Nodding, Inessa opens the door for her. At least between them it's a friendly gesture and not a servile one. She has to be careful of such actions in front of human acquaintances. "Probably not, unless gardening was combined with being one of the spymaster's people.

I admit, I find your view rather different from what I remember or have encountered. Second-class treatment isn't enjoyed, of course, but I've seen many tolerate it to survive. They've never known anything else. The Circle was different, at least in regards to race; there, if you were a mage, that's what mattered." Mostly. Whatever bigotry existed, Inessa was largely sheltered from as a favored student.