"In return for the repair of my raft," Najima began, "I will complete a task that you need doing. You don’t have to pay me any money. I’ve caused you enough damage and trouble, and after I have helped you, I will leave and never trouble you again. Hopefully you have a favour in need of doing worthy of the payment I owe you."
Patakin sat and stared from across the table as Jyoti glanced at the strange girl from space. She turned her sight to him, and he nervously spun his head and called to one of the servants for a drink in order to avoid awkwardness.
With a sigh, Patakin said, "Maybe. Although I do not see how you can be of any use."
"I'm surprisingly useful," Najima returned.
"Destructive, I think you mean."
"Sometimes the two go hand in hand."
