Virmad grimaces. “Things are a little...tense right now. But as soon as I can bring it up, I’ll suggest that maybe we don’t need to keep you locked in a doorless room, even with company. Once we’re away from the station I hope things will be slightly calmer.”

In truth he has no idea if “things” (read: Ashari, Sasha, the foxling) will be calmer or not, but it seems like the right thing to say. “It seems like you made a friend in...” He trails off, unable to remember Alaric’s pseudonym, and unsure, in any case, whether he’ll have given that to Gerae or his real name. A little awkwardly, he finishes, “...the foreign scientist.”

[debating whether or not to have Virmad ask Gerae some questions about Teo or whether that would kill his chances of getting with Gerae. hmmmmmmmm]