Rose goes to step forward again, but stops herself short. There's no point to senselessly pushing, only to have Pearl pull back each time.

In her words, though, she refuses to yield, instead only growing sterner. Hearing never mind from Pearl, as she's long since observed, is a sure sign that she ought very much mind.

"No, none of that," Rose chides, stature rising with the unfurling of her back. Each of her palms drapes loosely over the opposite elbow -- austere, but not intimidating. "Let me hear what you have to say."