There was very little that slipped past Askan's attention these days. That wasn't to say he went around shoving his nose in everyone's business, for the most part he left them to their own devices. But if something happened he was usually the first to notice it. Vigilance had been drilled into him from a young age, so those Selwyn yellow eyes of his missed little. Call it chance or intuition, but Askan just so happened to be patrolling a section of the borders when the familiar form Cancer and Risaela came into view. At first he thought nothing of it, he knew they'd been away, so he merely assumed they were returning from their journey north. But no, since when was anything ever that simple?

His nostrils flared at the scents that clung to their coats, he wasn't even that close but he could smell it as clear as day. The days of travel had done little to decrease it's intensity. He wrinkled his nose in disgust as he drew ever closer, his tail arching high as a fierce scowl settled onto his features. The way they moved, their footfalls light and their glances shifty- he had no trouble coming to a conclusion. They didn't want to be seen, or rather caught.

Stomping ahead, Askan cut them off and stood his ground, forcing the duo to come to a stop. To face the consequences of their actions. He wasn't quite sure what had happened but his sight and sense of smell told him something had happened, and he had very interest in letting them explain in their own time.

"Explain. Now." Was all he said, his teeth gnashing together as he shot them both mighty glare. The sort he reserved for when he was truly pissed off.

Askan was in no mood for attitude. He was well aware that Cancer was less than friendly, even at the best of times, but this bullshit would not be tolerated. The Edge Lord snapped his teeth in warning, this was the only one he'd get. Askan wasn't one for repeating himself. He took a moment to process his subordinates snapped words. They were attacked. Did he take Askan as a fool, did he really think he hadn't figured that out for himself? The Selwyn bristled all the more, his tail lashing behind him in blatant frustration. Snide fucker, who the fuck did he think-

It was then that Risaela interjected her words shaky and her gaze averted. She was submitting to him, cowed by his display of dominace. The primitive part of Askan's mind appreciated her response, knew it was what he deserved. But despite his role as leader he had never been...particularly demanding of these sorts of displays. He didn't want anyone to kiss his ass because they thought that's what he wanted. If anything, he wanted respect, but felt as though he had to earn it the old fashioned way.

So he listened to her words, allowed his ears to tilt forward and his glower to lessen just a little as she explained what had happened. Fucking hell. Askan's expression deteriorated into disgust, his nose wrinkled as his tongue flicked against the roof of his mouth. It wasn't hard to imagine who she was speaking of: @Inna, the whore who couldn't learn.

It wasn't as if Askan expected them to leave Inna to her fate, even he wasn't that cruel. But it all left a foul taste in his mouth, it did little to help settle his mood. He'd likely be like this, all bitter and frayed, for a while, but for now Cancer and Risaela would have to bare the brunt of it or face even more ire.

"Yeah, fine. Whatever, I don't give a shit about that." His tail brashly flicked the matter aside. Then his expression hardened once more, he was insulted, it was written upon his face as clear as day. "But I'm not fucking blind, or stupid. I don't want to know what you ate for breakfast, or what time you went to bed last night but do not try and sneak shit past me.I have done nothing to warrant this, I give you all I can and this is the fucking thanks I get? Elkshit."

Askan had never been all that good at controlling his emotions or hiding his tells. More than ever, they were written plainly on his face, a bitter amalgamation of frustration and anger. Never, ever in his life had anyone ever spoken to him like that. He'd received pointed words and barbed insults, but the words that Cancer flung in his direction were leagues above that. They were personal, accusing- and more than that, damning. Cancer was walking on real thin ice, it cracked proverbially underfoot as Askan took a thudding step forward. It wouldn't take much to make this situation worse, for it to end badly. Perhaps, in a sense Askan wanted it to. He'd already been pushed far enough today, what was one more shove?

Besides, what sort of leader would Askan be if he shrugged this off? If he went, 'oh I'm sorry you feel that way bird-boy, want to insult me some more?' Not only would that be gratuitously out of character but it would make him a shit show of a leader too.

Though the situation was different in many ways, it briefly reminded Askan of Wild Rye Field. Of the fact that-knowingly or otherwise- Drestig had allowed several of his subordinates to walk all over his authority and make him out to be a fool. History would not repeat itself here, Askan had sworn that on the day of Shallows Edge founding and the rule still applied. For now and forever.

The Edge Lord didn't even bat an eyelid at Risaela's words. In that moment he didn't care what she thought, perhaps that might change when he'd simmered down, but then her words were nothing more than background noise, like the wind toying with long strands of grass.

"Listen here you conceited fuck."

He reached forward and none to gently clamped his teeth around Cancer's snout. Not hard enough to break skin or shed blood, but his intent was clear: that Cancer really ought to stop talking. Askan inched back to speak, but remained close, his imposing, furious presence known.

"If you hate it here so fucking much then leave." He snapped at the air, his teeth merely millimetres away from Cancer's nose.

He'd been about to grab his muzzle again, shake some sense into him, but the tawny movement in the corner of his eye led him to shoot Riseala a similar scathing look. Wherever Cancer went she seemed to follow. If she took issue with the way the Shallows were ran she was welcome to leave as well. He wouldn't beg either one to stay. Behind him, Askan's tail lashed , stirring the heavy air around them as though he was trying to summon a storm- as if things weren't thunderous enough.

"So. What will it be?"