Pft, who did Zelda think the assassins were? Lazy oafs who couldn't make the first meeting? Well, she wasn't entirely wrong. But still! Had Mana known the thought had crossed her mind, she might have spoken up at least a little to defend whatever honor they feigned. Mana supposed that was her fortune of having not actually trained with any of the originals - she wasn't bound by that, not entirely at least. Still, she did try.

Zelda didn't look so impressed but Mana really could not blame her. After all, she did not move with the pazazz and flare of, say, Azrael in his prime and she hadn't the same coyness as even her own mother. She had too strong a casual aura, an apathy almost. She didn't try to hide it and so, why would she expect Zelda to hide anything either?

The truth came out then, though Mana had suspected. She let out an ahh of thought and confirmation as she nodded slowly - "I suppose you might say that." She shrugged as her eyes slid back to meet Zelda's with an almost mischevious grin. "I am her daughter, her protege and apprentice, the one who'll wear her mantle one she takes her leave from this place." Her brow flexed up as if to ask is this good enough? But she supposed it did not truly answer everything, at least not entirely. Though Zelda had not asked explicitly, Mana knew she must have been curious: why her if not Malina herself? "She insisted I tend to your requests and so, I must ask you: what is it you hope to learn, Miss Stranger?" Zelda's anxiety over the coming night had not gone unnoticed but for now, Mana simply sat, a jerky movement that let Zelda know she wasn't going anywhere until she was sure she wasn't wasting her time.