Posted by Lieutenant Séan Iven (Counselor) in Side-sim: Scoping Out Low Places

Posted by Civilian Thyr Th’arialat (Resident) in Side-sim: Scoping Out Low Places

Posted by Lieutenant Séan Iven (Counselor) in Side-sim: Scoping Out Low Places
Posted by… suppressed (36) by the Post Ghost! 👻
As the bustling streets of Oed’s Tevic Square hummed with activity, Séan found himself immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of the planet’s diverse culture. Off duty and dressed in casual civilian clothing, he relished the opportunity to explore beyond the confines of the Starfleet compound.

Tevic Square, with its eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and establishments, seemed to offer an enticing array of experiences. Séan’s eyes wandered, taking in the sights and sounds of the lively scene. The air was filled with the aroma of exotic spices, and colorful banners danced in the gentle breeze.

As he meandered through the bustling square, his attention was drawn to a dimly lit establishment tucked away in a corner. There was no visible sign to indicate its name, leaving Séan intrigued by the mystery it held. The sound of music and muffled conversations spilled out from the partially open doorway, enticing him to step inside and uncover its secrets.

Unbeknownst to Séan, this unnamed bar had earned a reputation among the locals as a place where tensions often escalated into physical altercations. It was said to contribute 2 to 10 patients per week to the nearby hospital, a consequence of the fights that broke out within its walls. Séan, however, remained oblivious to this knowledge, his intention being to keep a low profile and quietly immerse himself in the local culture.

Entering the establishment, Séan felt the shift in atmosphere. The dim lighting cast a mysterious glow, creating an ambiance of both excitement and unpredictability. Conversations, laughter, and the clinking of glasses intertwined into a symphony that echoed throughout the bar.

Seeking to blend in, Séan found a spot at the bar, trying to maintain a low profile despite his imposing stature. Standing at 6‘3” with a solid 230-pound frame, it was no easy task to fade into the background. He observed the diverse mix of patrons engaged in animated conversations, curious to understand their stories and experiences.

With each passing moment, Séan’s curiosity grew, eager to uncover the hidden narratives within these walls. Unbeknownst to him, the bar’s notoriety remained concealed, allowing him to approach his surroundings with a sense of wonder and intrigue.

Counselor Iven

In the corner of the bar sat an Andorian, at slightly over six feet tall, but shorter than Séan, and lankier, in a traditional Orion outfit. The lavish wrap came up around his shoulders and down his body covering just what it needed to. A loin cloth helped keep him covered. There was a healing wound along his left front side, in the lower chest. It was still sore, but mostly healed. There were a few other smaller scars visible along his body. Besides his Orion wear, he fit in quite well with the crowd in the bar.

He was tuned to the environment in the bar, his antenna showing his interest in the conversations around him. He noticed the tall newcomer, a human man no doubt, and… Did his best to blend into the corner. The man wore civilian clothes, but Thyr knew that walk, the way he carried himself. What was a fleety doing here? He wasn’t certain, but fairly sure. No one knows who I am. Don’t act suspicious, and no one has any reason to question, Thyr thought to himself. He made himself relax again, Forget the fleety. He turned his attention back to a particularly belligerent Klingon, hoping to see the beefy man start a fight.

~ Thyr

Séan’s eyes briefly scanned the room, taking in the diverse array of patrons engaged in lively conversations. Among them, he noticed an Andorian seated in the corner, adorned in a traditional Orion outfit. Séan’s gaze lingered for a moment, captivated by the intriguing blend of cultures represented in this bar.

Although unaware of the bar’s reputation for fights, Séan was instinctively drawn to observe the dynamics and interactions unfolding around him. The energy in the room was palpable, and his keen senses picked up on the subtle shifts in tension and anticipation.

His attention was momentarily caught by Thyr, the Andorian who seemed to possess a heightened awareness of his surroundings. Séan’s empathic nature picked up on Thyr’s curiosity and the brief recognition in his eyes. However, Séan dismissed it as a fleeting moment and shifted his focus back to the diverse crowd.

With a calm demeanor, Séan decided to order a drink, opting for something light and refreshing with a hint of alcohol. As he waited for his drink to be prepared, Séan leaned casually against the bar counter, allowing himself to be enveloped by the vibrant atmosphere of the establishment.

His intention was to keep a low profile and simply enjoy the experience of immersing himself in the local culture of Oed. Séan was keenly aware that his towering height and solid frame made it challenging to blend in completely, but he remained determined to embrace the moment and observe the rich tapestry of life unfolding before him.

Counselor Iven

A six foot tall andorian wearing an Orion outfit didn’t exactly go unnoticed either. But as Jezem had taught him, everyone was too busy gawking at the clothes to notice much else about him. And man, were they comfortable.

The Klingon was quite drunk and getting very belligerent and irritable with the people around him. He was at the table next to Shivan’s. Shivan snickered when he shouted at the trill next to him for… eating too many fries? The reason was mundane.

Unfortunately for Shivan, the Klingon heard him snicker. And turned around with a glowering look. “Are you laughing at me? You insult me!” The Klingon shouted, standing from his seat and instead at the end of Shivan’s table.

“You asked for it,” Shivan chuckled, unable to help himself. Then he cleared his throat, “Ahem, I mean…” Shivan could not bring himself to apologize to this idiot. He had too much pride for that. “You shouldn’t start fights?” He tried instead, unconvincingly, holding his hands up.

The answer was not good enough for the large Klingon and Shivan found himself promptly and roughly removed from his seat and harshly tossed to the ground. “No one insults T’okrorf and gets away with it!” The Klingon growled angrily.

~ Thyr

Amidst the bustling bar, Séan couldn’t help but be captivated by the unfolding scene. The Klingon’s belligerent behavior had caught everyone’s attention, and now his rage was directed at a fellow patron, an Andorian dressed in an Orion outfit.

Séan’s eyes narrowed as he observed the tense exchange. He had no desire to involve himself in the conflict, but his instinct as a counselor urged him to assess the situation and ensure the safety of those involved. The atmosphere in the bar grew charged with a mixture of concern and morbid curiosity.

Thyr, maintaining his composure, attempted to diffuse the tension with a remark, though it seemed half-hearted. The Klingon’s anger flared even higher, and in an instant, Thyr found himself violently thrown to the ground. The bar patrons watched, some with genuine worry, others seemingly enthralled by the spectacle.

As a trained practitioner of Aikido, Séan’s mind quickly analyzed the unfolding situation. His primary objective was to prevent any further harm without resorting to violence. With a calm yet vigilant demeanor, he positioned himself in a way that didn’t attract undue attention.

Séan’s focus shifted to the agitated Klingon, considering his options. Persuasion was his first approach, hoping to find a peaceful resolution to the escalating conflict. He stepped forward, his voice steady but firm. “Hey, let’s all take a step back and calm down. We don’t need any more trouble here.”

However, if persuasion failed to pacify the Klingon, Séan was prepared to act swiftly and decisively. His Aikido training had instilled in him the skills to neutralize a threat non-lethally. He assessed the Klingon’s stance, seeking the most efficient way to subdue him while minimizing harm to all parties involved.

Séan knew that diffusing the situation would require careful application of his training and an understanding of the Klingon’s aggression. As tensions continued to rise, he braced himself, ready to intervene if the need arose.

Counselor Iven

The Klingon had never been an officer aboard an official Klingon ship, however every Klingon knew how to fight. His fighting stance was solid as he eyed Séan. “Don’t you know to mind your own business?” The Klingon growled.

Thyr pulled himself off the floor, putting a hand over his side and sneered at the Klingon, “That all you got? Try me again!” Then he said something that contained an expletive or two. Thyr… Had yet to overcome his own anger issues.

~ Thyr

Séan was about to try and placate the Klingon, with a healthy dose of staying on guard, but then the Andorian just had to open his mouth and further provoke the Klingon. He gave a sigh and briefly thought of standing back to see what happened. Likely he’d step in to protect whoever went down next, but no he wanted to at least try and end this conflict peacefully.

“Look folks.” Séan said as he moved to a point where he could react to either the Klingon or the Andorian. It did put him a bit more into the line of fire so to speak but it gave him the advantage of breaking up any sudden moves. “I don’t think there’s any need for this to go further. Why don’t I buy you both another drink and we can laugh about this later?” His posture looked relaxed and non-threatening but his muscles were primed and ready to act.

Counselor Iven

The Klingon was enraged by Shivan’s comment. He shoved Séan with a solid push to the side, “Get out of my way and stay out of conflicts that aren’t yours!”

Séan hardly moved at the Klingon’s push. He took maybe a half step back just to keep out of range of a sudden swing.

This Klingon’s face was too puncheable! The things basically lived to fight. But Shivan took a deep breath, he was not supposed to be getting into trouble. A bar fight counted as ‘trouble’. And he wasn’t in a condition in which he’d win a fight with a Klingon… He did something he had never previously done: put his hands up, struggling to contain his anger. Through clenched teeth he growled, “Fine. I’ll… Back down…”

~ Thyr

Séan smiled happily as the Andorian agreed to end hostilities. He was about to try and further a peaceful resolution but before any words even left his mouth the Klingon bellowed loudly and then made a lunge towards Thyr. This fellow clearly was not a KDF officer, and obviously drunk, because telegraphing your actions like that with a loud shout is just about the most stupid thing you could do. Seeing as how it was dishonorable, or whatever Klingons care about, to attack someone who has shown no intentions to fight, so Séan decided to intervene.

As the Klingon disregarded Thyr’s reluctance to engage in a fight and moved aggressively towards him, Séan’s training in Aikido kicked in. With a swift and fluid motion, Séan positioned himself between the Klingon and Thyr, aiming to intercept the impending attack.

Using Aikido’s principles of redirecting and utilizing an opponent’s energy against them, Séan sought to neutralize the Klingon without causing any severe harm. He focused on maintaining his own balance and stability, ready to execute precise and controlled movements. As the Klingon swung his fist towards Thyr, Séan stepped diagonally to the side, evading the direct impact while simultaneously grabbing the Klingon’s attacking arm. Séan then smoothly rotated his body, employing a combination of joint locks and leverage to redirect the Klingon’s force away from Thyr and back towards the Klingon himself. With a deft maneuver, Séan guided the Klingon’s momentum into a controlled throw, using the Klingon’s own strength against him. The Klingon found himself on the ground with the wind knocked from his lungs, unable to continue his assault on Thyr.

“Okay, I think that should be the end of it.” Séan said with a stern look to the Klingon. Keeping an eye on the both of them he half-turned to the Andorian. “You okay there friend?”

Counselor Iven

There was no doubt in his mind this was a Starfleet officer now, though that was not Starfleet hand to hand. That was expert martial arts. Thyr was staring in awe for a moment, and then returned to his usual self, crossing his arms and scowling. “I’m fine. And no, I didn’t need help.”

~ Thyr

Séan smiled good naturedly. “Oh I had no doubt. It didn’t sit right with me that he was going to attack you despite your intentions to not fight though. So better I bruise his ego and shift any sort of grudge to me. I doubt he’d do anything to a Starfleet officer who can whoop his ass.” He said the last part louder, so that the Klingon and his friends that were helping him up could hear. They seemed to decide that leaving was the best course of action as they were heading for the door. With them gone he turned his full attention to Thyr. “I’m Séan by the way. Who might you be friend?”

Counselor Iven

Ugh, he did not need this guy announcing that with him around. Shivan pulled his seat back up and sat down, taking a swig of his ale. “Thyr. Thyr Th’arialat. I own a shop not far from here.” Upstanding citizen, Shivan, upstanding citizen… He’d rehearsed the name so many times it came out naturally and easily. “Sit down and I’ll buy you a drink.” One drink. He didn’t exactly have enough money to go blowing it all at bars. Some of it had to go into the shop.

~ Thyr

Séan waved at the barkeep to bring his unfinished drink over then took a seat opposite Thyr. “I appreciate the offer but I’ve still got one I’m nursing.” After his drink was put on the table he picked it up a took a small sip. “I haven’t been on Oed all that long, I think it has been just a little bit more than a week now. I was wandering around and just kind of exploring the area until I saw this bar kind of hidden away. Are fights a pretty common thing here?”

Counselor Iven

“That’s the reputation,” Thyr told him with a shrug. “Apparently, the reputation isn’t without reason.” He set a hand over his injury, more out of habit than need, but it was sore after getting thrown like that. “So you see a shady bar and think ‘huh, that’s a good place to go check out’?” He asked.

~ Thyr

Séan grinned at Thyr. “Yeah, pretty much. I didn’t know it was a bar or anything but I’m scoping places out. I like to know what’s around.” He noted that Thyr was pressing against what he assumed was an injury. “You doing okay there? Do you need medical assistance?”

Counselor Iven

Thyr forced a smile. “I’m fine. No need for assistance.” He dropped his hand away and instead picked up his drink and drank out of it. “This isn’t the worst part of the city, but if I were you I wouldn’t go hanging around here unless you’d like a visit to the hospital.” It was true, he had not been around much either, but he had already seen worse parts of the city. A bar full of bar fights hardly qualified as dangerous to him unless a certain crowd hung around in it. To his knowledge, this particular hole in the wall avoided that sort of reputation.

~ Thyr

Séan nodded, taking note of Thyr’s reassurance about his well-being. “Glad to hear that you’re alright. And thanks for the advice. I’ll keep that in mind.” He took another sip of his drink, savoring the flavor before continuing the conversation.

“I’m still getting to know the city, so I appreciate any guidance I can get,” Séan remarked, his gaze scanning the bar’s interior. “Are there any other places you’d recommend checking out? Maybe some local spots that are a bit more… peaceful?” He chuckled, acknowledging the rowdiness of their current location.

Counselor Iven

Thyr snorted, “Like I’d frequent some snoozefest…” Then his demeanor changed suddenly and he switched what he was saying to an awkward, “Uh, I don’t know anywhere…” He mentally face palmed. He was an idiot. At this rate he’d give himself away. And then the Syndicate… He glanced around the bar suspiciously, as if someone might come after him. He remembered Jezem’s words: Don’t look suspicious, just act normal. Why was that so hard? He always felt the need to look over his shoulder.

~ Thyr

Séan noticed the sudden shift in Thyr’s demeanor, his initially dismissive remark followed by an awkward retreat. Concerned by the change, he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “Hey, Thyr, everything okay?” Séan asked, his tone filled with genuine concern.

Thyr’s gaze darted around the bar, his paranoia evident in his actions. Séan’s empathic nature kicked in, sensing the unease that Thyr was trying to hide. “You seem a bit on edge. Is there something bothering you?” Séan asked while keeping his voice calm and low.

Counselor Iven

No! He was giving it away! He had to get ahold of himself. Deep breaths, Shivan… The man seemed genuinely concerned for him, which deeply confused him. Caring? For a stranger at a bar? What kind of sap was this? Oh yeah, he thinks I’m a regular, upstanding citizen. That didn’t explain it entirely, though he guessed it was easier to care about an innocent person than a criminal with a non-zero kill count.

Thyr tried his best to give a reassuring smile. “Nothing is wrong. The… the fight. It has me a little on edge.” He said, nodding slightly. “If those Klingons come back…” He shrugged, “I know self defense, but Klingons?” It was, after all, a Klingon that had injured him in the first place. Though that particular encounter had more personal motive behind it. These Klingons were mere strangers and in truth Thyr was not worried in the slightest about them.

~ Thyr

Séan gave a brief nod, acknowledging Thyr’s statement. His voice was low and composed as he responded.

“I understand. The fight can leave you on edge,” Séan said, his words concise. “If those Klingons return, it’s important to prioritize your safety. Self-defense is crucial, but it’s wise to avoid unnecessary confrontations, especially with individuals known for their combat skills.”

“Oh, I’m well aware of Klingon’s combat skills. I’ve studied their form of hand to hand though I can’t practice it myself very well.” Thyr chuckled, about to continue, but stopped himself. I need to not drink anymore or I’ll get too loose-lipped. He set his drink aside.

He took another sip of his drink, his gaze focused on Thyr. “If you ever need assistance or someone to talk to, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m a counselor when I’m not moonlighting in shady bars as a bouncer.” Séan’s tone remained steady, his demeanor showing a restrained concern.

Counselor Iven

Thyr looked… very uncomfortable all of a sudden. Of all the Starfleet Officers he could encounter… Well he supposed a human counselor was better than, say a betazoid. Thyr wasn’t well trained on shielding thoughts. “I… No offense, but I probably won’t take you up on that. Not a fan of getting my head shrunk and all that.” He looked at Séan again, “Uhm, thanks though. I guess.”

~ Thyr

Séan offered a faint smile, understanding Thyr’s reluctance. “No offense taken. It’s entirely your choice, and I respect that. Just know that the offer stands if you ever change your mind or find yourself in need of someone to talk to. Sometimes, it helps to have an outside perspective.”

He glanced around the bar, sensing Thyr’s discomfort, and decided to shift the topic slightly. “So, Thyr, if you’re not originally from Oed, what brings you to this part of the galaxy? Any particular reason for choosing this planet?”

Séan’s tone remained calm and non-intrusive, showing genuine interest in Thyr’s story. He hoped to divert the conversation to a more neutral topic, allowing Thyr to feel more at ease in their interaction.

Counselor Iven

Thyr shifted, his antenna curved toward Séan, a sign of his interest in the conversation, but also somewhat rigid, a sign of fear or excitement. He’d rehearsed his history too, reminding himself over and over again how to respond. “I used to work on freighters, as freighter crew. You know, loading and unloading cargo? That kinda thing.” He shrugged then, “I lost my job though. Left me here on Oed. No money to hitch a ride off, so I got a little stuck here.” He peeked at the door of the bar, perhaps seeing if the Klingon would return, perhaps checking if the door were still there, perhaps checking if there was a clear exit path. Then he returned his focus to Séan.

~ Thyr

Séan perked up at the mention of freighters. “Oh freighters, neat! What sort of freighters have you been on? I’m guessing you’ve been on a T37-Rellnak Andorian freighter before. The inertial compensators on those can be a bit finnicky but give such a smooth ride.”

Counselor Iven

A string of Andorian expletives echoes in his mind. How unlucky could he be?! He’d never been on a legit freighter! “Oh, yeah,” he said, the lie coming out easily and smoothly. “It was older though. Those compensators gave our engineers a hell of a time.” Please, please shut up and move on. Shivan needed him to not ask too many questions he couldn’t answer. “The last ship I worked on though, was- Human. I worked with humans.” Why had he said that? If this person was that well informed they’d know plenty about human freighters. Plenty of things Shivan couldn’t answer! Shivan briefly considered praying to those ridiculous gods of Jezem’s.

~ Thyr

Séan’s smiled sadly at Thyr as the lie was very obvious. It was obvious because he was lying about the Andorian freighter type and the compensators. He sighed and shook his head before he gave Thyr a look that would seem as if he was looking past the facade that was in place. “I’m sorry for lying to you but the Andorians don’t have a freighter of that type. Now for the sake of a theoretical scenario I’m going to list off some plausibilities. Let’s say that there is an Andorian on Oed dressed in Orion garb, sitting in a dingy, out of the way bar, who just got tossed around by a Klingon. This Andorian seems very cagey especially regarding Starfleet and their officers and seems to have a cover story that is demonstrably false. I’m no profiler but I would be of the opinion that this person was hiding out on Oed for some reason. It’s not a Federation colony so it’s administration is likely quite lax and easier to ‘appear’ on. Hmm… theoretically I’m sure as a Starfleet officer I would need to report that to my superiors and the local constabulary. However I’m a counselor first and I would be bound by my oath to do no harm if such a person were my patient, even if it were off the books, and would not reports such a thing.”

Counselor Iven

All the colour drained from his face, leaving a very pale looking Andorian sitting across from Séan. He should’ve left. He should’ve left! He wasn’t supposed to run into freight crew! He… Probably should’ve expected that, but, how was he to know a freight crewman turned Starfleet officer would spring a pop quiz on him in a bar? Jezem was going to kill him. Or laugh at him.

Shivan growled, dropping his voice and leaning over the table. “You listen to me. You turn me in, you’re getting me killed!” At the word killed he banged his fist on the table. Then he glanced around, as if checking who was around, if they were paying attention, his gaze panicked.

He could run. He always made sure there was a clear path to an exit. But he’d told the man his name. All Séan had to do was tell his Starfleet buddies that “Thyr” was a criminal and Shivan’s life was over. How was Shivan this good at wedging himself in nice, tight metaphorical corners? Shivan banged his fist into the table again. “Keep your voice down. Keep it down! Understand?”

He needed to keep control of himself. “Can we talk somewhere more private?” He hissed across the table.

~ Thyr

That wasn’t quite the reaction Séan was expecting but he figured Thyr was in trouble, just not that severely. “I probably shouldn’t let you lead me to a secluded location based on how desperate you are.” He said thoughtfully, his voice not all that loud. He wasn’t nearly as noisy as Thyr was being. “Where would you be willing to go? I’m guessing anywhere near the Starfleet complex is out.”

Counselor Iven

Shivan scoffed. “Murdering a Starfleet officer would be suicide.” Not that he hadn’t done it before… But he’d had the protection of the Syndicate then. Shivan thought a long moment. “My shop. You go missing from there, I’m suspect number one. That’s your insurance. Deal?” He said, keeping his voice low.

~ Thyr

Séan gave it another thought then nodded at Thyr. “Alright. It’s against my better judgement but I’m assuming your reason for being here means you don’t have that much in the way of support. Plus I’m a man of pacifism but I don’t think you could take me unless it was by surprise. So yeah, lead the way ‘Thyr’.” He said as he stood from the table and waited for the Andorian to do the same.

Counselor Iven

Shivan glared across the table, struggling to contain his temper. “Say it again and we’ll see who’d win that fight,” he growled. He stood, a little too quickly, and smashed his side into the table. A sign of how stressed and panicked he was. He kept walking like nothing had happened and exited the bar, leading Séan to the shop Eryn had given him. More like lent to him. He unlocked the door and ushered Séan inside, closing and locking the door behind them.

The shop was only partially set up, the area cleaned and picked up, but only a few weapons sat in mostly empty display cases. He pulled out a couple of foldout chairs and set them down, sitting in one of them, a hand once again resting on the injury. “What do you want from me?”

~ Thyr

Séan gave the shop a quick lookover before he sat in the other chair. “I don’t want anything from you. I’m not exactly the idyllic Starfleet officer that’s completely selfless but you don’t have anything I want. On the contrary, I believe you could use a friend and someone to talk to. I happen to be available for both. Luckily I’m not a security officer or someone who is trained in investigation because your body language the whole time we were talking was screaming false. That would have gotten far more interest in you than you would have wanted.”

Counselor Iven

“Why would you want to do that? Not to mention want it badly enough to blackmail me for it?” Shivan glared distrustfully at Séan. “What is it? Blackmail me into this weird arrangement, get all the evidence you need to arrest me, and then turn me in? Not interested. Maybe you know about the price on my head? That’s less likely, but if that is it, let me get a head start, I’d rather go down fighting. What reason that isn’t universally bad for me is there for you to offer this?”

Séan nodded at Thyr’s points. They certainly made sense when strung along like that. Except, “Why would I bother to let you know I was privy to your deception if I planned to arrest you after spending who knows how long ‘gathering evidence’? It’d be far more efficient to tip off security, intelligence, or the local police and let them do the digging. Besides, your arrest in no way benefits me. Likewise any sort of price on your head. If I was interested in money I wouldn’t have joined Starfleet of all places. I’d own and operate my own freighter and ply the trade routes. Those self-serving motivations aside, I don’t know that I can convince you that I’m doing this out of the hopes of helping you. Now sure the ‘blackmail’, horrible way to phrase it, wasn’t the fairest approach to getting you to listen but I think we both know you would have left as soon as you thought I might’ve been asking too many questions.”

He shook his head, “And as for my luck that you’re not Security.... Well, why do you think I was hanging out in a dingy bar? To avoid Starfleet Officers!”

~ Thyr

“Your luck is pretty bad, I’ll admit, but at least we’re having a conversation and nothing more.” Séan said with a bright smile.

Counselor Iven

Shivan scowled. That smile was going to be his nemesis. “I should’ve left when you announced you were a fleet officer. If I’d done that, neither of us would be here. So tell me, say I agree, off the books, how can I trust you? Say I don’t agree, would you really turn me in, knowing if I get arrested by the Federation, Syndicate members will surely get ahold of me and murder me in the most horrific of ways?”

~ Thyr

Séan shrugged while still smiling. “I don’t need you to trust me. Besides trust is earned and not given, as I’m sure you know. As for if you don’t agree… well, I’m willing to let you have that head start I guess. I’m not sure of you as a person or the circumstances of why you’re here but I do know the Syndicate and your involvement with them means you’ve likely killed before. I can’t say the prospect of a killer wandering around where I’m living and working delights me, but I value life and don’t want to see you dead. However my duty as a Starfleet officer would compel me to notify the various authorities… eventually.”

Counselor Iven

“Relax,” Shivan huffed, “Killing anyone would be suicide for me. That’s far more attention than I need. Think of it this way, I don’t stay legit, either I get arrested and the Syndicate catches me and kills me, or the Syndicate finds me first and worse things happen to me.”

He glanced up at Séan, “So you’re going to turn me in either way?” He snorted, “Then why bother? I don’t want to live at the whim of a complete stranger.”

~ Thyr

“Who said I was going to turn you in either way?” Séan asked with visible confusion. “I thought I was pretty clear that I couldn’t turn you in if I were your counselor. Your trust in me has nothing to do with that.”

Counselor Iven

“What happened to your duties as an officer compelling you to turn me in?” Replied Shivan, now confused himself. “Would your ethical code, or whatever, really keep you from fulfilling your duty?”

~ Thyr