Ari Tayrey listens. She doesn't interrupt, doesn't say a word, just listens carefully to all this. For a long moment afterwards, she's silent. She clasps her hands together, wearing an expression of deep concentration. Careful thought.

'I follow,' she says at last, slowly. 'To a point.' Tayrey takes a breath. 'I willingly signed that contract. It's not perfect, no contract ever is, but it was more than good enough. I mean to fulfil it. I certainly want to protect the essential rights of the local people, so far as I can. And to free them from this... situation. It matters to me, and you know why. But what I don't think you see-'

Here's the tricky part. 'They have the right to their own customs. I'd be a monster if I tried to prevent them from giving each other gifts or following their religion or doing anything else that seems right to them and doesn't harm anyone else. Their rights matter. But so do mine, Erin. Being here under some kind of agreed indenture doesn't alter that. I didn't sign away my culture. If I had to accept charity, no fair contract in return, then I'd be wretched. Yes? I did day labor so I could purchase a dish to contribute to this gathering, and attend it. I'm participating in their community, as I can, without betraying my own beliefs in the process. You can't ask more of me than that.'