Ask what you can do for Darius.

“Tell me, Darius,” you say, “I know that you refuse my payment to you for what you spent on my birthday celebration. And that’s your right! But I would be a poor friend if I didn’t try to repay your kindness somehow. Isn’t there anything I can help you with?”

Darius frowns, but then a thoughtful look crossed his face. “You know...ordinarily I would refuse, but something actually has been troubling me of late.” He stands up and starts pacing the room. “As you may know, my father’s ascension to the Senate occurred ten years ago—almost exactly ten, in fact. He’s holding a small celebration in three days’ time to commemorate the event. I’m afraid I can’t invite you—father’s colleagues only, I’ve asked—but after some recent...indiscretions on my part, I want to make sure I get him a decent gift. Only problem is, I’m terrible at gift-giving. Always have been. Do you think you could help me out?”

This seems to you like the perfect opportunity. You nod eagerly. “Of course! I’d be happy to help you find a gift for him. Do you have any idea what he likes?”

Darius frowns. “Well, he’s a proud man. Considers himself a self-made one, which is almost as ridiculous as if I claimed that. Though not quite.” He snorts. “He has a man’s tastes, of course. Wine, women. My mother lets him indulge as he sees fit; she doesn’t care as long as her allowance is secure. Oh, and he has a fascination for things from the far-off reaches of the Empire—and beyond. Fascinated by them, though he personally dislikes being around people who aren’t themselves Romans. Does that make sense?”

You nod, mind racing. “I’m sure I can find something. You said the party is three days from now?”

Darius inclines his head. “In the evening. As long as I have the gift before then, it’ll be fine. You can just bring it here when you’ve found it.”

Darius, you note, seems to expect you to lay out the coin for this eventual gift yourself. It probably hasn’t even crossed his mind that you’re not as wealthy as he is...ah, well. Such is the price of making nice with the higher-ups. You smile. “No fear, friend. I’ll have you a gift in plenty of time!”

Darius breaks into a wide grin. “Ah, thank you, Gaius! You’re a true friend.”