We need to talk (closed)

This wasn't just a slight to Sunflare, it was a slight to Sablestrike as well. He wouldn't let this one go. Patiently, the tom waited for the crowd to disperse and his former apprentice to take his position for his vigil before approaching Leopardsun. "We need to talk. Alone." That part mattered. The last time he had spoken to her about something that mattered there had been unwanted guests in their conversation. He would make sure no one would be around to hear him this time. Sablestrike lead his deputy toward a corner of camp that seemed to be safe from prying ears before speaking again. "Why was it you?" It was simple, but Leopardsun would understand the question. Between his previous remark and how Sunflare had acted it would be hard for her not to understand.

Leopardsun had meant to check on Sablestrike after his return, had wanted to ensure that her cousin was doing well now that he was home, but she had been so busy- one thing led into another, and she was always needed somewhere. Now her eyes narrowed as he approached her. "Excuse me?"

Still, she followed him. Sablestrike was- difficult, at the best of times. That was the kindest way she could think of to phrase it. If she wasn't trying to phrase her thoughts as kindly as possible, she might have considered him an idiot with delusions of grandeur and feathers where he ought to have a brain. She had learned to keep her thoughts to herself enough that she still wouldn't say something like that, even when she was angry enough to think it, but-

By the dead Dark Forest, he certainly knew just how to get on her nerves. He seemed to know exactly what to say to aggravate her, and the worst part was she could never tell how much of it was on purpose.

Of course, she knew what he meant. Why was it her, to handle his apprentice's warrior ceremony. As if she somehow wanted to be doing Nightstar's work on top of her own, as if she had asked for this.

"That's a question best saved for Nightstar," she said simply, willing herself to keep the sharp edge out of her voice. To remain calm, level-headed, and professional. She could handle speaking at Gatherings, she could certainly handle Sablestrike throwing a fit over a ceremony. "He asked me to take on certain extra responsibilities, so I did. I don't know the precise details of why, so if you have a problem with your leader's decisions, I suggest you take it up with him personally- though I can almost guarantee that he won't bother listening to you. Whatever problems the two of you have with one another, that's yours to sort out."

Nightstar had even less patience and tolerance for the younger warrior than Leopardsun herself did, which she thought had to be some sort of accomplishment. It was certain impressive, if nothing else.