"The info is good," Caid said, rubbing at his temples, "I don't know how any of this was overlooked. It's all major security threats- I have teams working on securing these gaps nonstop."
Wen nodded, only half paying attention.
"Should I be concerned?" Caid asked, "about where this information came from?"
"No." Wen refolded the crumpled piece of paper sitting on his desk and pushed it into a drawer.
"Fine. We have more pressing issues anyways," Caid crossed his arms, "the Red Straights are pushing boundaries, again. They want expanded territory going in and out of our jurisdiction, otherwise, they are threatening to stop carrying shipments."
"Hm. Cut the shipments along with all access they have on our side. We'll find a different carrier until they stop pushing."
"Different carrier? Boss, the Red Straights manage all shipments between groups. Everything in between is their territory, we can't just-"
"I can do whatever I want," Wen sat up straighter, leveling Caid with a glare, "all the power they have, I can take it away. It's time they learned that lesson."
Caid opened his mouth to argue, but Wen held up his hand. "I've left them alone because they are useful, the minute they turn into more of a nuisance is the minute I dispose of them."
"That's an interesting tactic!" Day piped in, from his spot perched on a large mahogany cabinet.
Caid swiveled around, about to draw his weapon, when he realized who it was. "How long has he been there?!?"
Wen shrugged. Day was too hard to keep track of, so he stopped trying. He always showed up at some point or another.
"He shouldn't be listening in on stuff like this!"
"Why not?" Day pushed himself back against the wall until he was leaning leisurely against it.
"It's…it's…" Caid glanced furiously back at his boss, who seemed completely unconcerned.
"Use force if you have to," Wen continued, ignoring the interruption, "but no one from Red steps foot on our territory, regardless of what they are transporting. I meet with the Red Head next week, by then she should realize her games are futile—and if not, then we find alternative carriers."
"I'm really glad you're committed to peace between groups boss, otherwise this could get ugly," Caid said, huffing when his sarcasm only gained him a blank stare. "Fine, fine," he waved his hand, "I trust you know what you're doing."
"I do," Wen stood, "and if that's everything, it's time we were going."
"I mean, I think we should talk this through a bit more," Caid said helplessly, as Wen ignored him in favor of helping Day down from his perch.
"Come to dinner with us!" Day exclaimed, as soon as he was on his feet, "We're going to the night markets!"
"Absolutely not," Caid gave his boss a quick nod and disappeared out the door.
Day didn't seem to notice, as he was primarily focused on Wen anyway. He tugged at his sleeve all the way to the car, only letting go when they were both seated. The moment the driver stopped, Day reattached to Wen's sleeve, excitedly weaving them through vendors and food stalls, acting like this wasn't something they did at least once a week.
Once Wen had purchased much more food than either of them could eat, he carried the bags down the familiar path that led to a small pond. Setting up at a nearby picnic table, he unloaded the bags and began eating, letting himself relax to the sounds of chirping crickets.
"You know," Day said, pulling Wen's attention back, "if you do end up needing a new carrier, you could hire me! I'm great with directions."
Wen stared at him, confused, until his mind caught up with the words Day was saying. "Absolutely not," he countered, already expecting the pout Day made in return.
"Why? I haven't been doing much lately anyways."
"That's fine," Wen waved his hand, "carrying is dangerous. I'm not letting you do something that would get you hurt just because you're bored."
Day's eyes widened, before crinkling as he smiled, "Well, I'm not bored. Just want to be a gainful employee, that's all."
"You are, now eat your noodles."
Appeased, Day pulled off the top of his bowl and eagerly began shoveling food into his mouth. Later, as they walked around the pond, the question circled in Wen's mind. If Day really wanted to do something, he could find something for him to do. The man was unsettlingly good at quite a few things, surely he could be put to use. But any work with Green Seas came at a risk. Was there really anything in the organization worth putting Day at risk for? Nothing, really. Suddenly Wen felt the weight of something he had been avoiding for a long time—the realization that the organization his entire life was in service of was really, quite unimportant to him.