Atka listened as he spoke, having moved closer to the door and placing both hands and her forehead against it. She didn't hear footsteps of retreat yet. Sighing, she turned around to lean against the door, emitting gently but firmly, "I am sorry that in the face of your struggle with this you were made to further argue your point with those you have tethered to. It's not fair that you should not only have to protect them, but also fight them."   Some stray tears get forcibly wiped away. "I don't understand why trust is so hard for some. But you've given none of us, to my knowledge, any reason to have doubted the transparency and honesty that came from you, and its blatant disregard, while with the best intent, I'm sure, was not unnoticed by me."   Before he was able to respond, she interrupted, " 'The evil that is in the world comes out of ignorance, and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence, if they lack understanding.' You may have remained touched and moved by displays of action in their loyalty, but it cracks the foundation of mine for them. How am I supposed to put trust in people that would so unabashedly disregard someone who is the furthest from doubt-worthy in his judgment?"   "You want to repay me? Release me from that bond so that I may go violently and unrelentingly into the night on a whim, for a friend or not. Any excuse, I guess." She dropped back more firmly against the door, sliding down its face to sit with one knee to her chest, the other leg extended, and her tail resting alongside, tip curling in wait.