[Itai]

@Angus

#d11755

Ear tipped just a smidge when Lorcan had the nerve to speak out of turn, but he didn't say anything other than the mutterings of disrespect thrown his way as he reported the other down a freshly drawn scroll. He eyed the other with benevolent regality that one of his kind should not have possessed, after all Itai was the outlier here. But he proved himself and earned his way to the top of this system, he had worked HARD. It was only right that he'd be given respect. No, he didn't have a beautiful plumage of feathers, but he had an intelligence that was unparalleled by any (so he thought).

But further disrespect came in the form of a fellow Roc, causing Itai to crane his neck at her in a way that showed off his complete and utter disbelief. As she chirped on about lack of  this and that and how he had no right to do this or that. Itai snatched an empty scroll from his satchel, eyes looking from here and back down to it as he scrawled out this and that. A clear recount that would be added to her file, an infraction (what a pity). No, he wasn't going to call her out in front of everyone, there was no class in that, as much as he wanted to.

It was only after the group had cleared out that he'd call to her, tail swishing around thoughtfully behind him as he sat poised like a cat, a smirk spreading up that maw, familiar and crooked. The one he used when he held something above someone's head. "Dearest Roc of Eyes, I don't expect you to be able to process any of this, it really is a trying time, so I do deeply sympathize with you." It began nice enough. "However, as a rank lead, I'd like to believe that you should know who your larks are, after all, it's your rank to head. I had every right to be there, asking my questions, doing the tribe's business. as I am a lark, after all." That snaggletoothed grin spread. "I'm afraid that even as the leadership role rests for the moment, we are the next highest in command with no council to lead us. We can't afford weak links." He eyed the woman carefully down his long, slender muzzle.

"I've taken it upon myself to write this incident down as a minor infraction, your first and hopefully your last. It'd be a shame to think that you'd have to reconsider your rank, but a slipping mind is a troublesome thing, my friend." Voice smooth, but it would nonetheless grate on her ears with how snobbish he sounded.

[Aine]

Speech: #339966

Today had been a troubling day. It wasn't commonplace for there to be visitors at the border.

It was also true that Aine, new to her power and position, had not handled herself well.

As the newcomers were escorted in to the lands of El Dorado, the Roc stood at the border, heaving a heavy sigh as she watched them go; her brain tuning Itai out. It wasn't until he spoke, and boy how he liked to speak, that her head turned back in his direction.

"Dearest Roc of Eyes, I don't expect you to be able to process any of this, it really is a trying time, so I do deeply sympathize with you. However, as a rank lead, I'd like to believe that you should know who your larks are, after all, it's your rank to head. I had every right to be there, asking my questions, doing the tribe's business. as I am a lark, after all. I'm afraid that even as the leadership role rests for the moment, we are the next highest in command with no council to lead us. We can't afford weak links. I've taken it upon myself to write this incident down as a minor infraction, your first and hopefully your last. It'd be a shame to think that you'd have to reconsider your rank, but a slipping mind is a troublesome thing, my friend."

At first, she found herself barely being able to contain an eye roll as her head swung away from looking at him. This, this really just was not the time to begin a berating session; especially if they were now going to be talking one on one as heads of command. But, the girl kept her mouth shut and listened as he continued ever onward, his tone and attitude slowly digging in to the back of her head. Her feathers began to puff out in annoyance as he mentioned writing her up.

Aine took in a sharp inhale, her feathers relaxing back on to her fur with the release of the breath, her head swinging back to face Itai. She offered a weary smile, though deep down her blood was boiling. The boy was not one of them, and yet he acted as if he were better than all of them.

"You are right," she said after a beat of him finishing, "it was out of line for me to berate you in front of newcomers. For that, I apologize." She was earnest in her apology too; Aine came from a class that held respect, but she was no Crystalline. And neither was he.

Her head turned from him back to the direction in which the newcomers had walked, and a small smile crept on her face.

"It is true," she began, "we are the next in line with no Council to guide us. We are lost children in a world plagued by the aftermath of civil war." She shot him a sideways gaze before allowing her eyes to return to the forests.

"Do you think it wise to be nit picking fights with those who are meant to be your comrades?"

Her eyes traveled from the forest to his book and then to him. Her smile faded.

"Do not think you are better than us because of your book, Itai. It will not make you look good if you continue to pursue unnecessary roads for the sake of your own advancement. Do not forget what happened the last time someone thought it wise to turn on those who they were meant to trust."

[Itai]

@Angus

#d11755

Brows rose, not out of surprise that Aine agreed, but rather he was satisfied that she did agree. She was in the wrong, and as much as she believed she was respectful, her actions were not. She was a classless Sanguine, doomed to her bloodline. It was a pity, really. Head rose high and he huffed a posh snort in response to her. "Apology accepted." He smiled toothily. But the outburst would never be forgotten.

Though his eyes were quick to narrow as she began again, clearly this wasn't the end of their little conversation, and here he was feeling so smug about himself. Ears pulled back as she shot him a look and he felt his muzzle wrinkle slightly when she looked away. There was a point to all this now baseless conversation, right? One could only hope.

Ah, there it was. He let her finish as she picked and picked, was this really the bear you wanted to be poking, you foolish hen? Claws tapped on the rolled scroll, his smile only seeming to grow more crooked, he seemed so amused by her words, however he feigned being hurt, and would instead play that card. "A rather counter intuitive apology, I might say." Giving Aine a subtle nod as moved to sweep closer, all long legged and grace.

"You offend my work, and in turn offend me, dear friend." He'd ignore her threat for now, bright eyes flickering as they danced across her form. "All that I do is for the people, keeping them tended to as my job demands. We can't be anything less than perfect, they depend on us, as you agreed before." The tone of his voice pleasantly light all things considered, but there was something darker to it, keener. "Very bold to insult my integrity too." He huffed a chuckle, though it was clear he wasn't exactly amused.

"The goals that I work toward would benefit the people, I'm diligent and thorough." He'd snub her again, glancing down from his muzzle. "I completely understand your situation, however. Genetically speaking, as a Sanguine your kind tends to settle, hoping that any rank you do manage to obtain doesn't lead to your own downfall, which, sadly it usually does." He'd flick his tail, raising a paw to inspect his claws. "It's not your fault that you're at a genetic disadvantage, it just means we have to be extra careful, right? I mean all and all Sanguines really haven't ever amounted to anything worth noting." He gave her a bored shrug.

"You just keep settling, Aine. You'll be greeted by your genetic ineptitude soon enough." The hellion then flashed her a smile, tilting his head at her with raised brows. She was already well on her way with that masked threat, what a fool.