open;

[juniberries]

WHO: Allura & YOU!
WHERE: Nice Stems Flower Shop (and by extension the Shopping Centre) & the Atrium
WHEN: January 3rd-6th
WHAT: Allura's falling into a rhythm on the Eluvio. 
WARNINGS: N/A so far

A. [NICE STEMS]
[Sure, Allura loves flowers...what woman doesn't? But she's never been a florist before, nor does she recognize any of the flora provided for sale in the shop. And this is clearly not a job suited for someone who expected to much more with herself than work retail. She's a Princess, for galaxy's sake! Taking care of plants is a hobby at most, not a job, especially when the role you had before all this was to save the galaxy.

A thought that still weighs heavy on her, frustratingly so, to the point where she's gotten herself accidentally kicked out of the back room for cutting the stems of a floral arrangement too short for a proper display.

As of now, she's out front, misting air plants hanging from glass bulbs. When she hears the familiar chime of someone entering the store, she turns, managing a smile in place of her frustration. Mainly because it's almost time for her to clock out.]

May I help you?

B. [Atrium]
[She realizes there's a bit of irony of going to the Atrium after work before heading to the hangar to return to the Castle-ship, but just because her job is a poor fit doesn't mean she still can't come and appreciate the outdoors...or what comes close to it on the ship, at least.

If there's one thing the Castle-ship is missing, its a place like this, where she can sit and act as though she's outside, actually feel the leaves and smell the sweet and fresh smells of vegetation all around.

It's nothing like Altea, of course. None of the plants are familiar, the artificial sun is simply wrong, and there's really no use pretending.

She's as out of place as she ever will be. Ten-thousand years into the future, her homeplanet gone, and no one familiar around...she truly is alone, and she wonders why it still bothers her even when the threat of the Galra Empire still looms ever in her thoughts.

Frustrating knowing that she has no way back to...wherever they had been headed. No way to return to a galaxy that needs her, needs Voltron, although...perhaps the paladins had managed to reconvene in her absence.

She can only hope...

She's brought her late lunch/early dinner here, for a sort of makeshift picnic, settling on a bench near the zen garden. The space mice are already playing around in the sand, drawing shapes and even pictures, climbing up on rocks and pushing each other off them.

Allura laughs, shaking her head.]

Come on, you're messing up the design. Someone worked hard on that.

CLOSED TO SHIRO [The Hangar]
[She has to go to the hangar to begin with, the Castle-ship being as large as it is, she's required to take a shuttle whenever she wishes to return to the Eluvio. But...there's something different about today. A pull, almost like someone or something calling out to her in a way that calls to her very quintessence.

When she exits the shuttle in the hangar bay, she follows that call almost as though she's physically being pulled towards it, stopping dead in her tracks when she finally sees what's been calling to her.

The Black Lion of Voltron.]

I...I don't believe it.

[She wonders how it got here, how it was found, when she's been reaching out to feel for the Lions almost every night ever since she could access the Castle-ship, finding none of their signatures for as far as she can reach into this unknown universe.

And here it is. Plain as day. The Black Lion itself, as though it's always been here.

She moves forward, looking up at the towering robotic lion, placing her hand on its paw.]

You're here. You're really here. [Which means...it's safe. That must be what it means. But...] Where's Shiro?

Comments

B

[yokunaru]

[It seems Allura's not the only one who was drawn to the zen garden for a quiet lunch. After getting his paperwork in order, Yuuri buys himself a few things from the shopping center for lunch and then wanders off toward the gardens. He goes on memory, thinking of the quiet zen garden that he'd seen when he and Makkachin had been here last time.

He stops short when he realizes someone's already there.]

O-oh, hello. I didn't mean to disturb you.

[juniberries]

[She turns around at the voice, pausing from her meal of...a strange soup of some kind she picked up from the shops. The mice pause too, looking over at Yuuri briefly before going back to playing around in the sand.

Allura shakes her head, shifting a bit on the bench as though preemptively offering the stranger a place to sit. He looks familiar, perhaps he had been at that "New Year" party?]

Don't worry, you're not disturbing anyone! I didn't expect to be the only one in the gardens around lunchtime after all.

[yokunaru]

[Though Yuuri hesitates for a second, he'll join her on the bench with a tentative smile.] Um...if you're sure. Thanks.

[His lunch he sets aside for now, though, far more interested in the mice playing around in the sand.]

Are they with you? [He hadn't missed the way the mice looked at him when he approached.]

[juniberries]

Of course! I'd much rather eat with someone than by myself.

[Because she actually doesn't like the idea of being alone!! Not that she's going to say that outloud. Plus, they're all in this situation together, assuming he's not a native to this ship.

He doesn't seem it, especially if he was at that party.

The mice, upon hearing his question, pause once more, three out of the four of them looking interested at him, while the largest of the bunch, the yellow one, seeming more interested in whatever it is he's eating.

Allura shoots them a Look for them to behave themselves before looking over at Yuuri.]

Yes, they're my friends from my homeplanet. They were brought here with me.

[yokunaru]

They're so cute. [Far too used to pets begging for food, Yuuri reaches into his bag and draws out one of the meat-bun-like things he'd found at a little cafe. He pinches off little pieces of the bun and holds the crumbs out for the mice to pick at.]

My coach's dog came here with him, too. I think it's a little easier to deal with...everything when you have someone familiar with you.

A

[genice]

( To be perfectly honest, he's been given far more flowers in his life than he's ever turned around to give anyone else. Regardless, here he is, and kind of hopelessly letting his eyes wander over the various flowers that both do and don't look like anything he recognises. Where are they even grown? On ship? Are they clipped out in the Atrium? Stocked based on whatever sector of the universe people are willing to trade one of the more complicated things to get past customs back home?

He wonders what the process is like here. Huh.

Allura's question prompts him into turning his head her way once he steps properly inside, blinking and breaking into an easy smile when his recognition catches up. He's making an effort to remember all of those coming in like he and Yuuri had; the recent anomalies, not the ones far enough in the past those crewmembers now felt like they'd fully integrated. )

Allura! I had no idea you worked here! ( Obviously; but he does at least keep on track for what he was looking for. ) Do you have any potted plants that are, well. Hard to kill?

[juniberries]

Oh! [Her expression brightens genuinely at the familiar friendly face. She had made herself taller to reach the air plants hanging higher up in the shop, but at his question she shrinks back to her normal height, setting the spray bottle down and approaching him, wiping her hands at the front of her work uniform.]

Hello Victor! I know this isn't exactly a job for a Princess, but it was what I was assigned.

[She looks around the shop for a tick. Potted plants that are hard to kill...

Well, to be fair, it's most of the plants she's been given charge of...which is admittedly understandable, but still a bit insulting to say the least.]

Well... [She moves towards a display of various succulents and cacti, some resembling ones that may be familiar to Victor if he's ever seen a succulent plant, while others are entirely alien in nature.] I do know that these plants require little care, and they're in pots.

[juniberries]

It...is. It's good having someone from home to talk to. [Her voice goes a bit distant at that, but she remains smiling as she watches the mice approach Yuuri and the offered treats, gladly taking the offered crumbs to nibble on. They settle comfortably near his feet as they eat, probably hoping for more scraps when they finish.

And yes, she did say talk to. Please don't think she's a weird mouse lady, Yuuri....

She looks over at him once more, hands settling around the bowl of her soup.]

Your coach? So that means someone you know from your homeplanet has been brought here as well?

[genice]

( He's pretty sure that had to be a trick of his eyes, since it seems like she just shrunk a little, but it's enough to make his pause of a half second before laughing noticeable. )

None of our jobs are exactly fit for who we are, but that's on purpose. Or so I've been told!

( It's a cheery ending statement for something he doesn't feel cheerful about; but it does suit tone when around in public, and so it's what he does. He trails along after her when she guides him toward the succulents, eyes lighting up and hands coming together to clap, like inspiration has struck. Which it has, after a fashion. )

Perfect! He has one just like these back home!

( In his bedroom. Victor wonders if the cactus he saw tucked away on top of one of the shelves at the Ice Palace was also Yuuri's, or maybe Nishigori's? He steps to the side, knuckle of his finger resting on his chin as he glances over the succulents, including the ones he has never seen before. They come in so many colours, odd shapes, and little arrangements... it's almost exciting, in a very silly way. )

You don't think it'll say the wrong thing if you give your fiance a cactus, do you? He has a healthy one back home, and I thought it would be nice to get him something for his room, but...

( He looks to Allura, trusting more in her sense of diplomacy than any particular plant sense. )

[juniberries]

On purpose? Why in the galaxies would they intentionally assign us unfit jobs...?

[It just doesn't make sense. She understands being given a job for monetary purposes and to give them further roles on a ship that 'accidentally' brought them into this galaxy, but...it would make more sense to give everyone jobs they were suited for.

She's about to ask who 'he' is, when she gets her answer soon after, eyes wide as Victor looks to her for guidance,. It's...nice, actually. To be referred to in a way that better reflects what she's used to, while not having to worry about the fate and lives of those on a planet.]

Your fiance's on the ship? [She's not sure whether to congratulate a man she still barely knows, but it feels improper, so instead she just looks to the cacti, hands clasped in front of her.] Well, if I were him, I would certainly want something that reminded me of home. I think it's a very thoughtful gift.

[genice]

Unfit, unimportant jobs.

( He ends up saying, letting his expression become more neutral, thoughtful. It's an expression he retains as looks over the succulents; one that quickly's exchanged for a look of unguarded happiness, just thinking about how insanely lucky it was that Yuuri was here, balanced against how he wished he was safer than this place and its unknowns could promise he would be.

It's tough, but he recognises the good with the bad and chooses to live with that silver lining. There's no going back, after all. )

He is, just since about a week ago. Less?

( Probably less. Victor made a mark on the calendar he's got on his comm; marking day cycles on ship and marking dates passing a galaxy away. He gives Allura a grateful look, reaching out to pick up one of the smaller succulents. Green fading to rose, buds spread like a lopsided flower. ) Thank you. You're right. It's what I was looking for when I first got here. Anything familiar.

( It's so very, very hard to clamp down on the urge to just natter on about Yuuri; his fondness and personal bias doesn't ignore flaws, but it's also out of place unless invited. Or even invited. Having been on his own for the weeks prior, he'd felt lucky enough to have Makkachin with him. Reminding people of his own luck is cruel.

He sets down the smaller succulent, leaning in for a better look at one residing a few spaces behind. He likes the pot it's in; shimmery blue, almost opalescent. )

Have you found anything like that so far? Something that reminds you of home.

A

[taggingwomprats]

[ Even after years of not living on Tatooine, Luke is still oddly fascinated by plant life. It's just... alive. And green. It's still mind-boggling to him that plants like this actually thrive. On a totally rational level, he understands it. Emotionally, it's still a little awe-inspiring. He glances up from where he was inspecting a potted plant of some kind and shrugs, offering a friendly grin. ]

Oh, no, I just... sort of came in to look around a bit. Sorry.

[juniberries]

You're free to look around too! No need to apologize. [Even if it's almost her time to turn in for the day, she's not about to blame a customer for coming in just to look.

She continues to spray the hanging air plants with the provided water bottle.]

But I'm here if you need any assistance. I know there are a lot of plants I haven't seen or heard of before I was brought here.

[taggingwomprats]

[ Luke pauses from where he's examining a particularly brightly colored flower so he can glance at Allure curiously. ]

You're new, too, huh? When did you get dropped on board?

[ There seem to be a lot of people in his situation. What kind of anomalies are they generating with their hyperdrive? ]

A

[ninponeil]

[A shop that looks like it belongs more in the Atrium than the Shopping Centre draws April inside. The aroma of mixed scents hit her at first. She's so used to the smell of New York's sewer system that she's stunned for a second.]

Oh, hi. [...and a little stunned again. Allura's pretty, ok.] Actually, yeah. I think I could use something nice smelling for my room.

[Because why not add some flavor?]

atrium

[winscenario]

They might be trying some designs of their own. You never know.

[ Jim's off to the side just a few feet, having wandered into the zen garden for no reason other than strolling around somewhat aimlessly. He's done most of the exploring at this point, and short of trying to get into locked areas and getting himself into real trouble, he's gone as far as he can for now.

So that leaves getting to know as many people as he can. Those who were brought here the same way he was are easy enough to spot around the ship, and he can tell the white-haired woman is one of them. It makes him feel just that bit more at ease talking to her out of the blue. ]

Cute guys. [ He nods at the mice. ] They with you?

[yokunaru]

Yeah... [Yuuri looks up at her now, though he continues to feed the mice bits of his bun.] Um, I think we got taken by the anomaly around the same time, but he ended up here weeks before I did. No one really seems to know how those anomaly things work.

[Feeling braver now that he's offered food, Yuuri bends down, intending to pet the closest mouse with a gentle finger.]

Do you think they'd mind if I touched them? I've never seen mice this color before.

[bayarm]

[ shiro has listened to the orientation session. he's managed to focus, for the most part, despite the dull ache in his side and the emotional turmoil he's still in. by the end of it, he's largely managed to force it all down; it won't help him now and losing control won't help anyone, not him and not his team.

his team — he's worried about them. the wormhole might have spat him out here, if that is what happened, but what about the others? what about the castle of lions, allura and coran? he needs to find a way to get back, and the words from the orientation that there is no way back echo in his mind.

when he asks, they tell him that the black lion arrived with him. that's something, at least. it's a starting point, and if black isn't too damaged, maybe that's a way for him to figure out how to get back. pidge would be better suited to that kind of thing, but he'll have to make do.

but when he's lead to the hangar, when he spots the lion, there's a figure standing by it, distinctly familiar. shiro doesn't quite break out into a run, but he does pick up the pace. ] Allura!

A

[herbalsupplements]

[Kurama had planned to be in and out, needing only a single red rose, but that changes immediately when he catches wind of a scent he's never encountered before. It's animal, he thinks, but neither human nor demon, nor any other kind of creature he's ever smelled. The only other person in the shop right now is a young woman behind the counter with a human face and pointed ears, though, so he supposes he can wait before investigating.

Glancing around the shop as if he isn't contemplating who or what might try to eat him in here, Kurama answers with almost no delay.]

I don't suppose you have any red rose stems I could take off your hands?

[juniberries]

As far as I know, they're rifts in space-time, like a wormhole but less...predictable. I've only ever heard stories of it as a child, and even then they were only theories.

[And she was also too young to properly understand them anyway. She continues watching him interact with the mice, bringing her spork up (she had to specifically ask for one, why have two utensils when you only need one, after all?) towards her mouth, but pausing, looking thoughtful.]

That may explain why you were brought here at different times here, but from the same time wherever you're from.

[She wishes Coran were here. Or even Pidge and Hunk. She's not as scientifically minded as they are.

But the mice seem to respond to his question before even answering them. The large yellow mouse being the closest one because he likely finds a kinship with Yuuri for. Some reason. The other mice congregate near his finger too, enjoying the attention from this friendly stranger.]

Well, it looks like you have your answer. They seem to like you. [She smiles warmly down at them, listening to what they have to say about Yuuri before looking back at him.] Really? Are mice a different colour on your planet?

[juniberries]

I'll admit, I haven't really been keeping track. [And much of her first few days here were trying to wrap her head around everything going on, both here and more importantly, back in her part of the galaxy.

She had been brought in during a really stressful moment in time so...it makes sense that she's lose track of it.]

Over seven days ago I believe? Give or take. You humans would refer to that as about a week, I guess.

[She's just assuming 1) that you're human because of those hideous ears and 2) that all humans have the same measurement of time.]

[juniberries]

[She sets the spray bottle aside, wiping stray drops of water from her hands as she approaches April, who seems to be trying to wrap her head around....something.

She doesn't blame her for appearing a bit stunned. Allura felt the same way when she first entered this shop too, considering all the foreign flora.]

Well, you've certainly come to the right place! Do you have any preferences? Like...a particular colour perhaps?

[juniberries]

[She looks up at the voice, lips drawing to a straight line as she looks back to the mice. One of them just did a cannon ball into the sand, while the smallest of the bunch is currently trying to bury the largest in a hole it just dug.]

Something tells me they aren't...

[But she can't keep her serious expression for very long, shaking her head and giving the mice a muted smile before looking back at Kirk.]

They are. They're from my homeplanet.

[juniberries]

[She's too wrapped up in the familiar presence of the Black Lion that she doesn't realize Shiro's approach until he calls out to her. Hand still on its large paw, Allura turns, and there's a wave of relief when she sees the Black Paladin, especially considering--

No, she won't think of that. The fact that he's been brought here despite the destabilization of the wormhole is a good sign as far as she's concerned. It has to be. It means he's safe, that the Black Lion is safe, and it's a small glimmer of hope despite the unfortunate circumstances of having been brought to a place far beyond the reaches of the known galaxy.

But the fact that the others are still out there, including Coran, sits heavy in her gut but for now she'll take this as a sign of hope. She needs that.]

Shiro! [She moves quickly to meet him, though the space mice are already bounding towards him in a full run out of excitement at seeing a familiar face.] You're here! When did you arrive? Is anyone else with you? [Not that she sees or senses any of the other Lions, but she has to ask just in case. And she is going to hazard a look to where the Galra witch had scratched him.] Are you all right?

[juniberries]

[She turns away completely from the air plants at his inquiry, but not before giving one of the final few of the bunch a spray before focusing her full attention on the potential customer.

A red rose...the name of the plant does sound familiar, but...]

I'm...sure we do. [And she moves over towards the display of cut flowers, seeing that there...are a lot of red flowers.] All the flowers we have are on display right here.

[Is she unwilling to admit that she doesn't know what the quiznak a 'rose' is?? Probably.]