The drone avoided her reach, propelling himself into the branches overhead. His action dislodged a pile of snow, causing it to fall.
Right on Kira’s head.
She froze as something cold and wet slid into the collar of her shirt and then down her chest and back.
Graydon made a choked sound as Kira dusted the snow off with exaggerated motions.
"Oops," the drone said in such a Jin-like fashion that Kira might have thought her best friend had returned to his body if not for its flat tone.
"Screw this," Kira snapped, drawing the akieri.
It only took a second for the blade to unfold, the metal snapping together with loud clicks. Each one like a death knell. When it finished assembling, she swung it at the nearest sheet of ice, clearing a path. A creature the length of her hand, its body white with a bluish tinge, fled the destruction. It landed on the ground and skittered away.
Kira jumped, snagging the J1N out of the air with more ease than would have been possible if it had been Jin.
She landed softly, crouching and half crawling out of the opening she'd made.
"Not a word," Kira ordered as Graydon's shoulders started to shake.
She stalked over to Lathan, thrusting the J1N into his arms. "Keep an eye on him. Don't let him wander around until we get him fixed."
Lathan's face held a faint touch of amusement as he nodded.
Kira startled as the lenacht popped out of his hood. "When did Pallas hand him off?"
Lathan patted his companion. "A little while ago."
The lenacht paid no attention to their conversation as she spotted the J1N. Scrambling out of Lathan's hood, she perched on the drone's casing.
"What the hell is that?" Doug asked, drawing closer.
"Nothing you need to concern yourself about," Kira said, taking the J1N and the lenacht out of Lathan's hands and setting them in the hood of his cloak.
She drew it up, ensuring both were covered before sharing a look with him.
The Tuann she knew were notoriously distrusting of humans. Normally, Kira would argue in humanity's defense, but in this instance, she agreed. The lenacht was a mystery that humans were better off never discovering.
Kira had too much experience with their greed to risk exposing its existence.
Had she known they'd encounter anyone but Odin, she would have recommended Lathan and the lenacht remain on the ship.
"Come on, Doug," Brie ordered. "Let's show our guests the way." To Kira, "Do you need to collect your friend?"
Kira hesitated, glancing at Lathan in question. His neutral expression offered her no clues.
Kira shook her head. "No, he has a tendency to wander. I'm sure he'll return when it suits him."
She just hoped he didn't kill anyone in the meantime.
"Alright, stay close then. The footing is treacherous in this area," Brie ordered before taking the lead.
"This should be fun," Graydon drawled as Brie’s companions flanked them, fully surrounding her and the other two.
Kira rolled her eyes before glancing at Lathan. "You going to be okay?"
"You don't need to worry about us. Wandering is a part of the process. You cannot find a home if you never seek it," he said as he passed her.
Kira fell in beside him. "How very philosophical of you."
