Ridahne smiled genuinely, though it was tempered by her thoughts on having an escort. She couldn't deny the wisdom in it on the Council's part, but it didn't make her feel any better about it. Maybe she was just being petulant. Even when she was a child, she never liked being treated like one. Then again, she reminded herself, she'd always been mentally prepared to have some kind of escort in Azurei--as soon as word got out she was back in the borders, her every move would be tracked and watched, if she wasn't outright accosted. Why should this be any different?

Still, some part of her was indignant. Was she not a good enough guide of the city for her charge? Sure, Mrixe probably knew it better than she did, but Ridahne knew enough. Besides, having an escort would make them stand out even more, and draw more attention to the fact that she was a traitor, a snake to be watched and avoided. Ridahne was glad, at least, that Darin liked him. She did too, in her own way, but the fact that Darin enjoyed the man's presence would make it feel less like the warrior was hovering. Ridahne hated hovering. When she was very little, her mother let her amble off by herself near their home and tag along after some of the other kids. The young elf had been overjoyed by this freedom, until she learned that the whole of the neighborhood had been instructed to keep eyes on her at all times. Even back then, it made her angry. Looking back, Ridahne understood why a child so young couldn't just wander off unattended, but at the time, it had felt like a betrayal of trust. That was a bit like how she felt now, to be honest. Like Mrixe, likable though he was, was just another neighborhood elder watching her from under their small awning. 

Ridahne gave a long sigh and let her eyes close. Evidently, she was fighting a mental battle and was trying her best to silence it for the moment, or come to a conclusion. "I have no quarrel with you, Janeel," she said softly, trying her best to inject a little warmth into that statement. "I guess when you're a person whom society has burned and cast away, there's always a part of you that desires to ever again gain people's trust, and for your word to be a sufficient promise simply because you spoke it and meant it. Foolish of me to hope for that." That last bit she muttered under her breath, almost inaudibly and with a momentary flash of sadness that was difficult to see on such a a proud, grim face as hers. 

She looked up at him. "But you see, Darin, unlike anyone else of great power, has earned my trust. Trust is a hard thing for me to come by, these days. I gave blind trust to the wrong people before, and it ended in the death of my partner and friend, and in the deaths of countless innocent people. All at my hand. Forgive me if I'm less quick to trust, now. It's not your fault, and I'll accept your company without argument," she said with an apologetic bow. "Besides, your presence seems to please my companion, and therefore it would be an honor to have you." She didn't wholly mean that, though she wanted to. She really did want to. It wasn't so much a lie as much as it was her own way of trying to settle her turbulent thoughts, or trying to convince herself, like if she said it enough, she'd feel it. She did hope he understood it was nothing personal. Ridahne had nothing but respect for Mrixe, but she had her own issues to sort through, it seemed. 

With a warmer and slightly more genuine smile, she said, "The pastries don't hurt, either..." She plucked another from the basket.