_"ENOUGH, NOW!"_

The sudden yelling made Marianne blink and she stared at Jerod. However, it…probably wasn’t the expression he was looking for. No, she stared at him with that same plastered smile, frozen in place, for what seemed like an eternity…before she finally brought a hand to her mouth and giggled airily when he finally turned away.

“Ah. Yes. Well, heh, apologies.”

Her voice was back to its original pitch, and the madness from her crimson eye seemed to have been washed away. It seemed she had returned to her soft-spoken and polite demeanor from before. Catching note of Jacod giving her a disapproving glare, the smile faded immediately and she bowed humbly before both him and the Grand Master.

“Forgiveness, fearless leader. Jerod simply said something in which I found…funny.” 

Chuckling to herself, she brushed off her dress and even adjusted the little bundle of roses on her hair before tilting her head back and smiling. In this lighting, with the dress and calm stature, she seemed like the perfect image of a refined lady. Hopefully it could be kept that way, at least until after they left the presence of the Exalt.

She turned to Jerod now, opening her mouth to apologize, when the sound of a booming voice echoed off the walls. All turned their heads in the direction of the entrance as a young woman stormed up to Konnie and began to basically manhandle her.

_"YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO COME FOR TEA THIS MORNING! AND WHERE DO I FIND YOU?! IN THE CASTLE OF THE EXALT AND WORKING WITH THE CHAMPION. TELL ME, WHAT ARE YOU DOING."_

As Konnie smiled and tried to diffuse the situation, Marianne was next to her side in a heartbeat. Reaching out, she gently tapped the other Mage on the shoulder.

“This woman speaks to you with such harsh words,” she said curiously. “I can’t let people do that to my friends…hey Konnie, _**can I kill her**_**?**_ **Do you want me to kill her for you?”**_

She flashed the other Mage a smirk, already preparing to fire off a spell. Because the power of friendship is strong.