How [blank] are you lance?

How [Charismatic] Are You, Lance?

Allura's POV:

The grand hall was filled with the dull roar of mingling voices as our Voltron coalition greeted the delegation of diplomats from the Perdyxis system. I surveyed the crowd with a critical eye, ensuring each of my paladins was on their best behavior.

Shiro made the rounds with his usual poise and stately presence, engaging the ambassadors in polite but frank conversation. Hunk enthusiastically complimented the decadent spread of alien delicacies, readily accepting each new bite with an appreciative groan. Even Keith managed reasonable cordiality for once, sticking by Shiro's side.

And there was Lance, holding court at the center of it all.  

He had a small cluster of the Perdyxian diplomats completely enraptured, their translator droids whirring furiously to keep up with his rapid-fire words and dramatic gestures. Lance's face was alight with animation, head thrown back in rich peals of laughter one moment, leaning in conspiratorially the next with a roguish grin.

One of the amphibious diplomats actually batted what passed for its eyelashes at Lance, its bulbous eyes glazing over in apparent infatuation. Another seemed to be doubled over wheezing, whether in mirth or distress I couldn't tell. 

I frowned slightly, puzzled by whatever outrageous tale or quip Lance was regaling them with. He didn't seem to be following any sort of briefed talking points or approved diplomatic script. Just letting his charismatic personality lead the show through sheer force of personable charm.

As I watched, the cluster around Lance steadily grew, more and more diplomats gravitating toward his magnetic energy like planets caught in a sun's orbit. He welcomed each new person into the fold with a blindingly charming smile and friendly nudge of the elbow.

This...this was quite impressive, I had to admit. Lance's ability to command a crowd's loyalty and rapport through the sheer force of his personality alone. I'd underestimated his talents as a charismatic speaker and persuasive presence. 

My eyes narrowed thoughtfully as one of the amphibious aliens leaned over to plant an unmistakable smooch right on Lance's cheek. He didn't so much as blink, just tossed his head back with resonant laughter as if receiving random alien kisses was a perfectly normal occurrence.

Finally, I decided I'd witnessed enough of this bizarre display. Straightening my shoulders, I crossed the room with regal strides to insert myself into Lance's animated inner circle.

"Lance," I said, managing to cut through his boisterous words. "A word, if you please?" 

He broke off with an easy grin, politely excusing himself from his riveted audience with a casual wink before turning to face me fully.

"What's up, princess? This isn't about the whole 'receiving diplomatic smooches' things is it?" He jerked a thumb back over his shoulder with a teasing smirk. "Because as the paladin ambassador of love and awesomeness, it's kinda my job to accept that stuff."

"Don't flatter yourself," I said dryly, though my lips twitched with reluctant amusement. "I simply wanted to know...how did you do that?"

"Do what?" Lance blinked in confusion. 

I waved a hand at the smitten gaggle of diplomats watching him with worshipful eyes. "That whole...performance. That ability to immediately command everyone's undivided attention and affection like a -" I grasped for the human word, "...like a celebrity, I suppose?"

"Oh that?" A cavalier grin split his face. "That's just me being charismatic, I guess."

"Yes, I surmised as much," I said, arching an eyebrow. "My question is...how charismatic are you, exactly? That looked like more than simply being friendly or telling a few jokes. You had them utterly enthralled, hanging on your every word and gesture."