A Coach with a View

"And you will remember to properly greet the neighboring kingdom's ambassador's party?"

Allura rolled her eyes as Nanny paced about in front of her. One of her two young ladies in waiting putting the final touches on her hair. "Yes, Nanny."

"And you remember your speech for the opening of the school?"

"Yes, yes and yes, Nanny. I'll be fine." Allura looked up to regard herself in a hand mirror. "Oh that looks beautiful." She reached up to clasp the girl's hand. "Thank you." Her eyes taking in her golden locks, loose and tumbling down all around her, a few parts here and there pulled up to frame her face and gleaming crown, with a few yellow blossoms peeking out here and there.

"You look wonderful, Your Highness." The young woman curtsied.

Allura stood, soft volumes of yellow silk flowing with her as she walked in front of her tall mirror to regard herself. She couldn't help but to smile. The bias cut of the fabric allowed it to drape against her skin in a soft caress, clingy but not tight. She took in a deep breath and reveled in the feeling of having no corset restricting her.

One of the young ladies came up behind her adjusting the thin silk straps at her shoulders so they lined up just so, while the second bent down to pull out the hem on the flowing skirt, inspecting it for any wrinkles.

It was then Allura had realized Nanny had stopped her endless line of questioning. She looked over to see Nanny looking at her with tears in her eyes. "Nanny!"

Nanny smiled at her. "Beautiful. Just like your mother." She then snapped back to task. "Come. We mustn't be late!"

Allura laughed. "Nanny, it's still early!"

"It's never too early!" Nanny exclaimed as she went to the bed and lifted up a long hooded cape, its fabric a rich cream crushed velvet and walked behind Allura placing it over her bare shoulders, the length of it cascading down to brush the floor. One young lady came around the front of Allura to pull the hood up very carefully so as not to disturb the artistry of the hair, adjusting it here and there so it sat over her crown and it framed her face just so.

Allura again looked into the mirror, no longer recognizing the woman in it as herself, all she could see now was her mother.

"Hey Cap!" Pidge grinned as he walked up to Keith in the middle of the hanger bay, the bay doors had been opened and the rays of the morning's sun were streaming in as most of the supply wagons already having departed to the picnic.

Keith turned just as Pidge tossed him what looked like a small coin, his automatic reflexes catching it out of the air. He looked at it, turning it in his fingers. "What's this?"

Pidge beamed. "Your little project." He then reached into his own pocket pulling out an identical one. "Tested fully and works like a charm." He grinned with a wink.

Keith laughed and shook his head. He flipped the chip up, caught it and stuffed it into his pocket only then really noticing Pidge's clothing. He was not in his usual grease stained fitted overalls that he lived in, instead he was wearing a long-sleeved dark green tunic, rust pants and soft leather low cut boots. His tactical belt tied around the tunic the only thing making him stand out from the gathering of workers who too were just dressed in everyday clothes. He looked around the room with new eyes only then noticing the only ones in uniform were Allura's elite guard, and they were not in their standard uniform but in full military dress. He then looked down at himself, head to toe in red, white boots gleaming up at him and let out a groan. He had been putting off having to change for as long as he could, not seeing the point of it at all. "Hey Pidge, will you oversee things here for a bit? I think her highness will be a bit miffed if I go in this thing." He tugged on his sleeve.

Pidge laughed. "Oh yeah, she was pretty insistent with me that I don't wear my 'second skin' as she called it. I'll hold down the fort!" He said with a snappy mock salute.

Keith shortly was in his room and stood staring into his closet for the longest time. Damn I guess I hardly ever do wear anything else. There before him hung the visible proof of that. He moved aside the several uniforms hanging there revealing the few other clothes he had that had been pushed aside long ago. He started to laugh as he pulled out a pair of jeans that had been sent from Galaxy Garrison with the rest of his belongings after they had arrived and settled on Arus. He held them up in front of him. What fit him comfortably when they first arrived, now he wouldn't even be able to squeeze a leg into and even if he could the paints would cut off mid shin. He shook his head and laughed at himself, imagining that he in skintight water waders is not what the princess had in mind. He then pulled out the few of his other civilian clothes, all with the same hysterical results. Have I really grown that much in the last five years? I wonder, when was it I last wore civilian clothes? Must have been years ago. Looking at the pile of un-wearable clothes now on his bed there was no arguing it. He has literally been in uniform for years. For a very brief moment Keith considered to go to Lance and see if he could borrow something to wear for the afternoon. But, the thought of the line of questioning that would open up quickly changed his mind.

He then pushed all the clothes the other way to look at his various work out and training attire. Knowing he was going on horseback his eyes were immediately drawn to some of his riding gear that he wore when working with the mounted infantry. Hmm, this just might do. He pulled out his tall boots and a pair of riding pants. He eyed the riding shirt and jacket he had too but that was far too military looking, even to his eyes. Hmmm, Casual casual casual…. Ahhh… he reached up on a shelf yanking down a white tee shirt from a stack of them. Can't get more casual than that.

He got dressed and looked at himself and shrugged, well I guess that will do.

Needing a jacket or sweater he let his eyes wander over the hangers again then grinned seeing the black leather jacket that he had gotten from Sven back in the academy days when he was in a purge mood after he had evolved passed his brooding period. Keith remembered loving it, but it was always too big on him but he couldn't get rid of it as it reminded him too much of Sven's 'blue period' as they used to jokingly call it. … perhaps now. He slid the jacket on and it fit him as if it had been tailored for him, the hem of it just skimming his hipbones, the cuffs long enough to reach just past his wrists.

He eyed himself again, good enough I suppose. He then went to his weapons locker and began gearing up. Going 'casual' was one thing, being unprepared was something entirely different.

He made his way back out to the Hangar bay, smiling and nodding to those who acknowledged him as he passed. When he arrived he saw all was on schedule, the royal coach had been pulled outside and was in the process of getting its horses hitched to it. The royal party was standing off to the side of it, well ahead of their arrival time schedule, just as Coran had anticipated and scheduled around, Keith mused. He wanted to make a b-line for them to see how Allura was, but seeing Nanny hovering around her he quickly pushed that need aside, there would be time for that later.

He instead tapped his com. "Hey Pidge. I'm back. Is everything going alright?"

Pidge's voice came back. "All fine here. Just going over the defense systems with Allura."

"Good good, I'm going to go check in with the guard."

"Alright, Cap."

Keith headed off to meet up with the mounted light infantry who he would be riding with today. They greeted him with welcome arms, back slaps and smiles. He always had a blast training with these guys. The Daredevils on Steeds. If he ever couldn't fly, he would be knocking on their door he was sure. They too were not in uniform, not that they truly needed one anymore. Since the war decimated their ranks a decade ago they tended to prefer civilian garb so they could blend in better as their tactics evolved to a more hit and run style over the years.

The men walked him over to an old friend who he had trained with many times. "Well hello there handsome." Keith smiled as a deep brown but very intense eye quickly turned to regard him. Keith couldn't help but grin as the powerful beast lifted his front feet off the ground, flicked his head high and let out a whinny at recognizing him.

The stallion began stopping at the ground as Keith walked up to him to run his hand along the horse's jet black mane and coat. "Yeah, I missed you too."

Allura rolled her eyes as she listened to Pidge go over the coach's systems yet another time in far more detail than she would ever fathom, let alone need to know.

"The power array is designed with parallel power sources, each driving a defined grouping of system but when needed they can be re-aligned. This allows for redundancies as well as to be able to exponentially increase the energy when needed. So when the main system is engaged it will only draw on the axillary power core, leaving the main power core available for…"

"Pidge!" She finally gave up, he blinking in surprise at her. She smiled at him. "I push the button and it goes vroom?"

He laughed. "Yeah I guess that's about it." He stood back to admire it again, truly one of his favorite projects. While it looked outwardly like the royal regal open air and open sided carriage that it used to be it now held many secrets. The horses, he chuckled, those were now just for show, so were its wheels for that matter. He beamed like a proud parent.

"Where is Jenny Pidge? Isn't she coming?" Allura asked.

Pidge turned to her. "Ahh, she was going to come but with me on coach duty she knew we wouldn't have much time together so she took a shift so that some on her team could come. That and she's in the middle of synthesizing this amazing synthetic fiber that she's really excited about." He grinned. "It can be one eighth the thickness of our standard Kevlar but it has a hundred times the strength." He started weaving his fingers together and lifted them up to show Allura. "Yah see it's all in the molecular structure of the micro fibers. When they lay across one another they…"

"You really like her don't you." Allura interrupted.

Pidge blinked, blushed and then grinned like a fool. "Yeah, yeah I do."

Allura smiled. "I'm so happy for you that you found each other."

"Thanks." Pidge's eyes then glanced over to Nanny who was beginning to look like she was going to explode, he was about to dare to ask her what was wrong when she blew up.

"Ohh what is taking so long, this is inexcusable!" Nanny exclaimed from Allura's side.

"Nanny please." Allura sighed. "We got here a half an hour early. Everything is fine."

Nanny shook her head then started adjusting Allura's cape for the umpteenth time since they got there.

"Nanny! I'm fine, stop fussing. The girls will take care of that."

"Hey Nanny..." Pidge piped in then looked down the line of carriages focusing on Nanny's one as they were packing it. "Did you see how they were loading your baskets? I didn't think you would want the fruit bags on top of the bread like that."

"What!" Nanny's neck craned around to the coaches lined up at the back of the procession. "Allura I hope you don't mind but I must see to this immediately, I will not have crushed bread! I will see you at the picnic." She stormed off in a flurry of skirts.

"How on earth did you see that at this distance?" Allura turned to Pidge amazed.

He grinned at her. "I didn't."

Allura sucked in her lips to hold her breath and when she couldn't hold it in anymore she burst out laughing.

As the cooking staff were now cowering in fear there was only one person left brave enough to help Nanny. Hunk stayed by her, after talking her down he was now making sure all was in proper order for her. He too was in casual fair, not that he was ever one to like a uniform. He had chosen to wear the style that was common to the people of Arus, Simple linen pants and a loose shirt. He had removed everything from the carriage for her then replaced it one bag and basket at a time, under her specific direction. "I believe that is the last of it." Hunk said, brushing his palms.

Nanny looked at the organized load in the carriage appreciatively. Having not trusted her special ingredients to go on the main wagons she was relieved to see them treated with the utmost care. "Thank you Hunk, you are always such a gentlemen."

Just as the words came from Nanny's lips Hunks girl came bounding up to him and wrapped him up in a big hug. "Hey there!" She grinned up at him, pouting her lips for a kiss.

Hunk tried to extricate himself from her arms as smoothly as he could. "Lori, I'm working." He whispered to her.

She frowned, turning away from him like a petulant child only to see Nanny glowering at her. "Young lady, I do not think that kind of behavior in public is appropriate."

She snapped up a bit taller, knowing full well, Nanny was not one to mess with. "Yes Mam." She curtsied.

Hunk looked down at her, hating to see her upset like this. "Hey, do you want me to take you to see the Princess?"

She looked up to Hunk positively beaming. "Really? Oh yes please!"

Hunk smiled. "Well come on." He reached his hand down to take hers. "I'll be right back, Nanny."

Nanny looked stern but then smiled when they were no longer looking at her. So nice to see Hunk with such a beautiful girl. She then turned back climbing into the coach to fuss with her belongs again.

Hunk walked with Lori hand and hand towards the royal coach. "You look beautiful." He eyed her deep blue low cut dress appreciatively.

"Thanks." She grinned back. "You don't look so bad yourself." She gave him a playful shove.

Hunk made his way through the circle of elite guards who nodded to him as he past and walked up to Allura who was talking to Pidge and framed by her two ladies in waiting by the coach. "Hey Princess." Hunk called out to them.

They turned, Pidge unable to hide the goofy grin he always got at seeing Hunk showing any public affection to a woman, and holding hands in public no less, this was huge! "Hey big guy!" He grinned.

Allura turned to greet them and they both gasped at the sight of her.

"Something else, ain't she?" Pidge grinned.

Lori's mouth was open in awe. Then remembering herself she lower her eyes and curtsied deeply. "Your Highness."

"Hello." Allura greeted her with a genuine smile. "Lori isn't it?" Allura had known of her and seen her on occasion, but as the case with many of the castle staff she had never spoken to her one on one before.

Lori stood back up. "Yes, Your Highness."

Allura reached her hand out to the woman and they clasped hands. "Please, call me Allura. If you're dating Hunk then your family."

Lori blushed. "Thank you, Allura." She then smiled. "If I may say you look stunning today, simply stunning."

Allura's eyes twinkled a soft smile on her lips. "Well I had a lot of help." She giggled gesturing to the two young ladies at her side.

Pidge checked the time and nodded to a nearby coachmen. "We better be getting ready to depart." He agilely leapt up into the coach to peek under a panel.

"Alright Pidge." Allura turned to the coach and then turned back. "Lori, would you like to ride with me?"

"Oh would I!" Lori squealed, the excitement on her face transparent for all to see.

Hunk smiled at Allura and mouthed a thank you. He then extended is hand out to Allura and helped her step up into the coach followed by Allura's ladies in waiting.

The ladies quickly arranged Allura's cloak and dress so she could sit down without wrinkling it. Making a few more adjustments to the few strands of hair peeking out from the robe they nodded to the princess and took their leave and Hunk helped them both down. He then extended his hand to Lori and she carefully climbed up into the fine coach as if afraid to touch anything in case it broke.

Pidge looked down from his perch on the front of the coach and grinned at her. "Don't worry she looks fragile but she is tough as steel." He knocked hard on a particularly delicate looking piece of filigree and it echoed back with a ring of metal.

Hunk grinned up to them. "Have fun!" He then walked back down the line towards the carriages.

Allura patted the seat next to her for Lori to sit down on. "Its better to sit on this side facing the way were going, otherwise you can get a little motion sick."

"Thank you, your… I mean, Allura."

Allura giggled again. "I do have to say that is a lovely dress you have on, I love that color."

Pidge rolled his eyes as the two begin talking about fabrics and trims and other fashion topics that didn't interest him in the least. He stood up on the edge of the coach's driver's seat, nimbly balancing there to look along the procession.

He first looked to the rear of the procession, his eyes spying some of the light infantry mounted guard interspersed with the closed passenger coaches and carriages filling with guests and support staff. Directly behind the royal coach were a few lines of the elite mounted guard, looking spit and polish in there full dress uniforms and on their black steeds. He then looked at the coach itself to which was hitched six white draft horses who stomped their large hooves restlessly, ready to get underway, the coachmen skillfully keeping their anxious energy in check. In front of the royal coach were more lines of polished guards, and at the front of them were the rest of the light horse infantry, their nimble horses spinning and slightly rearing ready to go. At the very front was the color guard and flying above them the large standard of the royal house, waving proudly in the soft breeze.

Pidge spied out the captain among the infantry rank at the front and waved to him while at the same time keying his com open. "Were all set back here, Cap."

Keith's voice came in over the com. "We're ready up here and we have the green light from control to get underway." Pidge watched as Keith began to sidestep trot his anxious black horse up and down the ranks. Keith's voice then came in again. "How we doing back there, Hunk?"

"Looks like were almost ready here. Just a few more stragglers to load up." After a few moments his voice then chirped in again. "That's it, were all set. Wagons Ho!" Hunk yelled so loud they could hear him without the com.

Pidge laughed. "Alright you heard the man." He chuckled. "We're underway!" He then jumped down to sit beside the driver sitting at the front of the wagon, his eyes scanning the horizon, always alert.

The coach lurched forward and then was smoothly rolling across the ground. Soon the tone of the horse's hooves changed as they started across the long bridge to the land across the Blue's lake.

The conversation on clothing in the coach faded, Allura softly exhaled relieved that Lori seemed more focused on the spectacular lake view from the carriage than continuing in idle chat and she could be alone in her thoughts. Allura closed her eyes feeling safe knowing he was out there, watching, she dropped her head imagining those warm dream arms around her again. The coach suddenly rocked unnaturally and her eyes snapped opened to the deck of the carriage to see a black leather boot. With another rock of the carriage its mate joined it.

She heard Lori gasp next to her and then manage a breathy. "Hi."

"Hello." A very familiar voice answered but that voice did not match the boots. "Hey Pidge"

Allura's eyes slowly rose following the boots up to just above the knees where they ended and black riding britches began. A large gun was strapped tightly to one thigh. She blinked past his groin to his hips where a low slung tactical belt hugged him with various weapons and pouches attached to it, noticing the cut of his black jacket just brushing over it allowing easy access to it. Her eyes then rolled up the white line of a simple t-shirt peeking out from under open the jacket. And then she looked to his face to see an utterly amused Keith looking back into her totally stunned face. His hair was loose and wild flowing all around him in the breeze.

"Hi." He said to Allura. Suddenly the world shook around them as the Black lion let out an earth shaking roar when they passed under it. The horses lurched at the unexpectedness of it, Keith grabbing a nearby railing to ride it out. The horses soon settled and relaxed back into their rhythm. Keith grinned up to the Black with a laugh. "And hello to you too, my friend." He then looked down to Allura who was sill staring at him in utter shock. "What?" He looked himself over. "Is this not okay?"

"Its…" she jumped up out of her seat losing all sense of propriety and hugged him so fast he had no time to think on how to react. "It's perfect!" Then as if remembering who she was supposed to be today she slowly slid off him and back into her seat, Pidge starting to giggle at her from his perch.

Laughing Keith sat down onto the seat across from them and took in Allura for a moment, after a few breaths he met her eyes. "You look beautiful, Princess." He smiled but it faded "I would have come up to talk to you earlier but Nanny was hovering over you so much I didn't dare. We had a bit of a… disagreement this morning." His eyes then as if just remembering Allura wasn't alone in the carriage blinked and glanced over to Lori. "Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean to be rude, I'm Keith. Your Hunk's girl, right?"

"Oh I know who you are" She coyly smiled at him adjusting her posture to showcase her ample assets to their fullest potential. "I'm Lori." She winked at him as she made no attempt to hide her eyeing appreciation of his physique.

"Nice to finally meet you." Keith politely smiled oblivious to her overt flirting and turned back to Allura. "Anyway, I didn't want you to think I was ignoring you."

Luckily for Lori Allura's eyes were focused on Keith as well, and she didn't see the other woman's obvious and continued attempts to catch his eye. "Why would I think that?" Allura asked.

Keith looked like he was about to explain but then thought better of it. "We can talk about it later." He then stood up, his legs automatically flexing to absorb the rolling of the coach. "So this is okay?" He looked again unsure to his clothes.

Allura laughed, "It's perfect, really. You know, I did wonder where you were. I was looking but couldn't see you anywhere." She grinned eyeing him up and down. "Well now I know why I didn't see you, I could have been looking right at you and not realized it was you!" She giggled.

"And that's a good thing right?" He smirked.

Allura just laughed at him as he then stepped to the side of the coach and leapt off it landing astride a jet black horse that had been obediently trotting alongside them.

"I'll see you when we get there. Enjoy your coach ride. It's a beautiful clear day and the view is amazing." He grabbed up the reins and the horse leapt forward.

"Oh I'll say it is." Lori said aloud without seeming to realize it as her leering eyes watched him ride away.

Allura seeming not to have heard Lori's comment just watched him go, a smile etched on her face that was not leaving any time soon.

Pidge from is high perch had seen the whole exchange, his jaw muscles flexed in his building anxiety. He was going to have to talk to Hunk.