"No thanks. We have rations in the room," he replied.
She paused in her chewing and looked over at him. "Not afraid you're going to insult your hosts?"
Many human cultures had guesting customs. If you were to refuse the food or drink they offered, it could be considered a grave insult. There was a chance the Tuann were similar.
He shrugged, bracing one wrist on the chair next to him as he slouched in his seat. He was Tank's replacement, but he didn't seem particularly inclined to act like a guard.
"I don't care about the wizards or their damn feelings," he said.
That much was obvious in the disdain behind his eyes and the suspicion in his face when he looked around the terrace.
Kira took another bite of her fruit, chewing slowly.
"Why did Himoto send the Curs?" Kira asked. "Why not a squad with less baggage?"
She could have asked Jace, but Raider, oddly enough, was the one most likely to give her the truth. He'd never been particularly interested in diplomacy or couching hard truths behind kind words.
"You'd have to ask the old battleship," Raider said. "You know how he likes his schemes."
Kira did know, knew and hated it. She'd been caught up in them one too many times.
"If I had to guess, it's not so any of us can get anything as sappy as closure," he said, scratching his neck. "Or even to protect you. We both know you're more than capable of protecting yourself—especially at the expense of others."
Kira lifted her spoon in a salute at the jab, not letting it bother her. "Good to see you haven't changed."
Raider bared his teeth at her, his eyes dead as he fixed her with a dangerous stare. "Let's be clear. If I'd had my way, I would have thrown you in the brig while you waited for the day we spaced you. I don't like being here begging for scraps from the damn wizards, but I'll do my duty and put my personal feelings on hold. Unlike some, I know what honor is."
"You keep telling yourself that, Raider," Kira said as he stood.
He turned to her, thunder on his face. "What's that supposed to mean?"
She gave him a nasty smile. "It means you have just as much blood on your hands as me. The difference is you're human and I'm not."
He leaned over, rage on his face. Kira pushed back from the table, giving herself space in case she needed to act.
Jin flew out of the trees making a beeline straight for Kira. The distraction served to remind Raider of where they were.
He straightened. "One day we're going to finish this, Kira."
"I'll look forward to that. Until then, why don't you run along and be the good little soldier boy? Blue can act as the human guard."
"Oh no, cupcake. You aren't calling the shots. You're stuck with me until the end of my rotation," Raider said.
"I can't do what I need to do with someone who so obviously hates the Tuann at my side," Kira said through gritted teeth.
He shrugged. "Not my problem."
Kira tapped the spoon against her bowl trying to resist the urge to punch him in the face.
Jin arrived, twisting to take in both of them. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Kira said, putting her bowl on the table. She suddenly wasn't hungry anymore.
"Oookay," Jin said, drawing out the word.
"What do you want, tin can?" Raider asked.
"You know that's not my name, meat sack."
"You seem to think I care about your feelings. I don't."
Jin's sigh was gusty. "I forgot how much of an annoyance you were."
"Happy I could remind you," Raider said.
Kira shook her head. Just like old times. It was amazing how she ever thought she'd missed this.
She picked up another bowl and forced herself to eat several bites. She was going to need the fuel later.
She glanced at Jin in question. A small light flashed twice. He'd found something but didn't want to talk about it where the other two could hear.
She grimaced. Finding a time without any listening ears was going to be difficult, especially since both groups seemed hellbent on keeping as close an eye on her as possible.
When she finally couldn't eat another bite, Kira rose. "Let's explore, Jin."
"The Overlord will want to speak to you today," Finn said.
Kira gave him a sideways glance. "When?"
"She'll send for you when she's ready."
Kira walked away. "I'm sure whoever she sends can find us if need be."
She didn't plan to stay cooped up in a room until these people figured out what they wanted to do with her. She'd found being proactive worked a whole heck of a lot better than waiting for others to make the decisions for you.
They passed Blue tinkering with the innards of some electronics, the purpose of which was a mystery. Kira couldn't tell what it was after Blue had done such a thorough job disassembling it.
Blue looked up, her eyes magnified by the goggles on her head. "Where are you two going?"
"The princess wants to explore." Raider jabbed a thumb at Kira.
She shook her head at him and kept walking. If she let him, he'd keep picking at her until she found herself retreating to her room to escape. There'd be no wandering the Citadel then.
There was a clatter behind her and then Blue hustled after them.
"I'll come with," Blue said with a happy smile.
Kira glanced behind them at Raider. He folded his arms and looked away but didn't comment.
Kira returned Blue's smile. "Sounds good."
"I'll lead," Finn said with a sigh.
Blue kept up a running chatter as they left Graydon and the oshota's suite. Kira nodded and pretended to pay attention as they turned right, heading deeper into the Citadel.
It wasn't long before they entered the more populated section, passing Luathans who peered at Kira with interest.
None wore synth armor. Kira assumed that meant they weren’t warriors.
Instead, the Luathans they passed were clad in garments that at first glance appeared almost simple. When Kira looked closer, she saw details she'd missed the first time. Some wore dresses with intricately braided material. Others were pieced together, panels creating a subtle three-dimensional pattern.
The style the men wore was similar, buttons with some type of intricate detail to draw the eye. The longer you looked, the more you noticed, as if only by studying each person could you take in the full effect of them.
Kira looked at those they passed with the same interest aimed her way. The Luathans, she noticed, were more individualized than she'd first assumed. There was more variation in hair and eye color, though blond hair and purple eyes seemed to dominate.
"It's like some scene out of a holovid,” Raider said. “It’s creepy.”
Blue rolled her eyes. "You're always so grumpy. I think it's nice. They seem happy."
"You think everything is nice."
Blue wasn't listening. She darted to a doorway that led into a sun-drenched room. She paused on the threshold, not entering, as she examined the pattern etched into the doorframe.
"See something?" Kira asked.
Blue hummed.
Kira waited, drifting closer to see what had so fascinated Blue.