Finn didn't quite manage to hide his chuckle at her reaction.
She eyed the drink in her hand with suspicion. "What the hell is this?"
Talon smirked. "I take it you've never hadkeevabefore."
She took another hesitant sip. This time the burn wasn't as intense, and the flavor was spicy and warm, like a jumped-up version of chai. "I grew up with humans. We didn't have anything like this."
"Humans have alcohol. We havekeeva," Finn said, glancing at Talon. It was obvious he wanted to talk privately with his friend, and just as obvious that he was reluctant to do so because of her.
"We both know I can take care of myself," she told him.
"Yes, but isn't it nice sometimes to have someone watch your back?"
"Perhaps, but this isn't one of those times. Go. You'll be close enough if I get into trouble," she said.
Finn moved off reluctantly. Kira watched until he and Talon settled into conversation before putting her back to the counter and studying those around her.
For the most part, she went unremarked. Those in the bar seemed more interested in each other than Kira. It was a refreshing change from the fortress where she seemed to draw attention wherever she went.
Here, she was one of many. Kira felt herself settle a little, pushing away the sting of her memories.
She watched for several minutes, sipping on herkeevaas the conversation ebbed and flowed around her, comforting in its steady hum.
A person entered the bar, drawing Kira's notice because of the way they seemed to stick out without even trying. Shorter than any adult Tuann Kira had met, they were also shorter than even Kira. Clad in a cloak, the person had their hood up, obscuring their face.
If that didn't say suspicious, Kira didn't know what did.
The steady drone of conversation dropped at the person's presence before resuming. Kira didn't miss the way several of the patrons kept an eye on the individual as they made their way toward the bar.
Kira tensed as they slid into the spot next to her, Finn doing the same from his position a few feet away. She shook her head at him. He settled back, his eyes glittering and his body tense.
Kira was careful not to look directly at the stranger as she observed the person. Finn wasn't the only one ready for action. Kira had been in too many bar fights not to be instantly on guard by the stranger so close to her.
"I thought for sure after the shenanigans on Ta Da'an you would be halfway into human space by now," the stranger said, not lifting their head.
Kira stared at the hood in surprise, her body locking up as the stranger signaled for a glass of what Kira was having.
Talon prepared the drink, shooting a look at Kira, asking without words if she needed help.
With a resigned sigh, she shook her head. No. They were past that.
The stranger took thekeevaand downed it, exposing a smooth jaw and fingers that were a shade longer than any human's.
Finally, the stranger faced Kira, peering up out of the hood with a sly smile. An eye patch covered one eye, the other an emerald so bright, it looked like the green of spring after a week's hard rain.
The person’s features were androgynous. Neither entirely feminine or masculine but a perfect blend of both. Their skin was the color of almonds, and they had hair shorter than Kira’s.
The stranger slapped Kira on the shoulder before heading to the booths. "Come on, Nixxy poo. We could use a little privacy from big brother."
Grimacing, Kira mouthed Nixxy poo as she followed the cloaked figure.
"Kira, you won't believe this, but I think I finally found Odin," Jin crowed.
"You don't say," Kira drawled.
"I found a message." There was a pause before Jin grumbled, "I don't know how Odin dropped it into my cache, but when I find out, I'm going to skin that annoying brat."
Kira hummed as she took a seat in the booth in front of the stranger, noting the earring dangling from the person’s ear.
