Heart of Steel

Chapter 24: Sin-ful Practices

Image Credit: __Ntrc on Twitter

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=Rehabilitation Day 1=

"Hey Guilty, I'm headin' out to go start the sessions with Sin. Will you be okay for the next few hours?" Vulca asked as he got ready. Guilty nodded, a little sad that he was leaving, but understood he'd be back soon enough. In the living quarters, Vulca had set aside a room for Guilty to stay in, but considering he'd soon have a squad of 3 people, he'd have to find actual housing and move out. The notion saddened him, but he didn't want to intrude on the Mighty Tools squad's kindness (and safety). I was especially considering how Liter had been so gracious as to house him for quite some time. 

"Alright. I'm off. Behave, alright?" Vulca added, hugging Guilty goodbye. After the commute, Vulca greeted Mana as he headed to where Sin was being held. Upon seeing him, Sin glanced his way as she sighed.

"▣✧▢Tsk, tsk. You're late counselor. It's rude to keep a woman waiting you know? I'll have to deduct some points from your score. It's not looking good for you.▣✧▢." Sin cooed with mock concern. 

"Points?" 

"▣✧▢Of course! I hand them out to people who deserve them. And surely you want to be on that list, don't you?▣✧▢" She added, throwing her arms around Vulca's shoulders, intending to reel him in and have him under her control. He'd be a fun toy after all. 

"Nah, that's not my thing." Vulca shrugged, catching Sin off guard. 

"Now then, I took a look at your rap sheet. Pretty lengthy y'know?" Vulca said, gently taking her hands off his shoulders. 

"▣✧▢ I . . . Guess . . . ▣✧▢" Sin commented, still at a loss at what to do. Next, an idea popped into her head, placing a hand on Vulca's chest. 

"▣✧▢Oh counselor . . . Wouldn't you help a gal out? This converter is a prison you see . . . It's so cumbersome, and I feel it hinders our connection. Frankly, I think it would be for the best if you helped me take it off. Perhaps I could show you what I can do without it.▣✧▢" Sin offered, while looking into Vulca's eyes. 

"You're cute, but the risk ain't worth it. Maybe if you do well, we'll get it off." Vulca smiled at Sin. Frankly, he was less concerned about being manipulated and more concerned about how either Maiden or Guilty would probably crash out at the knowledge. Still, Sin saw the brief hesitant look in his eyes and knew a seed had been planted. 

"▣✧▢Arent you a stickler for the rules? Well, In that case, would it be a crime to ask you to tell me about yourself, counselor? I'm one to want to know about my counselors after all! Wouldn't it be easier for us if we knew a little bit about each other?▣✧▢" 

"Sure, why not." Vulca put away the notepad.

"▣✧▢Aw why- Oh . . . you will?▣✧▢" Sin asked, clearly not expecting Vulca to comply. The previous counselors had been wary of divulging any personal information to her. 

"Well, it all starts in the Outer Rim. Never really knew my parents, but I grew up with my gramps. He took care of me for a good while, till he passed. Afterward, I was left to fend for myself and made a living by workin' with machines. One day a client of mine noted my intelligence while I worked on her motorcycle and offered to speak to her boss to secure me a spot in the Commander's Academy. I mean, naturally, I agreed right away. After all, doing more with my life and gettin' out of the outer rim sounded like a steal. So she did just that, and I got into the Academy. The place was a nightmare all things considered, was kinda scary what they teach you about when it comes to treating Nikkes but I never took that sorta stuff to heart y'know? I mean, the person who helped push me into that new life was a Nikke and the nice old lady housin' me was a Nikke too." Vulca rambled, as Sin listened, her interest slowly waning as there wasn't anything of real use to her that she could use to further control Vulca.