Hah... Barbatos and I have a pretty long history, so I don't take it personally. I just don't know what has him so angry this time. He's not exactly an open book.

[He really does owe quite a lot to Barbatos, though. So he doesn't see much point in defending himself when he believes it will work out eventually. It always had.

As far as Robin... he winces slightly at how Jing Yuan words that. "Will"? What a firm word for such an accusation.]

No, no. Nothing so immediate, Jing Yuan, please. I know better than to throw blame.

I just don't trust our motivations will match if things come to blows. Robin is more than aware what I will prioritize, and if he has to view me as an inconsiderate monster for keeping that clear, then I can't stop him. Rather, I welcome it, if it means he considers me an actual threat.

[Right now he thinks Robin would call him an obnoxious bastard rather than a threat, but even that is at least something - being the thorn in one's side, the cockroach, the evidence of what human will can accomplish.]

However... he is far from a ticking time bomb just because of our differences. Our mission was enough to show we can put things aside with one another for a common goal. So I'm aware my concerns, so far, are only that and nothing more. You could even call it habit on my part, if you want.

[His hand tightens against that squeezing grip with a resigned sigh.]

If he would like to take action on an offense I've made against him, then that's something the two of us will have to work out.