[ He looks away and Alayne draws back, taking the opportunity to survey his suit a little more clearly. It resembles Isaac's less and less the longer she studies it, reminding her instead of the Master Chief's. (Isaac was an engineer, he built things, while Master Chief was a soldier; did the difference in suits lie therein?)

Maintaining a respectable distance, Alayne extends a hand to her side, only for the space under it to be soon occupied by the broad shoulders of her direwolf. Plunking down on her haunches Lady licks her jaws and blinks at the ranger, as polite and demure as her mistress though much less subtle with her curiosity. ]

He keeps me from harm. Surely a man who wears such armor would be familiar with the concept, [ she says, her voice prickling slightly. ] You must protect something.

[ Alayne lifts her eyebrows. ] Or do you care for only yourself?