(Older) Simon Pechthold

(He keeps his grip firm on the handle.)

Perhaps your life would be better if you were loved! Otherwise, needing no love at all and being content about it makes you queer!

... do you think she would come down if we asked?

(He sighed softly, mood somber.)

Marshall is Vero's brother figure, the person she's trying to save.

Well... now she has no reason to rush to Targent...

(His smile faltered and fell.)

He's... he's been taken home?

Ah, so you have all of my secrets, good, good!

(He chuckled softly.)

I'm quite excited, honestly.

I'm happily broken, because it means I'm alive. And I'm not loved any less because of it.

Jesus...

(He shuffles back slightly.)

I'm actually quite happy, Bran. I have family and love and comfort. Something you won't get staying with Targent.

(He takes an odd step back to avoid Callum's kick and topples over, landing roughly with a groan.)

No, I can't, but you can! Run away and be happy for once in your shitty life! Stop ruining families!

(He tries to yank his cane back out of Callum's grip.)

I refuse to work for murderers.

(He set his cane in the middle of Callum's chest, pressing lightly.)

I'm sure it'll be fun when they decide to be rid of you. Wonder if they'll use your favorite poison.

Do you know how hard it is to recuperate after the loss of a loved one?

Do you know how hard I had to fight to stay alive, just to lose two decades of family and friends?

Did you try to leave yourself? At all?

(He does so, his point made. He just looks down at Callum, stoic.)

If she loved you, then she would've gotten you away from them.

Ah, I see where you get it from then.

(He stands upright, looking down his nose at Callum.)

Perhaps "fine" is a personal opinion.

Wonder how she would feel if she discovered you tore a family apart for a paycheck.

Mm... regrettably that's hard to believe. Who would you care about if you're working with Targent?

That's... not what it means, actually. It means you lack empathy.

I'm sure Targent has a doctor somewhere.

Pelican, eh? And I feel I shouldn't be surprised. Ever been tested for sociopathy?

(He sighed softly and leaned down.)

Do you ever feel bad about what you did..?

Eeh... I think you need to drink water and sleep, actually.

Well, I hate to tell you, but I need all of my bones, and I'm not sure where the other ones are.

Congrats, you figured me out. What next?

(He tilted his head curiously.)

Y'know what, go ahead. I want to see if you really can get it.

(His brows pop up, surprised.)

... how did you get that so fast..?

I mean that's certainly not entirely wrong, but... hm... doesn't study law?

I have a brother?

I've never been a cat or a chipmunk, that I'm certain of.

(He leans on his cane, grinning somewhat playfully.)

If you're so sure that's not my name, I want to see if you can figure out what it is.

(He glances away, then glances back.)

Nick.

Oh, I see. Well... if you'd like I can... I dunno... I can go with you? And I suppose... keep you from falling into a cave?

Oh? Was it... fun?

*Does he know I'm the same Simon, or...*