Common

He studied her for a long moment as if appraising her and her questions and then shifted his position, going from relaxed to something far more intimidating. It seemed as though the move to loom over her threateningly was intentional, owing to the shift of his expression, and the speckled mare felt the hairs along her back prickle uneasily.

But she was no meek girl, no mild-mannered pushover, and so as his demeanor shifted, so did hers. A terrier facing down a shepherd, a hair's breadth away from baring her own teeth like a hound.. Her ears - slightly hooked thanks to her sire - shifted to touch her poll as her chin lifted defiantly, eyes sparking with a dare. Again, he echoed her question back to her as if it were strange, and she found her eyes narrowing, uncertain if this was some attempt to mock her or if he truly needed to hear the question in his own voice to be able to answer it.

He spoke of being an ex-Lagoon stallion and this time she did not bother to wipe away the wrinkle of her muzzle. In truth, Cat had no great feeling one way or the other toward the Lagoon. She had never come across it personally and had no great desire either, but both of her fathers had been Lagoon stallions, and they had put her beloved mama through the wringer over the years. That didn't make Cat adore either of them any less, but she was not foolish enough to wish the same pain upon herself.

More off-putting, however, was his probing for news of his own exploits. She didn't want to know what rumors she was supposed to have heard about him. She didn't have any, given that she tended to keep to herself and her seemingly unending search for her father. Knowing there were rumors of him out there might have been excusable, depending on their content, but the fact that he wanted to know if she knew made her immediately dislike him. He did not come across as the sort who was worried about whatever impression these rumors might have lent him, but that he was almost proud of whatever those rumors held.

"Nothing." She said bluntly in answer to his probing about rumors. "And as for the Lagoon, I would say that is a shame." The trace amounts of sweetness from earlier were now much harder to taste in her tone. "But that I appreciate you saving us both the trouble of further wasted time." Her tail flicked with finality as she held his gaze, defiantly glaring back at the beast who seemed to be trying to intimidate her. "You may go now."