"Must I kneel before you'll help me?"
In an instant, Elia was desperate enough to really want to kneel, but Maya responded quickly and stopped her.
She said, "No! Don't kneel, even if you do, it's pointless. I've finally shaken off Henry Reid, I won't go provoking him."
"Maya, do you have to be this heartless?"
"Don't talk to me about heartlessness, it doesn't compare to you all." She responded indifferently.
Maya wasn't one to be easily swayed, wouldn't relent just because of a few sweet words from Elia. She didn't act like a saint and had never engaged in such behavior; the fact that she hadn't taken this chance to trample on her was already merciful.
"Maya, must I serve you tea and admit my mistakes for you to help me?"
"Even if you do, I won't help you."
In the room, the two girls stood their ground, neither willing to give an inch.
Finally, Elia compromised, turning around briskly and entering the tea room, rummaging around to brew tea for Maya.
