"It's been a while, hasn't it, big guy? Heard you've been filling in your shoes recently."
Emir let a smirk tug at the corner of his mouth.
"Oh, I manage. You know, Lord. Seems you've been busy, too. Rough work hiding in the shadows, isn't it?"
Isidore chuckled, though the sound was as cold as metal scraping against metal.
"Busy? That's a bit of an understatement, don't you think? Takes a lot to keep everything together when people are out there making a mess of things."
"Oh, I wouldn't know."
Emir shot back, the faintest mockery hiding behind his words.
"Never had a taste for picking up after other people's messes."
"Good thing you're not running the show, then."
Isidore crossed his arms, his dark eyes unblinking.
"Otherwise, you'd be buried six feet under with that attitude."
Emir gave a dry, humorless chuckle.
"Six feet? You aiming a little low these days?"
Isidore didn't miss a beat.
