Though prepared to follow in the footsteps of Epsilon and fulfill the command of the senior capes by making tracks to the training room, Elliot paused to glare balefully at Dean for a split second.  Without cease, the pigment-devoid scarecrow had antagonized him as long as they'd known one another.  A rivalry was one thing, but did this kid really think it necessary to encapsulate the newcomer in their squabble?  [color=8F9779]”Not yet you're not...”[/color] he murmured in a low voice beneath his breath.  He intoned this comment, impossible for the other boy to hear, as though a movie-camera had zoomed in on his disdainful face so that the audience might grasp the depth of his feud.  The next instant, however, Tulpa made her own move.  The instant she began to speak, Elliot began to bristle.  When she moved to touch him, his arm flashed out like a striking cobra, batting her arm away before it got close to his shoulder.  [color=8F9779]”D-don't test my patience, newbie.  I'm someone you'll want on your side.”[/color]  His tone shook only slightly, mostly making how floored he was inside.  Even in this tinderbox of egos, nobody had gotten that mean with him that quickly.  And she was calling [i]him[/i] the stick in the mud?  The real question was why anyone around here couldn't let a guy have his fun.  Not that 'having fun' was what he was doing.  Obviously.  No matter...she, too, would fear him in time.

Fate did not afford him much time to ruminate over this most recent slight, however, as Sonar appeared with dire news.  Aghast, Elliot's eyebrows flew up, only to drop down soon after and complete a look of grim determination.  [color=8F9779]”Well, whoever it is shall not be intruding for long!”[/color] he declared as he cracked his knuckles, only for Dean to rush past him, drawing his blade as he did so.  Truth be told, Elliot didn't think this situation would amount to much, given the kind of control that Decoy wielded over the place.  Still, a little bit of action would serve to convince the newbie how cool and capable the Wards -and Elliot, specifically, were.  That is, if Dean's little sword tricks didn't steal his thunder.  Did the guy really not know how to savor a good moment?  In this business, when the scenery needed a good chewing, the real winners spared no expense.  Still, on the off chance that there might be some sort of threat, odds were that Ira would need the talents of her mysterious ally Margrave to save the day.  Without a second's further hesitation, Elliot sprinted after Collin and Dean.

En route, Collin used his power to describe the conversation to everyone.  The intruder's words did not strike Elliot as especially sinister, but he kept staunchly quiet as he followed.  Within the minute, the team's grand leader barged through the door, flooding the hallway with the range's bright illumination and revealing the cause for alarm.  A spy drone?  Elliot analyzed it with steely eyes.  Something so small could scarcely be a dangerous weapon, but then again, information could be the most dangerous weapon of all.  In his pockets, Elliot's secret weapons felt almost hot, begging to be used.  After Dean said his piece, the Margrave chimed in, holding one flat hand up on the opposite side of his head as if ready to deliver a karate chop—or to unleash unimaginable power.  [color=8F9779]”For the sake of my allies I am restraining my burning fury...do not give me cause to loosen my grip, interloper!”[/color]  He cast a weary glance to Dean, who evidently thought that a thin bit of tempered steel wielded by an underweight 17-year-old would be enough to seriously damage a high-tech, super-compact flying machine.  After this, however, Elliot composed himself to listen.

He could understand feeling alone and unwanted.  Elliot never knew true hardship, he had to confess, but in his own ways he suffered nevertheless.  The edgelord in him wanted to spout something like, 'a likely sob story!' but he couldn't bring himself to this time.  In fact, he didn't know quite what to do, but he felt it entirely appropriate to do nothing at all.  After all, what authority lay with him?  Did this mean that there would be a fight, or a new Ward on the team, or nothing it all?  It truly didn't matter.  Elliot could do nothing, so he saw no reason to worry or get involved.  Whatever came his way, he'd roll with the punches.  Even if something embarrassing happened, or this new girl decided to bully him too, he wouldn't give up one inch.  [i]That's what it takes to earn respect.  If it worked in high school, it'll work here.[/i]  He found his thoughts returning to Tulpa, this time wielding the scalpel of discernment.  'He's telling the truth, it's got no weapons. Just a camera, some stuff to help it move, and a speaker or two'....those were her words.  Exactly how could she know?  Elliot postulated that her power might be some sort of limited omniscience, precognition, or maybe x-ray vision.  The very thought made the muscles of his face tightened in restrained bitterness.  Even imagining powers cooler than his rubbed him the wrong way.