"Not treat me like a porcelain doll again ever?" she inquired with a raised brow. When Rene had walked back into the bedroom after his shower Solae had been perched on the side the bed brushing her hair. Oanh had lent her a particularly ornately decorated brush of black lacquer and hand-painted flowers from a distant realm. The rhythmic, constant motions of stroking her hair from scalp to end was soothing. So many years of repetition meant it was done without any thought and thus her mind could wander over its vast landscape to find worthy topics of muse over.

"Truthfully that is what growing up a noble is, isn't it? People making assumptions and then, armed with those beliefs and perceptions, making decisions on your behalf." Solae rested the smooth surface of the brush in her palm before leaning over and placing it on a nightstand. The room was relatively barren except for the bed and nightstands; the marquise suspected it was barely used. Min Ho and Oanh were not the sorts to play host and hostess without exceedingly good reasons to do so.

"I know you don't really want to talk about it," she began delicately, putting a hand on his if only to stop him from rising from his seat out of anger. "But I know why people join the Imperial Marines. I won't ask you to talk about what led to it specifically, but I want you to know I'm here if you ever want to discuss it, or yell, or even cry- I won't judge a man who cries no matter what I'm sure the Marines say about that- and I want you to know I believe in you. Whatever you've been accused of I know it can't be true- because you've already shown me what character you possess. After this is all over I will do anything in my power you ask me to... assuming of course I am still alive. My cousins are righteous assholes who wouldn't lift a finger without at least implied benefit to themselves."

Solae was ignorant of the charge of murder that had been levied against Rene, but even if she had known her faith would not have strayed. In the split second the soldier had seen three Gids advancing on her he had reacted more out of instinct than calculation. No one willing to risk themselves so selflessly could have slain an innocent. No one so worried about her safety, so conscientious of her honor, so anxious about the dangers she faced was capable of great evil. These were not learned virtues. Heroicism was a lifeblood that coursed through Rene's veins for years no matter if had opportunity or not to realize.

"And while I won't correct you on the issue of my intelligence- it's been measured every year since I was old enough for the testing- I certainly don't [i]feel[/i] tough. It feels as if the world is moving under my feet and I am simply trying to run with it but can't grasp what is around me. It's a surreal blur," she continued. "Do you know why I didn't die in the attack on the embassy? I was near the center of the floor. All the walls, the furniture, the people around me absorbed the worst of the impact and the shrapnel. They inadvertently shielded me with their lives," she murmured. This was a conclusion had come to her when she was studying Syshi with Mia. For the briefest minutiae of time she saw Marlene's lifeless gaze turned towards her.

"I don't know what kind of person I'd be if I fell apart now. They all protected me, against their will, Mia helped us, Oanh and Min Ho are hiding us away, and you're..." she trailed off. Solae cleared her throat as she realized during the entire time rambling she had not let go of his hand. It quite suddenly felt scalding hot to the touch and his presence overwhelming. Fortunately Min Ho had gifted Rene clothing that did not leave his chest entirely exposed or she would have been even more distracted.