The boy before him seemed to find his comment somewhat humerous, and Asche snorted, eyebrow raised and eyes falling upon the painted child with an unimpressed stare. He thought it better to leave it there, not push the matter further until his temper flared and he did something he'd later regret. The stranger stallion stammered his following words, tripping over the fact that he wasn't here for 'his women' - a part of Asche was relieved, yet the rest of him rejected the idea of women being 'his' at all. It was their nature - bring women back to your home, and suddenly they're property. He made a resolution to himself there and then that as long as he could provide his chosen family with a happy home where they wished to stay, he'd do so - and he'd allow them to wander if it pleased them.

He ignored the small voice in his head that screamed at him that he'd break that resolution. He could be insecure, possessive of what he cared about. But he would not hold people captive - he'd try, at least.

"Good." he commented simply, not conveying to the stranger any emotion or thoughts that were flying around inside his capped head. Hostility edged at his gaze, and he shook it away with a flick of his neck to the side, his short mane resting back on the side of his neck as he paced round the newcomer in a circle. "I'm glad you think so," he lied through gritted teeth. He couldn't help but feel slightly threatened - the man's motivation for a visit seemed too innocent for such a character - he'd keep both eyes on him, like a hawk, he'd follow him like a shadow for as long as he planned to stick around as a not-exactly-welcome guest.

"Who are you?" he questioned intently, stopping in a square halt in front of him with nostrils flared and ears forward and alert. He'd interrogate him if he had to. "I'm happy to show you around if you'd like a tour." So I can keep you close, and away from places I don't want you to see, he thought.

What was that phrase his mother had taught him? Keep friends close and enemies closer? Well, he didn't fancy any enemies, but for those who weren't quite friends, he saw the sentiment fit.