Zarkon wasn't sure he wanted to do this.

It was a traditional gesture, he knew, to introduce a newborn child to family and trusted allies. Upon which such individuals were expected to bestow gifts upon the young one as a sign of good will. Such a common practice it was, that to NOT do so without good reason was considered bad luck.

However, he was now tempted to welcome the taboo, if it meant not having to deal with the undoubtably embarrassing treatment he'd receive from his allies. They had teased him relentlessly back when he was still courting Honerva. Even after their wedding they still teased him about being a doting husband.

The only one who gave him even a moment of respite was Alfor. Though Zarkon was sure that was only because he had his own wife and child. For the other three, the idea of the fierce warrior king Zarkon being a father and husband was apparently a hilariously novel idea.

Frankly he couldn't see the humor.

There was also the small matter that neither he, nor Honerva, had never actually attempted interstellar travel with a baby before. Zarkon knew that people did take infant on journeys. He just didn't know entirely why.

For the emperor, space travel was a matter of pure business, politics, or war. Children had no place in all three of those things. Honerva, however, soothed his worried and ensured him that it wasn't really that big of deal. Alteans took their young into space as newborns and trained them to be pilots, explorers, and astrologers.

"So" she had explained. "There isn't anything to worry about."

Zarkon had snorted over the suggestion that he'd worried. He was just being considerate of the ship's crew. It had nothing at all to do with Lotor.

Nothing at all.

Rygnarath was a dry desert planet that was nonetheless one of the most active trading powers in the quadrant. The uneducated would have thought that such a place would have had limited knowledge of bartering. However, Gyragan's people were a hardy and personable people with a great knowledge of spices, furs, and fabrics.

They gave the unilu a run for their money when it came to the treasure they traded, that was for sure. Though Zarkon tended to think more highly of Rygnarath. Mainly because they weren't pirate, but also because Rygnarath's cuisine was something else to behold.

It was definitely a planet that reflected well on his friend Gyrgan. He was a large boisterous creature that was Zarkon's near equal in height and strength. A fact that belied his very gentle nature.

Hency why the site of the man oohing and aahing over an infant didn't surprise Zarkon in the least.

"Aww, he's so tiny!" Gyrgan's voice could barely contain his excitement.

"He is not that tiny."Zarkon grumbled under his breath. A little too accustomed to other's making the same remark with an entirely different meaning.

"Ah, don't take it like that Zarkon." Gyrgan waggled his finger in front of an uncomfortable Lotor's face. "I bet he'll be bigger than me one day. Won't you little guy?"

Lotor watched the moving finger warily as he moved closer to his mother.

"C'mon," Gyrgan cooed encouragingly. "Go on, you can take it."

"I would not do that if I were you." Honerva warned.

"What?" The larger man laughed as he poked the childs cheek. "Why?"

Lotor narrowed his small eyes at the finger that continued to press on his pudgy cheek. One moment he was leaning back to avoid it and the next he turned and bit it. Hard.

Gyrgan gave a cry, more from surprise than pain, and pulled his fingers away effortless from the babies gummy toothless jaws.

"He BIT me!" His voice was tinged with betrayal. "He actually BIT me!"

"He does that." Zarkon shrugged, fighting down the urge to laugh. "Really, you know, it is rather cute."

"You have a funny idea of cute my friend." Gyrgan whined, nursing his emotionally damaged finger.

The emperor grinned at his friends feigned distress. He could have warned Gyrgan about Lotor's tendency to bite strangers who invaded his space, but he felt the overly friendly man needed a small reminder about boundaries and crossing them. Besides, biting was common amongst galran children so this behavior was far from unexpected as far as Zarkon was concerned.

"He'll grow out of it eventually." Honerva said in an attempt to soothe the larger man. Though the sardonic grin on her face gave a different impression. "He just needs to warm up to you first."

Gyrgan gave her a mournful expression before brightening up.

"Well, I'm sure I can bring him around with what I got for him."

Gyrgan wandered over to an assortment of luggage he hd hauled to the drop point with him and began digging through them all. (In what Zarkon could only described as a disorganized mess). Finally with a cry of success, he straightened himself and hurried back over.

"Zarkon, my old friend. In honor of the birth of your heir I present you and your family with this gift."

With these words, Gyrgan presented a large shaggy blanket with an uncharacteristic flair that was entirely unsuited to him.

Zarkon held out his arms and allowed his friend to place the bedding into his arms.

"Ohh," Honerva ran her fingers through the shaggy blanket. "So soft."

Gyrgan looked pleased with himself.

"It's made from nexo fur. Softest natural material in the quadrant. I guarantee it. It'll keep you warm even on the coldest of ice planets."

"I give great thanks for this gift on behalf of my son." Zarkon spoke importantly. "It is our honor to accept it."

Gyrgan beamed so brightly that he failed to notice the way his guests nostrils twitched.

"It really is a very kind gift." Honerva spoke carefully. "Very… Practical."

"Yes." Zarkon grunted. "Very useful."

Neither of them would admit what was occupying their minds. Or rather, their nostrils.

Zarkon wasn't a pampered man. Certainly he was the emperor of the rather expansive galra empire, but he was also a former general and an adventurer in his own right. His taste could be a little exuberant, sure, but not anything obscene.

So complaining about minor discomforts was something Zarkon thought shameful. Not only was it impolite when one was a guest but it was also a show of a glaring weakness in character. After all, a real warrior would never allow such trite to affect them.

(Unless, of course, it was a matter of disrespect. In that case, a lack of hospitality was intolerable.)

In this case, Zarkon was struggling to keep his discomfort to himself. Gyrgan's gift was thoughtful, and one he could easily see being useful in his son's future. It was soft, warm, and sent a clear message of continued support on behalf of the Ryhnarathian people.

There was just one flaw.

The smell.

A pungent aroma rose from the folds of the material and seemed to take up occupation in every available bit of air space in the room. Both Zarkon and Honerva could smell it. The only one in the room not affected was Lotor, who was quietly sleeping as his parents dealt with the problem.

"Perhaps we should… wash it?" Zarkon suggested lightly. "I mean, we must take proper care of it after all and we just returned from Rygnarath. So, it would be only natural to… get it settled in."

"Yes. But do you know how to clean nexo fur? We never had anything like it on Altea."

Zarkon was forced to admit he didn't.

"Perhaps if we sprayed some perfume on it." Honerva then hurriedly added. "To make it smell more like me. For Lotor."

"But you do not wear perfume."

"Sometimes I do."

"Yes but only on very rare occasions."

They both stared at the fur. Neith willing, or impolite enough, to just say it smelled.

"We should… put it away." Zarkon finally spoke. "For sake keeping."

"Yes." Honerva said warming to the idea. "And I have just the place."

"Oh?"

"Yes, an old containment cube in my lab. It's airtight so we won't be able to- I mean it will be safe from the elements there. Well preserved."

"Of course." Zarkon said catching on. "Such a great gift should be protected. Hidden away from wear and tear. Juices and such."

"I will have it put away immediately."

"Yes. Yes, do that."

With the fur blanket taken away to be contained Zarkon breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't, perhaps, the kindest thing to do. Despite the smell it was clear that Gyrgan and his people must have gone through a lot of trouble to obtain the fur and have it specifically treated for infant use. It was a simply kind and gentle offering that embodied nothing but good will.

Still, Zarkon comforted himself with the idea that he was saving his sons developing sense of smell. Besides, it was likely the stench was only temporary and the blanket would be easier to handle in a closed space later in the future.

With that thought Zarkon leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. His feelings about this whole voyage already improving.