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 little longer to write because I wanted to make sure that I conveyed the emotions of the characters in just the right way. I would consider this chapter to be the major turning point in the story. The decisions and behaviors will drastically alter the rest of the story and so I didn't want to rush through it. I hope you all like it.
Popstar Princess:
Choices and Consequences
Keith had been waiting for ten minutes when he heard footsteps coming down a flight of stairs. He turned his head in time to see Takashi Shirogane enter the room. The gentleman was wearing a gray three piece suit with a black neck tie and he was carrying a manila folder in his left hand. As he approached the couch, Shiro stuck his right hand out. Keith immediately stood and shook his hand.
"Good morning, Keith. I'm very happy that you decided to meet with me."
"Thank you for inviting me, Mr. Shirogane."
"Please, call me Shiro," he said with a warm smile. "Have a seat and let's talk."
The two men sat down, Keith reclaiming his place on the couch and Shiro sitting in a chair across from him.
"Now Keith, I want to ask you a question and I want you to answer me honestly. Are you happy?"
The question caught Keith completely off guard. "Excuse me?"
"Are you happy with where you are in life?"
"I…don't really understand. What does my happiness have to do with being in a movie?"
"It's simple, if you're happy with the way your life is, then there is nothing I can offer you."
Keith didn't know what to say. He just continued to look at Shiro, his mouth and brain struggling to function.
Shiro noticed the conflict going on inside Keith. He had seen it in so many others and knew that all Keith needed was a little guidance. "Let's take a quick look at your career and maybe that will bring you some enlightenment."
Shiro placed the folder on the coffee table that separated him and Keith and opened it up. Keith tried to see what was in the folder but was finding it difficult to read the upside-down papers.
Shiro leaned down and read from the top sheet. "At age 15 you were the lead singer for a small garage band, playing school functions and other local events. You were discovered by a talent agent and at 16 you were the lead singer of the popular boy band, The Lion Knights. Two years later the band breaks up and you set out on a solo career. At 19, you traveled the world on your Black Lion Tour which featured various guest artists and shattered ticket and merchandise sales. During one show, you featured a 17 year old, up and coming pop singer named Allura. The following year the two of you toured several cities together, you joined Altean Records and Lance McClain became your publicist. Shortly after that you announced to the public that you were in a relationship with Allura. The year after that, you announced your farewell tour."
Keith sat quietly and listened as Shiro spoke; feelings of disappointment and sadness filled him.
"You end your music career at the age of 21 so you could try your hand at making movies. Mr. McClain manages to get you a starring role but the movie fails at the box office. With dismal reviews from critics and even worse reviews from those who paid to see the film, your movie career ends and you are relegated to Allura's boyfriend; her arm candy as her career soars to incredible heights. And now, you spend your days in her shadow, being paid to be seen when cameras are flashing but otherwise you just hang out in the background." Shiro raised his eyes off the paper and trained them on Keith. "Does all of that sound about right?"
"That was…remarkably accurate," Keith said, a feeling of defeat overwhelming him.
"Adam is very thorough in his research," Shiro said proudly. Shiro lifted his head and gave Keith his full attention. "You had a very promising music career and you gave it up. You had potential to be a big movie star but were given a project that was doomed to fail from the beginning. You had millions of fans who clambered to even get near you and now they mock you on social media."
Keith felt like the lowest life form in existence. Having his career retold to him and seeing how he gave up on all his dreams made him feel like a chump.
"So I ask you again. Are you happy?"
Keith stared into Shiro's eyes. For a moment, he felt something he hadn't in a long time. A feeling of strength. "No, Shiro. I'm not happy. My career was used as a pedestal to raise Allura's career. I've had every opportunity to step forward taken away from me. I've spent the last few years pretending to be in love with someone just for the sake of appearances and I've been shown no appreciation for it. I've lost all respect for myself and I regret many of the choices that I have made."
Keith felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Even with this new, self-realization, he still couldn't understand Shiro's interest in him. "I still don't understand why you are interested in me?"
"Like I said, I see potential in you. Where most agents and publicists look at the here and now, focusing on the newest one-hit wonder who can provide the social media presence to bring in the dollars, I prefer to invest my time and energy in the long game. I like to build someone's career so that they have success after success after success." Shiro closed the folder and leaned in towards Keith. "I feel that with the right guidance and support, we can build a movie career that will for last decades. I'm talking franchises, merchandise, and most importantly multiple generations of fans."
Keith stared at Shiro in wonderment. The idea of people wanting to be near him again because of who he was, not whom he was with, brought a warmth to his soul.
"Think about it Keith, a movie career that will last the rest of your life. No longer having to put your life on hold. All those people coming to the theater to see you." Shiro made sure to put an emphasis on that last word.
Keith listened intently and the more he heard, the more he wanted it. "What would you need from me?" asked Keith.
"Commitment. You had it once when you were a teenager, devoting your time to a band that played at city fairs and retirement parties; when you were working towards something that you enjoyed and were passionate about. I need that from you. That passion to make something that everyone can enjoy." Shiro paused to let his words sink into the Keith's mind. "So what do you say? Are you interested?"
"Of course I'm interested," Keith answered.
"But?" asked Shiro.
"It's a big change from what I have now."
"But a change for the better," Shiro assured him. "Going out on your solo career was a big change and look how successful you were with that. I believe in you and I know you'll be successful with this."
"It's also a huge risk. What if I fail again? What if we make this big deal of me becoming an actor and the movie bombs again. I'll be a laughing stock. I'll lose my contract with Altean Records, no agent will want to work with me, Allura won't want to work with me, I'll be ruined."
"Keith," Shiro said in a soothing voice. He placed his hand on Keith's shoulder and locked eyes with him. "You're letting your worries and anxieties take over. I wouldn't be taking the time to meet with you and offer you this opportunity if I didn't think you would succeed." Shiro pulled his hand away and sat back in his chair. "Lance and Allura don't want you to succeed. They needed you to fail in order for Allura's career to take center stage. Here is a chance for you to take back what they stole from you."
Silence fell between the two men. After a few moments, Keith looked up at Shiro, the doubt still lingering. "Could I take a day or two to think about this?"
"Of course, but don't take too long. In this industry, life moves pretty fast and if you don't jump on the opportunity when you can, you'll miss it."
"Thank you," Keith said as he stood up.
Shiro stood, shook Keith's hand and escorted him to the door. As the door closed Adam came into the room.
"Do you think he'll take your offer?" Adam asked.
"I hope so. I hate to see such talent wasted."
Adam walked up to Shiro and put his arm around his waist. "Have faith that he'll make the right decision."
Lance had spent an hour and a half on the phone with Coran discussing what steps to take to do damage control over the unfounded rumor of Allura's pregnancy. It had spread like a pandemic through the media and fans everywhere were fiercely debating the ramifications of a baby for the popstar. Pidge remarked to Hunk that they could tell where Lance had been pacing due to the carpet being flattened. Just as Lance was finishing up the call, Allura came downstairs wearing a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt.
"Before I post this, do you want to take a look at it?" Allura handed Lance her phone.
Lance took the phone and looked at the image of Allura standing in front of her mirror in a pair of lacy pink panties and an almost sheer pink bra. The image clearly showed her flat, toned abs.
"Perfect, now we just need to come up with some wording to go along with it," Lance remarked.
"Hmmm…what about, 'pretty in pink'?" she asked.
"Too eighties," Lance replied.
As Allura was about to suggest something else, the front door opened and in walked Keith. He called for Allura and everyone responded that they were in the den.
Keith made his way into the room and saw that Lance was here. "Allura, Lance, there's something I need to talk to you about."
"Are you about to confess?" Allura spat out at him.
"Confess to what?" Keith asked confused.
Allura took her phone from Lance and showed Keith one of the news headlines. "That you told everyone that I'm pregnant!"
"Wait, you think I did that?"
"Of course," Allura responded.
"Why would I do something like that?" Keith asked.
"For money, or attention…some lame attempt to seem special," Allura stated.
"How can you feel like I would be the one to come up with a rumor like this?" Keith asked her.
Allura thought for a moment. "You're right, you don't have the brains to come up with a scheme like this. How could I think a loser like you would be able to get everyone to think I was pregnant."
"Wait….a loser? You're calling me a loser?"
"Well yeah. You failed in your music career, you bombed in your movie career. Tell me, what have you succeeded at?" asked Allura.
"Now hold on a moment, I didn't fail at my music. I gave up my music for you. It was Lance who convinced me to retire from music to help your career take off. It was Lance who arranged for me to be in that terrible movie. Lance has orchestrated my entire existence around pandering to your selfish ego. It was probably Lance who started the rumor in order to boost your career in some weird, twisted way."
"Don't you dare accuse Lance of this mess. He always has my best interests at heart."
"Lance only cares about your interests as long as it suits his career," Keith yelled. "He needs you to be center stage because it makes him look good and brings in the money." Keith paused, his frustrations finally boiling to the surface. "Shiro was right; you and Lance don't want me to succeed. You're afraid I might actually be more popular than you and neither of you can stand that idea."
"Shiro? You mean Takashi Shirogane?" Lance interjected.
"Yes. I met with him this morning and he's offering me a chance to be an actor."
"Did you agree to his offer?" Lance asked with a bit of worry in his voice.
"Not yet. I asked him if I could think about it for a day or two."
Allura balked. "You're one to talk about being selfish. I need your support in this moment of crisis and all you care about is your precious dream of being a movie star. And you went behind our backs to do it." Allura stomped over to where Lance was standing then turned back to look at Keith. "My career and my reputation in on the line because of this rumor and all you care about is yourself."
"You finally said something that I can agree with. I do care about myself," Keith replied. "I care enough about myself to consider taking a chance to rebuild my career. And frankly I don't care if you like it or not."
Allura lost all control and in a fit of rage she rushed over and slapped Keith hard across the face. "Let's get something straight right now. I'm the celebrity in this house. ME! Not you! You wouldn't have anything right now if it wasn't for my career."
"I lost everything because of your career," Keith yelled back. "I have nothing and I'm tired of being nothing."
"Then get out!" Allura yelled. "There's the door. If you're serious about being an actor, then leave right now."
"Now hold on, the both of you," Lance tried to interrupt. "We have contracts and obligations to think about here."
"You think about it," Keith told him. "I'm leaving." Keith turned and left the room.
Lance and Allura stood there, stunned for a moment and then Allura took off after Keith.
By the time Allura got the door, Keith was already getting into his car.
"Go ahead and leave! I don't need you. You're just a useless piece of trash!"
"Allura, calm down before you draw attention to yourself," Lance told her as he came up behind her.
Keith ignored the screaming popstar and started the engine. As he was pulling out of the driveway, Allura's nanny was pulling in. The two cars stopped beside each other and lowered their windows.
Keith could still hear Allura's screaming voice traveling down the driveway.
"Fair warning," Keith said, motioning to the house. "Allura is on one of her rampages again."
"What is it this time?" Nanny asked.
"The usual, it's something that I did."
"Well, it isn't the first time," Nanny commented.
"But it will be the last." Keith took a breath then smiled. "Goodbye, Nanny."
Keith pulled out onto the street and drove away without looking back. He picked up his phone and dialed. After three rings Shiro answered. "Hello?"
"Sir, this is Keith. I'm in."