He unfurls a smirk at Rikyn's swift rebuke. Indeed, only a blind man could miss Ampere's beauty, but Volterra senses that any stallion wishing to dally with her would risk her wrath as easily as he would obtain her affection. After all, hadn't she been one of Gaucho's favoured women, even bearing his children? Volterra does not envy anybody seeking to slip into the Wildfire's lofty shoes - even the Indomitable himself would think twice about exerting his considerable charm upon the Mother of Companions. Oh, he'd dearly love to get to know those curves of hers a lot better, but he's under no assumptions that she would accept such a proposition. Best to play it safe and keep his attentions elsewhere, and Rikyn would be wise to do the same.

The pretty little slip of a mare introduces herself as Lena, and Volterra dips his great head in greeting to her. She tells them of a festival, and the beast's ears immediately prick with interest. Any excuse for a good piss-up is fine by him, even if he can't help but wonder if this is an ideal time for festivities given the current state of their land, with its Kaos-shaped threat hanging overhead. He frowns slightly, but the Puppeteer addresses his concerns as though he's read the Indomitable's mind - hell, it wouldn't surprise Volterra if he could do precisely that, as after all he can control minds, so reading them does not seem like too big of a stretch.

Rikyn is right, he supposes. Levity is needed even in the darkest of days, although Ampere also raises a valid point about abandoning their home to go halfway across Helovia. "Your concerns are valid, Ampere, however I truthfully cannot see Kaos attacking the Throat whilst we are gone. His....appearances seem limited to the Marsh for now, and even if he did attack the Throat, I have complete confidence that those who stayed behind could hold the fort until those at the party could return.” After all, they are the Dragon's Throat - they are warriors born and bred, hardened on the desert sands and forged in the heat of the Sun. Woe betide Kaos if he thought to strike them whilst they are weak - they are never weak!

He glances to Rikyn and Lena. "We can tentatively accept your invitation, Basiners, however not all of us will be able to attend for safety's sake. Those that do will be the life and soul of the party, naturally.” He grins, although it doesn't quite reach his eyes - like Ampere, he's more worried than he cares to admit about what Kaos might do in their absence, and decides he'll leave his dragons behind to watch over things if he attends.