The Ranch

"Bitter" Rivals (2)

Shippers: So...Casanova's into older men?

Author: yeah?

Shippers: So we can ship him with any older guy on the island.

Author: Wha- no, when did I say you could do that?

Shippers: so Jax, Kane, ooh or Maddox

Casanova drags/half-carries Tih to the office. They reach the floor that houses Sinclair's office. He's about to bring Tih into the office when the door opens and a worse-for-wear Phillip steps out. His handsome halo has dissipated a little.

He spots Casanova first and glares, then his eyes wander to Tih and sees his tiny wrist being held by Casanova and frowns deeply.

"What are you doing." He says in a low stern voice.

"What, can't you see I'm hanging out with my new friend? Or are you still blind."

"Still?" It's said through gritted teeth.

"Yeah, you also have a trash taste in lovers, though you haven't had one in a while...or are you into children now?" Casanova spouts in faked naivety.

"Says the guy that only dates cougars!" Phillip huffs.

Casanova's face twitches," ...then maybe I'll change my preferences starting today?" He leans closer to Tih, irritating Phillip.

"You...you've already stolen master's attention, now you want to take my friend too? You're greed truely knows no bounds, I'm impressed!" Phillip sneers with a haughtiness.

Casanova gives Tih a glance that seems to be saying,'Look at this idiot', but Tih's never been good with social cues and the like. "Just because I have more sales than you doesn't mean you need to get jealous. And who says the child can only have one friend? He's not you."

Phillip shows an irritated expression, offering his hand out," Come here Tih. Don't accociate with garbage."

"Pot calling the kettle black." Casanova's expression looks a little lazy, likes he's tired of putting up an act.

"So you admit that your garbage?"

"Only if you are."

They start bickering like children when Sinclair's office door opens," Is something happening? Why's it so noisy?" His peaceful voice calms the rolling waters.

Phillip immediately turns into an obedient puppy," Nothing m- sensei." Lately, he's been slipping up more often.

"That's right, I was just about to show you the data for my newest item." Casanova pulls out a file, taking Sinclair's attention.

"Good, come in." He places a hand on Casanova's shoulder to guide him in, meanwhile, he notices Tih," Tih, very nice to see you. It's unfortunate but I have quite a lot on my plate right now. I'll spare more time to greet you at a later date." His melodic voice has the power to relax anyone who listens to it.

Phillip glares intensly at the shoulder the hand was placed on.

"Dense idiot." Casanova mumbles silently under his breath to where only Tih is able to catch it.

The door closes behind Sinclair and Casanova, leaving Phillip and Tih outside.

"Tih, what should I do to make master acknowledge me more." Phillip squats defeatedly to whine. Asking the boy half his height and six years his junior for advice.

He buries his face into his arms and says in a muffled voice,"Isn't he just..." he looks for the right words," ugh hateful?" He refers to Casanova. He wouldn't usually have trouble using a wide array of vocabulary. It seems his brain short-circuits when angry.

"You have a bad first impression of him right?" Phillip raises his head with sparkling eyes.

Tih's expression remains neutral.

His eyes dim hesitantly," You-you wouldn't actually date such garbage, right?"

Tih observes the child-like Phillip. He pats his head in comforts, feeling his emotions moving around wildly.

Phillip finds this a good idea. He sits against a wall and brings Tih into his lap, hugging him with one arm and rubbing his head with the other. Tih, the comfort pet, stays obediently as Phillip explains his most recent feud with the garbage.

Phillip has talked to Tih about this previously but in summary, Casanova launched new promotional material when Phillip was busy with the carnival. As expected, it's become a huge hit and a lot of other stores have adopted this new method, earning a lot of brownie points from Sinclair.

Phillip brings Tih closer with both hands so he can rest his chin on his head. He explains," I've had an ongoing rivalry with Casanova for about five years now. We're both waiting to see who Sinclair will announce as his official inheritor. He told us he'll pick his choice when he deems the time is right, so neither of us know how long this'll continue."

Casanova: Y'know what Phillip reminds me of? A cat.

Author: I don't really see-

Phillip: *comes into the room and sees Casanova* hiss!