Unsurprisingly, Isopia did not react to Aly's comment about whether or mother would or would not be proud. This was for two reasons. The first, was that pride, felt by anyone other than the individual having incurred or preformed the action worth of praise, really had no reason to feel it. Why should Kahlua be proud of what Isopia had done? Kahlua, who hadn't really wanted to birth her in the first place, Kahlua who did little to raise her, and Kahlua who had left her? Don't be confused, Isopia of course wasn't angry or bitter about any of these factors, but the point still stood: Kahlua had done nothing (other than genetically) to make Isopia who she was today. What right would she have to be proud?

The second reason of course, was that she wasn't around.

Dismissively, Isopia bobbed her head. Anyone else would have read more into Aly's well enough, but of course Isopia was happy enough to let this response go unqualified. If the painted mare wanted to speak, she was more than capable of doing so, and if she didn't, well, what right (or need) did Isopia have to pry?

It did however, please Isopia immensely that Aly seemed to pick up her political motives, addressing her as Czarina and moving the conversation along. Whatever part of her that thought Alysanne was merely a sentimental overly cheerful mom-type, suddenly grew significantly smaller, and The Mountain's respect for the mare grew.

"The bags you carry-" She began, motioning to leather pouches. "A member of my herd claims that they are his. He said that they were stolen, and though he didn't name you as the culprit, he did say that he saw you with them." The girl paused. Her voice was as neutral as ever, without any real accusation. It was true, neither she nor Cowboy had any evidence that Aly had been the one to take them (and indeed, Iso thought that this was quite unlikely). She was merely presenting the facts. The bags were once his, were taken, and we're now carried by the painted queen.

"They were lost a season or more ago. Would you like to debate the principles of ownership? If you believe you have a claim to them, I would hear it. If not, I would like them returned."

Simple as that. And of course, Isopia was being genuine with her offer - if Aly thought that she was entitled to the bags because of a chain of custody Iso was unaware of, or because she felt the duration that they were in her position made them hers, she would gladly do it.

@Alysanne