Argument

“Why so gloomy?”

Server lifted his head from the floor and looked over. Studio was pushing past the curtains that separated him from the rest of the world. She pranced toward him, but stopped before she got too close, gazing at him quizzically with a touch of concern.

Server answered, “I said something that upset Phantascope. I really need to get a door installed though, I would have straightened myself up before you came in.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m glad I saw you like this or I would have seemed so oblivious by being as chipper as I planned. I was just on my way to the gates to greet the new builders that were sent from Capital's City and wanted to invite you and the others.” Studio spoke brightly initially but after a slight pause she softly asked, “What did you say to Phantascope?”

Server seemed to hesitate answering but he eventually murmured, “You know his problem with the way we harvested the materials for the city. I... I don’t know, Studio. I became upset he wasn’t excited about the progress we made and we got into an argument.”

Studio’s ears tilted back at Server’s words and her paws shifted uncomfortably as she responded,  “He’s very attached to the flora, Server. He gripes about things a lot and I know I’ve brushed him off jokingly in front of you before, but when he has reason to with something like that… sometimes we need to acknowledge our mistakes.”

Server wasn’t pleased by Studio’s response. His eyes narrowed and his tail tip flicked before he said, “Why was it a mistake? I was the one who proposed it, so you’re talking to the wrong person if you want to imply that was a mess-up, because I have nothing against what we did.”

“Oh, Server, you know we overdid it. You have to know that was too much.” Studio shook her head, quickly changing the subject: “Are you interested in coming down to the gates? I should have worded that better, but I really have to attend to those workers.”

Server sighed, relaxing his shoulders. There was no point getting upset with Studio as well. “Yes, I’ll be there. Go ahead of me, though, I’ll catch up with you.”

Studio nodded, coming up to the golden tabby and brushing her tongue against his cheek with affection. “Thank you. See you there.”

The lithe noble once again whipped past the curtains and made her way out of the penthouse. Server’s paws took him to the window where he could see the gates. Studio was going to definitely talk to him more sternly after they greeted the builders and had time to think about it more, she was always incredibly protective of Phantascope and his strong emotions. It wasn’t something Server generally paid any mind, but after the disagreement he had with the other City Founder, he was going to need to be ready for Studio’s wrath when she received her “Advisor’s” side of things. He focused his vision onto the Medians below until he saw the familiar form of the other male tom. The bright orange and white color of Phantascope’s pelt made him stick out like a patch of snow in summer. 

The calico was skulking past the city walls, his tail low as he made his way past the carriages and carts that held the new workers Studio mentioned. Server grimaced, knowing Studio would see him at the gates if she continued at the pace she had when leaving Server’s room.

He had to get to her and slow her down. She’d immediately be more lenient to Phantascope after knowing the argument had upset him to the point of leaving the city. Server was so relieved to hear the other tom was done with the overseeing of the city because of their heated words. If Studio talked Phantascope back into staying, Server would never be able to rest without getting criticized about every one of his decisions. Even Graph would take Phantascope’s side for Server’s larger proposals. There was no time to waste.

Server left his room and made his way to the stairwell, hoping that Studio took the elevator so that way at least that would slow her down. She likely had to get Graph, too, and would be busy looking for Phantascope. Server could convince her he had retired to his room to rest after their argument and she wouldn’t ask about him for the rest of the day. After that, she would have forgotten they had an argument and everything would be able to move forward.

By the time Phantascope would get around to writing formal correspondence back to her, all the plans would be set in motion for the second city.