The short walk to the grand castle was peaceful enough. Marianne spent her time deep in thought, making it habit to study each and every one of her new comrades. To be fair, it was quite some time since she last joined a group of merry going warriors. And in all honestly, she really still didn’t know what side to fight for. Claiming she was neutral and indifferent to the Church was probably just a farce; the only things keeping her here was her interest in the Champion and a chance for greater research.

Still, it didn’t hurt to have some allies along the way. Maybe these folks would grow on her? Who knew? Entering into the lavished building, she glanced all around at the intricate interior designs of the castle. So this was the home of Ylisse’s Exalt and her Grand Master. A Mage so powerful, that she could only dream of taking his eyes in…well, her dreams. 

Seeing the two individuals before her, the Dark Mage bowed politely. In hindsight, and with all things considered, everything had gone smoothly. At least no one noticed her-

_"Oi, lass, if ye have a moment. Yer real fixated on collectin' dead parts, tryin' to fix that eye of yers or something? Resurrect folks maybe? I ain't got a bloody clue, aint no spell spitter me self."_

Marianne’s entire composure froze up and she turned slowly towards her older companion. No, wait, was he still a companion? She didn’t know. He had seen it. Spoke of it. Talked about it…

“What are you talking about?” she asked, her voice tense. The smile remained plastered on her face, though now it seemed one of intense cruelty and mistrust. “You mean this?” She pointed towards her eye-patch. Right now, she didn’t care of the fact that she was in the presence of royalty. To hell with royalty! To hell with nobles! To hell with everyone! All that mattered was that this man, _**this one man**_, had noticed it.

“I don’t know what you mean,” she said, though it sounded like she was trying to convince herself. “It’s nothing….ahha, nothing. Nothing. **N.O.T.H.I.N.G.** Pay it no mind, yes? Ahaha, I said pay it no mind! Stop it…you’re still looking at it….why are you looking at it…I said stop looking at it!” she exclained, her voice slowly rising in pitch.

“Pay it no mind I said. Pay it no mind.** S.T.O.P. L.O.O.K.I.N.G. A.T. I.T.** Ahaha, stop it, stop it, stop it or I’ll do something! I’ll do something nasty! Just pay it no mind! Pay it no mind I said!”

She clenched one hand while the other rested gingerly on her eye-patch. 

“Ahahha! What are you looking at? I said pay it no mind, right? _**Riiiiiiiiiiight?**_ Stop it! Ahaha, stop it, or _**I’ll find the highest point of this castle and hang you with your own entrails for the people down below to rejoice in consuming your flesh**_.”

All traces of thought or reason were lost on her, though she made no attempt to lash out with magic. She was sane enough to keep track of her surroundings, noting that the Grand Master could smite her at any time.

_**"Heh....ahahhahhaha! P.A.Y. I.T. N.O. M.I.N.D."**_