A Necessary Evil ((10))

[Meadowlark]

"You're leaving me to do anything that requires possibly soiling that nowhere-near-as-pristine-as-you-make-it-out-to-be reputation of yours, as usual. I understand just fine. Whatever information you garner will be of use in that case, so do stay in touch." He offered her a thin smile, withdrawing his file and setting to work on the claws of his right paw.

[amanika]

"And and just what would you do if I didn't have that reputation? I know it's always sat badly with you that I was the only cat for this job, but really, have a little sense." Tantomile's watched as her brother took out the file, "Did I ever tell you you display strong symptoms of obsessive-compulsive behaviour?"

[Meadowlark]

"Several times." He replied dryly, "Have I ever mentioned you're the sort of cat juries would absolutely love to convict?"

[amanika]

"On numerous occasions." Tantomile cut him off, "You know a strong foundation of obsessive-compulsive behaviour is often personal insecurity. Perhaps that's why you harbour a desire to see me convicted, you feel threatened by my presence in your life."

[Meadowlark]

He looked up, arching an eyebrow. "Yes, because you lashing out at me for the last several years for no explicable reason isn't reason enough."

[amanika]

Tantomile stiffened momentarily before forcing herself to relax, "If it helps you sleep at night, you keep telling yourself that's how it was, dear."

[Meadowlark]

Cori's lips quirked into a smirk at the brief stiffening in his sister's posture. "I'll take that as permission, but I would say that's not how you remember it, dearest sister of mine."

[amanika]

"Oh? and just how do I care to remember it by comparison to you, because obviously, you can't do a thing wrong in anyone's eyes." Tantomile knew she shouldn't be allowing herself to rise to this, and she hated that Coricopat was able to get to her in that way, she couldn't stand his perpetual smugness about it.

[Meadowlark]

"That's because I pay the right people, Millie." He replied, his grey gaze returning to his claws as he dropped the kithood nickname.

[amanika]

Tantomile felt the fur prick all along her spine as he called her that, she was seething, and even the tiniest bit surprised he'd stooped to that level in attempt to hurt her. In that moment, she wanted nothing more than to throw the nearest heavy object at him. Instead, she spoke through gritted teeth, "Well. You've not answered my question. Just how do you think things were? Since you seem so keen of dredging up the past."

[Meadowlark]

He looked up. "I'm not entirely sure. All I know is that as soon as I was accepted and found my funding you turned into the worst bitch I have ever met."

[amanika]

"And there I was expecting a more intelligent answer. Perhaps that explains why you've not made it to DA." it was a cheap shot, but it was taking half of Tantomile's energy to keep her emotions in check, that nickname brought back so many memories, memories that felt somehow irreparrably soiled when it was thrown back at her as a slight.

[Meadowlark]

"I haven't made it to DA because I would have to run for office. Too much hassle when as ADA I'm equally as effective." Some part of him knew he shouldn't have pulled out that name, it had left a sour taste in his mouth, but what was said was said and it would stay. "Now, if we're done here?"

[amanika]

"You always did like to make excuses for yourself. But I never thought you'd be content with only second best. Always seemed like coming first was everything to you. No matter who got thrown by the wayside." Tantomile was not about to allow Coricopat the last word.

[Meadowlark]

"It's not second-best if it's effective for the job I need to do. And I don't toss cats to the wayside, I use them as steps to a higher position." He retorted, his expression cold.