Though their effectiveness seemed to be wearing off if Elena's recent actions were anything to judge by. In the future, Kira would need to find a more powerful motivator for good behavior.
Truthfully, she'd been expecting this.
To call Kira and Jin headstrong at that age was an understatement. As rebellious teens go, they were so much worse with Himoto often being left to clean up their messes.
To be honest, sometimes Kira wondered how she and Jin had survived this long.
Elena frowned. "How did you get captured anyway?"
Finn looked away, his shoulders shaking suspiciously.
Kira didn't move, glaring at the pint-sized annoyance. "Are we talking about me?"
Far from the chastened expression Kira was hoping for, Elena's eyes narrowed as speculation filled her face. "No, just surprised is all. You and Uncle Jin almost never get caught."
Kira thanked her lucky stars that Jin wasn't there at the moment. If she had her preference, Elena would never learn how a swarm of shriekers had led to their downfall.
Next to Kira, Finn's shoulders shook harder.
Laugh it up. They'd see who was laughing the next time she decided to go on walkabout. She'd pick a disguise so much more humiliating than the hoodie he currently wore.
A crafty look entered Elena's face as she glanced between the two of them. "Maybe it's the mountain I should be taking lessons from."
"Two lessons."
Horror filled Elena's eyes. "Auntie!"
Kira shot her a look. "Want to make it three?"
"No." Elena's lips held a sulky pout.
"Pick your weapon then."
Elena grumbled to herself as she faced the oshota guarding her. Arms pinned to her side, she bent forward at the waist in a slight bow. "With your permission."
Only the faintest trace of amusement marred the oshota's stoic expression as he inclined his chin.
Kira waited until her niece had turned before aiming a brutal kick to the side of Finn's knee. He easily dodged, stepping out of range.
"It's not that funny," she told him.
"She's a miniature version of you. The universe is just."
Kira aimed her grimace at the ceiling, finally understanding what people meant when they said karma was a bitch. She really should have made more of an effort to ensure her niece didn't turn out like her. Raider was going to have her head when he realized.
"Do you have a preference?" Elena asked as she examined the practice blades on the rack.
Kira waved a hand. "Whatever you choose is fine."
If this had been a real duel, Kira would have chosen for herself rather than trusting someone else to do it for her. Instead, this was a lesson for Elena. It would lose its impact if Kira chose the best weapon for herself.
Elena was solemn as she picked out a practice en-blade before setting it to the side. The second en-blade she spent some time choosing, picking up one and testing it with a few swings before putting it down again. She repeated the movement several times before she found a blade she was happy with.
Finished, she marched over to Kira and handed the second blade to her.
Kira took it, getting accustomed to its weight and feel. Not bad. It was one Kira might have chosen for herself.
She shot her niece a sideways glance. It looked like someone had been paying attention.
