Author's Note: I know I talked a lot about Kathy facing people who weren't kind to her for being part Galra but I wanna do a couple of chapters where we actually see a few reactions to the Paladins having a Galra halfling among them. So onwards we go. This one is a bit short. I own nothing.
Gift of the Balmera
The fight was over, the Balmera alive once more thanks to Allura. The battle cruiser had been taken down almost too easily thanks to Voltron and everything was happy. Balmerans surrounded the Paladins cheering and celebrating as they looked out over the mostly healed landscape, the creature robeasts Ulaz used to call them, things created out of druids tampering with nature and experimenting with quintessence, was frozen in a solid block of crystal. All the other paladins had taken off their helmets but Kathy was reluctant, she had the sun visor up so the Balmerans couldn't see her face. Lance frowned at that and sidled over to her. He swung an arm around her shoulder.
"Hey Kit Kat, what's with the dark screen, it's party time! We beat the baddies, the Balmera is gonna be ok!" Kathy smiled slightly at Lance, even though he couldn't see her. The impetuous pilot was quite sweet when he wanted to be. But she shook her head and spoke quietly, hoping the Balmerans wouldn't hear her.
"I don't wanna scare anybody. These people just got free of the Galra they don't need to see another one so soon." Lance frowned but nodded, he understood her reasoning even if he didn't agree with it.
"But I mean you helped save the Balmera, I don't think they're gonna be afraid of you." Kathy frowned and Lance gently turned her to face him. He didn't care that the other paladins were starting to take notice.
"You don't have to hide anymore Kathy. I promise. You can just be you, you're safe with us." Allura smiled and saw Shiro beaming at the pair as Shay and Hunk snuck off together. Kathy took a deep breath. Then to Lance's surprise she nodded and reached up removing her helmet entirely. A murmur ran through the crowd of Balmerans before one of them, Shay's grandmother Lance thought, stepped forwards and reached out a hand to Kathy with a warm smile.
"Thank you for your help saving our Balmera." Kathy's smile was small but Lance called it a victory anyway. Later that day the Balmerans were celebrating on the surface of their world for the first time in generations and they invited the paladins to come join them. With a little cajoling, mostly on Hunks part, Allura agreed that jumping in her weakened state was a bad idea so they stayed for the celebration. It wasn't a parade like Lance had hoped but instead a dance around a large bonfire as food was passed around and stories of the battle were told. Kathy stepped over to Coran and spoke, a cup of something the Balmerans called life liquid in her hands, it didn't taste all that different to water but she had gratefully accepted it anyway. She was kind of stunned that they weren't scared of her, she had fully expected to be sitting out whatever celebration there was in the castle, probably curled up in Red. But she was happy that they weren't scared of her and instead welcomed her as much as they did the other Paladins.
"Coran?" The adviser turned to her with a smile and nodded to the red paladin.
"What can I do for you number four?" Kathy smiled at him slightly before she frowned again slightly.
"I was wondering about the ceremony Allura preformed to rejuvenate the Balmera. Could anyone do that?" Coran shrugged.
"I don't know, I've never seen anyone but an Altean do that ritual, but anyone can communicate with a Balmera and trade some energy for a crystal. But rejuvenating a Balmera to the level Allura did is dangerous, I…" The advisor paused slightly before sighing and looking serious.
"Just between us, I advised against it. I wasn't sure she would survive." Kathy nodded. She could understand that she supposed as she sipped her drink. Then again until a few movements ago Knowledge or Death had been her motto. She took a sip of her drink again and sighed slightly looking around. The same older Balmeran who had so warmly greeted her before walked up to her again a bowl in her hand. She smiled and offered it to Kathy who warmly accepted and sat down with the old woman. The woman smiled at her as they ate in silence. Finally Kathy couldn't hold her curiosity anymore.
"Ummm. I was wondering, why you weren't afraid of me… I'm not saying you should be it's just almost everyone is." The old woman nodded.
"You are not a Galra like the rest. You have proved to us, to the Balmera that you are a good person, here to help." The old Balmeran smiled as the sun began to rise over the horizon. Kathy smiled to herself too, maybe staying hadn't been a bad idea.