She gets the laugh she was hoping for and it eases— something. Damn, when did she turn into such a live-wire? Somewhere between the space arena and the one in the jungle, she was sure. Somewhere between looking into Kurloz's eyes and realizing what they'd done to him in those back-room sessions. The brand, hot on her face.

But there's another message in what he tells her: they do want something, they do have a line in the sand. Something about that is comforting— like the rest of it is all too easy.

"They offered me an apartment, but I, uh..."

She hadn't trusted it.

I've been sleepin' rough," she admits, a little sheepishly, "I've had worse. At least the weather's been alright."