December\'s tail flicked when he saw that look on Tuo\'s face. I hope you aren\'t always as stupid as you were yesterday, the master thought, narrowing his eyes. She proved herself to be at least slightly wise, though, and refrained from saying anything she might... regret. She just tore up her cloak to cover her palm, though December didn\'t think that the bandage would hold very well. It would probably leak, and as much fun as it would be to return a test with blood on it, he certainly didn\'t want her spreading it around his domicile. November took over his brother\'s chair when December left, eying Tuo carefully as he sat, and continuing his stare while his brother spoke.
Tuo\'s reaction to December\'s question surprised both brothers. Is she really that attached to just her knives? November wondered contemptuously. It seemed stupid to him. I guess she just never goes on missions or something, the younger of the two reasoned. It seemed valid to him. After all, who would send someone so volatile out to do anything important? November didn\'t like the way she spoke to December, either, and it showed in the way he laid back his ears. "Stupid..." he whispered, his voice clearly referring more to her action than to her. Even *I* have more self-control, November added mentally. Tuo would never have survived in the Courts.
December continued to stare into the fire for a moment, then closed his eyes and lowered his chin slightly. "\'Get fucked\'... What a charming, respectful way to address your betters," he said, his voice quiet and clearly displeased. "What an intelligent thing to do, during detention, when a simple \'no, it\'s taken care of\' would have sufficed..." December continued, half-turning so that he was looking at her. "You\'ve used up your pardon for tonight. Watch your mouth, or I\'ll throw you out the window." The master eyed her up and down. "And get some knives you won\'t die for. You\'ll need them when you begin to work." With that, December walked over to the table and picked up a large, hefty pile of student tests.
"You\'ll be grading these. When you\'re done with these, let me know - there are more. And if you need the grading mastersheet, tell me. It will mean you shouldn\'t have been made an Apprentice," December went on, his eyes cold. "I do expect these to be perfect, too." November, who had been rather miffed at the fact that his brother let Tuo off so easily the first time, perked up a little at this. The younger of the two smiled maliciously, cocking his head a bit to the side. He sometimes thought his brother was a little too soft with others, but December always found a way to change his younger brother\'s mind. "Do you understand?" December asked, cocking his head a bit to the side as he awaited Tuo\'s response.