You didnāt specify who to do it with, but I think I have an inkling ;}⦠hope you enjoy!
~By the way, this takes place before the destruction of the Castle of Lions.~
āQuiznack, itās cold!ā Pidge hissed, crossing her arms. She and Lance trudged through snow-like powder, an orange phone-like device being their only direction. They had been tasked with befriending a local people; Lance for his diplomatic skills and Pidge for her similar build to the aliens they were to meet.
āTell me about it,ā Lance groaned.Ā āMy toes are about to fall off. How longās it been since sweet, sweet warmth?ā
Pidge checked the phone and sighed.Ā āTen dobashes.ā
āAnd how long from warmth to the village?ā
He groaned again. The insulation on their suits wasnāt made to withstand this extreme of temperatures, and Pidge could feel the chill seeping through the cracks at an alarming rate. Lance rubbed his palms together, but any heat he could have gotten was quickly whisked away by the wind.
āOur next alliance is going to be on a beach planet, with friendly aliens that arenāt scared of robotic lions,ā Lance grumbled. āRemind me again what weāll say when we get there?ā
Pidge tapped the deviceās screen.Ā āIāll introduce us while you appear as nonthreatening as possible. Once they recognize weāre paladins, you can work your Lance magic and weāll call for the rest of the team,ā she said. Lance bumped her shoulder.Ā āAw, I have Lance magic? Fancy. Does it let me have your dessert on Hunk cooking nights?ā he asked mischievously.
āNot a chance!ā Pidge snipped.Ā āSkip training?ā he shot. āNope.ā she replied. āThen what does it do?ā Lance questioned.Ā āIt keeps me from zapping you with my bayard!ā Pidge retorted with a playful smirk. Lance let out a yelp and scampered back a few steps, faking terror.Ā
They paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, returning to a steady plod.Ā
They repeated this cycle every so often, Lance breaking the silence with a complaint and Pidge echoing his irritation. After about thirty dobashes, though, he fell silent, and the only sounds were boots crunching and the wind, which had grown to a howl.
Finally, they crested a hill and the flickering lights of civilization came into view. Pidge whooped, bounding forward as much as her stiff limbs would allow.Ā āLance! We made it!ā she hollered. Getting no response, she turned around to see him slogging at the same pace, no hint of realization coloring his features. Pidge walked back and stood in front of him, holding out a trembling hand. Lanceās chest hit it and he stumbled back, blinking in confusion.
āHey, everything alright up there?ā Pidge asked concernedly.Ā āMāokay,ā Lance responded. He shivered violently.Ā āNo, youāre not. Weāre about to enter the village, but weāre going to get warmed up before diplomatic stuff,ā Pidge said.Ā
āNo, māfine. Jusā gonna get to the aliens ān tellĀ āem weāre palādins ān fārmĀ ān allianceā¦ā Lance slurred. He stumbled and barely caught himself, and Pidgeās brow furrowed. She grabbed his hand and tried to get him to move faster.Ā
āLance, youāre scaring me. Youāve got to keep going, okay? Hey, do you hear me?ā Pidge pulled a little harder, frozen fingers protesting.Ā āLance, say something!āĀ āMātired. Iāll jusā⦠nap, ākay?ā Lance mumbled. He stopped walking, and Pidge yanked his arm in a panic. āNo! Weāre not stopping! Lance, come on, weāre almost there, please donāt-ā Lanceās knees buckled, and he collapsed against Pidge.
āLance! Stay with me here! Just five more dobashes, buddy, I promise, if youāll just stay with me,ā Pidge pleaded. Her heart sunk as Lanceās eyes rolled back, head lolling on her shoulder.
āLance, please⦠wake up, pleaseā¦ā she begged, hooking her arms around him. She dragged him along the snow, whispering pleas for him to be okay as tears collected and froze on her cheeks. Drowsiness clawed at her consciousness, but she struggled on until they reached the edge of the village, smoke curling from nearby chimneys in sharp contrast to the tundra beyond.
āSomeone, help!ā Pidge cried hoarsely.Ā āHelp, please, somebody! Anybody-ā her knees buckled. Her muscles refused to move any longer, and all she could do was feel the faint stirrings of relief as voices faded in and out with the rest of the world.
Gentle hands lifted Pidge as she fought to stay awake.
āRest now, friend,ā one of the voices whispered. Pidge gave in, letting her eyes flutter shut against the bitter air.