Look the Other Way ((24--New Years Ball))

[Meadowlark]

"And yet one has to wonder why you even bother, knowing the respect for a queen in the field is nowhere near the equivalent of a tom."

That earned Cori a frown from Charles. "Are you really that narrow-minded?"

The smaller tom blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Respect in one's field should be based upon merit not gender."

"And if you believe it is, you're more naive than any cat I've met to date."

[amanika]

"It obviously never occured to you that that's exactly why I try, Cori! Not that I'd expect it to, even if it's only a handful of cats who ever recognise it, there's all the more merit in doing so with the odds against me. I've not had a free ride to the top, and I'm proud of the fact that I've got there regardless, so don't you ever dare to try and deminish that! You've got no right!"

Tantomile's voice grew stronger as she spoke, every word fuelled by fury and hatred for her twin. She glared at him when she'd finished, eyes blazing, body trembling slightly from pure anger. He'd better be extremely careful about his response, right now she'd have almost no qualms about reaching for the nearest flower vase and breaking it to pieces on her brother's head.

[Meadowlark]

Cori studied her for the briefest of seconds, before returning his gaze to study Charles. Determining he was more than outnumbered he inclined his head to Charles. "Good to see you again, Charles." Ignoring Tantomile he turned and left.

The Turkish Van watched him go with a frown, glancing at Tantomile. "Is he always such a...charmer?"

[amanika]

Tantomile's stared daggars into Coricopat's back until he was out of sight, her breathing only slowing gradually, she was far from calm. She turned back to Charles, biting back several misplaced snappy replies, she was actually rather glad the Turkish Van was still there.

"Unless he's got a very good reason to be pleasant, then yes," she managed finally, "and even that tends towards the superficial." she sighed, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you quite how bad things were, but that sort of thing tends to sound like slander unless you've seen it for yourself. Though I'm very sorry you had to be involved in that."

[Meadowlark]

The red and white tom shrugged, still watching as Coricopat wove through the other guests. "I could have kept my mouth shut."

[amanika]

"If it's any consolation, I'm glad you didn't."

[Meadowlark]

He chuckled dryly at that. "Well, I suppose that's good. Since there's not much I could do if you felt otherwise."

[amanika]

"Still, I'm sorry you had to bear witness to that exchange." Tantomile shook her head, starting to feel her anger receding.

[Meadowlark]

He shrugged a bit. "It could have been worse."

[amanika]

"True," Tantomile remarked, "I was one comment away from throwing something at him." she smiled to suggest that it had been a joke, but her eyes held little mirth.

[Meadowlark]

He chuckled, "And no blood was shed, so passably dealt with then."

[amanika]

Tantomile nodded, not quite trusting herself to comment. She sipped he drink instead, which she'd held onto throughout the exchange.

[Meadowlark]

Charles looked around, considering if he should go greet some of the other cats he recognized or not at the moment.

[amanika]

Noticing Charles looked ready to excuse himself, Tantomile put one paw on his arm, "I hope this hasn't put you off our meeting for coffee?"

[Meadowlark]

The Turkish Van's brows rose at the contact, but he offered her a smile. "No, I'm still looking forward to that."