Don't misunderstand me. [Or rather, don't insult them. Said with a frozen lake's deceptive calmness. As such, Neji was careful not to place much weight on his counter. If she wanted cold she could get doused in ice, and Neji thinks of how easy it'd be to give in. There's a labyrinth opened with so few words, but it wasn't his intention to get lost in it. Actually, he's got no interest in giving the maze more than a passing glance.
He was aware he'd outright invited the lashing. There's a tiny surge of satisfaction in knowing he's now found one of her triggers to spring her into life, and that such a trigger just happened to be his friend. Either that or Yuri was an exceptional actor. He doubted that.
Because she was practically broadcasting her anger, every obvious part of her easily playing the part of battling an affront. It was too much, really, after being previously in the company of a rock. And Neji's own stony expression cracks just enough for him to boyishly crinkle his nose in mild confusion- and if it's laced in irritation, well, that's not entirely his fault, is it?] You're right that Lee doesn't need you defending him. Nor does he let something so trivial get in his way. [Something so trivial as cruelty, yes. Neji was well aware of how that sounded, too. But it wasn't his fault if she wouldn't understand. And anyway, he moves to amend. Etch this into memory, though- he gives a small bow. Small, in shinobi terms, means practically nonexistent. But it's there. And it's sincere.] Your concern for him is appreciated. It is, however, misplaced, Yuri-san. I've said earlier I am his teammate. What that means to you is obviously different than what it means to me. I will not ignore his faults. He will not ignore mine. We know these things of each other and build each other up because of it. An observation is only that. You shouldn't get so carried away because of it. [He can read that FIGHT ME like a neon sign, is what he means.]
no subject
He was aware he'd outright invited the lashing. There's a tiny surge of satisfaction in knowing he's now found one of her triggers to spring her into life, and that such a trigger just happened to be his friend. Either that or Yuri was an exceptional actor. He doubted that.
Because she was practically broadcasting her anger, every obvious part of her easily playing the part of battling an affront. It was too much, really, after being previously in the company of a rock. And Neji's own stony expression cracks just enough for him to boyishly crinkle his nose in mild confusion- and if it's laced in irritation, well, that's not entirely his fault, is it?] You're right that Lee doesn't need you defending him. Nor does he let something so trivial get in his way. [Something so trivial as cruelty, yes. Neji was well aware of how that sounded, too. But it wasn't his fault if she wouldn't understand. And anyway, he moves to amend. Etch this into memory, though- he gives a small bow. Small, in shinobi terms, means practically nonexistent. But it's there. And it's sincere.] Your concern for him is appreciated. It is, however, misplaced, Yuri-san. I've said earlier I am his teammate. What that means to you is obviously different than what it means to me. I will not ignore his faults. He will not ignore mine. We know these things of each other and build each other up because of it. An observation is only that. You shouldn't get so carried away because of it. [He can read that FIGHT ME like a neon sign, is what he means.]