The day of the meeting had arrived, Tohgi met up with Aspen and Yuki at the palace square.
Aspen: you got here early, that's good we can head in
Tohgi: I didn't know being late was an option
Yuki: it's not, but the cap manages to create that option.
Tohgi: I see, funny enough I am not surprised by that
Aspen ignored their chatter and they headed into the palace. Aspen left Tohgi and Yuki in a waiting room with the other vice captains and 3rd mates and proceeded to the meeting.
Tohgi: Oi, I thought we were attending the actual meeting, what are we doing here?
Yukimori laughed at the naïve sentiment Tohgi displayed
Yuki: You actually thought you would sit in the meeting? We are here to discuss the outcome of the meeting with the captain and how it would affect our squad.
Tohgi: That actually makes sense.
Yuki: There usually isn't much to discuss though, so just chill and interact, that's if there is anyone who would speak to you. I haven't felt this much animosity in one room in years, they really don't like you
Tohgi: That's a relief, at least I wouldn't have to pretend to like them
Yukimori could not control is amusement at Tohgi's disposition, his continuous laughter brought attention to the conversation they were having.
Yuki: With an attitude like that you are more likely to get killed by a friend than an enemy.
Lorenzo finally acted on his interest in the conversation and walked up to them. He put his arm over Yukimori's shoulders in a friendly manner and joined in.
Lorenzo: Right? You should teach village boy some manners, he doesn't seem to know his place here Yuki.
The echoes of Yukimori's laughter faded immediately Lorenzo put his hand over him. The tone of voice shifted to one of disgust and anger, it was clear to tell that Lorenzo and Yukimori were anything but friends.
Yuki: Only my friends call me that, I don't remember us being friends.
Lorenzo: woah, woah, calm down… I wouldn't want to piss off the only vice-captain to "earn" an epithet, Rapid Fire… Yukimori.
The insincerity in Lorenzo's voice when he mentioned Yukimori's epithet was clear enough for an infant to decipher.
Tohgi: (What's going on? Rapid Fire?)
Yuki: If you want an epithet so badly, then earn yourself one
Lorenzo: not everyone has the advantage of rumours
Tohgi: (these two clearly have bad blood, I'm just going to head that way)
Tohgi walked away from Yukimori and Lorenzo in a bid to not involve himself in any unnecessary drama. On the other side of the room sat a familiar face, he was quick to stand and greet in excitement.
Winfell: Tohgi!
Tohgi: (thank you) Yo, I expected you would be here.
Winfell: Why am I not surprised that you're here, when I heard a southerner became a knight I was looking forward to when I would see you in one of these
Tohgi: This isn't your first?
Winfell: Second
Tohgi was annoyed by how quickly Winfell had progressed, he assumed Winfell had earned the position of vice captain.
Tohgi: Of course you'd be here twice in the space of a year (he's actually annoying)
Winfell: You got here in three months, your sarcasm almost sounds insulting, before I forget I wanted to ask you something...
Vice-captain, Squad I: Oh!!! Arnault has a pet, I didn't know it was so easily tamed, I guess being a great family has its perks
Tohgi: (it?)
Instantly annoyed by the tone and language the vice-captain of squad used to refer to him, Tohgi lost all sense of civility. The drama he was actively trying to avoid was bound to happen, rather than wait for it, he decided he was going to be the one to initiate it.
Winfell: Vice Captain Sachin, I would respectfully ask that you refrain from referring to my friend in such a manner.
Sachin: you're in no place to request anything from me, regardless of your family. Don't forget I am still your vice-captain.
Tohgi whispered under his breath, but audible enough for Sachin to hear
Tohgi: hmm, I guess being too rich comes with its disadvantages, interesting
Sachin: what was that?
Tohgi: Nothing, I was just thinking out loud.
Sachin: Care to share those disadvantages with me?
Tohgi: (So easy)
Tohgi gathered his thoughts, took a deep breath in and spoke as audibly as he could without it being considered shouting.
Tohgi: Well, firstly, your jealousy must be really annoying to deal with and secondly you seem to think he is where he is due to the advantage of being part of a great family when in reality besides Yuki and a few others, he is the only one that seems to be noteworthy in this room. I might be wrong about the rest, but I can confidently say you bark way louder than you bite.
Yukimori's eyes all but popped out of his face, the energy in the room shifted, the idle chatter evaporated like steam leaving behind a deafening silence that not even a cricket would dare chirp in.
.
Yuki: (I know I said this as a joke earlier, but he definitely has a short life span at this rate)
Tohgi: (If you all want to pick a fight, I might as well give you reason to)
The entire room was in a state of confusion, not knowing how to react to Tohgi's comments, they never expected a peasant to be capable of uttering such words. Those that were confident in themselves did not care and those that weren't did not know if they should feel insulted at comments that weren't directed at them
Jade: (he did not refer to anyone directly, anyone that reacts is basically condemning themselves.)
Jade smiled to himself and ignored the commotion that was brewing.
Jade: Interesting
Sachin stood there with Winfell and Tohgi, too stunned to speak. He was the only one that was directly insulted by him. The insolence was one that he brain couldn't fathom; it was as though he had shut down. Tohgi turned to Winfell.
Tohgi: I honestly thought you were the vice-captain
Winfell: there's a lot to being a vice, not just strength
Yuki: (huh? How can he respond like nothing happened? There is something wrong with him as well)
Tohgi: Hmm, sounds like the big bad Pendragon is weary about you.
Sachin finally came to his senses, still unable to respond to Tohgi's comment, it was as though he had erased the entire statement from his memory.
Sachin: Your response to that statement could imply you think you are stronger than me, is that right? Winfell
Winfell: You misunderstood my intentions
Tohgi chuckled lightly, he allowed himself enjoy the chaos and animosity directed towards him.
Tohgi: (he definitely knows he's stronger)
Sachin: As for you, disrespecting me is one thing, but I wouldn't stand for any insult directed at captain Sabueso. To compare him to a fledging is the worst thing that could come out of that filthy mouth.
Tohgi: wait, I might look like you but I'm not an idiot, if Winfell were to fight captain Sabueso I don't think even his internal organs would remain
Winfell: I know you're being honest but can you make it sound less degrading
Tohgi: But we can't deny the fact that a nineteen year old Arnault Vice captain might take away from Pendragon's reputation, was captain Sabueso a VC as a teenager?
Winfell: (ignored)
Sachin: Not only are you questioning my captain's integrity but you called me an idiot in the process, you really expect me to take that quietly?
Sachin released his reiki to signal the initiation of a fight with Tohgi
Tohgi: I would really love to settle this, but fighting among knights in an unofficial capacity is against our code. You being a northerner and a ranked officer might lose rank which would force Winfell into the position, that's actually a good outcome now that I think about it, but that's as bad as it gets for you. I on the other hand as a measly peasant could lose my position in the order.
Winfell: Is antagonizing the only way you know how to communicate?
Tohgi: Only to the people that annoy me
Winfell: I see
Tohgi: Point is, you don't want to act in a way that could go against your beloved captain's image now do you? So yes… I expect you to take that quietly
Sabueso: That is a very interesting theory… stand down Sachin
The captain's meeting had finished and the captains returned to the waiting room. They had overheard the entire conversation echoing through the hallway.
Sachin: Yes captain.
Squad III captain: Honestly Aspen, you should teach your squad members manners, amongst an unruly bunch he reigns supreme.
Sabueso: rest assured Tohgi, people get what they deserve. I wouldn't stand in the way of my dear Juniors because of trivial political standings. However, I am also not one to gift others what they haven't earned
Tohgi: tch
Aspen: Sabueso, I didn't peg you for one to get riled up over casual conversation, my dear junior must be something special don't you think?
Sabueso: Special is an interesting way of describing him.
Sabueso walked up to Tohgi and touched his shoulder
Sabueso: You should pay special attention to him.
Aspen's mood shifted instantly; his light-hearted jolly demeanour gone.
Aspen: Get your hand off him.
Sabueso: I didn't know you were one to get riled up over casual conversation, Aspen…
END!