"The important thing is to know what happened to Free Trader Corsica would not happen to us," Solae said, feeling that it was imperative to reassure their new companions of the differences between the Bonaventure and other standard, less fortunate, freighters. "Their vessel almost certainly has a computer that can handle basic tasks such as maintaining an orbit or keeping a beacon on looped broadcast, but it does not have Mia, who is a top of the line AI that is able to adapt to her circumstances and postulate on possible solutions without our input. If all of us were rendered unconscious, like Corsica's crew decades ago, she would have considerably more resources at her disposal. We are quite lucky to have her with us," she mused quietly as she stared out the large window towards the distant gas giant in question. All of her and Rene's genetically enhanced intelligence still paled in comparison to their synthetic assistant. Perhaps they were more innovative, and could understand social cues better than a machine would, but Mia was able to run multiple programs at once, process the outcomes for exponentially more scenarios in seconds, and infallibly analyze facts that were absent a human component.

"Then why do we need a pilot?" Rosaria asked, her tone curious rather than condescending.

"Lady Solae has superior finesse," Mia purred with implicit sultry approval. "She is able to perform more delicate functions in extreme conditions, as evidenced by landing the Bonventure during a hurricane."

The memory brought a sour expression to the duchess's features. To Rene it was perhaps a moment to be celebrated, as it proved that the noblewoman had unique skill to be envied, but it had been an experience that robbed her of the delight she might have had otherwise in controlling a vehicle that glided effortlessly through the cosmos. Nothing could erase the frustration, the terror, the unbridled anger she felt at having her first time at the helm be under duress and by figurative force. She steered because she was the only one that could, with death as the alternative, but she could not in good conscience say it was slightly enjoyable. It couldn't be. With the splendor ripped away she regarded it as a duty and obligation, with as much enthusiasm as her soldier paramour probably felt when he was strategizing the best approach to a hostile encounter destined to result in combat.

Her truest passion was diplomacy. It was their destination she yearned for more than anything. Solae's heart swelled when she thought of how much she wanted to understand- their language, their customs, their politics, their economy, their religion, social structure, their hopes and dreams, their greatest fears- that was what she treasured. Diversity was enthralling to the aristocrat. Most of her peers sought to subjugate and assimilate everyone into the woven fabric of humanity, to homogenize a universe, but she adored the differences that colored each galaxy uniquely. She would shake every outstretched hand and raise any and all children she had the pleasure of bearing to do the same.

"Dasin, Yarue, would either of you be willing to each me a Syshin dish, provided we have the ingredients?" she asked as she rose from her chair. This was not meant as an exercise in bringing together the five beings through food. Solae selfishly wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to explore the Syshin culinary world. They were not yet in Kaldorei territory, but it was not the exclusive source of new experiences, and she was anxious to make friends with the members of a race she had spent far more time studying than she was willing to divulge.

"I will join you," Dasin readily agreed. "My father taught many years ago," he added. It was a touch surprising. Of the pair of Syshin, he struck her as the one with a more aggressive personality, one she would ascribe being a brave warrior Inyorin. When one assumed the role of Inyorin they were typically relieved of some domestic duties to devote their time to training their body, both strength and reflexes. It was possible he was enslaved in his youth and prevented from being old enough to become one, however.

"Thank you," Solae said as she flashed a smile and gestured for him to lead the way to the kitchen.

"We studied your knowledge last night," Dasin stated once they had entered the small galley. There was barely room for the two of them to move around comfortably without bumping into each other. Once they were alone he spoke in Syshi for ease. His voice was a smooth baritone but had more of a nasal pitch than the deeper resonance of Yarue. "The thing they call you- 'DU-CHESSSS,'" he tried to enunciate properly without hissing, "means your rank is just below the empress. Does the device speak the truth?" As he posed his question he dug through the produce that had been packaged by Ten and quickly took a visual inventory.

"That's true," she conceded, "It's a loftier position than I expected or wanted if I must be honest. Why do you ask?"

"Does that mean the empress will listen to you more than others like the mistress we left?" he inquired. Now she understood his aim. He was trying to deduce what sort of power she held and if she could bend the ear of the leader of the Stellar Empire to her cause. There were complexities to the government she did not know how to articulate, ones beyond any comparisons she could make to the Syshin, and so she fell silent as she pondered the best manner of explaining. It was good practice for when the Kaldorei dignitaries she would encounter.

"A citizen of the empire is unlikely to speak with the empress during their lifetime, because there are so many of them, and she is not endless. Even with twin leaders, they'd be unable to know everyone of your community if it stretched beyond the horizon, yes? Dukes and duchesses are bound to service, to represent the people to the empress, and represent the empress to the people. They take the most crucial topics before her and try to handle the rest themselves," she elaborated as he handed her some starch vegetables to peel. "Yes, I believe she will listen to me more than your prior mistress, but I must prove my loyalty and worthiness, just as an Inyorin must prove he will fulfill his oaths," Solae said with a smile.

"I understand this struggle," Dasin acknowledged with a grim expression. "We will make a baked dish of the Syshin, one that gives energy for the entire day for those that walk the plains and wander through the forests," he declared.

"Mia, take notes of his directions for me, please," the linguist requested before they set to work.