Hi all!!! I think I switched my writing point of view. I have such a hard time focusing and maintaining one writing style. But I really want to get this one finished sooooo hope you enjoy anyways!!! Stay safe and well!
Matt yelps, and in a high pitched voice, screeches out "Mates? Oh. Um, yeah," he starts to manically laugh then abruptly stops. In a calm low voice he continues, "You mean like the English word for friends. Right? Right?" When no one replies, he lays his head on the table and moans out, "Since when? How did I miss this? Piiiiiiiddddgggeeeee!"
With everyone talking at once, Pidge feels like she's entered a long dark tunnel. She can't seem to focus on any one voice or make sense of what's going on around her. While she knows realistically the voices are loud, they all seem to be coming from pretty far away and are muffled. She raises her gaze from the table straight to Krolia. Krolia who is calm and still despite the chaos she has created. Okay.
Focus point. Keeping her eyes trained on Krolia, she deliberately slows her breathing, pauses her thoughts, and centers. She can do this. She is in control. She's a badass. Finally feeling in control she raises a hand.
The room quiets, especially when Shiro kicks Matt's chair.
Pidge tentatively queries, "Mate? So, um, I feel dumb but didn't know." Turning to Keith, she quirked a brow, "Are we? I mean you and I?"
Krolia nods and looks surprised, "Of course."
Pidge blinks and looks back to Krolia who just stares solemnly back. Pidge braves a quiet, "So. Um, how? Um how do you know? I mean I'm not opposed..."
Krolia looks to Keith, "How did you not tell her?"
Keith's already flushed face turns even more red and he mutters, "Can we not do this here? Now? I'd like to ensure she is alive and well after the fight. So I don't need her distracted."
A deadly quiet covers the room, with everyone's eyes darting around uncertainly, but no one actually daring to speak. In fact, Shiro actually closed his eyes and rubbed them vigorously. Contemplating the situation he finally makes a decision and grits out, "Keith, I DON'T agree with you BUT with an hour to go, well, we are going to move on because I don't have time to get you straightened out. Hell I couldn't do it in the past five years, what's an hour more? Pidge, can you look at me? I really need you to focus." He patiently waits for her to look to him. Once he has her attention he continues, "Because we all need you to be alive and well after this ends. We are – let's say pausing this for the moment. What we need is a battle plan for you and we need it quick."
Pidge blinks and like a swimmer coming up for air takes a gulping breath and tries to readjust her thinking. Compartmentalize. She can do this. She's a pro. So taking a few more measured deep breaths, she nods and looks at Shiro. "Okay, what's our intel say? I know you aren't sending me in blind. I'm sure you have a schematic and plan already."
Shiro nods, "My plan is simple. You beat her."
Laughter erupts and the tension level of the room finally decreases. Shiro continues, "Pros: you are quicker, have actual battle experience and are a genius."
Matt picks up, "Cons: you are smaller, don't have home field advantage and are unfamiliar with their weapons."
Hunk nods but offers up continuing, "I think she will not like being hit. I mean, I don't, and as someone who doesn't often fight it definitely isn't like the movies or even their shows. It hurts!!!! And after you land a few good solid hits, well, she may lose faster than we think. Fear and pain is a factor that helps you."
