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"Courting Gifts"
It was a quiet day on Earth. The rebuilding had not taken too long once the Paladins were released from the hospital and the lions were able to be utilized to assist with the clean up of the larger areas. However, the Garrison and general public didn't want to let their heroes do too much; they did defend Earth and repel Sendak's forces for good. So, the Paladins spent time with their families, which meant Keith was spending time with his mom at his father's shack.
Krolia had been dismayed at the fact that the house had been burnt down but was glad that there had been pictures and other seemingly random objects that held sentimental value that were saved. She had spent the first few days sharing the anecdotes with Keith. Stories about his father had always held his interest, but the stories about both of his parents captivated him. It was during one of these story telling sessions that there was a knock on the door, drawing the attention of both mother and son.
"Who could that be?" Keith asked.
"Stay here, kit. I'll answer it." Krolia stood up and walked to the door with one hand on her blaster, which was still in a rather worn holster. She yanked it open to reveal...no one there. She looked down and saw a box. She glanced left and then right before she picked up the box and carried it into the shack, closing the door behind her.
"What did you find?"
Krolia sat down with the box. "No one was there, only this box."
"What's in it?" Keith inquired with his head cocked to the side.
Krolia smiled and opened the box. She gasped softly and withdrew a brand new holster. She looked it over, completely missing her kit's smirk.
Keith knew that the box was coming, who it was for, and who it was from. However, the sender requested that Keith keep it a secret, which was in accordance with the Galran courting custom. Keith had been approached and asked if the courter could court Krolia, since Keith was her only family. Keith had readily given his approval and was wondering what gifts Krolia would receive.
Krolia was amazed by the new holster. It was such a thoughtful yet useful gift. Several beings, including Lance McClain and Acxa, had made comments about her needing a new holster, but she doubted this was from either of them. Something told her that this was much more personal than it first appeared to be. Engraved on the inside of the belt portion was her name in Galran.
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The next gift she received came in the form of a file on her data pad. She had been relaxing with Keith when her data pad dinged. She reached for it and saw that a digital photo album had appeared on her data pad. Curiously, she opened it, and tears leapt to her eyes. There were pictures of Keith with the Paladins, Keith with the Blades, Keith with Krolia, and Krolia with the Blades. Strangely, Kolivan showed up in several pictures. Krolia smiled at a picture of Keith leaning against Kolivan. Kolivan had grown close to her kit in her absence. She wasn't jealous of their relationship. In fact, she was pleased about how close they were. Both Keith and Kolivan were important to her, just in different ways.
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When Krolia received the third gift, she knew these were courting gifts. The third gift in question was a jeweled flower hair clip that had a concealed knife hidden. When she withdrew the stem from the petals, it was revealed to be a knife. This particular gift also came with a note, which read 'Even roses have their thorns.'
"Keith? Can you come here, kit?"
"Coming, Mom." It didn't take long for Keith to approach. "What's up?"
"I received this as a gift, and I need help to put it in my headfur. Can you help?"
"Sure." Keith plucked the flower clip from his mom's hands and put it in her headfur, making sure it was still easy to withdraw, so she could use it if she needed to.
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Krolia clung to her son's shoulders as he flew them on his Dad's hover bike. Both her and her son loved the adrenaline rush that came with flying the hover bike. Keith was taking her on the same path he and the other Paladins took when they rescued Shiro from quarantine. She even let out a "whoo!" when Keith went off the cliff. They made it back to Keith's Dad's shack, and Krolia was surprised to see Kolivan waiting for them.
She hopped off the hover bike, letting Keith park it on the side of the shack, and approached the Blade Leader. "Kolivan?"
Kolivan looked up. "Krolia, welcome back. I trust you had a good time with your kit."
"Yes. I usually do."
Keith came up behind his mother but, upon seeing Kolivan, went over to him and nuzzled him, purring. Kolivan returned the nuzzles. "Hello, kit."
"Is it time?" Keith whispered very softly, so his mom couldn't hear him.
Kolivan simply rumbled to him in response. Keith grinned and withdrew his arms. He stepped back, watching Kolivan approach Krolia. The Blade leader reached behind him and untied a small package from his back. He handed Krolia the package wordlessly. Curious, she unwrapped it, drawing a gasp from her. There, in her hands, was a new luxite blade. She closed her eyes and concentrated on it. The new blade glowed and elongated in her grasp, connecting her life force to her new Blade. Keith's knife flashed briefly in response to Krolia bonding with her new blade, leaving Keith the sole owner of the knife.
Krolia opened her eyes and stared at Kolivan. "Thank you, Kolivan. Have you been the one sending me these gifts?"
"Yes. I wish to court you, Krolia. Keith has given me his permission, since he is your only blood relative."
Krolia sheathed her new blade, strapping it to her blaster holster, and approached Kolivan. She tucked herself against him and purred to him. "I accept."
Kolivan wrapped his arms around Krolia, pleased that she accepted his advances. He nuzzled her headfur before motioning for Keith to join them. Keith walked over and was pulled into the hug, confusing him. Kolivan nosed Keith's hair before explaining, "I am courting your mother, but you are important as well, kit. You are pack."
Fin