Vadim is quick to protest against the new stranger's accusations, as his his sire. Djuna feels like there's been a misunderstanding here, embarrassment flaring hot under her skin and her posture stiffening slightly as the tension quickly grows thick between Tyr and the mare. It takes a great deal of effort for Djuna to not turn her eyes away shamefully as the weight of Tyr's gaze settles on her. But the coppery mare doesn't seem as easily convinced, firing back at him with another question that leaves Djuna wondering the same: what of after the Falls? Would he really leave her there in safety as he claimed?
"I was just being cautious. I didn't mean to offend." Her tone is not apologetic, more explanatory - like she's stating an obvious fact. She doesn't feel sorry for wanting to protect herself, but she does feel bad that in the process she'd allowed her manners to slip away. Even her blue-eyed protector seems to have realized that mistakes have been made here and quickly makes to rectify it with an introduction and explanation almost in the same breath, posture relaxing. Djuna forces her own body to loosen and offers her own faint smile in return. She's glad to hear there's a legitimate reasoning behind Roisin's hostility, even if she admits herself that it grows faultier in the face of the Lagoon's supposed improvement.
"My name is Djuna. It's nice to meet you Roisin. You two as well," she nods in Tyr and Vadim's direction, "I'm also sorry I was not at my most polite there." Was it without good reason? she wonders. Djuna can't say she's entirely trustful of the two, especially after Roisin's revelations about their home. But why allow the distrust of another to dictate her judgement of Tyr when he's done nothing wrong so far? It feels wrong to label one stranger's intentions on the opinion of another stranger. Vadim, too, doesn't deserve to have that kind of judgment tossed upon him so carelessly and at such a young age.
The paint mare flicks her tail across her haunches, focusing momentarily on Roisin. "I'm thankful to you for trying to look out for me. Your concern is touching. I'll be honest... I don't exactly relish the thought of being in a land full of men." Especially during this time of year, when she is undoubtedly more vulnerable and susceptible to the influences of rakish strangers or handsome rogues, but she allows that part to go unsaid. Surely that's another sign she wasn't meant for the throne: a princess would never let herself succumb to base desires like she had too often in the past. It was only by fate's kindness that there had been no tangible results so far.
Djuna pauses to briefly consider her next words. "But it would be rude of me to not at least give them a chance to make good on their word, don't you think? If Vadim says we're going to the Falls, then I trust him." She offers the pale colt a smile, trying not to let her voice and expression belie the anxiety she feels at putting such great trust into these unknown men. It feels like her heart is twitching erratically inside her chest, like some caged animal trying to break loose its confines. But she schools her expression into something as amiable as she can manage, turning her attention to Tyr.
"I'm trusting you," she says plainly, hoping he'll realize the weight of his responsibility and take it to heart. Djuna takes a fraction of a step closer, tilting her head up to look him in the face. "You know the way?"
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