She nods, accepting this quite readily. 'Your relationship would be very unusual where I grew up, because there are three of you. I don't see a thing wrong with it, as you're all agreed and it brings you joy, but I understand that people might think it unconventional. I'm... attached to certain social conventions of my own, but that doesn't mean I think others should have to follow them.' Another little smile. 'Freedom is my highest value.'

Is she adrift? Well, that's the beginning of it. 'For me, it's not so much the lack of family that was the trouble. I left home long ago; Tradeline officers have to start training young. Only - contract can bind people as family, but it can also bind them in every other way as well. It's the building block of our society. I missed my ship, and my comrades, but also familiar social actions, if that makes sense? I've made some contracts here, but nobody was raised with it like I was, and the culture shock was extreme.'

Ari laughs then, a little harshly, at herself. 'I was very naive, thinking culture shock was the worst of my problems. It doesn't bother me much now,' she explains. Who cares whether someone is being culturally offensive when you're staring down eternal torture if you can't find a way to save yourself?