That answer didn’t make Finn happy, but he was also smart enough to know when he wasn't going to win the battle.
They were standing on Haldeel territory—in the very heart of their power. If they wanted Finn to wait here, here Finn would wait. There was nothing either of them could do about it.
"Fine, but try to avoid having anyone kill you while you're gone."
Kira lifted a shoulder as she stepped past the entrance. "I'll try, but my track record isn't exactly the best."
The wall reassembled, blocking Kira's last view of Finn’s sour expression.
"I guess that's that," she muttered to herself.
"You will come to no harm in our care,za," the leader assured her.
Kira's smile was wry. "I wasn't too worried."
This wasn't her first experience with the Haldeel. She'd found as long as you treated them with respect, they'd do the same to you.
Their politics were a tad warped and vicious, but the same could be said of human and Tuann politics as well.
The leader stopped in front of the entrance to a room Kira could only describe as the nicest conference room she'd ever visited.
White floors were offset by glass windows offering a view of an ornamental garden. Pebbled paths wound through the garden’s center, trees not much taller than Kira draped over artful ponds, their fronds reminding her of weeping willows, if a willow's branches were twisted like a braid.
The colorful garden helped offset the sterility of the white room. There was a white table in the shape of a crescent in the center and charcoal gray seats that looked comfortable surrounding it.
It was a far cry from the drab holding cell she'd imagined.
"If you would," the leader gestured inside.
Kira complied, looking around with interest as a Haldeel stepped into the room after her, carrying Jin in one hand. He set her friend on the table before departing.
"Please wait here until we have finished verifying your story.” The Haldeel pointed to a basin that had a waterfall of water cascading down into it. “You can clean up over there if you wish.”
He didn’t linger any longer, touching the butt of his trident to the floor. The door reassembled, cubes crawling into place as they cut off the only exit.
Guess they didn't really plan on giving her an option. Not that she blamed them. If she found someone standing over a swarm of shrieker bodies, she'd probably want to do her due diligence too.
Kira didn't waste time searching for a way to open the door. She already knew she wouldn't find one. Even if she did, where would she go? Chances were the Haldeel had placed guards outside, just in case.
Knowing she was likely under some kind of surveillance, Kira crossed to the table, setting a hand on Jin.
Like this, he almost appeared to be sleeping.
Except, Jin was never this still, and he never slept. It was both his blessing and his curse not to be bound by the same limitations as an organic. He could avoid the time wasted by sleep, but he also never experienced the escape it provided.
Sleep was where biologicals processed their emotions. It offered a chance to allow the psyche to heal and evolve. Without it, people tended to go crazy.
Lucky for Jin, he had his connection to Kira. It allowed him a limited biofeedback that mitigated some of the issues stemming from not being able to rest. Otherwise, she very much would have feared for the stability of his mental state.
It wasn't a perfect solution, but it worked.
"This look doesn't suit you, old friend. You should hurry and wake up." Kira rested a hand on his hard shell, feeling for the spark that was Jin. It was a futile effort, her consciousness bouncing off the same barrier as before.
With a harsh exhale, Kira gave up. It was probably better this way. She could imagine the outcry if she were to break the Haldeel's hold on Jin while standing in their seat of power.
With one last caress, Kira stepped away from his still form. "Rest well. I'll protect us until you can take up the mantle again."
She moved to the basin, cupping her hands under the water only to find it warmer than she expected.
