IF she had room, her tail would curl and bounce. She’s restless, hoping to move. Yet she is not able to. Her heart has accepted the princess. ( Just like her father. ) But her database said no, her knowledge said no — her force field shimmered again but did not move. She had seen Allura’s strength, her tolerance, her diplomacy — where is the emotion? The desperation? Still hidden. Not in Red’s liking.
Just as Allura’s voice slid into her childhood, Red slid into an eternal motherly persona. She is losing her stamina — how long could she reject the Altean she knew so well? She saw such wonderful potential — a hero with white hair and turquoise and magenta eyes. ( What else was there to look for? )
She allowed herself to be loud. A small pinch of the head was equivalent to her sound, a painful snap like a gunshot. Not to deafen Allura, but to make her feel as if it was important. She was asking to be accepted, was she not? Red took everything to heart. The next time she spoke she was soft, softer than she usually was.
( how much do you want to be what you’ve dreamt of? )
Princess is STARTLED by the noise, by the way it aches her suddenly ringing skull. Irritation flares, however briefly, because she is already PAYING ATTENTION. She is already taking every syllable she feels more than hears as IMPORTANT. She is not a child any longer, needing scolding to be reminded that one must give their utmost focus. The annoyance does not fade immediately, but the question the Lion asks is far louder than it, far more important.
HER DREAM ------ ? Her dream, yes. ALWAYS. To be a hero!! To spread strength and goodness and JUSTICE throughout the star systems. HOW MUCH WOULD SHE NOT GIVE FOR THAT DREAM --- ? There is not much. Wealth and comfort, surely, yes. And it is scarcely arrogance; she is driven not for desire for glory but merely by a dedication, innate, to DOING GOOD. She had always seen the Lions as beloved friends, as the surest way to save and protect.
HER DREAM. HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT YOUR DREAM?
“My dream ------ to be a Paladin. You know how much I wanted that.” But that isn’t the answer Red wants --- and truly, it isn’t the one Allura intends to give.
Her hand shifts; long fingers pressing against the field before slowly curling into a fist. SHIRO. They must get him back. They must get him back ------ because she loves him, because she LOVES ALL OF THEM.
MAKESHIFT FAMILY MEANS MORE THAN ANY DREAM.
“I don’t want to be a Paladin to fulfill some child’s dream.” Voice is not angry but there is GRAVITY to it, familiar flames sparking to life inside her eyes. “I want to be a Paladin to SAVE MY FAMILY, and there isn’t ANYTHING I wouldn’t do for that!”
