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Beyond Denubian - Home
The first sensation Lotor felt was a gentle warmth that surrounded him, of soft blankets, and the warmth of a fire. Where was he - in his harem? No, that couldn't be right. The warmth was familiar, almost like a dream.
"Mei?" (mother) he said softly.
"There, there, lay back..." A familar voice seemed to echo in his mind. "You're hurt."
"Allura?"Lotor's voice was raspy.
"Shhh..."
"Uhhhh...head..." Lotor tried to move.
"Stay still, Lotor. I need to stop your bleeding..."
A daub of coolness - water? - no, a soft mediwipe swept his temples gently. A moment later, he felt a bandage placed on where his head hurt the worst.
Abruptly, Lotor's eyes snapped open as he quickly came to consciousness. Instinctively, Lotor's hand shot out as he grasped Princess Allura's wrist.
"Allura!!!"Lotor managed to say.
"Dat's 'Yer Hignessness', Drule scum..." Allura heard Joen's voice.
"Children, I won't tolerate any bad things said about our guest! Not only is he our guest, but he's a Prince, just like I'm a princess. You need to give him - or anyone common respect."
Lotor looked surprised. He didn't expect Allura to defend him.
But then again, these were only ignorant nameless Arun brats. Why should he care? The only one that mattered was his beautiful princess was beside him, taking gentle care of him.
"Allura." Lotor said aloud. "What are you doing in this - hovel - with all these - lowborn - urchins?"
Allura's face changed from that of gentle concern to one of fury as she stood up abruptly.
"First of all, Prince High and Mighty, I'm here because I care for them! Second of all, they're not 'lowborn urchins' but children who've lost their parents, their homes, their childhood all because of you and your FATHER!" A pang of - something - hit Lotor hit just then, although he didn't show it.
...who've lost their parents...their parents...parents...
...Mei!Rai! Noooooo! Mei, wake up, please wake up!
A child's voice...his voice.
He looked at the orphans that were standing the room, some ki'es(feet)away from where he and Allura were.
He was an orphan too - in a way.
Then Lotor's brows furrowed indignantly. How dare they remind him of what had happened so long ago! How dare she stand up to him! Oh, she had stood up to him countless times before, but there was always a tinge of fear in her voice and in her manner. She had been afraid of him, but not now.
She was even more beautiful angry. A fearless Queen who would rule by his side!.
"And don't start start that again." Allura warned. "My answer is no, and it'll be no forever, Lotor."
How had she known what he was thinking?
How dare she? Enough of this play, Allura was going with him right now whether she liked or not! Lotor rose from the chair he'd been sitting in and suddenly -
"AAAAHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW!! My FOOT!" Lotor collasped back onto the chair, his right foot throbing with total pain.
"You may have broken it, Lotor. I'm not sure." The concerned look was back in Allura's face. "At any rate, you're not going anywhere - none of us are - until this freak storm clears up. You might as well relax, Lotor." Allura gently placed Lotor's injured foot upon a old but soft ottoman.
"Children!" She looked away from Lotor for a moment. "Come on,gather around me in a circle. It's all right, he won't bite."
Says you. Lotor frowned.
"Joen..." Allura said to the still resentful boy. "Why don't you and Jet go to the kitchen and ask Cook to bring the cookies and the hot chocolate?"
Immediately, the pair ran to do their task.
Within a few minutes, everyone was served, even Lotor, who scowled down at the sugar cookies on his plate and the large mug of hot cocoa.
"What is this?" Lotor continued to scowl.
"Sugar cookies and hot chocolate - an Earth tradition." Allura said matter of factly.
"Earth? Not even..." Lotor scowled some more.
"Your loss." Allura took a sip of her cocoa.
"Ohhh...that's sooo good! Warm too!"Allura exclaimed.
I'll warm you up, my love, more than that Earth drink... Lotor thought wickedly. Maybe if I try this odd drink and those cookies of sugar, I might get into Allura's good graces.
Lotor took a sip of the cocoa and then swigged the entire contents down his throat - much as he had when drank wine.
Bad mistake.
Lotor gasped as the hot cocoa ran down his throat!
"Lotor! Are you all right? Someone, get some water!" Allura cried out. A moment later, one of the children came back with a glass of some cool water and handed it to Allura.
"Drink this, Lotor." Allura looked a little embarassed. "I should have told you to sipit, not take it in one gulp! Here, drink this - it's water."
The Prince drank the water gratefully, but still glared at her."
"Better?" Allura smiled slightly."You must be - you're scowling.
"Now, relax, Lotor. You're our guest on this special night."
"Th' LIghtbringer Burrsday!" One the children yelled out.
"Yay!" The children cheered.
"Settle down now, children." Allura chided them. "We all need to be quiet for the Story."
Great.Lotor thought.I'm stuck on Arus with a bunch of kids,a broken foot, and my beloved princess tries to kill me!
A still hush came over the room as Allura opened a large ancient book.
"Now we begin..."Allura said quietly. All of a sudden, the room was quiet, except for the sound of the crackling fire.
Lotor, already bored, simply looked at Allura, savoring her beauty. But soon enough, it was her voice or maybe it was the words - or both.
"And so it was foreseen in ages past...that a virgin would give birth to the Lightbringer...during the reign of King Zarakonis Daibaazal...." The Princess read.
Suddenly, Lotor was paying attention. I've heard that name before! Can it be Father's great-great-great - uh -grandsire? Father used to brag about this Zarkonis because he was named after him. Hhmmm...interesting...I'd like to - no, I need to hear - this - Story.