[ Tell her how you really feel, Cree. There's a flash of amusement, there and gone; generosity is one thing, but they're lavishing attention on the refugees and that doesn't sit right with her. Then again, trust is a rare commodity in the work she deals in — difficult to earn, hardly spent. And she doesn't know nearly enough about this place or its players, not even the man in front of her now.

But he does give her some insight and she appreciates that. The position she's in now, he says, and she wonders what he means by it. ]

Of course not. That wouldn't be very wise. But enough people suspect it — some recipients of this commendation don't seem too thrilled by the honour. [ And not everyone who may have deserved it received one. She helped lead her team on a rescue mission but she's managed to slip under the radar despite that. ] And the people behind the kidnappings haven't been apprehended, so some are wary of the ceremony itself; do you suppose that's an unfounded concern? [ She raises her brows. ] I'm only asking because I may be in attendance and — [ God. ] — Thesa forbid I'm not dressed appropriately.

[ For a fight. Obviously she means that. ]