"It is unfortunate that you were drawn into the fight. Still, I appreciate the assistance."

He nods to the shifter, whom Jamie has been eyeing strangely this whole time, "My friend here had only just requested that I give them sanctuary when we were attacked by members of their Collective seeking to take them back." 

"And did you do anything to check this isn't a ploy?"

He blinks slowly, "My people sense lies. Such an obvious falsehood would have come through very clearly. This is why we treat such promises as sanctuary so seriously." 

"Oh, great. What caused you to live the collective?" He asks Scout 15.

Scout 15 shifts uncomfortably. "I was not very good for the Collective."

"What do you mean," Caine asks shortly. 

"Like, you didn't fit in, or what?" 

"I was not a very good scout."

"Aaaaand... they would have punished you for it?" Jeez, talking to this guy(?) is like pulling teeth. 

Scout 15 nods. "Deviants are not allowed to infect the collective."

"Are you sick or something?"

"No... I am deviant."

The word 'deviant' makes Jamie shudder, for some reason. 

"So they were goig to kill you, then," Erin says. "For being different? It's called a 'Collective' - do they not allow any individuality at all?" 

"No?" Scout 15 says blinking.

"Well, that's... unfortunate. What is it that makes you deviant, if you don't mind me asking." 

"I am disobedient." Fidget. "I like art."

"Nothing wrong with that," Jamie says quietly. 

"Do you know where they took my dad?" Caine asks. Reassuring the shapeshifter that individuality is a good thing is... great, but he'd like to get to the point. 

The shifter pauses, tilts his head and nods.

"Can you give us an address. As in, tell us one if you know."

"I... can give you directions..." He gives them in a small voice.

"Hey," Erin says, soothing, "We're going to keep you safe." She looks around at everyone in the room, "We have some pretty diverse skill sets, I'm sure you'll be alright. If you tell us how to get to where he is, we'll make sure they never know it was you who told us."

"And I will remain at your side regardless," Soren assures. When Caine looks prepared to protest, he raises a brow at the boy, "I swore an oath I would never again harm another in anything but defence of myself, defence of others, or with the aim of teaching another to protect themself." He admonishes him, "I will not break that oath." 

"Does something more exotic than strong social repercussions happen if you do break your oath?"

He frowns, but does answer, "Strong social repercussions... Yes, I suppose that is all, though I would also lose all respect for myself. To break one's sworn word is not done lightly. In the best of circumstances it would not be done at all." 

"Okay."