Herein lied her conundrum: Alexia was fully aware that each and every student in this school had a story behind them. Not just a 'I grew up in XY conditions, and so now I'm here to study really hard and make something of myself' story, but a 'There is a reason my true name is remembered as part of one of the oldest mythologies in the world' story. The trick was going to be figuring out who knew themselves and who did not. After all, each student did not exactly go around wearing a name tag saying, 'Hi, My Name Was Achilles. 0% Memory Recovered.'
She knew a handful that remembered themselves, like Hadrian, Ephron and Philly, and she knew some were like she had been in her youth, having been told who they was destined to be, but not quite yet awoken. To those students, she could reveal herself. To those students, she could say, "Don't you dare abuse your title and post to lie to the great Goddess Athena; I have worked closely with Truth and Trickery for centuries to know where they lie."
But Stephanie Morelli did not know who she was or who she was supposed to be, and all Alexia had to rely on was the familiar twinge of a link between their souls. And it was not the goddess' place to be revealing to the students their true purpose for being here if they did not know it for themselves.
So instead, Ms. Doe ticked an eyebrow upward at Steph's fabricated excuse, her face otherwise a stone mask. "Is that so?" She inquired as she leaned backwards into her chair. Her hard eyes stayed focused on the girl, daring her to recant. The moment swiftly passed and Alexia drew a quick breath as she continued on. "Ms. Morelli, do you know why I am named as the top lawyer in Los Angeles? It's because I know an untruth when I see one, and I know when to follow it down a rabbit hole until I find its counterpart, and when to just let sleeping dogs lie. Now, I don't think there is much value in antagonizing you until you tell me the real reason you were late to my class today, but I will remind you that your position as a T.A. is a privilege, and would advise that such privilege not be abused."
Without breaking eye contact, Alexia scribbled a quick note onto a pad of paper. "I've seen your file, Stephanie. You're a model academic student and I'm sure you're destined for great things. I'd hate to be the proverbial teacher that seems like I'm just out to get you, so I implore you to not be dishonest with me from here, forward." She ripped off the single sheet with her flourished signature and held it out to the student. "If you can promise me that, I can promise to return the favor."