[ The irritation grows before it pops. It pops when Estinien calls his beliefs cowardly. ]

Oh, I see. We're arguing with each other, huh?

[ Nero slaps his hand on his forehead like he's realizing something that he hadn't before. He didn't think the conversation was all an argument, but he's starting to believe that it is.

Then everything makes perfect sense.

What did he think it was? Not a casual argument between cousins. If he named what he thought it was, it wouldn't be anything good.

The tension in his body fades away as he chuckles and then laughs to himself. All of his anger feels silly to him. His eyes close as he lets his shoulders sink; he misunderstood and that's embarrassing for him. ]

I'm sorry for getting so mad at you. [ His apology sounds sincere as he stretches his arms above his head; he twists slightly in his seat and his eyes open. ]

Anyway, cousin, you do realize asking someone that you openly dislike if you can blast them with magic comes off as a death threat, right? [ Nero decides to clear up the misunderstanding. He does recall Estinien calling it a sparring match, but how's it a match when it's to test the elf's magical resistance? ]

Don't worry. I see now that you really didn't realize because you didn't consider my feelings, or how fucked up that is. [ He puts his hand to his face to pretend to cry before he starts to snicker and laugh. ]