Keith climbed through his bedroom window and yanked off his shirt. A loud schrk sound let him know that if the shirt had been salvageable before, it wasn't now. He scurried about the room. Talias had said supper was at 6 pm sharp and he did not want to be late. He jumped when he caught a glimpse of his reflection. He tentatively touched the bruises on his neck and sucked in a breath through his teeth. He shouldn't have let Lotor get so carried away. The marks would likely be gone in time for the gala with treatment, but it was surviving the next few hours that worried him.

He searched through the cabinet for his wound care gel and dabbed it on his exaggerated hickeys. The cool creme stung before absorbing. Keith clenched a fist on the water basin and bit his lip until the pain disappeared. The angry red took on a healthier pink tone and he put the ointment back in the first aid kit. The three paneled mirror caught him and he cursed in exasperation and turned to better see the hickeys on his shoulder blades and ribs. "I don't have time for this," he mumbled as he pulled a new shirt over his head on his way out the door.

He nearly ran into Kolivan who caught his arms. "Keith? I didn't hear you enter."

"Really? Your ninja stealth must be rubbing off on me," Keith joked.

Kolivan stared hard at him and Keith tried not to betray pain as Kolivan's hand gripped a bruise. "Krolia sent me to fetch you. Apparently I'm forbidden from speaking to the prince alone for the time being."

Keith bit his tongue to keep himself from taking the bait. He said instead, "Talias is cooking tonight. I hear she's a good chef."

"Compared to what you're used to, she is a master."

"Hey! Hunk will be offended when he hears you said that."

Kolivan smirked and put an arm around Keith's shoulders. "I'm just saying she's honed her craft over more than an earthling's lifetime, but there are still better chefs in the empire."

"Like Krolia," Keith jabbed.

Kolivan sputtered then pulled Keith to his chest in a loose head lock. "Tell me what you know," Kolivan falsely demanded.

Keith laughed and halfheartedly struggled. "Only that you luuurrrve her! You want to do gross things like kissing and cuddling with her!"

Kolivan flipped Keith, catching his weight so he didn't get hurt, and pinned him on the ground. "Oh? I do, do I?"

Keith grinned and pushed Kolivan's arm away. "Kolivan loves Krolia! Kolivan, gah!" His teasing devolved into uncontrollable laughter as Kolivan mercilessly tickled him.

Kolivan barked a laugh. "Take it back!"

"Ne- haha- Never! I-" He curled up, but it was no use. "Alright, alright, I- ahaha, I yield!"

Kolivan ceased his attack and let Keith up. He ruffled Keith's hair and admitted, "It's a good thing you're my favorite, or I'd never let you get away with that."

"Aw," Keith said as he fixed his hair, "I love you too, Kolivan."

Kolivan pulled Keith into his side and sat against the wall. His deep chuckle made Keith's chest rumble and he said, "I know, kit, and I think you should bond to Krolia as well. You are not wrong that I harbor feelings for her."

"Is that why you were so adamant about extracting me?"

Kolivan answered, "In part. Talias has kept you in the dark about certain things that directly affect you. She will try to prevent us from telling you. In fact, she already has."

"She'll say the same about you," Keith considered. "How come you never told me about my mother? Talias... she told me you used to wield my knife back when you were friends. She was... surprised, to say the least, when she learned it was mine."

Kolivan groaned and settled back against the wall. He was still as a cat, but Keith knew to let him speak on his own terms. At last, he explained, "The woman who left that blade for you returned from a mission before going undercover. I honestly didn't know it was no longer in her possession at the time. So, when this strange kit flew into my base with my agent's weapon strapped to his hip, I immediately feared she had been compromised without my knowledge. She... never told me she had a son."

"No wonder you attacked me."

Kolivan sighed and wrapped an arm around Keith's chest. He did that increasingly more often. It wasn't restrictive or oppressing, but secure. It calmed Keith down and made him feel sheltered. Kolivan squeezed and said, "Your mother gave up everything to keep you safe. She gladly suffered so you wouldn't get tangled in our war." Kolivan ground his teeth and slammed the back of his head into the wall. "I failed to honor her wishes. I never should have put you through the trials. When I realized my mistake, I thought I could still protect you. That's why I never sent you on high risk missions."

When Kolivan finished, Keith closed his eyes and put his forehead to Kolivan's rapidly rising chest. After a few minutes, Kolivan relaxed and Keith soothed, "I don't blame you... or her for my involvement or anything that's happened because of it. I asked too many questions. I think... I was always going to fight. I," Keith paused and sighed, "would have fought in the empire's coliseum if fate hadn't played me. I was meant to be on the Kerberos mission as Shiro's copilot, but I got really sick. Mono," he said as if Kolivan should know about human illnesses, "though the doctors never seemed content with the diagnosis. Sorry... I'm babbling."

"I do not mind, boy. You are learning to open your heart to others. I am honored you chose me."

Keith heard the clock begin to ring. They should be on their way to the dining room, but he didn't want the moment to pass. Keith asked instead, "My mother... does she know what I've been doing?"

A pulsing rumble became a low cynical laugh. "Yes. With the empire struggling to hold itself together following the Kral Zera, I recalled many of my agents from less stable outposts. She was furious with me, but she is very proud of the man you're becoming. You have the opportunity to see her, if you wish."

"I think I should meet her. At least to thank her." Keith waited for Kolivan to interrupt, but he remained silent and stoic. "Without her knife, I wouldn't have learned I was galra. You never would have accepted me."

A small shiver passed through the arms circling Keith, and the assassin pressed his forehead to Keith's hair... the way a galra father consoled his child. Keith's breath caught as the archivist's words vividly replayed in his head. Suddenly it didn't seem all that important to go to supper.

Soft footsteps approached. Krolia rounded the corner and stopped in her tracks when she saw them. Keith met her eyes. He knew the emotions he was struggling to get under control were clear as day. Krolia blushed and covered her mouth in surprise. She looked over her shoulder and back at them. Her fight or flight response battled behind her dark eyes.

Kolivan murmured, "I can smell you, Krolia," and opened his eyes. "Did Talias send you to find us?"

"I don't think my sister would particularly mind if you or I didn't make an appearance," Krolia replied above crossed arms, "but yes. I'm sorry to interrupt."

Keith regretfully moved to stand. Kolivan was up in one fluid motion and placed a hand on Keith's head. "We said what we needed to."

Keith smiled and ducked out of Kolivan's hold. "What do you think of the house, Krolia?"

Krolia raised an eyebrow and glanced at Kolivan before answering, "I don't think I'll get used to it. We cannot stay long after the gala."

Keith beamed. "So you've decided to attend?"

Kolivan mentioned, "I didn't think that was ever in question."

Krolia said to Kolivan in a stage whisper, "Is he always this enthusiastic?"

Kolivan replied in kind, "Remind me to tell you about any mission where I told him we were going to directly defy the empire. One time, he-"

"We should go to supper!" Keith loudly suggested.

Krolia and Kolivan laughed. It made Keith flush brighter. Kolivan never laughed enough. Even if it was at his expense, Keith was happy to see him smile. Krolia covered her mouth to stifle a giggle and nodded. "Alright, kit. You've staved off your fate... for now."

Keith groaned at her teasing. The walk was pleasant. He had forgotten how much he enjoyed Kolivan's company and Krolia was a welcome addition. There was something so natural about their relationship. Kolivan might not directly admit it, but it was obvious they had been courting a very long time. Keith wondered if that was how Talias and Marikus were before he took the role of Archivist.

The long table in the dining hall had been swapped in favor of a round one. Five places had been set around the first course. Talias was pacing and shot Kolivan a look down her nose. "Finally. I was beginning to wonder if you got lost."

Keith was about to apologize, but Kolivan beat him to it saying, "The delay was my fault. I hope the soup did not go cold."

Talias arched a brow and replied tersely, "Fortunately, that is not yet the case. Let us begin."

Lotor pushed off the wall and unfolded his arms. His gaze slowly appraised Keith's new high collared look. His eyes lingered an extra beat on Keith's lips and his smug, knowing look made Keith glance away to hide a blush and small smile. Then Kolivan cleared his throat and Keith saw Lotor trip up. Covering his movement, Lotor pulled out a chair and offered, "Talias?"

Keith sat on her other side. Lotor moved as though to sit by Keith, but Kolivan took the chair before he could. Krolia sat beside her fellow assassin, leaving Lotor to fill the gap between his aunts. The dark prince swallowed and flashed Keith a desperate glance.

Keith sipped his beverage and reached out to brush Lotor's calf with the side of his foot under the table. Lotor barely blushed. One could suspect it was caused by the room's temperature, but Keith grinned around the rim of his cup.

Talias spread the cloth napkin over her lap and asked, "Do you still retain mother's etiquette lessons, sister?"

"It takes more than two decades among barbarians for me to forget that, Talias, dear," Krolia retorted.

Keith might have laughed if he hadn't been distracted trying to remember his own etiquette lessons. His dad had tried to teach him when he was homeschooled, but that was more than half his lifetime ago. The only thing he'd cared about at that age had been his lessons at the dojo.

Kolivan rescued him by picking up a purposefully odd looking spoon and eating. His eyes didn't betray how the soup tasted. Keith hadn't found anything to dislike about galra cuisine, but there was a first for everything. He filled the bowl of the spoon and lifted it to his lips. A heavy aroma hit him moments before his taste buds distinguished the sweet yet tangy flavor of the bisque. An involuntary, "mmmm," escaped him.

Krolia giggled and Kolivan smirked into his soup. Lotor asked, "That good?"

Keith, in the middle of another slurp, nodded with the spoon in his mouth. Talias dabbed at her smiling mouth and said, "I'm glad you enjoy it, sweet boy."

Within a few minutes, the first course was cleared. Keith longingly watched the server carry away his bowl. Talias pinched his cheek. "Don't look so glum. The next course is on its way."

"But... I was still eating that."

Lotor steepled his fingers beneath his chin. "If you consume every dish in full, you'll never make it to dessert."

"I believe," Krolia reasoned, "Keith is referring to the human adage, 'waste now.' Don't worry. The leftovers will not spoil."

Further conversation was stalled by the arrival of more food. The platter was filled with bite sized morsels. Keith again followed Kolivan's lead, but apparently this was finger food. They ate casually choosing and suggesting by preference. Each was different. It reminded Keith of the time Shiro had convinced him and Matt to try sushi.

All too soon, that too disappeared and a vegetable salad with a sauce vaguely reminiscent of a vinaigrette was placed before each of them. Keith thanked the server. They backed away in surprise and continued their task. When they had retreated to the kitchen, Keith noticed the others watching him curiously. Only Krolia seemed to accept his behavior as normal. Keith shrugged, "What?"

Krolia used a small fork to push around her food and explained, "Open appreciation is not common between the classes of galra."

"I was just trying to be polite."

"I know, child. The way we say please and thank you is indirect and subtle compared to what you're used to," Krolia continued.

Keith chewed obstinately and looked sideways at her. "How do you know so much about Earth culture?"

Krolia froze with her fork partway to her mouth. The vegetable fell with a wet splat. She quickly put her fork down and wiped at her mouth. Clearing her throat, she stammered, "Uh, well, I-" She looked to her sister and then Kolivan.

Kolivan rescued, "We all learned about the land you grew up in. It is only fair since you are studying our ways."

Lotor daintily swallowed and blithely said, "Why wasn't I invited to these sessions?"

Keith swallowed less gracefully and added, "So, ah... how much did you guys study about Texas?"

The conversation then became a lecture as everyone questioned Keith about his home world. Krolia was less involved. She focused on her salad which she ate with increasingly less enthusiasm. Soon the main course replaced the salad. Keith was distracted by the rich meat scent wafting on the steam that he almost missed Lotor ask, "How long have you been within the central circuit of the empire, Krolia?"

Krolia paused eating to answer, "I returned soon after the Kral Zera. I learned of Ranveig's demise when the base was attacked by General Trug. Kolivan arrived earlier the same day and we were in the middle of destroying an unauthorized weapon."

"Krolia," Kolivan cautioned.

"What? If Lotor is to lead the empire, he needs to be aware of the threats posed," Krolia countered.

Talias pursed her lips and further suggested, "Perhaps the dinner table is not the best spot to-"

"Why not?" Krolia firmly objected.

Keith folded his hands at the edge of the table. "I would like to know as well, Krolia. I've been out of the loop about what the blades have been up to."

Kolivan suggested, "Then perhaps you should fill in the blanks in our knowledge. The warlord's base was a complete loss. Apart from extracting Krolia." He flashed a warm smile to her and she half smiled in return.

Keith met Lotor's eyes. "I'll start?"

"Of course."

Then Keith spoke of what he'd been up to within the hub. Lotor filled in the blanks and Kolivan and Krolia asked many questions. By the time they were finished, their food was nearly forgotten. Talias was mostly silent. Keith could tell she was judging the assassins' reactions.

Dessert came, a kind of fruity custard, which Keith devoured as though he hadn't already eaten three days worth of food in one sitting. The clock tolled, and Keith jumped. Three hours had passed? Lotor stretched his arms over his head and asked, "Well, Keith, how does my aunt's cooking fare?"

Keith moaned and slid down in his seat. "I don't think I've ever eaten food so good. The only problem is, I had wanted to go through the footwork for the gala, but now I can't."

"Then perhaps you should head to bed, sweet boy," Talias motioned. "You too, Lotor. You have a busy morning ahead of you."

Keith yawned. "That's right, you were going to look into the preparations of the meadow."

"Not to mention plan the hunt." Lotor proudly lifted his chin. "Keith has decided to participate in the Roen Stag hunt. He will be representing me and Talias."

Krolia tipped her head at Keith. "That's funny, because I thought I was going to represent the family."

"You hunt?" Keith jibed.

Krolia folded her arms and smugly grinned. "I've been known to. In fact, I've come out champion of the stag hunt more often than not."

"Then I look forward to riding with you, princess."

Kolivan choked on his drink and started coughing. Lotor quickly stood up and claimed Keith's hand. "And on that note, we bid you all goodnight."