What a terrifying thought. An army of mini-Jin’s running around Ta Sa’Riel creating who knew what sort of havoc.
“You have a problem,” Kira informed him as she rose from her chair.
“What?”
She shook her head at him as Finn reappeared at her side like a ghost. “You need help.”
Jin trailed after them as they headed inside the café.
“I’m procreating. Isn’t that what people our age do?” Jin complained.
There was a long-suffering expression on Finn’s face as he stared at Jin.
“That’s not what that is called,” Kira informed Jin as they reached a set of stairs, leading down into an alley that would allow them to depart without attracting attention.
“What would you call it then? I created more of my progeny. That fits the definition of procreating.”
“That’s not—“ Kira shook her head as she trailed off.
She wasn’t going to win this argument. She could already tell.
“Let’s get out of here,” Kira told Finn.
“Are you sure there aren’t any other dangerous situations you want to throw yourself into?” Finn asked with a touch of sarcasm.
Kira’s smile spread across her face. “Don’t tempt me or I might do exactly that.”
She was sure there was plenty of opportunity for someone who looked hard enough.
Leaving the café, Kira wasn’t quite ready to return to Roake’s fortress and the expectations waiting for her there, instead preferring to wander the city in the company of the other two.
Jin’s delight rang through their bond as he swooped and dove to examine anything that caught his interest. Kira trailed behind him; her hands tucked in her pocket.
It hadn’t dawned on her until just now how long it had been since they had enjoyed such simple pleasures. Meandering aimlessly. Without destination or agenda. Not worrying about when their enemies would strike next.
Just the feel of the sea breeze on her face and the waning light of the sun as it began its descent.
Though the streets were a little more crowded than the last time she’d traveled these paths with Graydon, it didn’t take away from her enjoyment.
The day’s shadows were beginning to lengthen by the time Kira made her way toward the fortress, her body tired but her soul exuding with contentment.
Luckily, they encountered no further incidents as they walked through the city, and by the time the exterior walls that guarded the fortress came into view, most of Finn’s antagonism had eased.
His relaxation didn’t last long as he spotted Graydon and several of his oshota waiting for Kira in front of the walls of the fortress. A tension entered his body as his guard immediately slammed up.
Finn slowed. “I think news of your escapades has spread.”
“The Tuann are as gossipy as a bunch of human teenagers,” Jin grumbled.
Kira made a face that said she agreed. They were as bad as the space force where gossip had a way of taking on a life of its own.
“I suppose we should see what he wants,” Kira started toward Graydon.
Solal and Amila stood at his back. She found Isla and Baran not far away. Amila acknowledged her with a wry smile before her expression returned to its typical blankness.
“Fancy meeting you here,” Kira said in lieu of a greeting.
Graydon leveled a look on her. “You’re lucky your uncle chose to send me and not someone else.”
