"I'm fine!" she protested, sounding a little annoyed. "I just was tired, that's all. If anything, it's a sign that I should be working harder!"
"I don't want you to push yourself past the point of physical capabilities," he said, his voice stern and sharp.
"I didn't," she snapped, obviously annoyed now. "I just had a moment of weakness. That's it. Get off my back, will you?"
His ears folded back in irritation. "This 'moment of weakness' could have been easily avoided had you been more responsible with yourself."
"Responsible with myself?" she asked, her voice rising. "Are you serious right now, Zad? I get brought to this place and am told within hours that I have to figure out how to fight an all-powerful being, am told that the entire fate of the world rests on my ability to learn, and you sit there and tell me to be responsible with myself?!""
She would be able to tell Zad was restrained, trying hard to maintain a professional composure. There may have been a time long ago before this life for him, one of professional needs and manners. At some point he had been temperamental. An unweilding force that may have sought forgiveness and led him to this current life he lived. He bristled, his hands tensing. He rose from his seat with a grace that had been learned. "That is exactly what I am telling you, Adeline. This matter, while it is not one to be taken lightly, it is also not meant to be taken recklessly."
Adeline glared at him, her glasses slipping to the end of her nose. "Oh, yeah, you're very concerned with the 'reckless' thing, aren't you? Because God forbid I work hard to make sure I don't *squee!* this up. This is bull*squee!*, and you know it. At the very least, I don't deserve to come in here and be treated like a child!"
He brought his hand down on the table roughly. At this, Sariel looked alert, his wings unfolding slightly as the feathers ruffled, much like a bird when threatened. Zad watched her intently, obviously angry. "You are not listening to me, Adeline! I must make sure everything stays in order and that there are no problems. I must make sure that when the time comes you will be prepared in the best possible way without it bringing injury. I need you, Adeline, but you're making it incredibly difficult for me."
