( A warmth bursts in Aventurine's chest as Ratio simply knows what has him so on edge -- it isn't Taryon's fault, nor is it Ratio's. The other man has no way of knowing that it's more than a nickname, that his name was left in the dust of his home planet long before Jade told him to discard it, as worthless as his identity was. Aventurine has never let his anger rest with the wrong targets, and therefore there is none in his voice, just a guarded tone that was not there previously.

His hand relaxes around Ratio's wrist, though he does not pull it away completely. )

You'll find that we're quite good at handling anything you might throw at us. In fact, I look forward to the challenge.

( No matter how dangerous or ridiculous it might be. )