Gaucho merely shrugged at Ophelia's attempt at couching morality in something so simple. His was an archaic way of thinking, dictated by years of custom. There was no deeper meaning to Gaucho, and the only obligation morality impressed upon him was the one his forefathers told him of. Perhaps given more time and a larger vocabulary he might have argued the point. That Ophelia would reduce life to something so physical was a bizarre notion. Clearly that couldn't be the case, we could not simply be our bodies. Were there not souls that invigorated the flesh? One could not be a materialist and yet embrace magic. Whatever magic reduced down to - energy or electricity if you like - surely our souls were the same. Perhaps it was correct to say that our flesh merely grew and stretched as life carried itself out, and when we failed to continue breathing our cells could not be said to have made any important or meaningful changes but .. to say we die with nothing couldn't be true.

But instead of all the things Gaucho might have said, he merely grunted ignorantly, tail flicking behind him.

The Wildfire might have pressed Ophelia about living in the Basin - might have - were it not for Ampere's arrival. He watched the glance that Ampere directed towards Ophelia, mildly wondering if the two knew each other. Given Ophelia's dragon he assumed that the two couldn't be more than acquaintances, for the dun believed Ampere probably couldn't hold a friendship where one slaved a companion. Or whatever word it was she used. Gaucho still didn't really understand it.

The next to arrive and capture his attention was Hotaru. He was glad that she had arrived, for he hadn't wanted to remove the body of her mother without first allowing her time with the body, should she want it. As she moved to stand more in proximity with him, than Ophelia, the Wildfire not for the first time felt a surge of respect blossom in his chest. That she had come here when she could have fled was not so surprising. He had already granted her her freedom and this place was on her way home. Given that her parents lay dead here it was not a shock that she would follow his instructions. However that she would remain with him rather than defiantly standing with one from her home was ... rather incredible. What would he do to her if she hadn't? Nothing in all likelihood, and she very probably knew that. Warmth flickered in her gaze as his focus was placed upon her. His darkened muzzle pulled towards his chest as he nodded, having no words to say in response to her offering of thanks, but deciding that none were needed. The appreciation and respect that lingered in his dark gaze was more articulate than his words could ever be.

As the pink spy moved to the body of the companion, Mara slithered forward, her steel coloured face peering out through Gaucho's dark forelock. Her forked tongue flickered from behind her scaled lips as she watched this display. Selfishly the snake thought of all those she had a relationship with - Cera, Sohalia - and wondered if they would cry over her body were she to ever die. Mara had never looked over Gaucho's offspring the way Stella had with Phaedra's, there had been no need for it, and for the first time the companion wondered if Gaucho had been holding her back from experiencing all facets of life. Previously she thought that she hadn't but ... but this warmth and affection was seemingly not the sort of thing her bonded would ever put her in a position to receive. Hissing slightly, she returned to the warmth of his mane and his skull.

"Ampere called mother of companions." Gaucho offered as consolation to Hotaru. He would take Stella with him, nothing about the girl's display had changed his mind with that regard, but he could offer her the knowledge that Ampere was probably the best one to leave the companion with. "She will be careful."

After a moment, the dun flared his nostrils looking to Ophelia and exhaling. "Pink spy and Gaucho talk." He began, still having never asked for Hotaru's name. "She free to return with you. Gaucho realize that it not her who should have been captured. Spy only following orders to try and steal from Gaucho's family." His gaze flickered to Hotaru for a moment before returning to Ophelia. "Gaucho should have taken Basin leader." He concluded. For such a strong beast, the admission of his mistake rolled off of his tongue rather easily. "Who lead Basin?" He inquired, surely unready for the answer he was about to receive.