Jefferson turned to exit the scene, but not before he turned his acerbic tongue on her. She kept her features neutral. Jefferson was well within his rights to issue her an order, but that did not mean to had to like it. However, she kept their present company in mind and kept her features schooled so as not to betray her thought processes. Overall, she did not disagree with the Patriarch. The underlying message of his words, nevermind how he decided to deliver them, made perfect sense. It was just that Geneva was much more able to connect with empathize with others.
She turned and followed Jefferson, leaving Zynex to find her rest and collect her thoughts. Once they were far enough away that Zynex was no longer in sight, the gray female broke the evenness of her stride by drawing closer to Jefferson swiftly. She pressed her flank against his leg and turned her head to nip his knee playfully before drawing away. It was an insubordinate act, and would have been highly inappropriate if they only had a working relationship. She had teased him often enough about his way of dealing with things, although she noted, "You're getting better at holding your temper." The words were both impressed and teasing.
She threaded her way through Phoenix Valley, stopping briefly to herd the livestock into their pens, before retiring for the night. The dark hours passed swiftly for her. Her eyes opened just about a half hour before the sun rose. Her internal alarm always woke her at right about this time. The woman rose and stretched, arching her back downward like a bow before she slipped out of the door of the ranch. She loped easily across the territory, heading straight for the spot where they had left Zynex. The russet woman seemed like she would be an early riser, or at least that was what Geneva hoped.
"Zynex?" Geneva called when she was a few feet shy from where they had parted ways.