At her promise that she was not here to cause harm, he chuckled once again, her innocence as charming as it was unexpected in an adult mare. "I did not think there were, excuse me if it came off that I did." Was he slipping in his aging years with unclear communication, using the wrong words, coming off in a way he did not mean to? He would have to focus on thinking more before speaking once again. Maybe he had just been relying on old habits to keep him on track, letting them get rusty from no use. Complacency had settled back into his being after living in the Forest for almost an entire year now. Everyone who had come to his home, whether to stay or just pass by, seemed to desire the same thing he did: peace and quiet. He thought back to his conversation with Zevulun and their dream to unite their island, of all four leaders being allies, using their strength together rather than at each other. It was a hope he still held in his breast, waiting to hear from the Thicket queen. But those were thoughts for another time, and he brought himself back to the dainty red mare.

He waits to see what she'll say to his offer to stay with him in the Forest. The offer may have been preemptive, but it felt right, and her answer would let him know if his instinct had been true. It seems a lifetime passes as he watches her mull it over, despite it only being a few heartbeats. When she accepts his offer, a satisfied pull of his lips creates a small smile. It wasn't one of arrogance or relief, merely happy that another had chosen to stay with him. Rilke did not expect that everyone would be likeminded to himself, but he would not allow any into his home who were looking to cause issue, whether within the Forest or any other territories. The stout paint had seen enough fighting, enough death, in his lifetime and he did not wish for more; and so he would do his best to only find those who felt the same. It wasn't that he looked for sweetness, but understanding, loyalty, and fairness at the very least. Like the boy Kestrel who was already here when he arrived; he would make a fine leader one day, and a fine second until then.

It was then that Zaira asked about his home, and his slight smile expanded. He was proud of where he lived and those who chose to reside here, so of course he would love to tell her about it. "I only washed onto these islands this past winter," he begins, "And found the Forest leaderless, I thought empty too," another gentle laugh, "But I found a few who had stayed behind and decided to continue living here. Talya, her son Kestrel, and she has since given birth to her daughter, Daffodil." He wondered if she would catch that he mentioned the daughter as hers rather than ours. He was a lead stallion and so it would not be awkward had the filly been his, but he had yet to have a child since... since his last. Now was not the time to share his sad story, however, and so he kept answering her questions. "I welcome any who wish to make the Forest their home, so long as they don't create any trouble. As for my favorite place... I could just take you there, if you desire?" It was a bold offer, and not one which he meant to make- the words must've escape from his subconscious, he was a stallion after all- but once it had been said it was almost a relief. He had been scared for so long of moving on from what he had lost; maybe it was finally time to create something new.