"Spider." Kira pointed at the cause of this whole mess.
A creature roughly the size of a cat uncurled, scuttling down the wall and onto Kira's former seat.
A gibbering came from Jin, and he slid further into her hood.
Jace fought laughter as he heard the word, finally realizing what had happened—and who was responsible for the fuss.
The creature that had so terrified Jin lifted its body, its head canting curiously.
Kira hadn't ever thought she'd meet anilsain person. Although it resembled an arachnid with its eight legs and many eyes, that was where the similarity ended.
Covered in a light creamy colored fuzz, theilsahad pink rosettes on its torso and legs. It also had a snout no spider would ever have. Wearing a tiny top hat and jeweled collar, it looked rather adorable.
"Kill it. Kill it now," Jin whined.
"I'm not going to kill it," Kira argued in an undertone.
"It's a spider. Destroy it in a way where even its ancestors will feel it's pain."
"It's not a spider. It's anilsa. Totally different."
"It has eight legs and eight eyes. Close enough."
"Excuse me," a soft voice said as a slight figure moved forward.
She was Haldeel and had dark purple markings edged with black. She looked young, not much older than Elena and Devon.
"I apologize if Jaks scared you."
Jaks scuttled down the chair, hopping onto the floor, and then scurrying over to his owner. She bent and picked him up, cradling him in her arms as she faced Kira and Jace.
"The apologies are ours," Jace said in a polite tone. "My friend is a little irrational at times."
"Heh." Jin snickered.
"He means you, dumbass," Kira said out the side of her mouth.
Jin made an insulted sound and would likely have done more if Kira hadn't slapped one hand over his body under the hood.
Jin grumbled to himself but didn't fight her further.
To the teen in front of her, Kira made a slight bow, but didn't speak.
Devon and the rest were on their guard now, paying attention where they hadn't been earlier. If she said anything now, they'd likely recognize her voice.
"Are you heading to the planet for the quorum?" Jace asked, picking up on Kira's predicament.
The girl inclined her head.
"What event will you be joining?" Jace asked.
"The waveboard races."
That was an interesting answer.
While the races were popular among humans, the same couldn’t be said for the Tuann and Haldeel. They were only now beginning to find traction among the other species.
For this girl to choose it as her event was unexpected. Kira had assumed it would take much longer before the Haldeel embraced it.
