]

We are totally getting out of here unscratched, Princess.

[ At least he's all fired up, now... ]

[mousewhisperer]

[ Parties? Relaxing? Maybe for everyone else, but parties are rarely a chance to relax for Allura. Besides - ]

Don't you remember the last party we had?

[ It ended happily for them, but the middle of it was a bit of a mess. ]

But it's still a good reason to get out of here whole.

[ceruleo]

I remember it perfectly well, thanks.

[ Okay, to be fair, he doesn't remember most of the middle bit, because he'd kind of been unconscious, but he remembers enough. ]

Whatever, princess. Point is, you're stuck with me now, party or no party. I'll keep you safe.

[ As if Allura of all people needs to be kept safe... ]

[mousewhisperer]

The parts you were awake for, at least.

[ Yeah, that bit where he ended up unconscious? Allura remembers that all too well.

No more parties like that, okay. ]

You'll keep me safe? [ She's not sure if she could laugh or be offended. So she settles for sputtering. ] More like I'll keep you safe!

[ceruleo]

Hey, I'm the only Paladin here, right? Isn't it like, my actual job to keep you safe?

[ Actual question tbh. ]

[mousewhisperer]

It's your job to keep the universe safe. Not me.

[ Other than her being part of the universe, but that's splitting hairs.

She's not going to bring up the paladins bringing Voltron right to Zarkon. Really. But boy is it a question. ]

Besides, I've got more strength than you.