[ - Ah. While not the answer she expected, she can work with this.

Her smile drops. ] ... I apologize. You're right - where I'm from, currying favor is a means of survival. [ Even in her current, much more mundane university life, this still rings true. ] I know I can't make it far on my own, especially in a new world. So I hoped to introduce myself to you and get a better sense of what's going on here.

[ She rests a hand over her chest, a conceded gesture of vulnerability. ]

I hope you understand, and that I can offer something to you in turn.