naïf -- non-conish.

Kefka's words did little to phase him, Az took them as the last attempts of a sore loser trying to regain the pride he'd lost. He was not stupid, his intended punishment had been delivered and if the vile man had thought him lesser for not using his teeth then more power to him - Az's teeth were better suited towards winning the fight, and it could have been much more dangerous for the yearling to attempt to wriggle his head between the man's legs mid-battle. He did not reply, he only watched silently still displaying his bloodied teeth as Kefka slunk away.

Only once he was sure it was over did Az force his gaze away and back towards his friend. The rage in his eyes softened into something more apologetic, and when she finally decided to step towards him he did not move to meet her. Her gaze lingered upon his muzzle and he turned it away from her, his tongue slipping out to swipe the evidence away. "I- are you alright?" Azure gave a non-commital grunt in reply. He began to shrug, though the movement pained him. Instead he concealed it as just a shifting of weight. His clouded leopard however recognized it instantly, shuffling towards him and from behind his field of view prodding her paw into the space behind his shoulder blade. Az spun on her - careful not to jostle Hanako as she leaned against him - snapping his teeth in front of Lilith's face and driving her away. "Stupid cat." He grumbled.

He allowed silence to hang in the air, not knowing what to say to offer comfort or apology or to even know what she needed from him to make it okay. He eyed her sidelong, still tensed. "Are you alright?" Az offered after a moment. There was no way for him to know what her train of thought may be, though he'd always assumed she'd run from him should she see him in battle. He swallowed, and then slowly bowed his head. It ducked low beneath his shoulders, battle-torn ears pulling back to his skull. In a rare moment of appeasement and submission, he shifted to lick upon her chin if she allowed it. "Please, don't be mad at me." Az murmured.