"But princess," Coran began before being cut off by Altean woman.

"Coran, this may be important to our mission. If, Lotor thinks we should look into it then I think we better check it out." She met her friend and colleague's eyes and lowered her voice to a more suspicious tone. "He was trying very hard to make me think it was no longer important even after we spent hours researching it." Her shining eyes hardened with her belief. "I am sure know there is something out there of importance." A glimmer of hope tinted her words, "Perhaps even pertaining to Altean alchemy," she finished.

Coran had nodded through the entire discourse of the princess. What she said made sense, though he still harboured some wariness… It sounded like a decent start to there newest quest for alchemy-related information. He hummed before answering. It was obvious anyways the princess had made her mind. "Alright, I will prepare for departure," he said.

XxX

Lotor quietly shut the door behind him as he left the databanks. He could feel the ship readying itself for a jump, so he made his way towards the bridge. It was a short, lonely walk through the azure-hued hallways.

He was beginning to reconsider having doubted Allura. Whatever the reason the map maker omitted the star routes, it was an anomaly of interest to his supressed curious spirit. A distant, young hunger, hidden since childhood, bubbled just under his skin. The feelings were taboo. Even so, the more he toyed with the idea the stronger the notions grew. Doing something just for the interest of doing it…. it was a foreign suggestion and tantalisingly irresistible… No. A heavy handed defiance slapped him mentally. It was the strong shadow of his heritage and upbringing. Like a thick steel clamp, it bound up the rogue feelings and cast them aside, bringing up a memory of long ago as if that were a good reason to drown his yearnings.

"Lotor! You miserable spawn, get up."

A large hand powerfully gripped his shoulder and lifted him painfully up. Lotor could only whimper.

His father's angered voice boomed. "Stay out of here or I will give you to the hound," he threatened as he threw the small lavender boy into the hallway and shut the door.

Lotor sniffed at the memory. It was nothing to him now. His father had merely been too overworked at the time and had pitched his outrage on his young son… "It is only more proof of his instability," he mumbled only to himself beneath his breath.

By then he had reached the massive bridge of the castle… It was obvious… The princess had evidently told everyone but him that they would be leaving. Shiro was standing stiffly at her side, awaiting a jump. The others had taken their respective places, sitting in deep chairs that had seemingly come up from the castle's floor. No one even seemed to notice his arrival, so he decided to remain hidden for now, watching like a wild cat. Scrutinising the flow of their preparations and reading the hierarchy of the team.

And they were a great team. A fluid one. The humans had integrated nearly seamlessly into the Altean ship's rigid routines. The lightness and the bonds each of them clearly held for each other was evident… And a weakness. Together they stood strong but if one of them fell… That one would bring down the entire team. Like Voltron whom they commanded. One could only be strong in the presence of the others.

"Hey Lotor! Buckle up unless you want to splatter on the wall," a young, smug voice belonging to Lance broke into his thoughts. The other Paladin's turned their attention to their previously silent observer.

Lotor did not attempt to hide his disdain. Instead of replying to the human pest, he glanced towards Allura who still looked somewhat irritated… or perhaps just deep in concentration. "I am curious as to why this jump is different than the others," he stated inquisitively.

Her face softened slightly. "The area we have charted is in the middle of a cosmic storm. Coran predicts it will be a bumpy ride. Please sit down, Lotor," she said politely. Despite how frustrated he had made her earlier, hearing the innocence of his curiosity was always... She didn't allow herself to continue the thoughts.

Lotor finally nodded. Internally, he was puzzled, but perhaps the princess had merely taken into consideration his reservations and deemed them as they were, frank observations and not personal doubts? He went with that reasoning and decided to take a light mood and attempt a reconciliation. He dipped his head and replied almost sweetly, "As you wish, my lady."

And with that, Lotor settled into a secure crew chair that had risen from the floor. He couldn't help but wonder about the last time someone else's feelings had meant so much to him. It felt like a danger, a looming threat… but part of him also liked it... And to his derision… He was beginning to think he liked it a lot.