"Have a preference?"

"Not based on these descriptions."

"Do you have questions that'd help you form a preference, or should I pick something?"

"I don't know what you're like to work with."

"Instructions'll be clear enough, you'll have flexibility, I don't punish mistakes, is that what you mean -"

"Approximately. If I pick something can I change my mind?"

"Yes."

"I'll start with that, then."

"Okay. You can accompany me starting tomorrow and take notes, we can compare them at the end of the day to make sure you're getting the things I'll need, I can fill you in on politics as we go?"

Nod.

"Thank you. ....and I'm sorry."

"Thank you ma'am."

"You can go."

She goes. She draws.

And the next day Amait takes her down to the series of open-air amphitheatres where politicians and people who want their attention mingle, speaking and arguing and trading favors and occasionally making demands of their slaves. Amait is currently involved in finagling which of three cities get money for covered sewers first, and in upkeep of the roads, and in import tariffs, and in proposing wording for the vaguely threatening letters that are being exchanged periodically with Vapfitxi. She occasionally clarifies things to Ayabel. She knows everybody. She seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself.

Aya takes notes. She almost falls down the stairs.

She notices that. "...are you injured or something -"

"I'm just very clumsy. I have been all my life. You may have been overcharged." She steadies herself and resumes notetaking. "How do you spell 'Vapfitxi' in Andeme?"

She spells it. She corners someone to reassure him that she looked at the proposed tariff modifications and will vote for them and would like support on this infrastructure order in exchange. A servant brings them lunch.

Does Aya get lunch too?

Yes.

Oh good.

Yeah, feeding the people you own, really a mark of exceptional character.

Amait stays out late. Declines another marriage proposal.

"What's wrong with him?" Aya wonders.

"The gender. I'll have to figure something out eventually but -"