"Father?" Allura blinks down at the small, holographic projection coming from her tablet. The week had not been kind to her. Their communications had been messaged near hourly, each hailing from a different planet and system. The arrival of Galra from planet Sweden had been a harbringer of questions and work for their team to do. The days of little sleep were weighing heavy on her eyelids and functioning.
"Allura, my dear daughter, has rest evaded you? Given the news I have received, I am unable to feign shock."
His was always a welcome face in times of trouble.
"Then I do not have to speak false. It is good to hear from you."
"We share the sentiment, then. Unfortunately, as I have aluded just now, this call reaches you with urgency more than catching up. I am afraid I must speak quicker than polite. The former emperor, our good friend, has reasons to believe the recent insurgence of forces is not a dying light, but the sparking of flames yet to burn."
"I had understood it that the Empire had fallen. Sendak was found slein upon the throne. The Blade of Marmora had an agent amongst his close hand, whom struck months ago."
She looks about her office, a quaint room with barely the furniture it needed to function as such. The only nice piece was a cushioned chair that they acquired to make clients feel comfortable. It allowed a lax in posture that she could never allow herself into. With a hard release of breath, she collapsed down on it.
"As we see it now, Sendak had been a pawn. Something remained when he was de-throned. Whatever it was, it's taking it's first living breaths this moment. Which brings me to the matter of this call. Zarkon wishes to send his son to you. Having a pair of Altean alchemists is a far better sight than just one."
"Father, am I to believe you think me incapable?"
"I would never dream such a thought in any lifetime. But the threat is growing, so, too, is your burden. It is a means of lightening it for you. The time for the hour which required your sending ticks by ever sooner."
"I understand. Thank you, father." Her fingers twitched at their hold around the device. She ached to hold her father's cheek, even if only in a projection.
"I love you, my daughter. Please, get some rest."
She said her love to him and a gave a smile to the fading projection.
A knock at the door sends her back straightening, and she hastely folds her hands over her lap.
"Princess?"
"Oh, it's you. Come in, Coran."
Even in her father's abscense, she never feels wanting for a paternal figure. Coran looks as overwhelmed as she, but manages the calm smile and softness of expression that she, herself, is unable to do in that moment.
"I heard King Alfor's voice as I was filing some papers. Is everything alright?"
"You never fail to know when I need company. Thank you, Coran."
He walks over to their electric kettle and presses the button on. Mid-day tea was always her favorite activity of the day back on Altea. While the table and chairs are lacking in grandeur, the spirit of taking the daily break, to converse with friends and allies, burns inside them both.
She chooses an Earth favorite, chai, and Coran has a lemon herbal.
"I know it is no time for such thoughts, but I can't help but feel like they are sending Lotor to make further on his courting. Father knows I would do anything for duty as princess..."
"Except marrying him?"
"Yes. He is a charming man, of whom I greatly enjoy company, but we're perhaps too alike. Besides which, we are still in the middle of war. It is not appropriate for romance."
"King Alfor never could force your hand in anything before, princess. Perhaps this is as he says. At any rate, we have the time it takes for him to get here, before any worrying. At least, any more."
She chuckles into her mug and it causes the steam to curl around her cheeks. The cold air of the office makes the warm cup all the more relaxing.
"Coran, is that your way of telling me to nap?"
"I said nothing of the sorts." He twists his moustache through pointer and middle finger. Mischeviousness gleams in his eyes.
"Of course not, a princess proper would never nap. Which is why I shall make my way to the couch in the back and run through our strategy alone."
"Right, princess. What a wonderful idea! I will relieve you of the present diplomatic duties, so you can strategize."
She places a kiss to his temple as she heads to the back room to "strategize".
"Ugh." Naps are better in theory. Her long, silver hair is a puff ball in some places, and tangled in others. The sleep must have been fitful, she realizes. It's hard to get up. She had dreamed of being on Altea again. Earth wasn't entirely different in customs and culture. She was brought up as a diplomat, so adapting to and picking up those things were as natural and easy as breathing. It was the climate that was taking the most getting used to. Her hair had to agree.
She grabs the bottle of her hair oil and spritzes some in. Her fingers weave it through until her hair behaves, and she braids it.
"Coran, pause communications for the afternoon, I think it time to visit the Marmora Café."
The café itself is innoculous. The lighting is gentle, coming from lamps that hang from the ceiling, as well as the daytime sun shining through to large floor-to-ceiling windows. The music that plays overhead is a genre she quite likes, called soft rock. The soft tinking of silverware against plate rings out as people enjoy their pastries. The Blades hide behind this image, even going so far as to have Keith, whom is decievingly human-appearing, and, recently, Shiro, to work the counter. It's enough to make her want to spit.
But she's a princess, and it's Shiro at the register today, and the urge goes away.
"Princess?"
"Shiro, it is good to see you. I am afraid we have been much too busy for a visit. Tell me, how have these past few weeks faired?"
"They've been, uh, weeks. I don't doubt you've heard already what's happened."
He rubs the back of his neck as a nervous chuckle bubbles out.
"As a friend, it is my obligation to remind you that a baby is serious, Shiro. You are under no obligation to become a father, no matter what sort of tactics he throws at you. You are not at fault that he did not disclose his status. After all you've been through-"
"I wouldn't abandon Keith. This really isn't your business, but there was not trickery. Accidents happen, and this particular one is between Keith and I."
"I suppose you are right. I apologize for speaking out of my place."
Allura pulls out a stool by the wrap-around bar and neatly folds herself on it. Shiro's face holds a flash of danger, that, quite honestly, reminds her that the man had been Champion. She knows to step forth more carefully.
After another apology, frustrated to have upset him, she orders a shot of espresso. Coffee had become a fast favorite of hers since arriving on Earth.
Shiro asks about her day, how the weeks have gone for her, and work.
The conversation becomes more comfortable, and she talks about the various races to have settled here. She has story upon story to tell, but for confidentiality, she keeps them light on detail. The two end up laughing about a particular misconception involving a bicycle helmet and a tin can. By the end of it, they're both full of smiles.
"Well, I am so glad to have stopped by. I must say, we could really use your spirit and leadership at the office. I understand if things are still much too painful, but if you ever feel comfortable enough, please consider a position."
He thanks her and smiles at her with all of his face, the courners of his eyes turning up.
She arrives back at the office to find Coran working away his tablet.
"I am going to turn in for the night. Thank you Coran."
"Ah, of course princess. How'd it go?"
"It went well. He's not quite ready, but it seems like it will be soon. I just hope we have the time. If they are sending Lotor, then things have run away. We may be far closer than prepared for."
"But we can leave that for tomorrow. Please, get some rest."
She kisses his temple and heads to their living quarters that are above the office.
She dreams of a lush planet, slowly eaten away by Empire soldiers.