She heard his arrival coming in the way that the birds fell silent, and in the way the rustle of the greenery grew purposeful rather than chaotic. Her mismatched eyes found him moments before he breached the border of the beach, and she found herself studying him as he walked closer. It was unnerving to see aspects of her beloved brother-by-choice Hades wrapped in a different skin color, like watching a wolf wearing sheepskin. It set her fur on edge.

Still, while Róisín arguably had plenty of reason to believe that Rougaru was the villain they'd been told that he was, she was not about to let her predispositions get the best of her. Even though the Lagoon had proven to be exactly the same sort of villains they'd always been, she still desperately wanted to believe that there was good in the world if only they looked hard enough.

His opening statement did nothing to bolster Róisín's hope, but she could not blame him for the jab. When Oswin had originally proposed this offer, it had only been for the two of them, and while she would not begrudge Bane's presence here, she knew that it presented a far more hostile front than a pair would. It offered the Peak women a better guarantee of safety, but a lower chance of success.

At his proposal that they move, Róisín's eyes narrow momentarily. The jungle was adept at hiding a great number of things, including threats. And while they had not given Rougaru advance notice of their arrival, Róisín wouldn't put it past him to lead them straight into danger if he could. Granted, the water-worn caves that he led them to would not likely house a panther or large snake, but she well knew that sometimes the world's worst villains were those that walked on four hooves. To her surprise, Oswin agreed quickly, leaving Róisín's lips to press together in a firm line.

The dun girl hung back to take up the far back position so that she could check for any followers. Given Rougaru's insistence on siring a child from the Ridge leaders, Rói very much doubted that he didn't have a whole parade of his own grown children lurking in the jungle depths. And while three was a more secure number, it was certainly not invincible.

As they drew to a stop, Róisín surveyed the dark line of the forest's edge for a long moment before taking her place on the farthest end, where sun still dappled across only half of her back. As the youngest and most inexperienced, she simply remained silent and let Oswin take the lead.

Again, Oswin surprised her. This time, it was the Prime Minister's forthrightness that made her brow furrow for a moment. Did Oswin really think that they would get the measure of Rougaru by asking him? Considering the potential ramifications of being found a villain, why would anyone admit to such? Further, if you thought the Peak was here to undermine you, wouldn't you then turn them away as quickly and thoroughly as possible to prevent them from learning more? With a barely concealed frown, Róisín began to wonder if the whole point of their mission had not, in fact, been about making sure Rougaru had no prisoners in his jungle, and instead been more focused on meeting Rougaru to make sure he didn't make trouble for the Peak.

She felt disloyal for even thinking it, but regardless of her doubts intended to keep her mouth shut. Oswin and Bane were her seniors in more ways than one, and this was technically her first diplomatic official mission ever. Perhaps she was simply being hot-headed and unhelpful. With nothing to add or say, Róisín remained silent.