[ 'is all', he says, when he was still squashing the book that claude had been absorbed in, demanding his time as cats did when bored. 'is all', when he was already trying to set the tone of how this should go, bullying his way into claude's schedule with the grace of a bludgeon. it's -- well. it's pretty amusing, really. amusing, but not unexpected, at least when one took the rest of the lions into consideration. ]

You Faerghus types really do enjoy your spars, don't you?

[ well, that was probably it for reading, then. he doesn't sigh, but he does lean further back, resting his back against the chair with slumped shoulders. relaxed shoulders, rather. appearing unbothered even with childe staring him down, looking eager and predatory with far too much teeth on display.

in truth: a spar might actually not be too bad. claude might be interested, if only to gauge the childe's prowess, up and personal. he's seen him from a distance, of course, and heard the rumours whispered about, but distance and rumour could only help so much when childe was now the deer's resource to assign and use. just the same, giving in too quickly likely wouldn't do, so, ]

Unfortunately, as good as I am, I'd say my best features are up here. [ in his noggin. let him tap a finger on his temple in emphasis, ] Rather than going head-to-head with anyone. Not much room for schemes when there's so little between you and your opponent, and all. Have you considered looking for teach? I hear they can give even His Princeliness a run for his money.