Common

The longer their conversation goes on, the less it feels like Enya is attempting to threaten the red mare, but she keeps her guard up just in case. Isla barely remembered Rougaru, but she did remember the stories her mother told of him; the way she'd lectured on and on and on about how pretty promises didn't mean anything when the horse making the promises had something to gain. Of course, Grier always insinuated that it would be a stallion doing the promising, but Isla felt that was a rather minor point to consider.

I'm here to offer you a place in my home, the golden woman offered plainly, catching Isla by surprise. It wasn't that she was unfamiliar with the concept of mare leaders, but she somehow expected them to be less upfront about it. To do as her mother did and circle round and round the issue until enough innuendos and inferences were made to get the point across. To offer so bluntly garnered the woman a few points of favor in Isla's eyes, but she remained resolutely in face, her expression still neutral.

Enya's casual echo of her mother's warnings sparked an exasperated sigh from the little roan, but she remained quiet. Even though she had just been worrying about that same scenario only moments before Enya's arrival, the reminder of her recent lectures nudged at the sore spot left behind by her own hasty parting from the Prairie. She was not overly eager to stand for more cautious reminders from anyone, much less someone who had not been there for her first steps in this world.

"Aye, I've been tae Atlantis before." Isla finally murmured, the faintest flicker of a smile darting across her lips as an indication of her gradually increasing comfort. "Mind, not since I was a wee one, 'bout his age," she said with a gentle tilt of her head toward the boy at her side.

She looked Enya over again, as if deciding something, and then lifted her chin in a gesture that was not quite defiance but something close enough to be mistaken as such. "I'm inclined tae go with ye wi'out fuss, but I'd like ter know a few things."

Without Ori's charm to distract her from the business of being claimed, Isla could more easily recall her own plans for this very moment. She'd heard enough stories of mares that were claimed and then required to bear children, or horses that were brought to a land and held prisoner there at the lead's mercy to be more than a little cautious of accepting any offer that looked too good on the surface.

"What are yer rules for yer herd, Enya? Anything I need tae know before I entrust ye wi' my wee lads protection?" Her bright eyes narrowed on the mare again, scrutinizing her face for any tells in her expression.