So...what if they'd managed to convince Essek to work with them alongside Trent? I just imagined a scenario where Trent finds out Caleb and Essek are either dating, or dancing around each other...so to 'punish Bren' he uses 'the Crick' to get at him...being openly callous, refusing to acknowledge his skills or any time he speaks, then insulting him for nothing. Caleb is bothered by this but Essek isn't actually. He knows politics. His family isn't great. He manages to convince Caleb not to be bothered...but Trent is NOT cool with the fact that the 'punishment' isn't working...so he takes things up a notch. Sexual harassment. Assault. How far he gets is up to you, I'm fine either way. Naturally the Nein don't take this well...and this could very well be the incident that makes them kill Trent.

I'm totally open to variations on any part of this scenario, but I had a general idea and hoped someone would be able to flesh it out more than I can. XD

Ideally Essek is very modest and shy about anything intimate, similar to how he is in canon...

Please no bathroom stuff or permanent character death...aside from Trent of course (though if you want him to live for DRAMAAAAAAAAAAAA I won't complain XD)