[Asato sees no reason to lie about the relationships he has to a person who seems to mean him no harm. If push comes to shove, he'll protect Konoe with his claws and fangs. But, if Soysauce is on good terms with Bardo too, then that says a thing or two about his character in and of itself. Asato would keep that in mind even if he were less perceptive just walking next to him now, and while the events of the past few weeks haven't exactly put him at ease, the tension relaxes out of his shoulders and tail the longer they tour the halls together.

He can't forget they're on the job, though--every now and then his ears prick up and swivel, keeping him alert even while he appears calm.

Soysauce is--different from many of the people he knows, that much is certain. More chatty and brighter, quicker to laugh. Asato's expression seems almost deadpan in comparison while he listens to him.]

You're tolerable.

[A nod follows. Not intended as an insult, though it comes out just a plainly as everything else he's said. He'd rather be on patrol with Soysauce than with some of the more gruff members of the security force.]

Would you be happy if they showed up? Maybe they miss you too. [His ears give a twitch back, just slightly.] That's the hard part about it. Here or there. Sometimes it's hard to choose. But if I hadn't come here, I wouldn't even have met Bardo.

[Maybe. Probably. He's a Setsuran, so Asato can't imagine how they could meet otherwise.]

He makes really good food.