"Sector Standard it is. I'll level with you, I don't remember the going rate for language lessons back on Earth, but I just fuckin' got here, I can't be hashing out payments. Consider it...damn it I used to know this phrase...not a pre-negotiation that's setting up the meeting and procedures..." Erin snaps her fingers a few times in rhythm, trying to remind herself, and then straightens up with the epiphany. "Declaration of intent, there we go! Formal contract later when we've had time to be at our best."

Deep breath. Erin steeples her fingers. "...Now, I said I'd circle back around. Our contract of friendship, I dunno if it's still valid by your lights. We had it pegged to time, with a duration, and time just got fucky from our perspective. But...I still value it. I'm still holding to it, on my end. I'm half-starved for Glamour, Tayrey, and I've been autocannibalizing my fuckin' selfhood as a result."

"What I'm saying is, I'm not at the top of my explanation game here. Can I ask you to strain your remarkable mind to extend me the benefit of the doubt here?"