"Trust me," Riz said.  "You'll be glad for it.  Virginity's a silly idea anyway.  I was your age when I lost mine.  Probably.  I can never really tell with humans, though."  She realized that she was off on a tangent, though, focusing on the less important part of the discussion, and apologized.  "Sorry, sorry.  I'll let you decide for yourself later on.  We're discussing business, aren't we?"<br/><br/>She crossed her arms over her stomach.  "Maybe," she agreed.  "Maybe not.  The Elyrians are greedy, and they're liars.  Do you think their Temple spread across the civilized world through their good will?  They're takers."  She had a venom to her voice, but she wasn't without cheer -- she always seemed to be cheery.  "If you nullify your deals with them, I will, too.  You and I, we can strike up a partnership.  I'll help you find out how to get home.  It's a gamble -- it's worth a lot to me to write you out of my life -- but I've got a feeling that I'll come out ahead if you stick around.  And so will you, if we're working together."  She considered, and bit her lower lip.<br/><br/>"What are they paying you?"