Lucy followed close behind, silent in both her attentiveness and reverie for the hidden corridor they were now heading down. Ash took up the rear, with a sigh. [color=ed1c24]"I'd ask you to refrain from calling me a brute, Ms. Ipswitch. As I was [i]trying[/i] to get across before, I can simply part the stone long enough for us to pass through if worst comes to worst. I've been [i]fully[/i] briefed on how important it is for nothing in here to be destroyed. The White Teeth have shown much faith in you, Wingate, I ask that you show the same faith in me."[/color]

It seems like Wingate had unknowingly triggered a sore spot in Ash, this being the longest Ashley had talked continuously since the two women met. The large woman wasn't being aggressive, her tone indicated more that she understood that the teacher had not meant much by it, and was being as polite as she could considering the sour chord that had been struck.

Lucy leans in closer to Wingate, whispering in her ear. [color=6ecff6]"Careful with that stuff, Winnie, Ash tries real hard to keep up appearances, and has had enough mooks call her a brute for it to start gettin' on her nerves. She's a nice gal, it's just that she's a bit self-conscious sometimes."[/color]