"I know what you're thinking,” Odin said. “It won't work."
"Why not?"
Odin plucked another champagne glass from a passing drone server. "As advanced as they are, they still can't achieve biofeedback. I already checked."
Kira sighed in disappointment. If that was true, there was no point in pursuing this line of thought.
The act of moving Jin’s soul from one thing to another was inherently dangerous. A big part of that stemmed from the fact they didn't really know how to do it.
If they were to take the risk, Kira wanted it to be worthwhile. They wouldn’t get a second chance if things went wrong.
Simply exchanging one shell for another didn’t justify the effort. Without all five senses, Jin would still be living a half existence, reliant on his link with Kira.
After last night, Kira was conscious of how dangerous this was for him. The goal of finding him a body had never been more important or felt further away.
At that moment, Jin arrowed out of the crowd, circling them before taking his customary spot over Kira’s shoulder.
Odin nodded at the androids. "What do you think of them?"
"The further I can stay away from them the better. They give me the creeps."
"Is it because you're afraid they're better than you?" Odin teased.
"Please." Jin blew a raspberry. "This form is already the epitome of excellence."
"How would you know unless you give theirs a try?" Odin asked.
Jin went silent. "I know what you're trying to do."
Odin arched an eyebrow. "Oh? Do tell?"
"You won't trick me that easily this time."
Craftiness settled on Odin's features. "Are you sure?"
Jin moved a foot back. "I don't know why you named yourself after the Allfather. The name Loki suits you much better."
"It's because I know all."
While the two verbally sparred, Finn stepped closer to Kira from where he'd been keeping watch a short distance away. "The rest of the delegation has arrived."
Kira had been expecting the news, but even so she felt a flutter in her chest.
Trying not to be obvious, she scanned the crowd, stopping on a familiar face. Graydon.
It was like being punched in the chest when you least expected it.
His hair was styled away from his face. Because of that there was nothing to distract from the brutal beauty of his features.
Unlike their previous encounters, Kira now knew exactly what that armor hid. It didn't matter how lovingly it clung or how well it fit, it would never do credit to the body beneath.
Today, his armor was a little different than normal. More fitting to an event of this caliber.
Although still a matte black, it had silver trim throughout, creating a complex pattern that only amplified Graydon's physique.
That wasn't what drew the eye, however. It was the cape Graydon wore. A fiery red, it was flung back from his shoulders, its length sweeping the ground behind him. Metallic gold was interwoven throughout. Every time it caught the light it looked like a fire had sparked in its depths.
Kira blinked at it, feeling off-balance.
