Souta found his short journey immediately hated by Silas, who confronted him with a condescendingly irate look that immediately rubbed the smith the wrong way.  Then the Sage openly rebuked him, telling him that these dusty bits of writing demanded more respect than not only him, but human history.  A switch flicked in Souta’s head and his eyes narrowed, but before he could send a few choice remarks Silas’ way, the prick span around and pranced away toward Akoni.  For a second Souta’s mouth hung open in indignation, before he huffed and crossed his arms.  [color=teal]”Pompous snotwad,”[/color] he spat, not caring whether the other man listened or not.  [color=teal]”Find someone else to push around.”[/color]  In his opinion, these books deserved no more personal respect than an exceptionally old rock.  No matter how crusty and aged something was, if it couldn’t actually accomplish anything respectable, it meant nothing to him.  Casting a glance past Silas at his target, he noticed a look of overblown exasperation on Akoni’s face, aimed in his direction.  What was that guy’s problem?

Returning the favor of ignoring, he continued on toward the rune-lined double-doorway and paused on the threshold.  He knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that any ill-informed messing with the protected doorway might create all sorts of unwanted problems, and so decided to turn his attention elsewhere after only a few moments of examining—even if he wanted to summon his warhammer and show Silas the extent of his respect for this place.  

The sound of his name being called commandeered his attention, though at the same time he experienced a note of confusion.  Exactly how did that old fogey know his name?  He knew that he told Mary, but nobody else should have the slightest inclining.  Regardless, Akoni’s tone roused his anger more effectively than Silas’.  [i]Wander off?[/i]  He clenched his teeth together.  [i]Crickets?  Get yourselves killed?[/i]  Did this spotty simpleton think that he was some kind of kid?  [color=teal]”Cool it, bingo champ,”[/color] Souta told him from across the room.  [color=teal]”Play around with your books all you want, but last I checked this little tour group didn’t need a chaperone.  I’ll wander wherever I please.  What do you care whether we live or die, anyway?  Two less crickets to chirp in your ear, yeah?”[/color]  Souta held out his hand as he started to walk, and the oceanic designs on his hoodie glowed ever so softly.  In his hand the Devil Arm Escre manifested from flowing water, and the smith laid it over his shoulder.  He walked right by Akoni, watching him, and approached the door on the far right.