Disclaimer : Voltron and its characters belong to WEP, however Lysette and the Burley Q girls are my characters and look forward to entertaining you. I will have a lot of fashion in the chapter and thanks to my friends at DrunkenWritersCouncil for helping me. And my editor WarzonePrez, thanks for the talks and character development. To my husband and my friends love you all, and KAEX, you guys as well.

Burley Q Club, Dradin

"Now, you twist your wrist like so," Jessica said, holding up a feathered fan in a peacock color and proceeding to demonstrate. She then motioned for Romelle and Allura to follow. "Then turn your leg like so and go one step, two step." She lifted her leg, then put it down and waltzed across the stage. "Keep your fan draped across you at all times, you want to give them a taste, but not show the full Monty." After explaining to Romelle and Allura what Burlesque was, the two were even more excited to learn. Allura knew this would be way out of her comfort zone, which was exactly what she needed.

"How long have you been doing this?" Romelle asked Jessica. Jessica grinned

"Ten years, unofficially," she replied, "but professionally, eight. We learned it when we were at boarding school. One of our dance teachers was a former showgirl. After learning the Waltz and other boring dances, we decided to goof off a bit after class. Instead of getting angry, our teacher told us, 'You might as well learn to do it properly.'. After we graduated, we took a year off and joined a traveling troupe across the galaxy. Then six years ago, Manset offered to set us up here, as he wanted to bring an old art to a new planet. Nobody though is as good as Lysette. She lit up the stage when she danced. You will never see anything like it again."

"Is that her?" Allura asked, motioning to the woman at the bar. "I noticed her earlier."

"Yes," Jessica replied. "She was the former manager, and was the owner until she went to Gal…"

"Jessica, why don't' we try it from the top," Whitney yelled from the sound booth, cutting her off before she could say too much. "Try if from the 'Come here, big boy' intro." Jessica nodded to Whitney, then she motioned for them to begin.

"Yes," Jessica said. "Now let's put all the dance steps together."


Lysette leaned up against the bar watching the class on stage. She would miss it here, so much. For six years, this had been her home and refuge. She saw that Romelle had taken to the lessons with great panache. However, the young princess Allura was hesitant. She had the technical aspect down, but was timid when it came time to really let go.

"Was I so young, once upon a time?" Lysette said to Marie Christine.

"You were never young, Lysie," she replied. "You had to grow up fast and never got to experience certain aspects."

"I just feel protective of her," Lysette said, "but I've never met her before. It's like were similar in some way." Marie Christine snorted.

"I seem to remember you and a certain law professor in a broom closet," She said. "It gave new meaning to the phrase 'Legal Briefing'." Lysette laughed.

"That was the shortest 'Legal Briefing' I ever saw," Lysette said. "He didn't even know how to do it properly." She stared down at her watch and groaned. "I promised I'd stop by Margaretta's before I left. She's got the new costumes ready for everyone." She grabbed her purse and ran out the back of the club.


Over the next few hours, as she learned the steps, Allura began to relax and enjoy herself. For the first time in years, she was free to be a young girl. She didn't have to worry about diplomacy, decorum, her studies, or the kingdom. She was a simple twenty-one year old girl having fun.

"Perfect," Jessica said. "You two have really mastered the basics in a short time. You must keep practicing though so you can hone the skills. It's a great workout tool, as your using your leg muscles and arms. Plus you burn calories as well." Jessica grinned at them. Allura looked at the chrono…it was 4:00.

"Oh no," she said, "we have to meet the guys at seven, and I still haven't gone shopping yet. I need to find a dress for tonight." She handed the blue and gold fans over to Jessica. Romelle also handed over the pink and silver fans. "Thank you so much. I really had a great time."

"You're welcome anytime," Whitney replied. "In fact, why don't you come back tonight. We're having a dance party." She smiled at both of them. Romelle grinned.

"We would be happy to," Romelle said. "It's Allura's fiancée's bachelor party tomorrow night. And I promised her a bachlorette party."

"I think I can help you with that," Marie Christine chimed in from behind the bar. "We specialize in bacholor/bachlorette parties. Just leave it to us. Consider it our treat to you."

"Oh you don't' you have to," Allura said. Marie Christine grinned.

"It's our pleasure," Marie Christine said. "You look like you've never had a girls night out before." She turned to face them. "In fact, I think I have something in back that would look fantastic on you." She went to the back and pulled some items off the racks and threw them into the bag. Afterward she came back out and handed it to Allura.


Allura and Romelle laughed on the way back to the hotel. As they arrived, a medical unit raced by and the Dradin Security force pulled up in front. They noticed the guys standing in front of the hotel with grim looks on their faces. Keith turned away, and came over to hug Allura tightly.

"I was so worried," he said. "I thought it was you." Allura smiled.

"As long as I got you," she replied, "I'm always safe." She frowned. "What happened?"

"Manset was shot," keith said. "He's in critical condition." Everyone went silent.


Fabrere Tower, Dradin 20 Minutes Earlier

"I love her like a daughter," Manset said, rubbing his temples, "but dammit, Lysette is a pain in the ass sometimes…just like her mother."

"Truer words have never been spoken," a voice spoke from the corner.

"You said you'd leave it to me," Manset said. "Why did you come here? She stopped asking…I told you that."

"Well you keep it that way," the voice responded. "I made you, and I can break you just as easily. I've come too far to let some scattered brained airhead ruin my plans."

"You will get caught," Manset said, "then I will get the greatest pleasure watching you fall." The figure looked down and sighed before reaching for an item hidden in the pocket.

"Not as much as I will," the voice replied. The next thing Manset remembered was falling to the floor and all went dark.

A few minutes later, Marina came into the office and screamed. She ran over to the com unit on Manset's desk.

"I have a shooting victim, Fabrere Tower, Please hurry!" she shouted. She then put a cloth over the gaping wound, praying that the medical team would arrive in time. Marina then looked over at the desk and her eyes widened. Laying on top was a file with two initials, 'AF', in embossed script. But before she could grab it, Manset twitched, so Marina went back to try and stem the blood flow. Five minutes later, a medical unit and the Dradin Security Force arrived. Once he was loaded up in the vehicle, they brought her into the hall and she gave her statement. By the time she went back into the office, the file was gone.


Lysette let herself into the suite, and saw Marina in a robe on the couch sobbing. She dropped everything and ran over to sit next to her. Marina reached over to grab Lysette's hand.

"Manset's been shot," she sobbed. Lysette shook her head then started to sob as well.

"Not him," Lysette said, "not him." They both hugged each other and began sharing their grief…not noticing a figure watching them through the open door.

"Soon," the voice spoke softly, "it will be your turn." Then the figure headed away from the door and down the hall.