[u][center][h2]Marianne Delacroix[/h2][/center][/u]
[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/Jr0Uu63.png?1[/img][/center]

Marianne immediately regretted her decision to act the way she had when she turned her head to see her dearest Captain come toward her. Her regrets didn't come from what she had said and the way she had said it, oh no. She meant every word and hoped her cuffing of the guard captain got her message across effectively. No, her regrets came to her when the Captain had thought to reach for her wrist and grabbed it. Getting an unfriendly shock treatment from her uncontrolled mana. Softly gasping, Marianne turned away from the guard. Ignoring him for a moment, Marianne's electric aura instantly dissipated as her mood had changed and she swiftly moved towards the little Captain and taking her hand into her own. With an apologetic expression and sorrow filled eyes, Marianne pressed her lips to Fanily's hand in a quick kiss. Then pressing the little Captain's hand to her chest, the apologies flowed from her lips. While at the same time, she willed her mana to return to her to alleviate the little Captain's pain. To Marianne in her own mind, she had just inadvertently committed a crime. Having nothing but the utmost respect for her fellow Iron Roses, especially those in higher leadership positions. She would never think to raise a hand or cause harm to any of them. So for her to have caused pain to her very own Captain was a truly embarrassing and mortifying experience.

[b]"[i]Je suis vraiment désolée... veuillez m'excuser! Je suis sincerement désolée! Je suis navrée! Je vous prie d'accepter mes excuses! Je vous prie de bien vouloir m'excuser![/i]"[/b]
Came the rapid-fire string of apologies and pleas.
[b]"I did not mean to hurt you, dear Captain. You are right. We need to focus. I have acted out of line. Now is not the time to address such matters."[/b]
Letting go of Fanily's hand, she looked herself over as she concentrated.

To go back to their headquarters to change into more appropriate equipment may waste too much time. Time that was precious. Though she was hardly...[i]decent[/i] by her own standards, she could make do. After all, she would be lighter and more mobile without her battle dress and armor. The only trade off being that it was far more dangerous for her if she were to sustain an attack. Simply don't get hit, and she'll be fine. Right? Not to mention that her concealable-sword wasn't her typical standard arms. Its blade was far shorter and more stout, not exactly suited to her style of combat. Marianne was conflicted. Part of her said to take action as soon as possible, to go as she was. A second part of her deemed it more prudent and wise to take a little time to prepare, to think things through. What should she do.

[b]"Captain Fanily, if we need to take action now I can go as I am. But if you would rather us be more prepared, I can go and change. What say you, Captain?"[/b]

She would leave the decision up to her Captain and uphold whatever she chose.
On the subject of the Nem assassin, however..

[b]"As far as the assassin is concerned, Captain Fanily...Even if she speaks the truth and we are successful, she must still be held accountable and responsible for her actions. Blackmailed and coerced into an assassination attempt or not, she still took arms against the Princess and that fact cannot be ignored. At the very least, she may be imprisoned. Possibly worse if the Crown becomes involved. Might I suggest that we transport her as a prisoner of war to the Delacroix? There, she will be treated with a little more leniency once informed of her situation. Though she will be possibly indentured as a servant as her punishment."[/b]

If word got out to other unsavory characters, what message would that send to the underworld of criminals? That you could make an attempt on the Princess' life but if you had a good sob story, you could be excused from punishment if you failed? No, that could not be allowed to happen. The Nem assassin had to pay the price of justice.