This little snippet was running through my head, so I thought I'd write it down. It's not connected to any of my stories, just a random scene. Enjoy.

  Ivan sneered as he leaned over the girl, hands on his hips. His companion, Corta, watched impassively, leaning against the doorway with her arms crossed.

"You're naive. It'll never work."

The girl held his gaze unflinchingly, unwilling to back down.

"And why is that?"

He waved a hand aimlessly.

"I've seen hundreds of people like him. They don't change, and they never will. The best thing would be to put him out of his misery."

She dropped her gaze for a moment. "Maybe so," she said quietly. "But I can't do that without at least trying."

He scoffed and looked away.

"Look," she said, jolting his attention back to her. "I've seen many things I never thought possible on this trip. It makes me believe that this might just be possible, too."

The man stared long and hard at her. "You have no idea what you're doing. You're going to get yourself killed."

She folded her arms. "At least I'll die at peace."

His eyes hardened. He dropped his arms and brushed past her, throwing a look at Corta, who regarded him calmly as he stormed out.

Uncomfortable silence reigned in the room for several moments. The girl stared at the wall, trying to piece together her thoughts.

"You really think you can convince him to stand down?"

Startled,  she turned around to face the woman. "I don't know," she admitted. "But I have to try."

Corta pushed herself off the doorframe. "I'd come with, but someone has to keep Ivan out of trouble." She reached in her pocket and pulled out a small coin, flipping it to the girl who caught it deftly. It was rather old and worn-looking. One side bore an emblem of an eagle with outstretched wings perched on a branch. The other had the profile of a man with a strong nose and a short chin, his hair pulled back and tied with a ribbon. Both sides had writing that she couldn't decipher. She looked up at Corta, confused.

"What is this? And why give it to me?"

"I've got a friend in Sector 7. Show him that and he'll throw in with you."

"Okay," she said slowly. "But that doesn't explain why you're helping me."

Corta shrugged. "You've got heart. It's been too long since anyone tried giving peace a chance. Besides, it'll be worth it to see Ivan's face, if it works."

 The girl's fist closed around the coin. "I'll try my hardest to make it work."

Corta smiled, turning to leave with a wave. "Good luck, kid."