STRANGE TASTES - open; return with + one

[Jiyu Simul Stamus]

She had stayed up ever since Pey and Blue had left after being given a mission relating to retrieving stolen food peacefully. While most of her reasoning for remaining awake was related to her normal guarding duties and obsession? She had another purpose for remaining awake that she would never directly admit to anyone. Admitting the second reason she stayed awake no matter how late it got, would also be admitting there was care to her that the majority of her group didn't even know existed. Pey was her partner, an apprentice of sorts as well in some ways being so inexperienced at the job compared to her, she was worried about him. Every second that the other guard was away? She grew increasingly internally worried that he had been killed or captured by the enemy, going into a situation where you knew the other group was unfriendly with only two animals was foolish, dangerous. While it seemed she was simply scanning for danger as normal, she was actually perched on top of the mansion to see the return of Blue and her fellow guard the second they got back into sight range. If they weren't back in enough time to ease her worry? She would surely be talking about another patrol to get them back.

Luckily, it seemed they had just needed to learn the intended lesson she had in mind when she retreated to the mansion roof, she would have felt so guilty letting them do it if the lesson had been any harsher. In the end? She willingly chose to stop convincing them otherwise, let them walk into what she knew would be a loss in terms of the main objective. Even if she knew that she could not have convinced them otherwise at the time? She would still blame herself if they had come back injured or not come back at all, she had wanted to go with so she could be there to protect them, but she couldn't the mansion without a guard. Being unable to protect everyone? Was still agony even if she looked completely emotionless, it tore her up inside the idea they could be getting hurt and she was stuck in home territory unable to do anything to help them. Jiyu was happy they were back unharmed, at least she would be happy if she could be happy, but no emotions, so she wasn't happy it was something else, something much more muted but still fond enough that she knew everything was momentarily alright.

"It's alright Deval." she would die before the visitor Blue seemed to be bringing home with her would be allowed to harm anyone. However, it was likely the other feline had enough sense not to bring back anyone who would suddenly turn on them, in all likelihood they had gained a new ally in resecuring their food if Pres in his peaceful way did not decide to just let The Pitt get away with this. Of course, she would not trust this newcomer the way she trusted everyone else for a good while, he did most likely come from the camp of an enemy. Even if no one else had declared The Pitt as their enemies? Jiyu already knew that was what they were, no ally or neutral would steal food, potentially sentencing members of the other group to death if more food could not be swiftly reobtained.

There was no more need for words right now, she took up her place, a position that ensured she could protect everyone should Blue's friend serve to not be friendly as the other rose believed he was. Talking about things right now, until the newcomer had been taken care of? Would not be productive. Also, it put off her refusing to say that they had done well to at least bring back someone even if they seemed to get no food back. Losing one of their own ranks? Would hurt the enemy, and if Pres finally decided to go for a plan that would work, would make her job easier. If they used her plan instead of giving up? She sure as hell was not going to let Pey be the one stealing the food back, he was large, now recgonizeable by the enemy, not to mention young and inexperienced. Jiyu would insist on being one of the few who went in, considering the fact it would not be her first time doing something like her idea, thus she stood the best chance at getting in and out unharmed.

None of that was important right now, mismatched dead optics blinked once as her ears pricked forward to Blue and Pey, tipping down slightly. "Everyone is unharmed." she didn't ask like it was a question, but it was even if she didn't ask it properly. If anyone was harmed? She was going to have to eat someone from The Pitt in retribution.