"That's probably the quickest way out. Empire Imports will fight tooth and nail to keep their legal importer status, they'll probably try the same thing. They're probably finished in this country though. Heads will roll, I imagine. Only probably metaphorically. Then the strategy we want to take is innocent misknowledge of the law, which of course as soon as we learned of it in such a brutal fashion we strive to fully comply. How much money are you willing and able to give up to avoid every other consequence?"

She shrugs. "I mean, I'd like to not have to restart my research from scratch but I did kinda arrive on this world a few weeks ago with zero Kavased on my name, I can deal with that happening again if it needs to."

"Mm. I'll try to bargain down as low as possible of course, but I'll need a hard number on what you actually have so I can tell when to stop pushing hard enough to risk them tacking things like banishment or prison sentences on."

She gives the number.

"Okay, the analyst team should be here soon. Waiting puts the advantage to the state. We want this over and done and signed off on as soon as possible. Both of you, please sign this. Just to warn you - our bill's going to be murder, but just a drop compared to the King's."

It's a very short form saying that their lawyer is allowed to represent them in the following sizable list of fields, and has no conflicts of interest as far as she knows, for the next 24 hours.

Terel signs it. Not like there's any better options coming along. "I just want to get out of here. Maybe never come back."

"Same." Sign sign.

"I wonder if they'll try to make it up to us when we won't build computer infrastructure for them in ten or fifteen years."

The lawyer is confused by this comment, and thus ignores it.

"Oh, let's not be so petty, we'll be way richer than the King then," she giggles. "Also I bet this is what that prophecy was about."

"Something to tick off the list. It even covers two of them - harrowing, and a king being our enemy." Sigh.

"This was prophesied?" The lawyer asks. "Probably not relevant, especially since it's not entered into records, but any more predictions that seem relevant to the situation?"

"No, none immediately come to mind."

"Okay." She goes back to writing and checking her watch every minute or two. 

"Right, time to go back in there. I advise you to let me do all the talking unless they ask a direct question and I don't object. Don't lie if you can possibly help it. Try not to look too nervous. They'll bring food and water in and give restroom breaks if it goes on for more than a couple of hours - or whatever sustenance you need, Sadde. But again, don't be surprised if it's faster, even with this much money and legal power being thrown around. Every minute we spend in custody shifts the advantage a bit more."

She nods. "Understood. I don't need anything for sustenance, though."

They are asked direct questions a few times. Sadde's questions are mostly on details of the services done for Empire, which both lawyers heartily object to, citing NDAs. Terel only once. That sales executive looks... Haunted. Ruined career will do that.

Two hours and a bit, and Sadde is asked to hand over just over a hundred million Kavased, yes right now you can get it from your suitcase sure, and they're free to go. "I think I'm going to throw up. That was so - ducking - tense."

"Let me take you somewhere. Else, away, let me make it up to you—I'm so sorry—"

"Away sounds good. And it was half my idea, the money was for both of us, shared projects... We did get that travel visa in the end. But I feel like some cheap greasy food and a hotel and sleep for ten hours, after that."

"Okay, can do. Let's find a place with that."

Terel walks quietly for a while.

"Maybe it's just the anxiety, and getting past it together. But... There's no other word for it. I can truthfully say I love you now, Sadde."

Well she might be unable to contain herself now and spin him in the air and kiss him right then and there.

He giggles and kisses back. "It went quicker than I thought it would! Now I know why everyone says falling in love is mostly indescribable - but there it is." Kiiiiiiiss.

They're attracting some attention from passersby, who are mostly looking amused at the public display of affection.

Yes yes she really could not care less about the passersby if she tried. "I love you so much—yes, indescribable—" Another kiss because she can't communicate using words right now.

Very many kisses, yes.

"...Should probably go to the nearest hotel before we end up getting arrested again."

She pulls away, giggling. "Right, right. Before or after food?"

"Hotels have room service. And I kind of want to ignore craving food until I'm really hungry just to prove the point - that I want to be with you for hours and hours right now."

"Then let's find a hotel right now."

She goes find a hotel right now with him.

The first hotel they see is perfectly happy to have one more pair of guests.

And now they're in a room and those suitcases can just wait right there by the door because kissing is more important than suitcases right now.