Rashad does not like the complications mortals bring to the basic tenets of the universe. What is the world, though, but one great complication? His tail twitches back and forth like it has a life of its own as he listens and considers. He is no stranger to violence in the service of order, nor to facing violence from the other side. The difficulty arises in finding the correct balance, in pursuing the action that will ultimately make one little part of the universe slot neatly into place.

He does not know Johnny's friends. He hardly knows Johnny. He does not know whether they are 'dangerous people.' And so it does not suit him to reveal that he has any connection to them, not even for the sake of inquiring as to why they were held captive. He will see for himself whether this ROMAC truly serves order, or if they merely wear it as a mask. That Gus did not deny the keeping of captives leads him to think perhaps Johnny was wrong about the organization; he had expected boldfaced lies denying it had happened at all.

He nods, pretending Gus is telling him something new and something that he can believe wholeheartedly. "There is no telling who -- or what the rift might bring through," he agrees. "Someone must take charge. I only asked because I must know the reasons for it."