Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters , settings, etc. involving Voltron: Defender of the Universe, Voltron: The Third Dimension, Voltron Force, or Voltron: Legendary Defender. These stories are for entertainment purposes only and are to be viewed as parodies and satire.
Author's Notes: This chapter took a bit longer to write due to a severe case of writer's block. In the weeks leading up to this chapter, my entire household had been hit with varying degrees of sickness; an ear infection, the flu, Strep throat and it took some time for me to get my brain back into the creative mode needed to write these stories.
As I wrote this chapter I came to the realization that this story, which was meant to be a goofy comedy, has evolved into more of a social satire highlighting the life of celebrities that we see through news articles and social media. In a way, the organic fluidity of this story seems to mimic the organic fluidity of life. Well, that should be enough thought-provocation for one chapter, so without further ado, here is the next chapter of Popstar Princess.
Popstar Princess:
Stop Clubbing Popstars
The black, stretched limousine cruised through the evening streets of Los Angeles. The lights of the city were so bright that they blocked out the twinkling stars of the night sky. In the back of the limo Allura was adjusting her salmon colored dress. The designer outfit had one shoulder strap, a hip high slit cut along the outside of both of her legs and was cut so low that Allura was one pot hole away from her chest popping out.
Keith was sitting beside her, his gaze focused more on his phone than his pretend girlfriend. His red dress shirt contrasted nicely to the black blazer and trousers he was wearing, the top 3 buttons were unfastened in order to show off his smooth, hair-less chest.
Seated across from them was Lance and Hunk. The burly body guard sat in silence, staring out the tinted window, pondering the choices that he had made in life that led him to his current job.
Lance, in contrast to everyone else, wouldn't stop talking. "Now Allura, Conner East is throwing this party to celebrate the success of his latest business investment, so you would be wise to be as friendly as possible with him and hopefully we'll be able to get him to invest some money into our company."
"Allura and wise are two words that should never be put in the same sentence," remarked Keith as he shared yet another meme.
"Just like the words 'Keith' and 'movie star'?" Allura mocked. Allura turned her attention back to Lance. "You want his money, I'll get you his money."
"Allura taking a man's money, that won't be much of a challenge for her," Keith commented.
"It'll certainly be easier than faking my interest in you," Allura responded.
"Now kids, let's play nice. There will be a lot of celebrities, musicians and paparazzi at this party and we want to make a memorable impression here."
"Whatever," Allura said as she immediately broke into a coughing fit.
"Are you ok?" Lance asked with great concern.
"I'm fine," she said again as she coughed a little more. "It's probably just an allergy thing or something tickling my throat." Allura immediately turned to Keith and pointed her finger at him. "Don't you say a single, damn word."
Keith feigned a look of surprise and just smiled.
A few moments later the limo pulled up to huge mansion. Loud party music could be heard emanating from the expensive dwelling, party guests were mingling in the yard, on the balcony, and next to the pool. A valet walked up to Allura's door and opened it. As she emerged from the vehicle, a sea of camera flashes bathed over her as paparazzi tried to capture flattering and unflattering photos of the popstar.
Keith exited the limo a few seconds later followed by Lance and Hunk. Allura posed as the worked their way towards the front door, Keith tried to entice the photographers to take his photo but few were interested. Lance was handing out business cards to each and every photographer and reporter who were loitering in front of the house and Hunk did his best to make sure no one got too close to his employer.
The group entered the large foyer, which was filled with movie studio executives, music producers, advertising executives, modeling agents and the various talents that brings in the money for those companies.
"Ok everyone, let's go mingle and try to make some business connections," Lance stated. "Allura, find Connor and try to capture his attention."
"Easier done than said," Allura bragged.
"That's the caption under her senior year book photo," Keith remarked quietly to himself.
"Just try not to get too drunk this time," Allura whisper softly to him. "The last thing I need is for your alcoholic ass to embarrass me tonight."
Allura walked away from the group, her mind set on her mission of sweet talking Connor East. Hunk followed, staying far enough behind so that he didn't interfere with Allura's mingling but still doing his job of protecting her.
Lance noticed some rather attractive movie stars entering an adjacent room and took off after them. Keith, now abandoned by his companions, headed off towards the rear of the mansion. He walked out the large patio doors and took in the sight of the large pool with a Jacuzzi at one end. Guests were scattered throughout, making business deals or gossiping about other guests. Keith made his way over to the bard and asked the bartender for a Black Lion. He sat down on the stool, taking his drink in hand and losing himself in the alcohol.
Allura weaved her way through the mansion, going from one crowd filled room to the next until she finally eyed her target. Standing among a small group of enablers, was Connor East. A tall, handsome man of African descent, his white shirt accenting his light brown skin. His hair was cut short and neat, and his black slacks were cleanly creased and his light blue neck tie was perfectly straight. Allura took a moment to primp herself; running her hands through her hair, straightening her dress and adjusting her breasts so that they were more pronounced.
With an air of confidence, Allura strolled up to the small crowd and pushed her way to Connor.
"Mr. East, it is such a pleasure to meet you. My name is…"
"Allura, the princess of the stage," Connor said with a smile. "The pleasure of this meeting is certainly all mine," he remarked as he took Allura's hand and kissed it. His baritone voice was as smooth velvet and his eyes practically sparkled.
"So you have heard of me?" Allura asked.
"I've been following your career very closely as of late. You're an amazing entertainer, you have a way of mesmerizing your audience when you perform on stage."
"Well, I'm even more mesmerizing when I perform off the stage," Allura responded with a sly smile.
"Almost all of Los Angeles can attest to that," came a young female voice from behind Allura.
She turned to see who said that and her blood began to boil in her veins. "Well, if it isn't Romelle, the slut of San Fernando."
"Now now," said Romelle as she approached Allura and Connor. "Such language from such a distinguished performer."
"Distinguished? Are you daring to make a joke about my age?"
"Oh come now, I would never say anything to insult you like that. I was raised to respect my elders." An evil grin crossed the 21 year old's face.
"Elder? I'm only 26, you little pop tart."
"Exactly. You're old…too old to be flaunting that out of shape body of yours on stage, and certainly too old to be throwing yourself towards a man as refined as Mr. East." She looked over at Connor and gave him an innocent smile.
Allura was about to punch Romelle when Connor interrupted the exchange. "I personally invited Romelle to tonight's party, as she has agreed to be the lead spokesperson for my new clothing company's product line."
"She's going to be your spokesperson?" Allura asked shocked.
"Of course. Connor here needed someone who was more in touch with today's younger audience," Romelle taunted as she took Connor's arm.
Before Allura could rebuttal, one of Connor's assistants approached and informed it was time to address his guests. With a brief exchange of words with those around him, Connor headed towards the foyer with Romelle still on his arm.
Allura, feeling angry and defeated, stormed off to find Lance.
Keith was still sitting on his stool, his drink only half empty when he felt someone sit down beside him. He looked over and there was a tall, handsome man dressed in a white tuxedo. His black hair has a streak of white in the front and from his mannerisms, Keith knew this man was someone important.
"How are you tonight," the man asked.
"Just fine, thanks for asking." Keith answered grudgingly.
"You don't sound fine, nor do you look it. I can tell something is on your mind, I'd like to hear about it."
"Who are you, Dr. Phil?"
"No," the man chuckled. "My name is Takashi Shirogane, but everyone just calls me Shiro."
The realization of who this man was hit Keith like a semi-truck. "Wait, Shirogane, the successful film producer?"
"The one in the same," Shiro responded as the bartender handed him his drink. "And you're Keith Kogane, former member of the boy band Defenders of the Universe."
"You know who I am?" Keith asked stunned.
"You seem surprised that I do."
"Ever since I met Allura, no one remembers me as anyone except as her arm candy." Keith looked off into the distance as he took a sip of drink. "Well, that and the really bad movie that I was that totally sank any chance at a movie career."
"Ah yes, The Robeast of Taujeer, not exactly an Academy Award nominee," remarked Shiro.
"Thanks," Keith replied solemnly.
"How would you like a chance to make up for that mistake?"
"What do you mean?" Keith eyed Shiro curiously.
Shiro turned sideways to face Keith directly. He leaned in so that Keith could hear him and no one else couldn't. "You have the look of a movie star. A little rough around the edges, but edges can be smoothed out. With a little coaching, strong support and the right movie, you could step out of Allura's shadow and stand in your own light."
"What do I need to do?" Keith asked, completely mesmerized by Shiro's offer.
Shiro handed Keith his business card. "Call my office on Monday and we'll set up a meeting." With that, Shiro took one last swig of his drink and left Keith to ponder his offer.
Lance was trying his best to calm Allura down. She had found him in one of the spare bedrooms and her sudden interruption caused the two young models he was entertaining to gather up their clothes and leave. Now, he was sitting on the edge of the bed, his clothes a mess from having to hastily put them on, as he listened to Allura rant and rave about Romelle.
"That slut! Harlot! Tramp!" Allura was pacing, her face flushed and her hands clenched.
"Allura, calm down. Shouting about it isn't going to help."
"But she had the nerve to call me old," Allura yelled. "She's more in touch with the younger audience," Allura said mocking Romelle. "More like you're just helping Connor touch the younger audience."
"Allura! Don't say things like that." Lance got up off the bed in a panic. He took Allura by the shoulders and tried to talk her down. "Listen, you have to be careful about what you say and do. Connor is a very power man and can easily influence your career, if he wants to."
"I'm sorry." Allura took a deep breath. "You're right, yelling about it won't help."
"You should listen to me more often," Lance said as he let go of Allura.
"Action is what is needed to resolve this." Allura immediately turned and stormed out of the room.
"Oh shit," Lance said as he chased after Allura.
Keith had re-entered the house with the intent of telling Allura about his meeting with Shiro but as he did so, he was distracted by a commotion in the foyer. He entered the crowded room just in time to see Allura shove Romelle away from Conner East.
"What's your problem, you old crow?" yelled Romelle as she charged forward and shoved Allura in retaliation.
"My problem is with you coming in here and trying to put me out of a job."
"Well maybe if you were actually talented you wouldn't have to worry about losing your job," Romelle shot back.
Before anyone could blink, Allura's hand flung through the air and struck Romelle across her face.
Everyone stood back, too stunned to move. Keith couldn't believe what he had just seen; Lance's mind was already trying to spin the story to prevent tomorrow's PR nightmare; Hunk just stood off to the side in hopes that Romelle would be the one to finally put Allura in her place.
Romelle was the most shocked but that quickly turned to anger and she swung her hand, connecting with Allura's cheek. The two popstars just stood staring at each other for several seconds; no one in the room dared to breathe. Then in an instant, both lunged at each other, collapsing onto the floor. They scratched at each other, they kicked at each other, pulling hair and ripping clothes. Obscenities were flying out of their mouths as fast as the bobby pins flying out of their hair.
Connor sighed at his guests who were making spectacles of themselves on his floor. He motioned towards one of his security guards and a 4 large men suddenly appeared. With almost no effort they were able to pull the young women apart and proceeded to carry them outside. Allura and Romelle, meanwhile were still trying to hit each other, despite the large muscled arms holding them.
Lance, Hunk, and Keith rushed after them. Outside the security guards kept the entertainers apart as best they could. The paparazzi, who had grown bored waiting for something to happen, jumped into action upon seeing Allura and Romelle carried out of the mansion and had now surrounded the group and were taking photos as quickly as they could.
Connor East had joined the group outside and now stood between Allura and Romelle. "I had hoped for an evening of celebration but instead I got an evening of spectacle and embarrassment."
"I'm terribly sorry for my client ruining your celebration," Lance responded.
Connor held his hand up and Lance stopped talking. "It is not your fault, Mr. McCain. You are not responsible for the actions of your client." Connor turned his focus to Allura. "Ms. Allura, I admire you very much as an entertainer, but as a human being you leave much to be desired. I hope for your sake, you are able to find yourself before this industry turns your heart as black as the night sky."
Allura paused at his words. Her anger seemed to almost melt away at the sound of his voice. She felt a strange sensation in the pit of her stomach. Was it embarrassment, guilt, or maybe even shame? She opened her mouth with the intent of apologizing but that feeling in her stomach rose, rushing to the surface and before she knew what she was doing, vomit projected itself from her body and landed squarely on Connor East.
As the limo door closed on Allura, she looked out the window at Romelle smiling and waving in a taunting manner. Allura rolled down the window, stuck her hand out and gave Romelle the middle finger.
"I hope you're happy," Lance said to Allura. "Not only did that cost us any chance of ever working with Connor East, but the news of the fight between you and Romelle is probably already on social media. This is going to be a disaster."
"I can't believe you hit her," Keith commented.
"The bitch deserved it," Allura snapped as she wiped some vomit residue from the corners of her mouth with a napkin. "And where were you the whole time?"
"I was at the bar," Keith answered.
"Talking to some slut in a skimpy outfit, no doubt," Allura remarked.
Keith thought of responding but decided it was best not to. He had his hand by his side, his fingers wrapped around the card Shiro gave him.
The ride home was silent. Allura fumed over Romelle and was desperately trying not to throw up again. Lance checked all the usual social media sites in order to monitor the news about Allura's behavior at the party. His mind raced with ways on how to respond, though none seemed like good ideas. Keith thought about Shiro's offer. Pondering whether or not it was a good idea to follow through and blaze his own path in this world of entertainment; to stop being Allura's arm candy and be his own person.