AN: In which the Black Paladin hears some unexpected gossip.

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Shiro found a seat with a direct view of Allura.

The chatter around him quieted. He blinked at all the eyes. Was I not supposed to sit here? Then, though, he saw some smiles and nods. A servant poured him an amber drink with admiration in his eyes. He relaxed his shoulders and smiled back.

"Thanks."

The servant's smile widened.

"Well this is a first," came a rumbling voice from his left side. "The Head of Voltron gracing us with his presence at a dinner party."

Shiro turned to the speaker slowly, not sure if he liked his tone. Judging by his size and built he took it he was a fighter as well. There were a couple of white scars along his dark skin and an deep downturn of his mouth, making some sharp canines peek out.

"This is the first dinner I was invited," Shiro calmly murmured.

"Humph! A guard that needs a personal invitation each time? What is the universe coming to?"

"That's not -"

A toothy grin appeared on his face, making Shiro pause. The older guard stretched out his arm to him, revealing clawed fingertips. Shiro clasped his arm with a shake of his head.

"Do you always greet people with a sneer?"

"Just the special ones," his grin eased into a more serious look. "It's an honor to finally meet you, Black Paladin."

"Just Shiro will do."

He barked out a laugh. "So I've heard." He let go of Shiro's arm. "It's about time someone defied that wench."

"Lutz," came a quiet female scold from the other side of Shiro. "Behave. Or I will tell them to cut off your drinks."

"I call her as I see her, Palix," Lutz rumbled out lowly so only they could hear.

Palix gave a flicker of her wrist, making some purple light shoot out over to Lutz and flick his nose sharply. Lutz winced as he rubbed his nose.

"Witch."

"Sorceress," Palix boredly corrected. "Do not mind him, Paladin. He has had too much drink."

Shiro turned to address her. She was a pale purple color with dark grey hair in a braid.

"Are you -"

"Part Galra," she calmly finished with practiced ease.

Shiro smiled as he extended an arm to her. "I was going to ask if you were a guard too."

She slowly blinked at Shiro's arm and then grasped it. "Yes. But not the same person as Lutz. Our leaders know each other well."

"She means to say she's part cruel," Lutz sneered before downing his drink in one go. "Shiro deserves to be warned."

"I'm certain he is aware of the situation," she dryly intoned in a low voice. "I've met male leaders that have used their power this way."

The pair looked to Shiro for confirmation. His eyes drifted to the head table. Because it was slightly raised on a platform he was able to see Princess Ikoa's red gaze turned towards him. He calmly looked away to pick up his glass.

"I take it this has happened before."

"Regularly," Lutz grumbled.

"On occasion," Palix corrected with a frown. "The Tilipeans are more open about that sort of thing. But as their leader she is more selective."

Lutz snorted. "She's not that picky. Her last one was Noil."

Lutz gestured to the end of the table. There was a rather large, hairy warrior stuffing his face with one of the appetizers. Shiro gave the drink an experimental taste. It was a little too sweet but he might as well finish what he started.

"Noil was trying to pursue her," Palix rolled her eyes. "Her last choice was better looking than that."

"Ah yes. The pretty boy with the long hair," Lutz chuckled as the servant refilled his glass. "What was his name again? Morter? Roter?"

"Lotor."

Shiro promptly choked on his drink.

"Sickly sweet, isn't it?" Lutz grinned as he patted Shiro's back. "I've brought something stronger to cut it down."

Shiro raised a hand up to get Lutz to stop pounding on his back. His coughing finally eased once Lutz stopped. He grabbed the glass of clear liquid in hopes that it was water. To his relief it was.

"When - " Shiro rasped out as he attempted to talk but then paused to cough again, "When was this exactly?"

Lutz tilted his head in thought. "Two movements ago?"

"Much longer than that." Palix sighed. "About...twelve movements ago."

Three months. Shiro lightly frowned. "Why did he come here?"

"He was invited." Palix moved her arm out of the way as the servants put down the first course. "Princess Ikoa is always looking for more alliances."

It could be nothing. Or it could be something.

He made to get up but a servant came over to give him his food. He waited, thanked the servant, and then got up. He grunted as someone grabbed his arm, pulling him back into his seat.

"It's rude to leave the table before the meal is finished," Palix chided.

Lutz laughed. "Even I know that."

Shiro sighed as he looked over at the back of Allura's chair. He was going to have to wait then.

"How many courses do the Tilipeans usually have?"

"Ten."

"Fifteen," Palix corrected yet again.

Shiro withheld the urge to sigh.

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AN: I'm sure the last thing Shiro wanted to know was Lotor's companion choices. XD