"We've discussed this. I'm the only machine you're allowed to love. Everything else is a tool," he informed her.
Kira hummed, her gaze returning to the beauty in her hands. Jin could object all he wanted, but that didn't change things. She couldn't wait to make a few modifications. By the time Kira got through with it, the board's abilities would surpass its designer's wildest dreams.
Kira finally looked up, finding most of the initiates had made their decisions. To her surprise, Blue had gravitated toward the Tuann technology, waffling between the hoverbike and the butterfly wings.
Like Kira, Raider had ended up with a waveboard, one that she could tell from the wear and tear was his own personal board. It had no doubt been sent ahead by Jace.
The rest of the initiates were an even mix between the options, with Devon, Rheya, Blake, and Joule ending up with boards similar to hers. The four of them shuffled toward Kira and Raider as their fellow initiates gravitated toward oshota holding the contraptions they'd chosen.
Raider held his hands up as the four approached. He slid a glance toward Kira, a sly grin forming. She stiffened.
"You four are in luck. You get to learn from one of the best," he stated. "Nixxy, here, was a pioneer of the waveboard."
"Don't you dare," Kira warned.
"Too late." His smile held a nasty edge that suggested he might not be as over last night as he'd appeared. "Have fun learning from her. I have a few questions for theseon’yer."
With that, he clasped her on the shoulder and retreated, a bounce in his step.
Kira blanched as she became the sole focus of the initiates. That ass. He knew how she felt about being the center of attention.
Rheya avoided meeting Kira's eyes, looking away, uncertainty in her stance. Kira didn't know what had happened after she'd left the Rothchild demonstration, but the other woman had been different since.
She wasn't the only one, Kira concluded as Devon glanced at where Joule was studying his board.
Kira wouldn't have expected either Devon or Rheya to pick a human piece of technology for this exercise. That they had was interesting—and unexpected.
"Have any of you used one of these before?" Kira forced herself to ask.
There was an outside chance some of them had experience. The waveboards had gained in popularity after the war.
All but Joule raised their hands. This might be easier than she'd thought.
Graydon quirked one side of his mouth at her from where he lingered on the edge of her small group. She frowned at him, taking in the board he held in his hands, a twin to the one Amila had given her.
"Joule, you're with me. The rest of you, I'll check your stances once I've worked with him," Kira told them. "For now, practice hovering."
Joule’s gaze was avid.
"You'd probably have a better chance of impressing Wren if you stuck to technology you were familiar with," Kira told him.
His mouth screwed up in a stubborn line. "I want to learn from you. Besides, thetiluis slow and reliant on wind to change direction," he said, pointing at the group using the butterfly wings. He shifted and pointed at the bikes. "Theloawis more versatile, but it can't get very high. I've studied most of these, and the waveboard offers the widest range in terms of speed and maneuverability."
Kira propped her hands on her waist as she listened. Who was she to argue with his assessment? He was far more familiar with the flaws in his people’s technology than her.
Besides, waveboards really were the best choice—but she might have been biased in that.
"Fair enough. Let's get started."
It didn't take long to demonstrate the basic riding stance. Feet shoulder width apart, the dominant side facing front. It wasn't too far off from a stance you'd use on a surfboard or snowboard.
Joule's face was intent and serious as he copied everything she did. Kira was conscious of Graydon listening from the sidelines as she gently shifted his legs to a better position.
"Balance is the most important aspect of riding." The board was designed to help with that, its controls intuitive.
Kira picked up her board and showed it to him. "Weight distribution is key." She indicated the different spots on the board. "A single shift in balance will cause a reaction."
The others had stopped what they were doing to listen, drifting over to stand by Joule.
