[PRP] One so proud (Aren and Argent)

[Sen Cross]

Aren didn't really mind being disturbed during his 'work', but he wondered who might be visiting. Ghost had left a short while ago and wouldn't be back before evening, and Zephyr was out for a while. So the could only think about Slven, but he wasn't really sure the youth would visit him at all. Not with how he had reacted the last time they had met.
Shrugging, he turned to the door. "Come in."
There was a boy at the door Aren vaguely remembered. At least he thought he did, if that was one of the youngsters that had been part of the search party. The Kid seemed a bit unsure of why he was there, though. Well, he had that effect of making people nervous. Especially children.
"Hello, young man. Can I help you with something?"
He asked, putting down the papers before giving Argent a once-over, crimson gaze resting on the boys face. There was the same setting and attire Slven would find only a short while later, hardly a trace that the man had been almost dead only a week ago.  

[Sen Cross]

Aren stared at the boy for a moment. That was unexpected, really. He blinked a few times before he burst out laughing.
"Hah, that was a good one, kid. But I guess I can't blame you for not knowing me you're colony born, aren't you?"
That was what he liked about kids. They mostly said what they were thinking, not trying to hide anything behind a veil of lies and half truths.
"The name's Aren. You should've at least heard about me."  

[Sen Cross]

Aren raised an eyebrow, his jovial smile turned into a smirk.
"You're a cautious one, aren't you? Good."
He was getting a little bit annoyed, but there was no reason to scare the kid. Yet.
"But you don't seem very bright. You should work on that. Knowing your history is important."
His sharp eyes got a slightly dangerous gleam, just enough to be a little intimidating and make the temperature around Argent seem to drop by a few degrees.
"And you should be careful not to insult your elders. I like children. But I don't take impertinence and disrespect lightly. Why you should trust me?" His smirk faded. "I'm your leader. No, I'm the Surpreme Leader to be more precise for you. The Emperor of this and any other Genome Colony. So I guess you'd better learn to trust me. And learn some respect."  

[Sen Cross]

The elders eyes narrowed dangerously, all kindness gone from his features as his face turned to stone.
"Who do you think you have to thank for that freedom, you stupid child?" He growled. This kid was really testing his patience. "Who do you think selected Ghost to take care of you? He's no leader, he's a protector. He'll tell you the same, but don't think he'll take kindly to knowing you are standing here insulting me without having any idea what I gave up to ensure YOUR freedom."
Arens fist clenched. He had given up everything, and this was what he got in return? Children that knew nothing about him, about the past, and acted like they owed him nothing?
"You would still be a slave trained for war if it were not for me. I build this ship, I lead your brothers and sisters to safety."
He tried his best to keep his anger down, and while his voice softened, his eyes remained cold as steel.
"What do you take me for? A tyrant?"  

[Sen Cross]

"You are obviously oblivious to the command structures here, kid." Aren sighed. He was getting bored of this conversation. "The Operator commands a ship. The Supreme Leader commands the Operators. Each of them. Easy enough to understand for you, isn't it?"
He frowed, staring at the impertinent child.
"And you really need to work on your manners. Usually you introduce yourself before asking another to do so."
It was obvious that he was about to say something else, but he didn't get to as the door slid open again, said Operator entering with an unfamiliar disapproving frown on his face. Obviously Mother had informed him about Argent getting himself knee deep into trouble. There wasn't much going on on the ship that he wouldn't be made aware of.
"Argent." Ghosts voice was gentle but with a dangerously cold undercurrent that none of the children had ever heard him use. "What do you think you are doing?"  

[Sen Cross]

"Maybe you should get a lession in respect first." Aren snorted, arms crossed, but a hint of amusement returning to his voice. "Good for you, getting rescued. I wouldn't have minded smacking some sense into you."
Closing the door behind him, Ghost frowned a little at Argent before passing him and walking over to Aren, taking a seat on the bed. "I'm sure he didn't mean to insult you." The elder rubbed the bridge of his nose, lips curving into a light grin. "Sure he didn't. You're too lenient with those kids. Or maybe it's just that little rascal over there? Bet you told him a word or two about how all of us are free now and he runs around thinking he can do whatever he wants to."
He was pretty sure that was exactly what Ghost had done. "Not that there is anything wrong with teaching the children that we are no longer weapons, no longer slaves. But no colony, no government can exist and flourish without a leader to guide and protect it, a foundation."
Ghost nodded and turned his gaze back to Argent, mild disapproval still evident on his face. "Aren is right, you know. I'm a substitute leader, like any Operator is. The Supreme Leader guides and protects all of us, he is the one who freed us, everyone who has survived the war knows that. He is the spirit and the law that holds us together. Freedom is fine and noone's going to take that from you, but every nation needs rules. He is the one who makes those rules, and each of us old enough to know him can tell you that he will never abuse his power." He sighed. "You should absolutely not continue to insult him. You who have no memory of the war and what we had to endure have no right to do so."  

[Sen Cross]

"That's about enough, Argent." Ghosts eyes had narrowed dangerously, irritation very clear in his voice by now. He was still trying his best to keep it level though. "He doesn't need to prove his worth or earn your respect. He's done enough to ensure that already."
It was very clear that Argent hat overstepped his boundaries by far. Ghost wasn't one easily angered. And to say that he was livid was an understatement. Aren was quiet, face void of any expression, stone cold mask perfectly in place. But his crimson eyes were burning with barely concealed rage.
"You should go." Ghost told the unfortunate child. "Now." 'before any of us does something he will regret later' was the unspoken warning that followed.