Phoenix Maplewood so, what are you gonna do?

kigipigak—, the man offers him to his slip of memory, suffice to say his 'uncle's' name was hardly something he'd been liable to remember in that whole messy exchange. mostly, he remembered the fight he put up, the snap about royal and being forward about the fact that he'd barely seen hide nor hair of her and really didn't give a rat's butt about her feelings and how, once again, arbiter got her way. how many times would haunt and him give into her before it started to make them look weak? like they couldn't hold their own in a battle of wits and words?

right, vex drawls with a quick nod at the name, trying to tuck it away though. this was their second meeting, after all, and surely more effort should be applied to remembering the name kigipigak. a low snort leaves vex at the other tartok's 'i go where i please' remark; mostly born out of jealousy as it was. what vex wouldn't give to be able to claim that, too. yeah, well maybe go where you please in territories not so close to legion, yeah? like usual — or at the very least thus far — vex was mostly all talk.

he had no real reason to and is reminded that kigipigak saw him being dragged back home by his mother so chasing him off would, understandably likely be met with laughter. there wasn't anything remotely threatening by a boy who was still tucked firmly ( however unwillingly ) beneath his mother's wing. vex rolls his eyes at the mention of his mother; biting remark after biting remark stinging at the tip of his tongue. regardless of what barb vex chose to use, it would no doubt clue kigipigak in on the truth: no. and if she was, no doubt she would come barreling in like a tank ready to fire soon.

if vex wasn't so annoyed that he was being treated like a two month old puppy he might've actually admired his mother and her ability to balance motherhood, two rebellious children and all her leadership duties all by herself.

maybe she does, maybe she doesn't. does it matter? vex asks.