Chapter Two - Allura

Allura tapped her foot on the floor of the training deck, somewhat impatiently. Shiro, Lance, Hunk, and Pidge had showed up for the team training she had scheduled for that afternoon, but for some reason Keith wasn't there. That struck the princess as strange. The Red Paladin wasn't one to miss a training session; in fact, he was most likely to be found on the training deck out of all the Paladins. For him to be missing, it had to be serious. She looked at Shiro. "You Paladins start with the meditation. I'm going to go look for Keith."

"Check his room first, Allura."

"Why?"

"Call it a hunch."

Allura was confused but did as Shiro suggested. She knocked on Keith's door and was surprised to receive a calm reply. "Come in."

She entered to a strange scene. Keith was seated at the desk in his room with small pieces scattered on its surface. His jacket was hanging on the back of the chair, and his knife sheath was laying across his lap. His entire posture screamed relaxed. She had never seen the impulsive Paladin so relaxed. She slowly approached him. "Keith?"

He looked up and was surprised. "Allura, can I help you with something?"

"Yes but first, what are you doing?"

"This is an Earth jigsaw puzzle. This one is a 550 piece puzzle, showing a spiral galaxy." Keith put another piece in the puzzle. "It's a relaxing activity for me."

"I'm glad you are enjoying yourself, but you are missing the team training."

The color drained from Keith's face. "Oh! I'm so sorry, Allura!" He grabbed his sheath and snagged his jacket. "Do I need my armor?"

"No. The others aren't in their armor. We are simply doing the meditation to strengthen your bonds with your teammates."

Keith nodded, put on his jacket, attached his sheath, and followed Allura back to the training deck. Keith joined his fellow Paladins on the floor. Allura joined Coran in the observation area. "I see you found Keith, Princess."

"Yes. It appears he had lost track of time."

"What could make him lose track of time?"

"He was doing what's called a puzzle. I've never seen him so relaxed before. I was wondering if there was a way to get him more puzzles."

Coran twirled his moustache thoughtfully. "I think I might know a way."

"A trip back to the Space Mall?!" Lance exclaimed, fist pumping. "Awesome!"

"Yes. Well, we have an important item to pick up but not everyone has to come," Allura brought up.

"Count me out then," Keith replied, walking off the bridge, returning to his room.

"Most excellent in that case. Our mission is to collect something for our Red Paladin," Coran explained.

"What would Keith want from the Space Mall?" Hunk asked.

"They might sell puzzles in the Earth Store," Pidge commented, adjusting her glasses.

"Let's get him some puzzles then," Shiro stated, leading Allura, Pidge, Hunk, and Lance to the pod bay.

Keith had finished the galaxy puzzle that he had started earlier in the day and started another puzzle. This one was a small 300 piece puzzle showing a sunset in the desert. It reminded him of living in the desert on Earth. He didn't miss it, but there were several beautiful scenes that couldn't be seen anywhere but Earth. He had finished it and was putting it away when he heard a knock on his door. He called out, "Come in."

"Keith, could you open the door? My arms are full," Shiro replied.

Confused, Keith stood up and opened his door to reveal not only Shiro but four others as well. Keith stared at the group gathered in front of his door. Shiro, Pidge, Hunk, Lance, and Allura stood there each holding a couple of puzzle boxes. "Why?"

"Because you need something besides training to occupy your time," Shiro said.

"Because even you need to relax," Lance replied.

"Because I have never seen you so calm," Allura added.

"Because everyone needs a hobby," Hunk mentioned.

"Because why not?" Pidge asked.

Keith accepted the boxes that his friends piled into his arms. He smiled. "Thank you so much."