Arus, Love, and Peace
Chapter 11: Getting Close
Disclaimer: I don't own Voltron, it's the property of World Events Production. I do own Granny Wills, Diana, Lawrence, and Ornal—they're my original characters.
"Good morning, everybody," Diana said as she walked into Castle Control early the next morning. Her cheerful greeting broke the concentration of the center, including Lance's. After a few seconds, the crew recovered and greeted Diana in kind. While the crew was returning the greeting, Lance looked away from the screen and watched Diana as she made her way to the main console where he was sitting. Diana decided to wear a pair of black slacks and a short-sleeved purple blouse in addition to her walking boot and a purple flat. Diana's hair was still styled in her individual braids, but they were twisted together in a low bun. In Lance's eyes, she was a beautiful, remarkable sight after watching monitors and logging in guards all night long. When she arrived, Lance blew a soft whistle before smiling. Diana blushed as she heard the whistle and tried to hide it. "Stop that and behave. We still have an audience." Diana said in response as she went to grab a chair to sit next to Lance.
"I can't help it. You look so sexy in the early mornings." Lance said as Diana came close again. "I really can't wait to see you in your workout clothes again." Lance finished when Diana was next to him.
"You rogue." Diana replied, chuckling before looking at the monitors and the crew again.
"No, I'm your rogue." Lance replied, looking at his monitor to focus on the Davi-Smythe area. "That's interesting." Diana looked up from her screen and over to Lance's screen as he scanned the Davi-Smythe area. "I thought I saw something, but there's no sign of anything."
"Interesting indeed," Diana replied, trying different frequencies to see if there were any extraordinary events going on that they can't detect visually. "I'm not getting anything on our other scanners either. I guess that's one thing that Uncle Coran is going to have to focus on. He's relieving you in about 30 minutes."
"Since you're not relieving me, why are you here?" Lance asked.
"I couldn't go back to sleep, so I decided to have an early start to my morning." Diana replied. "It's also too early to speak with the pilot we found yesterday, so I came here."
"Translation: You wanted to see me." Lance whispered in Diana's ear, firing her senses in a fury. Diana shook her head, smiling her response. Lance personally made sure that the Control guards changed shifts successfully while Diana continued to focus on the monitors at the main console when Keith and Coran arrived at the same time.
"Good morning, everybody." Coran and Keith said at the same time in greeting. The crews saluted both new arrivals before focusing on their individual tasks before them. Coran and Keith walked to the main console to where Lance and Diana were standing.
"Why are you up so early this morning Diana?" Coran asked Diana, noticing that Diana and Lance put aside their differences and made up as friends. "And why are you in here as well?"
"I woke-up extra early this morning, Uncle Coran. Since I couldn't go back to sleep, I decided to come down to Control to have an early start." Diana said, standing up from her seat next to Lance. "I also wanted permission to speak with the pilot from last night. So, I also decided to wait in here." Coran nodded his approval at her response and Keith gave her the ultimate permission to interview the pilot in Med-Wing. Diana stepped away from the main console and stopped at the door.
"Have a great morning everybody!" Diana called out to the staff in general as she opened the door to leave. Lance hid his disappointment at Diana leaving and focused on telling Coran everything he needed to know for the next shift at Control.
"Last night was relatively quiet since our fight. About 30 minutes ago, I thought I noticed something in the Davi-Smythe area. I scanned the area several times and since Diana was here, she went through all other scanners to confirm if there was any extraordinary activity there. Everything came up blank, but I would pay strict attention to that area." Lance briefed Coran. "Everybody is present for their shift and that's about everything."
"Thank you, Lance. It seems that whatever happened between you and my niece was resolved last night?" Coran asked, hoping that Lance would disclose more facts.
"Yes, we were able to resolve our private disagreement last night after the fight." Lance replied, skimming over the details. Lance gave Coran the seat to the main console and left the platform as Hunk, Pidge, and Allura arrived for early lion practice. After assuring his teammates that he was fine and fit to fly, they went down the chutes. While the pilots were starting their practice, Diana was making her way to the Med-Wing.
Once at the Med-Wing, Diana greeted the nurses and Dr. Gorma before asking about the pilot. "He's actually awake right now, Diana. He's in a better shape than the other pilot initially was. You're welcome to interview him as you need."
"Thank you, Dr. Gorma. I'll interview him right now and I'll share some of the details with you afterward." Diana said as she left the Nurses' station and made her way to the pilot's room at the end of the patient hallway. Taking a deep breath, Diana entered the room and smiled at the man resting on the bed. "Good morning, I'm Diana Smythe-Williams. And you are?"
"Good morning, my Lady. My name is Ornal Hale." The pilot introduced himself, smiling back at Diana. "I wish that we met under better circumstances." At first glance, Diana guessed that Ornal is about 6'2" and weighed about 200 pounds. Ornal also appeared to be in his early twenties. Ornal had lightly tanned skin, black hair, and green eyes. Consequently, Diana could tell that Ornal spent a lot of time in training since his muscular frame was identical to Keith's.
"It's ok, Ornal," Diana replied. "I definitely understand. I just left the Medical Wing here a few days ago myself." Diana told Ornal about the last fight with the prototype machine and how she ended up breaking her ribs and her leg. Diana also shared that since she specializes in Public Health, she enjoys hospitals and clinics-but not as a patient. Ornal laughed with her.
"And your leg now?"
"Almost good as new." Diana replied, still smiling. "How are you feeling today?"
"I had better days and I hope to have better days again." Ornal replied.
"Do you mind if we have a brief interview? I want to know how you're during mentally, as well as see if I can find clues to how you came into this situation. I'll only share the answers with our leadership team here as well as Dr. Gorma—so it's only a handful of people."
"That's fine, my Lady. I'm not sure if I'm able to help you, but I'll do my best." Ornal replied.
"That's all I ask, Ornal," Diana replied, taking out her datapad. "So, let's start with a brief background. Can you tell me about your childhood?" Diana asked, taking notes as Ornal told her about his home life. Ornal led a childhood similar to Diana, so she was able to relate to him. Ornal's father was a microbiologist that specialized in proteins and protein-folding while his mother taught mechanical engineering courses at a local college. His parents divorced when he was 13 and he split time between both homes before his father passed when he was 15. Ornal also shared that he was the oldest out of three siblings. The next thing Diana asked Ornal about was skills. After learning that he could fly planes as well as navigate his way around the planet, Diana was thrilled. Diana then asked some questions and gave him one of the psychological exams she liked to use when she was profiling him. An hour later, Diana was done and grateful for Ornal's willingness to help.
"Thank you, Ornal. I have everything I need from you. You seem to be fine outside a few external influences you can't control." Diana said, raising up from her seat. "Just focus on your healing now. Since you were a skillful pilot, I think we'll be able to take advantage of that background in the future."
"Thank you, my Lady," Ornal said in closing. Diana smiled her response before leaving the room. She made a stop at Dr. Gorma's office and shared some of the details with him. Diana then continued to her office to compare notes between both pilots they recovered. For the next couple of hours, Diana focused both statements noting the similarities and differences. She started to form a temporary profile for them to use for the next pilot—if there was a next pilot. Diana made a database, using several attributes so she could have the information presented in a different way. Diana thought she could see a pattern, but now it was more unconfirmed hunches. She hated hunches and would rather have concrete details. Sighing, Diana closed her eyes for a moment as her stomach was protesting the fact that she was skipping breakfast this morning. This is too much work on an empty stomach. Maybe I should go down to the kitchen and see if I can get Nanny to give me a few protein bars.
Diana's door suddenly opened, and the scent of food opened Diana's eyes. She was surprised to see Lance in her office with a tray of hot food enough for two people. "Lance!"
"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." Lance said. "And I'm still running to be the most important guy in your life." Lance placed the tray down on Diana's desk, allowing her to view Lance wearing blue lounge pants and matching t-shirt that highlighted his slim muscular frame as he closed the door.
"And giving me the best view ever," Diana said as she pushed her datapad to the side. Lance turned in surprise. Did she really admit that she was checking him out aloud? Diana chuckled as she noticed that Lance was speechless. "Lance, speechless? Wow, I didn't think that could happen." Diana teased him as she lifted the tray cover and smiled to see the breakfast that Nanny prepared for them. On the tray, there were egg whites with spinach and cheese mixed in with a side of turkey bacon. Nanny also added several pieces of wheat toast and apple jelly.
"Diana, you have no idea how often you keep me speechless." Lance replied, winking at her as he sat in the chair across from her at the desk. "Breakfast of Aces." Lance said.
"Along with milk and juice." Diana finished, as she poured a glass of juice and a glass of milk for them both. During breakfast, Lance shared how lion practice fared as Diana shared general observations about Ornal this morning. "I just hate how Birchen is using these people." Diana finished, as she closed her eyes for a few moments. Diana placed all the items back on the tray and covered it. "We have to stop him." Diana added before one of the kitchen staff members knocked on Diana's door to retrieve their breakfast tray. Lance and Diana thanked the kitchen staff member together as Lance gave her the tray and asked to send their gratefulness to Nanny. Once the tray left, Diana and Lance were alone in her office again with the door closed.
The next thing they knew, it seemed like they were having a yawning contest. "Really, Diana? You slept overnight." Lance said, as he sat on Diana's couch after the third set of yawns.
"You made me do it Lance. You know that yawns are contagious." Diana replied before Lance chuckled with his eyes closed. "And now you're making me close my eyes as well, Lance."
"I can't make you close your eyes." Lance said from the couch, sleepily. "I'm not kissing you like crazy." Lance decided that if she yawned again, he's going to ask Diana to nap with him on the couch. Diana yawned again from her chair behind the desk. "Diana, do you have anything on your schedule today?"
"Not until this afternoon." Diana replied, yawning again. She looked at Lance sitting on her couch, trying not to fall asleep himself. "What about you?" The idea of him and her taking a nap together was so tempting. It was a very tempting thought that she was fighting. In fact, it was a losing battle—if Lance asked her to take a nap with him right now, she would accept the invitation.
"Nothing until my shift later tonight." Lance replied, half yawning. He opened his eyes and Diana was breathless at the invitation in his eyes. "Why are you still sitting there at your desk? You know you want to come over here and nap with me."
"You know what? I can't stand you." Diana said, getting up from her desk with another yawn and was struggling to keep her eyes opened.
"Whatever. You love how I make you feel." Lance said, yawning while struggling to keep his eyes open. When Diana sat on Lance's lap, she rotated her body around, so that her legs would be propped up on the leg of the couch. Then Diana slightly slid her body down slightly before staying still. "Comfy?" Lance asked as he kept his eyes closed.
"Yes." Diana yawned in response, surprised by how comfortable she felt in Lance's arms on the couch.
"I finally got one of my wishes. You're sleeping in my arms." Lance said, kissing Diana on her forehead. Diana in response sighed and was fast asleep. Lance finally fell asleep himself a few minutes later, enjoying the feel of a napping Diana against his body. Minutes later, Allura knocked on the door to ask Diana a question—but stopped when she heard two different snores coming from behind the door. Shaking her head, Allura went back to her office before requesting that nobody disturb Diana at her office for the next couple of hours—no need for certain people to interrupt the couple's naptime.
Lance woke-up from his nap first and enjoyed the sight of Diana in his arms, napping still. Diana's eyes were closed, her lashes lightly touched her cheeks. He also enjoyed the way her soft body felt against his body. Lance had an arm around Diana's shoulders and the other arm was around Diana's waist—which was leaning against his thighs. After a few moments of watching Diana nap, Diana finally woke-up. "I also wake-up to having another of my wishes." Lance managed to say a few moments later, smiling both physically and mentally.
"What's that?"
"To wake up with you in my arms." Lance said, smiling. "I didn't think that it would happen here in your office for the first time." Diana smiled back, as she moved her body back to a sitting position in Lance's lap. She then stood up and stretched her body, before walking back to her desk.
"Thank you for bring me breakfast earlier." Diana said as she sat at her desk. "And napping with me. I feel so refreshed!"
"I feel refreshed as well." Lance said, as he stood up before stretching his body. "I meant to talk to you about a few things, but we ended up napping."
"Ok. What did you want to talk about?" Diana asked as Lance sat across from her again at the desk.
"I'm not sure if Keith had the chance to share some of his plans for the future with you yet." Diana shook her head no. "Besides having Lawrence's troops stationed her permanently somewhere in Arus, he wanted to start an Arus Air Force of sorts."
"That's great! If we can restart that, it'll be easier to have Arusians defend their planet." Diana stated. "With Voltron back, they have confidence to defend again."
"That's the idea." Lance said. "Keith wants the Arus Air Force to be under control of the Arusian crown, similar to what Pollux have on their planet. Keith wants to recruit pilots from across Arus and have them initially based here at the Castle. We can open other bases afterwards." Diana nodded her understanding so far.
"So, what's phase one of this strategy?" Diana asked.
"He wants me to recruit and train these pilots personally." Lance said. "He also wants you to help me recruit and train the pilots since we work so well as a team."
"I have a lot on my plate, already with the Public Health projects as well as my studies." Diana stated.
"That's what I told Keith." Lance said. "Out of everyone else here, you're the best and only person I would really consider helping me. We'll be travelling, but it'll work with your current projects."
"You have a point there. I would love to officially work with you as a team." Diana replied, thinking. "And I can also see how this can weave into my personal projects."
"So, you'll work with me?" Lance asked.
"Yes." Diana replied. "I think I may already have a candidate for you."
"By any chance would that be Ornal?" Lance asked. Diana nodded her answer. "I'll talk to him personally and see where that goes. He does seem to have some skill. We have one more thing to talk about."
"What's that?"
"Your knighting ceremony." Lance stated. "You know we're going to have your knighting ceremony when you return from Smythe House."
"That'll be the perfect time. My leg is pretty much healed at this point and it'll be before Granny Wills returns to Earth." Diana answered. "Why are we talking about it?"
"You know that Coran and Nanny is going to want to have a ball afterwards." Lance said.
"That's what I don't need right now. My leg is basically healed…but that'll be asking too much for me."
"I thought so, beautiful. So, my idea is to compromise to see if we can get away with a reception, instead. I wanted to run the idea by you first."
"That's perfect! I can have the intimate party I like, and Uncle Coran and Nanny can have the social event they like." Diana said, smiling. "Aren't you so mindful?"
"It's all part of the Lance McClain package." Lance said smiling, standing up. "That's all I have for right now."
"Thanks for everything, Lance." Diana said, smiling as she grabbed her datapad and started to work on her projects.
"I aim to please my lady at all times." Lance said, as he opened the door to the hallway. "I'll see you later."
"Later." Diana said, looking up from her datapad and gave Lance her largest smile possible. They blew a kiss to each other before Lance left her office and went down the hallway. When Lance made it to his room, he had the biggest smile on his face. He's having the best day of his life so far. And later, after dinner, the best day turned into the best night when Lance and Diana spent a couple of hours on the roof looking at the stars and just enjoying general conversation about life in Arus. Diana shared with Lance all the Arusian constellations, how a person could navigate from one spot in Arus to another, just using certain stars in certain angles. Lance shared how he grew up in the country and used to love looking at the stars with his parents and how the idea of exploring space was so attractive. Diana shared that the Smythe House started as a ranch before eventually focusing on other forms of income, including scientific discovery by the time she was born. Diana said that she wouldn't mind turning part of the land around Smythe House for farming again. Lance remarked that he would love to work on that with her personally. Diana smiled as Lance remarked that he would do anything to keep her on Arus longer. As they parted for the night, they made plans for breakfast at the courtyard gazebo after lion practice.
After lion practice the next morning, Lance took a shower and changed into black jeans and blue shirt before making his way towards the kitchen. When he made it to the kitchen, he was surprised to find Keith also waiting at the kitchen for a basket. "Keith, what are you doing here?"
"I could be asking you the same thing, Lance." Keith replied. "I'm waiting on a basket, so I can enjoy breakfast with Allura at the courtyard gazebo."
"I was going to do the same thing." Lance replied. "Diana's going to Smythe House for a few days and I wanted to enjoy breakfast with her at the gazebo. I don't suppose you want to move to another spot, would you?"
"No. How about you?"
"No way." Lance said. "I guess I we could make it a couples' breakfast then." And as soon as Lance finished saying those words, Nanny came out with a large picnic basket.
"Here's the breakfast. Since you two are going to the same place, I combined your baskets together. You'll find waffles with fresh fruit, orange juice, and eggs with spinach and cheese. Enjoy your meal and don't forget to return the basket."
"Thanks, Nanny." Lance and Keith said as Keith took the basket. They walked towards the gazebo and shared some ideas for Diana's knighting ceremony. When they arrived at the gazebo, Lance was speechless when he saw Diana sitting on the bench with Allura. Diana was wearing a form-fitting, blue calf-length short-sleeved v-neck dress with wide white hems along the sleeves and bottom of the dress. Diana's braided hair was left down, and it cascaded down to Diana's mid-black. Diana also used a light pink gloss on her lips as well. Allura was wearing her usual pink jumpsuit and white boots as well as her small white circlet, with her hair pinned up, providing another glimpse of contrasts between the two friends. When Diana turned and looked at Lance, he lost his breath. Diana's eyes were sparkling, and it appeared that she lost her breath as well. Diana left the gazebo as Keith walked towards it. When Diana was by Lance's side she couldn't help but admire his facial features and how his eyes seem to light up when she was near. Lance was admiring Diana's eyes as well and a for a few minutes Lance and Diana were in another enchanted staring spell.
"So, are you two going to let us eat? We have things to do today." Allura said, breaking their spell. Diana smiled as she looked at Allura and Keith. Lance took Diana's hand and they approached the gazebo together. While Lance and Diana were admiring each other, Allura and Keith set not only the table but also had breakfast served and ready on plates and the glasses filled. Lance had Diana sit first on their side and Keith did the same on his side. Finally, both men sat next to their ladies with a big smile.
"Is it copy Lance's moves day or something?" Lance asked as he sat next to Diana and gave her a chaste kiss as Keith and Allura laughed. "Seriously, I should start charging people or make a copyright claim."
"Lance, darling?" Diana asked, as she used a fork to take some pieces of a waffle.
"Yes, babe." Lance replied, looking back at Diana.
"Shut up and eat." Diana said, as she took the fork and fed Lance. Satisfied with Lance's response in his eyes, Diana looked back at her plate and took a bite of food on her plate. Lance took another fork and repeated Diana's moves.
"Diana, baby…" Lance started.
"Yes, sweetie?" Diana replied, smiling back.
"Turnabout is fair play." Lance finished and fed Diana some of his waffles when she opened her mouth to protest. He laughed at Diana's response before eating some more of his waffles off his plate. After a while, both couples started to feed each other seamlessly. When the basket was empty, Keith and Allura left the gazebo and headed towards the kitchen to return the basket, leaving Lance and Diana to share a few private moments. "The last time we spent breakfast here, you walked off mad at me." Lance said.
"I wasn't mad." Diana said. "You told me that you rather take the bag and move into your room. I wasn't ready for that."
"I would say that I'm sorry for that comment, but I'm not." Lance said. "I still would love it if we share the same living space…but our relationship has to happen one day at a time."
"I agree." Diana said, as they stood up. Lance and Diana moved the benches and table back to their original places before leaving the gazebo themselves. "Since my stuff is already in the shuttle, I would be honored if you would escort me to the hangar."
"It'll be my truest pleasure, my lady." Lance replied, bowing with a smile. Diana and Lance continued to walk towards the hangar enjoying the last few moments of privacy before Diana left to go the Smythe House. When Lance and Diana arrived at the hangar, Granny Wills and Lawrence was waiting for them at the shuttle.
"Good morning, Lawrence and Granny Wills." Diana greeted them with a bright smile. "Are you ready, Granny?"
"Yes, I'm ready. And I must say that I missed you during breakfast, but I love your dress!" Granny Wills replied.
"I agree, Diana. You look stunning in your dress." Lawrence added. "Are you sure you're up to flying the shuttle?"
Diana rolled her eyes before answering. "Yes, I'll be fine. Remember I can fly anything, and my leg is almost good as new at this point."
"Diana will be fine. She knows what her body's limits are." Lance added before leaning his head towards Diana to whisper the next part. "Hopefully, I'll be able to test those limits alone soon."
Diana gasped before whispering back. "Behave! There's an audience."
"I'll behave since it's Granny Wills. I'm serious about testing those limits alone. And I'm not talking about working out in the gym either." Lance whispered back before smiling at Diana's answering blush.
"So, are you going to share with the rest of us your conversation?" Granny Wills asked in amusement at the whispered interactions between Lance and Diana.
"We'll have to keep it personal this time, Granny." Diana replied, as she walked towards the shuttle and her grandmother. "Are you ready, Granny?"
"I'm ready. I'll see you two later." Granny Wills said as she stepped into the shuttle.
"I'll see you guys when I return." Diana said, before blowing a kiss to Lance who put his hands behind his head and smiled. Lawrence looked in disbelief between Diana and Lance, he still couldn't get past the fact that they made-up so quickly. Lawrence stood next to Lance as they watched Diana first handle pre-flight checks and then fly the shuttle away from the castle.
"So, what's going on with you and Diana?" Lawrence asked Lance as they turned around to leave.
"That's none of your business." Lance said as he continued to walk away. "How long are you going to be in denial? Diana has moved on, so should you. It's not healthy for you to continue wishing for a relationship that can never be."
"Diana's mine and has always been mine since I first saw her."
"I believe that Diana would disagree with that statement. You may see her as being yours, but Diana seem to believe that she belongs to herself first. I think I may rank around second, and you third or so."
"I don't know what she sees in you." Lawrence stated.
"I could say the same about you. That makes us about even." Lance replied. "Besides, there are more women available in the galaxy."
"I just want one woman. Diana Smythe-Williams."
Before Lance could reply to Lawrence's last statement, another voice entered the conversation. "Hopefully you two aren't about to argue over Diana again." Coran said. "If you're going to discuss Diana, at least wait until the rest of us meet to discuss her knighting ceremony. At least it'll be constructive. The meeting will be in the situation room after lunch."
"Yes, sir." Both men replied as they started to walk in different directions. "Lance, may I have a moment with you?"
"Sure, Coran." Lance said, turning around, and joining the older man at the door to the hangar. "What's going on?"
"I should be asking you that question, Lance. What is happening between Diana and you? It appears that my niece has gotten close to you lately." Lance nodded his confirmation. "What are your intentions towards Diana?"
"I intend to have a committed relationship with her." Lance replied. "Diana is a very beautiful woman who's also extremely intelligent, a natural leader and witty. I was attracted to her beauty at first, but then I got to know her better and started to fall in love with her intelligence and manner."
"I'll be completely honest with you, Lance." Coran started. "I don't approve of you in a relationship with Diana, but I'll allow your relationship. Don't break her heart and I expect you to honor your commitment with Diana. I also expect for you to always be discrete with her. Am I understood?"
"I understand Coran. I promise to be the utmost respectful with Diana in everything." Lance replied.
"Thank you, Lance. I'll see you after lunch. Enjoy your off day." Coran said as they arrived back in the main hall of the Castle. Lance nodded as they parted ways and Lance went to his room to take a nap before everything scheduled for the afternoon.
After lunch, everybody moved to the situation room and chose their seats. Nanny chose the chair nearest to the door since she was leaving after the arrangements for Diana's knighting ceremony was agreed on. Clockwise, next to Nanny was Hunk, Pidge, Lawrence, Coran, Allura, Keith, then Lance sitting to the other side of Nanny. Once Lance closed the door, the meeting was started. "Now that everybody is here, let's start the meeting. Let's focus on Diana's upcoming ceremony. It will take place the day after her return from Smythe House. I will refresh everyone's memory about a knighting ceremony, then we can fill in the details and anything special we would like to do since Diana will be the first Dame in the Arusian Knights." Coran said, taking over the meeting. Everybody nodded their agreement to continue. Coran started by stating each part of the classic ceremony, then the modern ceremony that the Voltron Force had. Everyone agreed that since Diana would be the first Dame in the order, they wanted to mix both elements.
Going back and forth for over the next hour, the perfect blend of the classic and modern ceremony was agreed upon. When Diana returns from Smythe House, Nanny, Allura, and Granny Wills will escort Diana to the hot springs for a bath. After the bath, Diana would be escorted to the chapel for an all-night vigil overseen by a couple of priests. After the vigil, Diana would then change her clothes and be escorted back to the Castle by representatives from the Davi-Smythe and LeMond areas. Upon her arrival at the castle, the actual ceremony would start. After the guests fill the room, the current knights will enter, then the Voltron Force will enter and stand to the left of the stage. Granny Wills, Lawrence, Coran, and Nanny will then enter and stand to the right of the stage. Allura will then enter and stand in the center of the stage. After a brief speech from Allura, Diana will finally get to enter the room, stopping in front of Allura and curtsy. After curtsying Diana will kneel and be dubbed by a sword tapping her left shoulder, then her right shoulder, before rising. Afterward, Diana will be presented with a special ribbon with her crystal emblem and then presented with her ceremonial sword. After that, all the knights in the order will greet Diana. After the greetings, Allura will leave first, followed by Diana and everyone flanking the stage, then finally the knights and the crowds.
Normally, there would be a ball after the ceremony, but Lance was able to convince everyone how a reception would work out better for everyone involved. He pointed out that although Diana's leg is technically healed, she probably wouldn't be able to enjoy a full ball. When Coran and Nanny protested a reception, he pointed out how a reception will still give Coran and Nanny the formal social event they would enjoy. He also stated that a reception was quicker to plan and how it was an easier event to keep secure, which won both Keith's and Lawrence's vote. Once Lance won everyone over, it was agreed to have a quick reception a few hours after the ceremony—which would allow Diana a chance to finally rest up for a social event and keep the ceremony exclusive. After the last details of the ceremony were in place, Nanny excused herself, so she could focus on what to serve for dinner that night.
"Now that all the light matter has been solve, we have a serious issue to work out." Keith said, taking over the reins for the meeting. "How are we going to take care of Birchen in the meantime?"