[ keeping Andyr from escalating is a job most are not cut out for, Alva being likely one of the two or three really capable of it most days, and while he's well aware Nick isn't Alva, isn't anything like him, and is a far cry from his best friend, the fact he has his face and speaks in his voice does do him some credit when Andyr's only really half tuned in at the moment.

it's enough that he stops with the hands raised and Nick trying to get his attention, expression stony and violence still promised in his eyes as they skim the halls while listening to Nick rationalizing with him. Throw you in the hold, shoot you into space, stick him in cryo. Andyr's eyes narrow some at the last, brows furrowing like that's the singular concern he's actually trying to work through. They'd said something to her, right? Before she fell over? Was it just her that response to it, or is that some kind of power they have?

His mind skips to Alva, and from him, Val and Miray. Alva may be strong, but he can't protect them like Andyr can. He doesn't know how, and he doesn't have the mentality to go to the lengths Andyr does to see to it. Nick's right, in that he can't risk leaving them here by themselves, if he screws this up. But on the other hand, what if it happens anyway, while they're waiting? ]

The right time never comes for people like us. If you're waiting for things to be in your favor, may as well surrender or walk yourself off a damn cliff, because it's never fucking coming, Nick. You should know that. [ For all he tangled with Division, and all the power he'd told him they had. ]

They already took Cassie once, are you seriously saying you'd take the chance it happens again?