"Maker have mercy on us all," she replies, so very dry and severe. "The Dread Lady Cosima and her Deadly Needles. I am overcome with fear."

It could be mistaken for a flat kind of scorn, but perhaps not. Herian, at least, does not entirely register the stiffness of her tone, because it is so much how she speaks by default, now.

"Pray warn me before you take up such arms."