Chapter Twenty-Two
The people of Altaire City were still bustling around the busy evening marketplace. Passing by various booths, Pidge and Hunk slowly made their way down the street at a leisurely pace. Every few steps, a smiling face came forth to greet the heroes.
"This place sure has come a long way," Pidge commented as he took in the images. Having grown up long ago, he no longer resembled the fringe-adorned pilot that first landed on Arus. Pidge had grown into a strong young man, just under six feet tall. The physical demands of his job granted him with a strong upper body, which was defined by the simple gray Garrison t-shirt he wore tucked into his jeans. Pidge had kept his glasses over laser surgery, feeling naked without them.
"Sure has, Pidge. And all thanks to Voltron," Hunk added. "Hey, how 'bout looking for a present for Keith and Princess?"
"Good idea, Hunk," Pidge grinned excitedly. "Let's try over there at that booth!" He pointed to a kiosk that had several crystal bobbles, jewelry, and loose stones. Hunk led the way through the crowd, which seemed to part for him like the Red Sea. Upon approaching the booth, Pidge noticed that several of the crystal statues were shaped into the robot lions, even a few of Voltron. He bent down to stare intently at the detailing of a crystal lion. His focus shifted and he realized that a pair of intense green eyes were staring back at him through the crystal figure. Startled, Pidge shot up straight and took a step back. A girl's face slowly emerged from behind the figures. Pidge's eyebrows lifted as a stunned expression fell over his face. Whoever she was, she was the prettiest girl Pidge had ever seen. She had strawberry blonde hair that layered well past her shoulders, a few face-framing strands dancing around her cheeks. Pale freckles were sprinkled over her nose, drawing out the green of her eyes. Her lips were full and glossed over. She wore a simple lilac sundress that left her tanned shoulders bare. She was a mere inch or two shorter than Pidge. After a moment, he realized he had to be staring. He ran a hand through his unkempt hair and straightened his shirt.
"Um, hi there," he stammered. She blinked her green eyes as a smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Hi, Pidge," her soft voice answered. "I'm Reina."
Pidge furrowed his brows together at the use of his name. "Reina, have we met before?"
"No," she answered, glancing down. "Sorry, I shouldn't have called you by your first name." She straightened her posture and adjusted one of the crystal figures.
"Oh, it's okay," Pidge reassured her. "I didn't think I would be able to forget meeting someone like you. Um, I mean, uh…" Pidge fought for words to cover up his absent minded flirting. "I mean I know a lot of the venders in this market and I don't remember seeing you before."
Reina blushed. "So what are you looking for? Something for your…girlfriend?"
Now it was Pidge's turn to blush. "Um, no, I don't have a girlfriend." He paused for a heavy moment. "I'm looking for a present for Keith and the Princess."
Reina grinned at him. "Oh the engagement! We were all so excited to hear that the commander and the Princess got together!" Pidge returned the grin.
"It did seem like it was a long time coming," he responded. "Hey Hunk, come over here!" Pidge called to his friend, who was entertaining some small children close to the booth by hoisting them up onto his broad shoulders. Hunk took a few strides, acting like the kids where twenty times their weight and hunkering his body down. A brown-haired toddler grinned down at Pidge and a blonde little girl dangled off of Hunk's bicep. "Boy, big guy, looks like you've got your hands full!" Pidge scooped up the little girl and lifted her up to his shoulders. She giggled cheerfully and reached her arms out toward Reina.
"Rey-rey, look! I'm big like Hunk!" the little girl solicited a smile from Reina. Pidge turned back to her.
"You know her, Reina?" he asked her.
Reina nodded. "Yeah, that's my little sister Kaylie. And she knows better than to stray away from our booth," she waggled a finger up at the little girl.
Kaylie crossed her arms and gave a huff. "I wasn't far away. And I know Hunk from school!" She climbed down from Pidge's arms and scurried under the booth. Pidge and Reina shared a grinned.
"So, Pidge," Reina continued. "Saw you eyeballing that lion figure. I know the lions must mean a lot to your team, but I think I may have something better for such an occasion…" She turned her back to him and bent down to shuffle through some satchels. Pidge couldn't help but let his gaze wander over her form. Hunk took notice and gave him an elbow. Pidge straightened and pretended to cough. Reina turned back to them, holding a velvet drawstring bag. She slid it open and reached in, drawing out two long silver chains with lion-shaped hematite amulets. She displayed them to Pidge for approval.
"These are made of hematite, a metal compound from earth and not native to Arus. They say that hematite brings balance and blocks negative energy from its wearer. I would think they could use something like this right now," Reina explained. Pidge gently took one of the necklaces in his fingers, eyeing it carefully. They were exquisitely sculpted, as if they were carved out by nature rather than man.
"You said hematite isn't native to Arus. How did you get these?" Hunk inquired skeptically. Reina lowered her eyes.
"My parents sent them here from Earth," she answered. "They're one of the last gifts they sent us before…" Reina's voice trailed off, her eyes beginning to shimmer with tears. Pidge's face fell. He knew what it was like to be orphaned.
"It's alright, Reina, you don't have to say anything," he consoled her. "I think these are perfect, don't you Hunk?" Hunk gave a nod. Pidge slipped the necklace back into the bag. "How much do we owe you?" he asked, digging into his pockets.
"Please," Reina reached out and stilled his hand. The action was very effective, as Pidge felt his heartbeat jump at the contact. "These are a gift for very special people. Mom and Dad would've wanted them to be gifts for you to give."
Pidge swallowed. "I have to give you something in exchange…" A sudden thought brought a grin to his face. He wanted to see Reina again, and this was a way. "Will you accompany me to the ceremony, Reina?" He nearly tripped over the words as they flew from his lips. Hunk raised an eyebrow.
Reina's eyes widened. "Me? You want me to be your…date? To the wedding?" She blushed furiously. A million thoughts began circling in her head. Kaylie's head popped up from beneath the stall.
"Wow! You should go, Rey-rey!" she exclaimed up at her sister. "I bet Captain Keith will look so handsome…" Kaylie linked her hands together and stared up at the sky dreamily. Pidge had a smug expression.
"Yeah, everyone thinks that…" he muttered to himself, rendering another elbow from Hunk. Pidge blinked, looking back at Reina. "Well, whadaya say?"
"I-I'd be honored to go with you, Pidge," she stammered out. Kaylie giggled and clapped her hands.
Hunk placed a massive hand on Pidge's shoulder. "Well it's getting rather late in the evening, we should be getting back to the castle before one of our COMs goes off. It was nice to meet you, Reina." He smiled at the young girl and left the two alone.
Reina smiled shyly at Hunk as he left. Her eyes then returned to Pidge. "I guess I'll hear from you later…?"
"Absolutely!" Pidge quickly answered, a furious blush covering his cheeks. "I mean…yeah…Um, thanks again for the necklaces, it means a lot to me," he smiled affectionately at her. "I'll be in touch, Reina. Kaylie, you be good for your sister," he reached out and ruffled the girl's hair. Kaylie grinned brightly up at him. Pidge again rested his eyes on Reina. He took her hand, pressing a light kiss on the back of her hand. "Until next time," he murmured before pivoting on his heel and heading off to join his friend. Pidge walked a little taller than usual on the way back to the castle.