His mention of the crystal provokes a look of displeasure. 'Oh,' she says quietly. 'The spying crystal. I use that to tell Vaeros to return the goods he took from me. Not to beg for gifts and favors.' Is that insulting towards the people who do use the crystal to make wishes? Probably. Does Ari Tayrey care? Not a bit. She has always been clear about her notions of fair contract, and ethical consistency matters.

She listen to Levi's explanation of Survey Corps customs. Ari is blissfully oblivious to the dust around the room, but there's a considerable amount.

Nodding in understanding, she tells him, 'It makes sense. It's different, but it's like I was telling Commander Smith before, the differences make sense given our distinct operating parameters. Tradeliners don't have headquarters, except for a central finance office but that's very small. Shipside, everyone learns to use firearms, because if enemies attack they're not going to spare someone because they claim they're just an accountant or repair technician. If you're in a Tradeline uniform, you're a target. Automated means that people aren't needed for a job, machines can do it. We have machines that clean. Cooking is a specialist job shipside. I mean, anyone can heat up a ration packet on expedition, but I wouldn't call that cooking.'

It seems to her that both of them are concerned with practicalities, but what exactly counts as an essential practical skill doesn't really line up. She has to admit that Levi's skillset is probably more useful in Somnius than hers.