Romelle found that she was in quite the strange situation.

Firstly, because she was on a new planet filled with people constantly staring at her. Secondly, because she had received a change of clothes, and she simply wasn't sure if she liked these bright orange, scratchy uniforms.

She pulled at the collar once more, wondering how these earthlings could stand such a useless embellishment in the heat of their planet. Though, to be fair, she had been told that not all places were like the Garrison. Earth was strange that way— she'd been shown pictures of freezing and warm climates alike, and she had no idea how they coexisted.

Given her level of experience with space travel, however, her lack of knowledge about other planets wasn't surprising.

Romelle gazed out at the dry flat ground that surrounded the Garrison. She had been wandering around for several dobashes now— not for any reason, other than, well, she was lost.

The paladins had been incredibly busy since they arrived, and besides one of them showing her to her temporary quarters, she had been left primarily to rest peacefully. But resting was boring after a few days, and her adventurous side was desperate to explore this new world.

But alas, she had started her mission fearless and now felt rather anxious.

Romelle fiddled with her hair as she searched for something familiar, but everything looked the same. Dusty, cracked ground and dull grey buildings. She wondered why they seemed so desperate to avoid a more colorful appearance, then tossed the thought aside. Romelle needed to find her way back to her room before she got even more stranded than she already was.

"Okay, just take in a deep breath," she whispered to herself. "You'll be fine. You'll run into one of the paladins eventually, and they'll take you back."

If there was one thing Romelle hated about herself, it was her shyness. Don't get her wrong— she could be quite rambunctious with her family and friends. But when it came to strangers, she couldn't find the courage to even say hello.

Ever worse, her shy nature seemed to take complete control when she was surrounded by those not of her own kind. It was uncomfortable being the odd one out, the one humans whispered about, the one that they pointed at. Romelle didn't know how to respond, because yes, she was the alien in this situation, and their reactions weren't entirely unreasonable.

Romelle sighed long sufferingly. If only she'd stayed in her room, she wouldn't be in this situation. She would be safe, by herself, completely fine, if not a bit bored, and—

Wait, what was that noise?

Her pointed ears perked up slightly. There was a creature coming toward her, its paws quiet on the flat earth. Romelle whipped around to see it, and her pink eyes brightened.

"Chaka!" she greeted. The blue alien wolf came forward, and she patted his head affectionately. "What are you doing out here?"

Chaka replied by purring and nuzzling his nose into her hand. Romelle laughed. "Wanting attention as always, I see."

The creature's ears turned up, and then, it pointed its head toward the grey buildings. She gave Chaka a questioning look, but all he did was repeat the gesture.

"You want me to follow?" she asked. A confirming yip was her response. Delighted, Romelle waved her hand forward. "Lead on, then!"

Chaka bounced happily onto his back paws before he began to guide her. Romelle held in a relieved sigh as she followed. Not only was she grateful for a companion with better tracking skills than her own, she was glad it was an alien one. It was nice to not be the only strange being walking around.

Within minutes, Romelle began to recognize her surroundings. She was sure that they had originally landed somewhere near here— ah yes, and there's the door they entered through. Back within the boring grey buildings once more, Romelle started to feel at ease again. Chaka must have sensed it, because he looked back and gave her a toothy grin.

He stopped in front of a door in a nondescript hallway, and Romelle smiled. "Thank you, Chaka!" she sang lightly. She reached for the handle on what she assumed to be her quarters, but then, the door opened.

When purple eyes met pink, Romelle immediately began to stammer. "O-Oh my, I am so sorry, I didn't mean to—"

Keith held up a hand. "It's fine, really. Do you need something?"

Romelle blushed. She had forgotten one of her main reasons she had stayed in her room so long— to avoid her rescuer. It wasn't that she disliked him…it was actually quite the opposite. He was simply too handsome and too kind that every time she spoke to him, she became a stuttering mess.

Such as right now. "No! N-No, I was— Chaka, he, well, I was lost, and um…he found me, and I thought this was my room but," she wilted at her own lack of decorum. "—it apparently was not."

Keith gave a little smile. "I got lost here my first few weeks, as well," he said. "What were you trying to find?" he asked curiously.

"Nothing really," she replied hastily. "I simply don't like being stuck in a room." Wait, did that sound ungrateful? Perhaps it did, maybe she should reword her sentence—

"I know the feeling," he sighed. "I should've thought of that sooner, I'm sorry. We've—" he stopped to chuckle, "—we've all had a lot going on lately, to say the least."

A giggle slipped out of Romelle's lips. "That would be quite the understatement," she agreed.

Keith's grin grew in size at her comment. "Unfortunately, I have another meeting to run to, but is there anything you need right now while you have me?"

"M-Me? Anything I need?" she repeated. He nodded, and her blush deepened. "Oh, ah, well, I can't think of much other than these clothes," she admitted shyly. "They are quite different, and," she frowned, "I can't think of how to say it. They are…prickly?"

His eyes seemed to recognize what she was saying. "Alteans have enhanced sensory input, don't they?"

Romelle nodded quickly. "Yes, that's it! And I do not wish to sound ungrateful, because I truly am, but…" she trailed off. "That is all that I can think of needing," she finished decidedly.

"Shouldn't be a problem," he reassured her. "In fact, I'm running some errands tonight on my hover bike— do you want to come?" he offered. "I'm sure we can find something you're more comfortable in at the mall."

The young Altean blinked. Regardless of the fact that she had no idea what a "mall" was, she certainly wanted to say yes. But what if she couldn't speak around him? Would it be only him and her? Could she compose herself long enough for such an activity?

"Romelle?"

The sound of her name brought her out of the daze she'd fallen into. "Yes?"

Keith's eyes were concerned. "Would that be okay with you? If it's too overwhelming, I understand—"

"No, no! It sounds wonderful!" she interrupted. "I, ah…" Slowly, Romelle leaned up to press her lips against his cheek. On her home world, it was the highest show of thankfulness, and she felt more than compelled to do so, given his kindness. "I am humbled to accept your offer, and I look forward to our journey tonight."

Keith blinked at her, swallowed, then nodded. "Of course, I will, ah…" his eyes glanced away. "I'll, um, I'll send Chaka to get you."

Romelle tilted her head at his strange behavior. He almost sounded like her, but surely that wasn't the case. The Black Paladin was a fearless leader, not a sheltered Altean who longed to explore the universe. He had no reason to flush bright red and stammer.

But she brushed the thought aside and smiled. "Thank you!" she said, then turned to Chaka. "Now come on, boy, take me to the right place this time."

When she started down the hallway on her new quest, she missed the stunned look on Keith's face as he gently placed a hand on where her lips had been.