Barak leaned back slightly in his seat, the ever-present smile on his face widening just enough to reveal his tusks. His voice, calm and deep, carried easily across the tense silence between the two sides.
"…Which brings me to another matter. One I am sure you know about," he began, his words deliberate, his tone smooth. "After all, it is the reason for all this bloodshed... I want the Talent Stealer."
The moment the words left his lips, Thalus snapped upright, his glasses flashing in the light as he adjusted them sharply. "Not possible!" he said firmly, cutting Barak off before he could continue.
Barak chuckled, the sound rumbling like distant thunder. "You didn't let me finish."
"You don't need to," Thalus replied curtly, his sharp tone carrying an edge of disdain. His gaze settled on Barak, lingering pointedly. "For someone so… unique in appearance, you've certainly cultivated a lot of nerve to come here and make such demands."
