[The time for listening was through. Amelia's anger had kept her from noticing as Gale approached the table with his arms folded, and while he made every effort to remain collected, his own fury was evident in the tense set of his shoulders, the clench of his jaw, his gaze unusually hard and unblinking.]
How very fortunate that I just so happened to be present to overhear you threatening her first.
[Dr. Raphael had not needed to say the words themselves out loud— what he intended to leverage against Professor Steinbeck was crystal clear, and all present knew it.
The dean arches a brow once more, only a passing glimpse of surprise fleeting across his otherwise composed features as he leans back in his seat, fingers steepled in front of him.]
"Dr. Dekarios, what a happy coincidence. It isn't very gentlemanly of you to eavesdrop on someone else's lunch meeting."
[Gale looks unbothered by the accusation, his firm stance remaining.]
Consider I've heard you threatening a colleague for simply adhering to the university's own policies, I don't feel I'm the one whose manners need addressing. That you would ask any member of our faculty to turn a blind eye to academic dishonesty is shameful, though I've begun to think shame is not a feeling you are well-acquainted with.
[The dean gives a faint click of his tongue, shaking his head as he remains comfortably seated, one leg crossed over the other.]
"I'd heard that you were self-righteous, but it is quite something to see in action. You're Dr. Manx's discarded lapdog, aren't you? I suppose you ought to know a great deal about shame, in that case, and that your own academic integrity has been called into question. It would be truly awful if that great 'discovery' of yours is proven to be the result of someone else's work. I hardly need a lecture from either of you; this university does not run itself. Now and then, we must bend the rules— where do you think your salaries come from?"
[For a moment, Gale looks as though he's been stricken across the face, but he rallies to stand his ground.]
If we're taking mere rumor as fact, then I've heard of a great number about you that I'm sure the chancellor would be very interested to hear— it would seem this isn't the only rule you've been keen on bending.
no subject
[The time for listening was through. Amelia's anger had kept her from noticing as Gale approached the table with his arms folded, and while he made every effort to remain collected, his own fury was evident in the tense set of his shoulders, the clench of his jaw, his gaze unusually hard and unblinking.]
How very fortunate that I just so happened to be present to overhear you threatening her first.
[Dr. Raphael had not needed to say the words themselves out loud— what he intended to leverage against Professor Steinbeck was crystal clear, and all present knew it.
The dean arches a brow once more, only a passing glimpse of surprise fleeting across his otherwise composed features as he leans back in his seat, fingers steepled in front of him.]
[Gale looks unbothered by the accusation, his firm stance remaining.]
Consider I've heard you threatening a colleague for simply adhering to the university's own policies, I don't feel I'm the one whose manners need addressing. That you would ask any member of our faculty to turn a blind eye to academic dishonesty is shameful, though I've begun to think shame is not a feeling you are well-acquainted with.
[The dean gives a faint click of his tongue, shaking his head as he remains comfortably seated, one leg crossed over the other.]
[For a moment, Gale looks as though he's been stricken across the face, but he rallies to stand his ground.]
If we're taking mere rumor as fact, then I've heard of a great number about you that I'm sure the chancellor would be very interested to hear— it would seem this isn't the only rule you've been keen on bending.