— - She watched, and closely. They seemed tense and nervous. Though Margaery did not hold any blame for that. The gods only knew what horrors they had been trained to expect. As a sign of good will, she lifted her hands, palms up. P e a c e.
“No, no battles. Not from me, not today. You have my word, and the words of my warriors. Yes?”
At her request, her two fighters mimicked her motion, revealing that they bore no weapons. Nothing to harm the soldier. Though the defensive position of the one that had been called Noni. They seemed to have the small one look to her for protection. And they were one of Mr. Oxford’s favorite - that much was terribly obvious.
But she needed information from more than just the favored. Perhaps the younger one…
“I simply wish to ask you a few things about your skills and your training, if you will allow my blatant curiosities. You have nothing to fear from me, my warriors. I swear it..”
▌ ▌ ☣ — — — Nothing to fear. Still, the teen felt fear in their chest but they had promised Thirteen that they would behave. Releasing the tension that kept Noni from moving, the fighter moved to take off their goggles. From the row behind them, they heard controlled gasps.
None but Wolfsbane and Twenty-Eight had ever seen Noni willingly remove their goggles. Taking a step forward, next came the respirator. Calm, Noni. She is rich woman and her fighters are young, small. Should they truly pose an attack, your t e e t h will be e n o u g h .
The air was stale -- that was the first thing they noticed. The second was the way everyone seemed to s t a r e at them. Green eyes moved quickly, scanning the room, before looking down ashamed.
❝ Noni... ❞
Noni could feel Wolfsbane's eyes on them, could hear the whispers from the others. Most had never seen them without a respirator, goggles. Something to cover. Something to hide behind. The series of interlocking crescent moons tattooed on their face felt like a ball and chain, dragging them further into this humiliation. Breathing deeply, afraid to speak, afraid to hear their own voice without the disguise of the mask.
❝ Then accept this as my agreement to peace. ❞
Taking yet another step forward, Noni reached for Thirteen's hand, feeling like the world was watching them. Noni watched the flickering movements of the cameras -- Oxford was watching.
❝ Ma’am, if I may, outside might be the place to speak. ❞
