"Rarely outside of House walls." Finn signaled a Tuann at the end of the bar. The man pouring a drink lifted his chin in acknowledgment. "There are exceptions. Most of those are like Maida, who can reinforce her skin, but the rest wear the armor with the pride it deserves."
The bartender made his way toward them. As tall as Finn, he had a similar build. He moved as if any moment the floor might jump up and bite him. Kira had seen other soldiers move like this, as if prepared for the shit to hit the fan. Usually, it took several tours in hostile environments to develop that type of response to your surroundings.
There was a surliness to his expression, like showing any other emotion was too much effort. His hair was shaggier and more unkept than most Tuann she met. Eyes of light amber lightened infinitesimally as he approached.
Finn clasped the man's offered forearm with a nod that was downright friendly for the dour oshota. "Brother."
Kira glanced between the two of them as the bartender settled his forearms on the counter.
A slow smile dawned as he looked Finn up and down. "It's good to see you in the armor again."
Finn touched his armor, his motion almost surprised before he dipped his chin slightly.
"Again?" Kira asked.
The man's gaze shifted to her, his look guarded. Finn might be his friend, but he was withholding judgment on her. Fair enough. He wasn't the only one.
"Talon, this is Kira. She's my current sword."
The man's eyebrows lifted as his gaze sharpened. "The lost Roake heir I've been hearing so much about."
Finn nodded before addressing Kira. "We call the people we serve swords. Oshota are their protective shields. It's custom when a sword under your care dies to put away your armor until you find a new sword or have redeemed yourself in battle."
The stilted way Finn said this made her think he wasn't happy about having to reveal this odd Tuann idiosyncrasy.
It made her think his last sword, as he called it, had died under less than ideal circumstances.
It was hard to tell if the distance between Finn and those in Roake was because of his reserve or theirs. It was likely he’d played some role in this person’s death, even if she still didn’t have all the details.
"Doesn't make much sense to me, but many things about the Tuann don't," Kira admitted.
Talon's smile was slow in coming. "I like this one."
She arched an eyebrow at him, saying dryly. "I'm flattered. Really." She pointed at her chest. "It gets me right here."
He threw his head back on a roar. "Much better than Brianne."
Seconds later, he set two glasses of amber liquid in front of them. "Welcome to theSirav Rytil."
"It means—"
"Second Chances," Kira finished for Finn. Seeing his surprise, she lifted a shoulder. "I may know a little more Tuann than I let on."
It was true enough, but it also helped to have Jin constantly in her ear translating what others were saying around her. It had allowed her to pick up a few interesting tidbits. You could find out a lot about a person based on what they said when you weren't around—or at least they thought you didn't understand.
"Smart," Talon said with admiration.
"I try."
Kira picked up her drink as Talon looked at Finn, tilting his head in a clear invitation for conversation.
"Talk to your friend," she told Finn when it looked like he would hesitate. "I'm sure you have a lot to catch up on."
Finn didn’t move, reluctance in his posture.
She made shooing motions at him with one hand. "You brought me here so I could clear my head. Let me."
Kira took a sip of the drink she was holding, nearly coughing in surprise as it burned all the way down.
