Jiao-Jie looked away when Madame Shu explained her reasons. Her teeth dug into her bottom lip and she pressed her palms together before her, lowering her chin to the fingertips as she thought over the lady's words.<br/><br/>"I would feel better facing the Ogre knowing that your skills are available to ease the wounds of myself and my friends, great lady. You are most skilled and I have no doubt that you are better at handling a blade than I am, but you have other skills that are of equal or even greater value." She hesitated. "And knowing that you will hold great responsibility one day I would prefer to see you safe at all costs rather than knowing I stood by and said nothing while you walked into danger. One day, the future of many may depend upon you. Must we risk the wisdom of your words upon that time for sake of an ogre? It seems too small a gain for too great a risk."<br/><br/>She smiled thinly. "But I admire you for your choice all the same, Madame."