<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ffcc">He took a deep breath, nodding understandably.</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffa6"> "Ayla and i, we dressed so androgynously before because she noticed that people were far more respectful to me than to her. With her, it was the curves of her body not the talents of her mind. So any time someone treated her differently than me, it was just that much more damaging..."</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ffcc"> he took a deep breath, wishing he had something to drink. </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffa6">"He told her you'd quashed your previous apprentice's talents. And when he tried to leave you, you killed him. In her own head, she's twisted that... Not intentionally, but she's afraid. Afraid that because you are working with her directly that's what you're doing. That you wanted me for my talents and her for her looks. For her body. That you'd let me succeed while giving her just enough to advance while never letting her reach the fifth circle...."</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ffcc"> he looked up from his hands. </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffa6">"I know she's wrong. Because i see the merit in what you're teaching her. And though she's not noticed, you've been flirting with the both of us since the day we arrived."</span>