"Before Mia was installed on the Bonaventure, she oversaw a nobleman acquaintance's home, and should still have a wealth of information available on the sociopolitical hierarchy of the Stellar Empire's aristocracy. You can query her on what a handmaiden is and make a decision for yourself," Solae said encouragingly. She personally thought it was the best idea given Rosaria's predilections and training through Thorne. The youth had been groomed to be shrewd, cunning, and perceptive. This was a potentially deadly combination should their youngest companion betray them, but it made her especially suited for anything remotely related to espionage, and could be the difference between fading to obscurity or rising to the upper echelons of the elite. Upon further consideration, the duchess had to admit internally that the way the girl had been raised to be cutthroat was not unlike a few esteemed prestigious families on Capella.

"While we're on the topic of advantages, I think Rene and Rosaria should endeavor to learn some Syshi. It could be useful for all of us to be able to converse in a language that is not the common tongue. We'll be able to have more covert discussions, will help prove ourselves as pioneers of inter-species relationships, and make it easier on me if I'm not always bridging the gap of misunderstandings. When our muscles are tired we can stretch our minds," she proposed.

Rosaria was less than thrilled about this prospect. While she was eager to learn, and having a 'secret' language most humans didn't speak was appealing, it was still not her first choice. There was a negative stigma associated with the Syshin race. She hid her frown well but her body posture was reflective of her lack of enthusiasm. "Just Syshi?" she ventured.

"It won't be easy to master," Solae forewarned diplomatically. "Yarue and Dasin have had years and near-total immersion to become bilingual," she continued, "I can understand that hearing me speak Syshi, and the two of them speak Imperial common, can give the impression it will be a simple matter that will only take you a week. That is not the case. If you are truly dedicated, and can become fully articulate in Syshi, then I will be happy to teach you another language. Trust me when I say, though," she leaned forward with a smile that made her eyes sparkle with mischief, "some of my colleagues at the embassy called me mad for taking on so many languages."

"You knew the most?" Rosaria asked intrigued. The two Syshin looked up with a shared curiosity. What drove their so-called benefactors interested them more than they admitted aloud. Once they understood all of Solae and Rene's motivations it would be easier for them to solidify how much time and energy they would be willing to commit to their causes.

"A true lady doesn't reveal how many languages she speaks," she replied with a wink before sitting back in her chair with a pensive expression. "That might be a tactic to employ with Yarue and Dasin, if you two are agreeable. It shouldn't be necessary with the Kaldorei, but when we are with those we don't trust, I could converse with you exclusively in Syshi. It would leave others to believe that you do not speak common and they might incidentally reveal things through their words that they would not otherwise. Again, it is your choice," she emphasized. "It would give us something of a potential advantage, but I do not wish to make you feel uncomfortable if you feel it is deception by omission."

"We have much to think about," Yarue said in a solemn tone. It was overwhelming for the Syshin; to have nearly unlimited access to a vast array of information, equal treatment by their new employers/hosts, consideration for their emotions, respect for their desires, and an adventure to a distant part of the galaxy even humanity had not dared to approach. "May we retire, mistress?"

"Of course, you need not ask my permission. Let Mia know if you need anything. The cargo is also for all of us to share if you are too cold, and the galley is open to you if you are thirsty in the middle of the night. I realize that that my title makes this a little awkward, but when we are traveling like this there is no need to be formal," she smiled. "I'll clean up," Solae announced firmly with no room for argument for an objection to her handling the chore.

Dasin and Yarue took their leave first, chatting excitedly in whispers about the secrets they might uncover on their devices. The duchess found it refreshing to see Yarue, who had been so melancholic and despondent in his pictures for Thorne's services, invigorated with hope. Rosaria more reluctantly went to her room, but even she seemed jubilant at not having a sense of ownership and privacy that had never been afforded to her before. Rene lingered behind, and almost voiced an argument for him assisting her at the very least, but the way she instructed him to lay down and wait for her made it clear she wanted him to save his strength.

It had been a long day. When they had departed Zatis it was after sunset and well into the evening hours. Despite the late hour, Rene's healing injury, and the ugly bruise on Solae's thigh, the former marquise elected to abuse the privilege of soundproofed captain's quarters. Once again they had emerged victorious. Once again they had survived circumstances that ought to have resulted in their death. She would not lose her opportunity to celebrate their promotions, the success at the embassy, or what precious fact they were alive. It was not until Rene was unable to continue any longer that she released him from what she called 'his duties as an official fiance' that night.