when we would have corn on the cob, we would throw the leftover cobs in the yard for the dog. well, we had one cat that beat up every dog in the neighborhood, including the retired police german shepherd a few doors down (the one that bit me because I walk funny. good cat). the cat would go lay down in the middle of all the corn cobs, and the dog would run around in a circle just out of reach of the cat. the cat wouldn't eat any of the corn, he would just lay there so the dog couldn't get any. it was hilarious to watch.
My cats battle to sit next to me. The older one always wins, but recently the younger one has stepped up and started asserting herself. I'm proud of her.
Same has happened here. While I am proud of the younger, more skittish one, it's also an indication of the old matriarch diminishing. I'll never be ready to lose her.