#either way Takrin would never want to acknowledge she did something that was important/good for Archadia heh))

[disillusionedjudge]

@tarnishedxknight (Drace) sent: " i'm proud of you. "

"You went against direct orders!" Takrin snapped as he marched ahead, and he needn't remove his helm for Gylfie to know the furious look across his face. It was something she had experienced many times before, after all, though it only served to build her own frustration and anger rather than scare her. "Gods above, I knew you were not fit to be Judge. And for you to be learning from Drace of all Judges!"

"Judge Drace has nothing to do with my decision!" Gylfie came to a sudden halt - her already shot temper flaring. "'Twas I who made that call, and I alone! She was not there! I was not going to--"

Takrin rounded on her suddenly, and she snapped her mouth shut to silence herself. Still, his fury was not enough to daunt her, and she glared back with just as much hatred beneath her helm. Their postures revealing the boiling emotions beneath, hidden by their armor.

It was clear, however, how he struggled to collect himself, and when he spoke next, his words were lower, but just as venomous. "There or not, her insolence is making you worse," he growled. "You are a blight on the Empire and my family's name, Gylfie. You have not the authority or capability to be making--"

A scoff was the only thing that kept her from laughing in his face. "Oh, your family?" she sneered. "As if I do not carry your name? As if 'tis not your decision to keep me claimed to save face?"

The way his hand twitched showed she was well getting beneath his skin.

"Mayhap you would like to claim responsibility for how poorly that battle would have gone had I not done something?" She was pushing her luck, she knew, but she hardly cared. Unable to bite back the flames of her anger as it burned in her chest. "Or, mayhap, I should claim to be following your lead--"

The sound of rattling armor caused them both to fall silent, and Takrin straightened as he turned his attention to the approaching Judge Magister. His face undoubtedly twisted into a furious scowl beneath his helm.

Gylfie, however, refused to turn her gaze away from him. Her own expression betrayed her rage, although her helm kept it concealed.

Gods above, she hated him.

"Learn to rein in your charge, Drace," he said coldly - not bothering with a formal greeting, "lest you make a fool of yourself with her insubordination. The last we need are Judges believing themselves above orders and bringing down the Empire for the Rozarrians." He turned to look at Gylfie one last time - undoubtedly with disgust and disappointment - and turned away. "If you will excuse me, I must report to Emperor Gramis."

It took everything in Gylfie not to spit out several insults as Takrin left them both - her body rigid and stiff, even obviously so with her armor - but she settled with a loud scoff instead. Her blood boiling as she struggled to bring down her temper and control herself now that she was alone with Drace. Now that she needed to answer for her actions, something she had no doubt Drace had already gotten wind of.

At that sobering thought, Gylfie lost her steam, and her body slowly loosened as she bowed her head. Bracing herself for her mentor's disappointment. "I understand I was wrong to disobey orders," she began - her voice quieter now. "I do apologize for how my actions reflect upon you, but I will not apologize for my decision. I know--"

I'm proud of you.

Gylfie stopped. Drace was...? She blinked, and floundered for a moment - stunned by such a simple statement, foreign to her ears.

"...What?"