Oran laughs at that, and he shakes his head, trying to allay any weird trains of thought he might have sparked off. "That was a hypothetical." He knows big words and he'll use them because when Even does it, it sounds very nice.

"It's more like... hmm.

"It's like the more you comply with the Augur, the more it, or she, or whatever, is willing to give you what you want without the strings attached. You can take the brunt of what the Augur wants us all to do for the sake of people who are... you know. Uncomfortable with it. When I first came here, it was difficult. A friend dropped off food long enough to help me decide to do what I like doing, so I never felt... pressured?" It's hard to talk out, out loud. "I like to offer that to others, but I also like to keep a stash of useful things. I miss trading in gold pieces."