Tachyus was vaguely aware that his face must have looked odd, his expression changing swiftly from the pleasant surprise at Juno's unexpected compliment, to a gradually dark, and even angry, frown. Magnus was predictably belligerent, but there was more. There was an animal fury that seemed to pull taught the man's corded muscles and draw his hands into balled fists. Tachyus considered this carefully. The usually meek Kass weighed in in agreement with Magnus' assessment that Tachyus' handiwork was in fact, not impressive. 

 [color=8493ca]"No. It isn't. Dummies don't hit back."[/color] The wolf-man had said in response to Juno's complimentary remark. 

 This was no real surprise, but  Kass' remarks crossed a cognitive line that Tachyus' honor simply couldn't permit. Not only had she compared his venting in the training room to striking children, she had implied that his motives had been to [i]impress[/i] them. To make up for his failings in the battle before. He gritted his teeth as the atlantean girl asked Magnus something, but he wasn't listening. He nearly cut her off in his anger.

 [color=fff79a]"It is a good thing then,"[/color] He began, attempting to keep his voice calm, but nearly shaking in his building indignant rage, [color=fff79a]"That I didn't actually do this to impress any of you, [i]Mirage[/i]."[/color] He spat her name with obvious distaste, but shifted his glare to Magnus, who was bristling with a fury that seemed directed at Tachyus specifically. The beast seemed to be singling him out. Was it because he had shown weakness? Just like a wild dog, Tachyus thought. He'd have to prove he wasn't the weakest link in order to regain his place in the pack, in Magnus' eyes. [color=fff79a]"As for you, If you truly think that my being taken by surprise in our last battle will make me an easy snack for you, then I welcome you to make the attempt."[/color] Tachyus balled his own fists, barely aware that he had let loose the floodgates of the Godspeed. Wreathed in a golden aura, he smirked at Magnus, a mirthless half-smile, and cracked his knuckles.