[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/201215/20568753498ac3b3b49c987d41c9e528.png[/img][/center]
[hr]
[@Achronum][@Scribe of Thoth][@Hero]
[hr]
Kayden crossed his arms, raising a princely eyebrow at his betrothed. Well, she wasn't laying it on [i]too[/i] thick, he lied to himself. He felt the Eagles were some sort of diabolical triangle, with Rudolph in the meek corner and Veronica on the complete opposite end of the spectrum while Kayden desperately yanked upwards to keep the team afloat. Even with the drama of the Golden Deer and the Blue Lions, he still felt the Eagles had to keep on their toes. [color=4851AA]“When was the last time you could relate to anyone?”[/color] he asked her, a sardonic edge to his voice. If the Archbishop himself waltzed up and told her she was the Goddess incarnate, Veronica would believe it without a second thought. 

Kayden then made a willful reminder to himself to gaze at Rudolph, and he saw the very unnoticeable youth fidgeting and strangely nervous. Well, [i]differently[/i] nervous somehow, and something else he couldn't quite pinpoint. He kept himself from sighing and tried to seem supportive with a raised brow, awaiting a response. Rudolph wouldn't become more confident if he was scolded constantly, not that Kayden generally did that unless pressed. Unfortunately, this seemed one of those times. 

[color=4851AA]"You're not opting out."[/color] Kayden told him, his voice as irrefutable as if it were etched in stone. Kayden wasn't mad, but he wasn't going to allow an argument, either. [color=4851AA]"You won't know how to use your crest unless you take the class, even if it works without your current understanding or will. If Tomai thinks you don't need it, then that's another story. But otherwise I expect you to be here next time. An-"[/color] 

[color=FF650E]“Professor Roland, you disingenuous boor!"[/color]

He blinked, turning his head like a hawk that had caught movement. Though he looked less predatory and more bemused at the shout that had reached their position. He walked over to the doorway and peered out into the courtyard, watching as Clarissa of the Golden Deer began to utterly lecture Professor Lysander like he answered to her. [color=4851AA]"What the fuck?"[/color] He breathed quietly as he listened, completely confused as to what was the matter. Kayden chuckled incredulously. He wasn't offended on behalf of the professors, nor was he even glad another rival guild was causing a scene. Truth be told, he was impressed with the deer for her sheer audacity. 

[i]You literally challenged the head of the knightly order to weekly duels because you want to seduce her,[/i] a voice in his head reminded him.[/i] 

[i]Yeah, but I didn't yell at her[/i], he thought back to the void of his brain. 

He saw Clarissa turn tail and offer Derec to go riding, and he thought for a moment. He turned to his group, opening his mouth to to offer that they go and ask to join as a group, but he closed his mouth and decided that was a horrible idea. Instead, he told his fellow eagles this: [color=4851AA]"I'm going to get some information. You too take the rest of the day to rest."[/color] It was halfway the truth. Relations between the guilds were important, and he wanted to learn more about Derec and Clarissa's scruples when it came to crests. Plus he hadn't ridden since he had arrived. It was long odds, considering what just happened, but he was nothing if not confident. Clearing his throat and smoothing his rakish hairstyle, he walked out of the doorway with all the class denoting his station, coupled with a respectful inclination of his head when he reached them. He did his best not to look at the professor, trying to keep his voice low enough to not be entirely heard by him. 

[color=4851AA]"Excuse my intrusion. I wanted to ask if I could gain permission to ride with you,"[/color] the leader of the Eagles inquired. Even his charm might not help him here, but he went in. [color=4851AA]"If I am unwelcome, no hard feelings. But I haven't ridden on a good horse in far too long and I've had it with cramped classrooms."[/color] He fully prepared himself for a quick dismissal or even his own tongue lashing, and if it happened, he would remain impassive.