"The people themselves are what change you," Florida says after a long silence. Minutes long. Long enough for Rex to come back and flop down with his head in Florida's lap. "Just over a year ago I was a very different man. I lived my normal life. I killed, tortured, maimed. Rankings aside, I'm one of the best assassins in this part of the settled systems. I wasn't trained to be truly social, and definitely wasn't taught to care for people. And taught is the right word. Men like me, we're a strange combination of born and made."

Forged would be a better word. Constructed. He still shudders to think of it, and his hand goes to the back of his shoulder to rub the old tattoo. It's since been replaced by a super stylized rose with the greek letter 'Beta' hidden inside of it.

"It... for me it honestly started with a yarnbombing of York turning into a prank war turning into trying to seduce a man, turning into a bet that turned me into someone's servant for a week. That turned... God, I don't even know how it turned into a relationship, but before she left I proposed. I'm so involved with her family now, that even if she never comes back I see them as mine. I made friends through these people."

He strokes the dog's head, the fur so soft. "You start spending time with people. Take the offers when they're given. For me it was always to build resources. But you spend time with people. Learn about them. Let them learn the things about you that won't get you killed. Food you enjoy but not love. Go to a movie. Read a book. Join a club based on some silly game. And before you know it you've spent so much time with them that you're fond of them in their own way. You're their friend. Maybe more. But it starts small. There are those of us you met since coming here that you trust to some degree, right? Not me of course, but people like York. Spend time with him. Let him guide you."

York's a good man, even if Florida wont' say it.