They didn't speak for a moment. City lights outside blurred as he exhaled again.
Finally he said, "So… official question: what's in it for me?"
She stepped closer, lowered voice. "Resources. Info. Access to A-rank events. Insider clearance in certain drifts. And I'd stop unsolicited visiting. Unless you want that."
Lucen smirked. "That last one is enticing."
They both paused, listening to a bus trundle below. Distant horns. Human life everywhere.
He sighed and said, "Alright. I'll listen. We can talk about terms."
Her relief was subtle but there.
Gabe nodded. "Tomorrow—eyes only. We can go over the specifics."
Lucen yawned. "Cool. Don't let me sleep. I'm not that invested."
She gave a half-smile. "Sleep well. I'll see you tomorrow."
He nodded and she walked to the door. She paused.
Lucen recorded nothing—no system ping, no speech marker. Just two people in a messy apartment talking prime-time world-shaking politics.
She opened the door.
"Good night, Lucen."
