Vodnik and Kasabian are kindred spirits, two strong wills formed of the same mold, but it's for this reason that conflict inevitably defines their first interaction. The draft is at first confounded by the stranger's utter lack of response to his display. Any other would have run with his tail tucked between his legs at the sight of Vodnik, in all his big, smelly, blood-splattered glory. What he thought would be an easy extraction will prove to be more difficult than he initially anticipated.

His ears remained pinned under a thick, tangled mane, and his eyes now roll with rising anger. He too might feel disappointed at his own ability to protect this land and those within, but Vodnik is not yet ready to give up. The scavenged carcasses of the two mares left behind by the lead before him are still fresh in his mind. What if they had been Macabre? Saddened by the loss and worried about the future implications of such an event, Vodnik refused to sink into self-pity. He sought out the territorial female bear that threatened the lives of his herd, and took care of her. No more would die for wandering too close to her den. It is unfortunate that two real threats presented themselves at once. Today poses a real challenge for Vodnik's worth as protector of his realm, but he has no intention to surrender. This stranger will intrude only after a fair battle has left Vodnik for dead. So long as he lives, he will not allow another to take what's his.

"Right." Vodnik responds. His tone is unamused. Suddenly it all makes sense. Vodnik has learned a thing or two being a bachelor. One of which is to never trust a bachelor. "Like I haven't used that same ruse a thousand times." Vodnik growls, and shifts his weight block Kasabian's lingering line of sight. "Find another band stallion to harass."

At his own latest suggestion a quick image of Ailill pops into his head. How funny would it be to send Kasabian and his band of horny brothers over there to teach loverboy a lesson? Vodnik wouldn't do that. Part of his decision to become a band stallion was a promise to try to develop a greater level of maturity, but he can still find juvenile entertainment in the confines of his own imagination.