She nods, understanding at once. 'We need to be sure we have the same expectations, that we agree on fair contract. It's the best way.'

After a moment's hesitation, she tells him more. 'I've never made such a business arrangement before, but in my line of work it's commonplace to have overnights - a night of mutual pleasure for both parties, no further expectations. I've seen that get exceptionally complicated when someone from even a slightly different culture comes to it with different preconceptions.' Her genemother, for one.

'In this place, where the cultural differences aren't minor, you might be the only person here I can trust with certainty not to-' catch feelings '-risk overstepping contract.'