If I had the Strahl here, I'd offer to take you with me until you found something more suitable. I know that doesn't really help the given situation, but, I would.

The only piece of joining the Society I'm questioning is who I might end up housed with. Maybe I really will turn villain.

[ He doesn't press for more details about Josh, but he registers the name has come up before, and that he's important to David. ]

I have no idea what a shovel talk is, but I'm hoping anything that's just talk I can handle.

[ And at David's rejection of the term... ]

Oh? Well what title would fit me better then?