"You said you're going to warn us!"
Pidge blew her bangs off her eyes. "Warn you about what?" She asked sweetly as she matched it up with a fake, innocent gleam in her eyes. "We're not in danger, you know, and I promised nothing."
Pidge finished up dressing up by the time the escorts arrived. It was intentional, of course. She wanted to see the priceless looks in their faces, especially Lance's, and take a picture of it. She could still remember the appreciative smile in Shiro's face, the buffering look in Keith's blushing face, the jaw drop from Lance's, the stuttering mess that is Hunk, the praising look from Coran, and the excited and squealing Allura. She swore she heard someone choking but she was busy capturing the scene using the cameras in the lounge. She will have to review that later and make a lot of backup copies for that footage.
"You're the danger!" Lance jabbed a finger to her direction. "I almost choked on one of Hunk's cookies. I could have died and Team Voltron would be one less Paladin."
"Eh, doubt that." She replied as she lazily inspected her nails. The guards escorted them to a room with curtained doors that lead directly to the ballroom. She could hear the swell of music as the event begins. "You're too thick-headed to die easily, Lance. Bet you'll outlive all of us."
"Uh, no. No thanks." Lance said before looking at her from top to bottom. He scratched his nape as he appraised her. Lance has to admit…she really looks beautiful. Well, Pidge is already pretty and cute even in casual clothing. He and Hunk talked about it a few times and Keith sometimes would joined in the conversation. Shiro would always affirm, recounting the few times he met Pidge before the Kerberos mission. They knew from the photograph of her and her brother Matt what Pidge looked like before disguising herself as a boy and sneaking into the Garrison under a fake identity. It might not be outright obvious like Allura, but once hers was let to shine, the princess might even pale compared to her.
"What?"
Lance blinked at her before realizing he was staring at her. "N-Nothing!" He squeaked.
Pidge raised an eyebrow but didn't say a word. The music has died down from the ballroom and the royal chamberlain swept inside the room to tell them that they will be presented to the court soon. Pidge rose to her full height and Lance couldn't help but stare. She was wearing a sleeveless, knee-length green dress. The torso up to the first layer of the skirt was green and resembled the pattern of leaves before opening up the succeeding layers like a white rose. The front was cut in a diamond, just on her collarbone. A single white and gold flower adorned the side of her green choker and two flower bands circled her upper arms where a translucent gold shawl was connected behind her. Her hair, now long after rinsing with nunvill (Pidge said she will be cutting it later so that it will not get caught while working on projects) and curled at the ends, was masterfully pinned to one side with a bunch of flowers. She strode past him in an elegant gait, despite the laced, heeled, green sandals decorated with similar flowers. Two extended fabrics attached behind her shoulders made of the same material as the shawl, billowed behind her. The light catching the intricate, laced patterns of nature like a shimmering net.
She looked a nature goddess and a fairy queen melded into one absolute, divine deity. Which makes sense since she is the Guardian Spirit of the Forest and the way the extended fabrics behind her back resembled wings.
The chamberlain opened the door and the noise died down from the ballroom. Lights of different colors streamed from the ballroom and to the room. With a loud and clear voice, he captured the attention of the guests below. "May I present to you all, Princess Allura of Altea and her escort, Sir Coran of Altea!"
Allura and Coran who are both at the front of the line stepped out of the room and applause bounced off the walls. Shiro took his position followed by Hunk who was fidgeting on his spot. Shiro whispered something to calm the Yellow Paladin who nodded. He clapped him on the back and stepped out as soon as his name is called. "The Black Paladin, Sir Takashi Shirogane of Earth, leader of Voltron!"
Lance took his position after Hunk. It was Coran's fault of choosing to arrange them by their height. Pidge stood behind Keith who will be sixth to be presented after Lance. Their brief conversation drowning at the swell of applause from the guests. "The Yellow Paladin, Sir Hunk Garett of Earth!"
A thought occurred in Lance's mind and he grinned. He tapped the chamberlain on the shoulder and whispered something at the chamberlain. He looked at the Blue Paladin with questioning eyes but nodded anyway. "The Blue Paladin, Magnanimous Lance McClain of Earth, the catch of women and vanquisher of his foes!"
"Seriously, Lance?" Keith asked. Pidge simply make a gagging sound.
He grinned and raised his arms wide. "It's free real estate, baby! Whooo!" And then, he was gone.
The two looked at each other with same That's Lance for you look. The chamberlain coughed to catch their attention and looked at Keith patiently. As if waiting if he will be making an odd request just like Lance's. "Uhhh…no. Just Keith Kogane." Keith said. "It's only Lance who likes showing off."
The chamberlain nodded and called out. "The Red Paladin, Sir Keith Kogane of Earth!"
Keith tapped Pidge on one shoulder. "See you on the other side."
Pidge watched him disappear into the light (metaphorically speaking) and the applause that followed drumming in her ears. A horrendous realization dawned to her. This is a mistake! All of her confidence suddenly ran down the drain as she stood disoriented before the open door. She didn't think this far. The mere thought of being on the spotlight alone, surrounded by hundreds of strangers made her want to puke. They have attended parties, but none of them required them to make their entrance one by one. What to do? What do I do? She glanced at the chamberlain who was now waiting for her. What do I say?
Deep breaths, Pidge. Keith told her. Both us are not fond of this type of event but just take a deep breath and remember, patience yields focus.
She took a deep breath and urged her body to relax. She focused on the purring of Green in her mind and the image of her friends waiting down below. She motioned for the chamberlain and whispered her introduction. The chamberlain nodded and she took her position behind the threshold. It's now or never.
"The Green Paladin, Lady Katie Holt of Earth!"