Tamor does not wince, but his countenance seems somewhat more downcast somehow.

Ishara sighs, and sets her soul on the table.

I am cowardly, says her soul. I am ignorant and naive and pointlessly deceitful and a terrible liar. I am weak, I am fearful, I am alone. I am inexperienced, I am incompetent, I am only a child. I am so run through with flaws that they might shatter me. 

But these things will pass from the world, and I will remain.

"... I would prefer if you called me Althyne-leretis Ishara." 

Click.

She nods.

"Althyne-leretis Ishara," she agrees.

"... I would also appreciate tutoring in the workings of the court. Tamor is an able teacher, but somewhat lacking in personal experience."

"I can provide that," she says.

"... I think that's all I'll ask for for now. You're being quite generous as it is."

"You are in an unpleasant situation through no fault of your own, and I would like to help and protect you to the extent that it is in my power to do so," she says.

"...Do you know whether you plan to wear your soul openly or not?"

Ishara smiles slightly. "I had planned to carry it less openly, but it seems my soul has an opinion of its own on that."

"...Den-aminde Nahira will be very interested in you from the moment she first sees it. Her interest is a dangerous thing."

Ishara looks down at her hands, and makes a small humming noise.

"... I believe what my Rusadhan is attempting to communicate is that we have already received a letter from Den-aminde Nahira."

"That does not surprise me. But it was sent when she knew... less about you than your soul would tell her."

Thoughtful pause.

"Although I very strongly get the impression that there is more to know about you than your soul is telling."

Ishara smiles slightly. 

"... I think it covers the basics."

I am graceless, says her soul. I am insubordinate and ungrateful. I am self-centred and self-indulgent and pointlessly cryptic and still a terrible liar. I am oblivious, I am stubborn, I am slow to learn. I am neither a good communicator, nor as witty as I think I am. I am so run through with flaws that they might shatter me.

But these things will pass from the world: and I will remain.

"...I recommend keeping out of Nahira's way as much as is feasible. I am... limited in my ability to protect you from her. And I think she would see your soul as... an irresistibly tempting target."

"I'm not going to do anything reckless: her letter told me enough about her personality that avoiding her attention seems like a very good plan. Is there any reason I might be forced to interact with her?"

"She might decide she wants to meet you, and things that Den-aminde Nahira decides she wants tend to happen. She is... a close friend of my father's. They have similar interests."

"Well, if she decides that then there isn't much we can do. So..."

"Perhaps it's best if we avoid drawing her attention."

"The court as a whole is unlikely to find you interesting unless you make yourself interesting. Unfortunately for you, your soul is very interesting indeed."

Tamor doesn't say anything, but then he doesn't need to.

Ishara nods.

"... Do you have someplace secure enough to store a soul?"

"...Nothing I would trust absolutely, but then, it's still arguably the case that your soul would be safer in my quarters than in your pocket."