"I have a gift of my own for you," Solae said, turning in her chair as she heard the illicit broker enter the room. She knew that Rene disapproved of how broadly she trusted Ten, despite all his help, but given the risky mission she was already undertaking later that evening, she knew that the soldier's frustration would be mitigated so as to focus his emotions on the greater imminent danger. The present of half a million credits probably also helped endear the criminal to the marine. "Before you get too excited, did you find me a new costume?" she inquired as she stood and crossed the study to where he was standing.

"I did," he acknowledged with a brow raised in intrigue. "Since a disguise is to be expected of a lady partaking in the services of male Syshin, I took the liberty of selecting something more adventurous, both to be in-line with what is typical and because I thought you might find it enjoyable." Ten snapped his fingers and one of his house servants rolled in a small display with a long bright blue wig in an unnatural hue, a dress that came to mid-thigh when standing upright and left little to the imagination with its plunging neckline, and a pair of stilettos that would unequivocally seal the image of a woman looking for a certain type of indulgence. It was tasteful despite approaching vulgarity. With a sly smile Ten glanced at Rene as he could only surmise how tortured the man would be to see his fiancee in such an ensemble and with no way to express his appreciation.

"You've outdone yourself!" Solae announced with a bright smile as she moved forward to inspect the rack. Another woman might be offended at the overtly sensual party outfit. She knew that she would not be committing any unforgivable sin that night, though, and so to her it was merely what she called it- a costume- something fun to lighten the weight on her shoulders. She dared not admit aloud that she was more scared of the hotel rendezvous than the embassy. With the embassy she had Rene beside her. His presence imparted a reassurance that no matter if they succeeded or failed they would do it together. At the hotel she would be alone to drug a guard, convince two alien strangers to trust her, and hope that none of them seriously harmed her in the process.

"Are you really going to wear that?" Criesta asked with an incredulous tone. She was beginning to doubt which one in the couple was more odd. To see a duchess so thrilled about attire that made her look like a tramp temporarily distracted her from her patient. Perhaps it was their highly irregular behavior that could be attributed to their successes. Not just anyone, she mentally conceded, could have accomplished as much as they had. One day she many very well see their likeness splashed across imperial advertisements as heroes that turned the tides of war. This was assuming, of course, their recklessness did not get them killed.

"I absolutely am going to wear it," Solae affirmed. "Thank you," she said to Ten before standing on her toes and planting a kiss on his cheek. Composed though he was, his surprise was still evident. It only doubled as she tugged on his arm, pulled out a small storage device, and pressed it into his palm. It was hard to say what was more perplexing- this undeserving sign of friendly affection or the produced item. Solae and Rene had so little to offer he had sincerely not expected anything in reciprocation.

"That is [i]all[/i] the information I found in the Falia vault on the list of names you produced, the ones that work with Ralch," she told him. They had both known what had been provided to him prior had redactions- and he had not blamed them for that. They had held up their end of the bargain in procuring data that was helpful and he had given them the means to exploit it. To have anything more he certainly recognized as a generous gift.

"May I ask why..." he began slowly.

"When we're gone I want to make certain that we left you better off than when we came. There's nothing I can do to guarantee that Thorne and Bhast won't discover you helped us, but this will tip things back in you favor and... well, I can't say I approve of your business, but if someone in Zatis is going to be the one everyone is forced to respect, I'd rather it be you," she said with bluntly with her characteristic kindness.

Ten was silent a moment. To Criesta this was a sign he was deep in though and nothing more, but Solae and Rene, as nobles trained in the arts of the courts, they could see that he was moved by this declaration. The kingpin cleared his throat to shake it off before inclining his head. "Thank you," he said simply.

"I suppose I ought to get changed," Solae said. "Is there any chance the dresses from the other day are among the inclusions you made to our supplies?" she added with a faux innocence.

"Among other things, yes," he confirmed. "It would be a mark upon my hospitality if I did any less," he alleged, though it was more likely he had no use for the women's clothing after Solae was gone. They had been precisely tailored to her measurements. Not only that, he did not entertain [i]female[/i] guests regularly as they were not his preference.