Monday. Thames House Security Service Headquarters. London, United Kingdom.
DIHA BALAKRISHNAN SMOOTHED HER hand down the long, blue kurta she'd worn today. It was her favorite gift from her more fashionable sister. The short sleeved garment was a rich, shimmering navy blue with a cascade of gold embroidered leaves clinging to one shoulder and falling in a pile down her left side with a few dotting the hem swirling around her calves. She'd paired the garment with yellow leggings and her brand new red ankle boots. It was flashy for Diha, who was not normally one to call attention to herself.
"Say it with me." Cat, Diha's lab assistant and friend, hooked her arm in Diha's. "You are a badass and you kick ass."
Diha peered sideways at Cat as they waited for the crosswalk sign. "That's a lot of, well..."
"Ass?" Cat grinned at her.