Though the palomino mare seemed to be settling after the fright Faolain had caused her, it felt like all was not yet right; signs of nervousness caught the Teke mare’s observant eye. She wondered if there had been some sort of relationship between Björn and the other woman, causing anxiety when Faolain revealed the Icelandic’s disappearance. Though curious about the nature of their relationship, Faolain did not ask, at least not yet. It was sometimes difficult to determine when a question was appropriate to ask, and when she was prying, but she felt as though this particular line of questions bordered on a prying nature.

Still, she didn’t want to seem dismissive of the palomino’s discomfort. ”Was Björn a friend?” she asked conversationally, but if the other woman chose not to answer this testing question, Faolain would respectfully drop it. It was difficult, in a way, not to pepper the newcomer with questions; Faolain herself had a certain level of anxiety dealing with strangers in a land she had claimed, but which was too new for her to rightfully call hers. She had never liked the way some rulers interrogated outsiders who stepped onto their lands, though now she at least somewhat understood their motives behind such actions. She wanted to keep her herd safe, but she did not want to be that kind of leader. The black mare felt as though she had asked enough already.

You seem… nice, the other mare said, and Faolain was pulled out of her internal monologue. She blinked in mild surprise. ”Thank you,” she said. ”I try. Of course, you’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like. Do you know the area? I can show you around if you’d like company, but I don’t intend to baby-sit you.” Her tone was light, a joking reassurance that Faolain would not trail behind Tavas in order to keep her out of trouble. She thought the palomino had been genuine so far, and did not suspect she meant any harm. She gave the other mare a small but honest smile. ”I am Faolain.”

She turned to head back up the trail, twisting her head around to see if Tavas wished to follow. ”There is fresh water and grass up the slope. The others often gather near the lake at the top.” It was an invitation, but a casual one. Tavas could follow if she wished, and if she did not, she now knew where to find the herd, and the safety that came with numbers.

ooc: I figured we could wrap this up if you’d like, or continue/start a new thread!