Chapter 31: Break(Allura's POV)

They sit at a table in the cafeteria. She could understand how the humans could prepare solid foods whereas for them the only food they could carry along space in Altean ships was the 'food goo' as the Paladins coined it. Though Earth food did taste delicious, so she can't complain.

"So what was the colony like?" she asks Luca and Romelle.

"Well it was very big and spacious despite being built in a simulator. Lotor would send us supplies, like food, materials to make clothes, and other items he could. And for as long as I can remember a hooded figure would have sentries determine which of us would be fit for our sister colony. Sadly Zethrid also destroyed it…"

"So the hooded one was Zethrid?" Romelle asks.

"Well….." Before Luca can continue, Marinette sits down beside them.

"I thought you three would still be with the pilot we discovered."

Romelle replies, "We were but we need a break. Cimiru has been a tough nut to crack."

"Is she one of the ones who loved Altean history, perhaps you could use that to your advantage?"

Luca shakes her head, "Cimiru isn't. She loves exploration and the unknown. But we can't let her escape so that's out."

"What regaling her with tales of planets that you have seen and explored?"

Romelle comments, "That might work, but I'm as familiar with the Alteans in my colony…."

"That's because you preferred your brother Bandor's company and when he went to the Sister Colony you shut yourself in your home."

"He's my brother of course I would spend time with him!"

"But you spent all your time with him."

"That's not true!"

"Sure."

"Anyways regarding what you said Marinette, it could work. I do believe I recall her listening in to when and being really excited when Honerva told us tales of Altea and Daibazzal and all the other planets she visited."

"Then I should use that in my next interrogation with her. But that can wait for a bit longer."

"Right, we haven't finished your yummy Earth food."

Marinette smiles, "I'm glad you like it. Though the chefs are responsible for these, not me. Me and Hunk though have been trying out our family recipes with something different than Earth ingredients to see if we can get the same outcome."

"Isn't that dangerous?"

"Not really, we made sure all the ingredients we have are safe for consumption. It's really nice to work with a fellow baker that isn't my parents and try to experiment."

"What about your fashion designs?"

"I'm not sure how that's going to work, considering I've been out of school for three years now and I kind of need a highschool education to get into any university or college that focuses on fashion."

"You're a fashion designer? Like a seamstress?" asks Luca.

"Yeah, but right now I'm focusing on my other talent, baking."

"Doesn't Hunk also specialize in culinary cooking?"

Marinette nods, "Yeah but he's teaching me how to get good at it. It's like baking but with a little more finesse and flavors. Makes me feel like I'm on a cooking show."

"Cooking show?" Luca asks.

"Cooking shows are where people cook to compete to earn a prize and show off their culinary skills. Sometimes kids even compete in them. Sometimes Cooking shows will focus only on celebrity chefs, while some focus on home chefs. There are also Baking shows which are the same thing, except they focus on sweets, often pastries like cake."

"Wow, who knew food could be entertaining." Luca comments.

Romelle nods, "Right."

"And how is food going to help us bring peace?" Allura asks.

"Well when I think of the holiday traditions we have on Earth a lot of them have a sense of family eating homemade food as part of the experience. Christmas for example, it's ingrained into most brains that to have a perfect Christmas it must include the classic Christmas dinner. Stuffed turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, salad, and apple pie. Or thanksgiving, instead the pie is pumpkin. And all these holidays' true meaning is being together with your family, giving each other gifts, or being thankful that they're here with you. And when people hang out together and create memories they cherish, some of them are hanging out at a restaurant or around the dinner table. There's a reason the most popular date includes dinner and a show." Marinette explains.

"Interesting." Luca comments.

"So Earth has a big fondness for food?" Romelle asks.

"Yeah pretty much. But also when I bake I get the nostalgic feeling of being in the kitchen with my parents and how much fun we had."

"You must miss them."

"I do. But I know they're safe on Earth, running the Bakery as usual. Coming up with new sweet treats together."

Allura nods in agreement. She never really thought of eating with her family as fond moments in time, but with a pang in the heart she wishes she could be eating with them now. Sharing how their days went, sharing jokes, hearing her mother and father laugh. Just any time with them now would be great.

She sighs, but sadly that cannot be.

"Something wrong, Prin….Allura?" Luca asks.

"I'm fine. It's just I was hoping Cimiru would be more cooperative." She tells them, it's not really a lie, as she does wish Cimiru was more cooperative, but she also isn't really to tell them, specifically Luca and Romelle that she misses her family. That she still hasn't gotten over their passing, or Alteas untimely destruction.

"Well now you know how to get her to talk next time. By telling her tales of distant planets you've visited along with Voltron. All the sights we've seen, all the wonders and dangers we've faced…"

"Yeah," she smiles. It will go better next time. She will make Cimiru talk.