What would come next might sound like a challenge, but it was not. The dun truly didn't understand, although for the first time in a long time he was genuinely trying to. Her norms and rules seemed inconsistent, her questions demonstrating that. If the Basin did not constantly attack the other herds (though to be fair, the last Invasion was more than a year ago passed now, no?) they wouldn't need such protection. Gaucho knew this was fool hardy to suggest however; idealistic. There would never be a time of peace. Never. He understood the need for protection and yet ..."That not protect you from me." He began, his voice strong but soft in tone. He thoughtfully watched as the armor disappeared, being reminded of that that Midas wore. Had Midas' armor ever protected him when it mattered? "You have daughters, but keep armor for yourself. You here now, they alone in Basin. How this protect them now?" Not a challenge, just confusion, which only continued. Her words caused Gaucho to shake his head, to hold and release his breath as he mulled over her words.

"Teach daughters to avoid conflict, but that what you start. Leaders tell you to take from us. Why? You build up icy walls of snow and unicorn horns. You not keep us out, you just keep yourself in. You could ask for items. Could find crafters, could ask Gods. Could challenge with respect. You teach daughters to avoid conflict but you create it." Gaucho didn't quite know that the Basin was racist, only that Unicorns seemed to inhabit it although the underlying morals that drove that situation to occur were lost on him. Still, Gaucho remained confident that it was the Basin who created the problems that they experienced. They sought to expand, but why? Was there not enough room in their icy caves and plateaus? Certainly it seemed there was. Why invade the Edge and the Throat all those seasons ago? Why attack and kill and then retreat? Why steal when they could simply trade? Trading didn't require any moral settling or breakings of ideals. So why this? Why was treachery and thieving always what they resorted to?

As Hotaru's voice rose, Gaucho's wings flared from his sides causing bits of flame and black feathers to fall upon the sands as a snarl crossed his dark muzzle. Phaedra was her mother. That was not something Gaucho expected. Realizing the girl did not plan to attack, Gaucho rearranged his wings against his dark flanks, still wearing a snarl. He had expected any kin of the golden beauty to be...well, gold and winged. Hotaru was pale, peachy, and horned. Who had the father been? Oh. As Hotaru continued and the details were fleshed out, the snarl on Gaucho's lips faded to a thin line, then finally a frown.

Had the moment been different, had Hotaru been one of his and not his prisoner, he might have commended her. Might have told her that in that moment he could see more strength within her than she likely gave herself credit for. She was strong. Strong enough to best him? If her children's lives were at stake Gaucho thought she just might be, even without all of her magical trinkets. But the moment wasn't different, and so Gaucho remained silent on the matter, although his gaze revealed the admiration that she inspired.

Speaking of the Moon Goddess caused Gaucho's brow to furrow. On the one hand he knew well what it was to follow the will of a deity. Indeed, Gaucho would do anything that the Sun God asked of him, regardless of what taste it was in, or where it fell on the moral spectrum. And yet... yet the Moon Goddess was the patron of the Edge. Hotaru hailed from the Basin. What was this? More trickery? A confused story?

"You from Basin. God of Spark is your God." He ventured flatly. In his heard the God of the Sun was to be revered by all. It didn't even occur to him that other herds may not worship their deities the same way. Although .. what reasons could the pink spy have to dwell away from the Goddess she so adored and followed? What reasons could she have to dwell in the Basin if what she wanted was to keep her daughters safe?