"Heh…" Jorel chuckled, a dry, dismissive sound that grated on the tense air.
"Who knew you could use that tone." He grinned, a predator's smile, then leaned his head closer, invading Marichi's space.
"No more of your usual sucking up?"
"What good would it do?" Marichi retorted, his voice calm, utterly devoid of the forced deference Jorel expected. He fastidiously wiped a lingering crumb from the corner of his mouth.
"With you always breathing down my neck every time."
"Because your cheap and petty tricks won't work on me," Jorel sneered, leaning back slightly, contempt etched on his features.
"What tricks?" Marichi simply chuckled, a low, knowing sound that shifted into a subtle smirk.
"I'm simply trying to be at my utmost best." He calmly stated, his eyes unwavering.
"And your utmost best is looking at me with that vile expression and saying all these to me?" Jorel widened his eyes in mock innocence, his tone dripping with taunting sarcasm.
