Pidge Gunderson, a.k.a. Katie Holt, for all the residents of the Castle of Lions knew, is not a fan of the great outdoors. Though not necessarily a recluse, she tends to keep to herself, if not less than Keith, and often busies herself with mathematical and scientific endeavors. The smallest Paladin would only venture outside if necessary – be it training, a mission, or an exploration. She would rather be in her room or in her Lion's hangar – decrypting alien data, working on upgrades for the Green Lion, or creating inventions that will be useful for them in missions – than being under the sun and surrounded with organic life, which some of the members of Team Voltron - especially Lance – like to point out at times.
"You're the Guardian Spirit of the Forest, Pidge!" Lance was saying out loud one day as two of the Garrison trio were lounging in the bridge. "Why are you not that excited going outside? I remembered you mentioning allergies, but it's still basically your territory."
Pidge looked up from her laptop and snorted. "Speak for yourself. I don't see you jumping into water every time you see one."
"That's different." Lance said as he plopped down on the polished ground next to her chair. "Jumping in water will get my Paladin uniform wet and staying too long will get my skin wrinkly." He took a bite of an alien pastry that Hunk bought from a market in a planet they have previously visited. "I mean…hash you sheen Hunk splat hish face first on tha ground?"
"Swallow your food first. You looked like you've got a goldfish living inside your mouth." Pidge muttered, eyes flitting on the screen of her laptop. "And no, I haven't. Hunk is a sensible person, even more than you do."
"Hey!" Lance complained as he swallowed. "I can do sensible."
"Then, I believe you already got your answer." Pidge said as her fingers hovered above the keyboard. "Now, shoo! I still have to work on this file I hacked from a Galra ship."
"Geez! Talk about a workaholic."
Pidge watched him begrudgingly stood up and left the bridge at the corner of her eye. The doors closing behind him with a soft CHINK! - finally leaving her alone with her thoughts. Pidge sighed tiredly and slumped on the backrest. She closed her eyes and listened to the noise around her – the blinking sound from her computer, the quiet hum of the ship, and even the soft rumble of her Lion in her mind. All of it are technology – inorganic, so to speak. It is her comfort zone, and where her capabilities lie and her brilliant mind is put to the test. It is where she is the strongest, where her fellow Paladins revered and trusted her the most.
Yes, she is not initially a fan of the outside world, but ever since meeting the Olkari, things have changed. She is more connected to nature, to every organic and inorganic creation there is. From the smallest living being to the largest form of technology there is, it all comes from nature. Nature is the mother of all, the provider of everything. Everything comes from her and returns to her. She understood this as much, and sometimes…it scares her.
The Green Paladin of Voltron.
The Guardian Spirit of the Forest.
She basically represents everything that is living. The most beautiful gift Nature has to offer. Life. It is ironic that she initially considered herself more attuned to machinery and technology when it, itself, is part of the same cosmic dust as she is. All the Lions - all except the Green and the Yellow Lions - were found not in their elements. It was only Green and Yellow. Only them found in their own domains for more than ten thousand years and the sheer power that the Green Lion unleashed the moment they found each other was just simply a fraction of what she has yet to offer.
And it scares her.
She has seen what the other Lions were capable, or at least what she has seen for now – how destructive they could be. But Green? Destroying three self-learning cubes from inside and out and invoking a piece of its origin – a minute fraction of the primordial power of Nature – is more than just a terrifying statement on its own.
Pidge wondered if she will be ready to handle that power.
The Princess requested them to gather in the bridge after training the next day. The Paladins have themselves comfortable in their preferred spots in the room. Shiro and Keith were standing beside Coran as they looked at the huge, holographic screen hovering before them. Pidge has taken over the small flight of stairs as she viewed her own set of screens projected from her wrist guard. Lance was helping Hunk whip out a list of supplies they will need – food being the highest priority. They are running out of food and necessities (Lance argued that his beauty products are necessities) and needed to restock if they were to continue with their journey.
"We will be landing on the planet Ninhurgia in a few doboshes." Allura announced. "Lucky for us, it is abundant of nature and the Ninhurgians are welcoming to travelers that stop by their home planet. I believe we can get supplies that will last us at least a phoeb."
"Is there anything we should know about them before we land?" Shiro asked.
"Nothing bad, I assure you." Coran answered. "Just as the Princess said, they are welcoming to strangers. As long as you respect Nature, they will not harm you. They also hold the highest regards to mothers, even more than their monarchs, and Nature is the greatest mother of all."
"Easy-peasy!" Lance grinned. "We're basically the Guardians of Mother Nature." He pointed at the Green Paladin sitting cross-legged on the stairs. "And we got Pidge too."
"Ha-ha." Pidge mock-laughed as she glared at Lance.
"I think Lance is right, Pidge." Shiro nodded. "You should come. It will be best if you join Hunk in grocery-shopping and the sun, or whatever they call it here, will do you good too. You haven't been under it for quite some time. Or any of us in that matter." If he noticed Pidge giving him an annoyed look, he did not show.
"Then, I suppose it will be best for us to all go." Allura suggested. "After all, we have to pay our respects to the Ninhurgian monarchs and try our hand for an alliance."
"Sounds like a plan." Shiro turned to the other Paladins. "Suit up, everyone. I'll see you on ground once we landed."