Alexa watches in helpless silence as Athena examines her work--perfect, as always--before vanishing as suddenly as Ares arrived.

How do you even begin to approach that subject? What words could possibly be right enough to express, "you occasionally go insane and destroy things?" What augury could be invented to find out whether Athena knows, and if not, what possible offering could make up for the mortal offense of bringing it up?

And so, all that's left is to pick up the pieces, lick wounds, brace for the next time it happens. It's not ideal, but it's workable. Endure. She's... She's good at that. She can survive it.

[quote=@TheAmishPirate]“Oh! Your shield.” All splintered and wrecked! And hardly enough time to put it right. Oh dear, oh dear. “The next time we stop, it will be someplace we can fix it.” He assured her, patting her arm with a warm smile.
[/quote]

And suddenly, it's all she can do to keep herself steady, and her gaze darts to the various entry points of the room. What if Redana came through those doors right now and saw them? What if the Empress saw them? Don't you understand, you delightful little sheep, how dangerous it is to get so close to her?

And he's the living proof of it, she's dismayed to note. For the high crime of being close to her, his coat is ruined, dotted with singed fur and the stink of plasma.

"It shall return in time, fear not." she states dully, withdrawing from the contact as tactfully as she is able. 

There, see? No friendship. Nothing to come between Alexa and Redana. No distractions. No need to hurt the sheep. She's being good, she promises! And she fixes Galnius with a stare that dares her to disagree. You saw nothing.

"I and my shield will be fine, I promise. More is the shame for losing your jacket, Dolce."