Embarrassment creeps along his features as his ears fall sideways at the misunderstanding between the two of them. Laughing nearly soundlessly as he tried not to feel ashamed for actions he did not regret and words he couldn't take back. "Apologies, miss Evangeline. You misunderstand me. I am aware of whom you speak. Merely...have too much on my mind? I expanded without clarity that I was changing whom you mentioned." Head bowed briefly in a chivalrous display of apology towards her, pale threads nearly glowing in the lifted rays that shone through the intricate webbing of the shadows from the willow. Pale azure eyes lifted alongside his crown, observing her quietly. Sometimes he wished to be able to read her thoughts, but it was an invasion of privacy he was too horrified to truly desire. Kaj knew the importance of the mind, and the walls that protected it from others. As enigmatic as the mare was to him, he would never wish to read her private thoughts and musings; he respected her far too much to degrade her, to control her in such a way. To him, she represented freedom and control, wisdom and grace. An untouchable, elegant mirage that graciously granted him the right to speak with her and indulge in her presence. All his years he had been raised to respect those with mystical power, those with strength of spirit and magic; in Helovia he had learned to respect the other spectrum inhabitants, the peaceful and the naive, the hot-headed and the plain. Yet Kaj had never respected and revered any of them as much as Evangeline. She was strength and peace, valor and humility, and he wished more would follow her example; perhaps the world would be a better place, even if peace could never be permanently achieved.

It is her voice resounding in his aurels that breaks him from his thoughts, irony strong in the fact that they had been of her. Had she witnessed such thoughts, would she misunderstand? Would she assume he held for her romantic affections, when in fact he merely regarded her in the highest possible esteem he was capable of? His own views of himself were not particularly high; was it even that much of an honor? Idly he nods his head in agreement to her words, for while he would never choose another path aside leading the Edge, it certainly cultivated exhaustion inside of him like a well-furrowed field in great need of fallow. His eyes found her and he frowned softly. "Then you must know the frustration and helplessness I feel. Let us hope that your story will not be replicated forever." Whether that would end with Kahlua's rule (something he dreaded to envision) or with Kahlua changing (something he doubted would happen), it didn't matter to the spun-gold stallion.

He is not so proud and arrogant as to tune out the advice she gives. It may be a subtle chastisement for his words, but he takes it humbly. Swirls it in his mind, touches every nook and cranny with tendrils of thought, before he so much as dares to speak. Hopefully the knowledgeable lass would appreciate this display of respect to her words, that he was taking the time to carefully construct a response she was actually worthy of. "Kahlua's heart is pure and placed in the right spot. Her intentions are overwhelmingly good. However she does not dwell on words and complex or serious matters...I fear that, as always, she will not take to heart what I attempt to confide in her."

Staring at the ground he pursed his lips softly, brow drawn close and furrowed in thought. Kahlua's soft features spring to mind, a reminder of the guilt and betrayal he feels, even when he has done nothing but spill his deeply rooted thoughts and fears to a well-trusted friend. Though, would Evangeline even hold him in similar regard? Or was he merely King to her? A memory of encountered racism and badly made first impressions? "I urge her to stay. To be Queen and do her duties. She stays but is miserable, evades all that does not require friendly chatter, and looks to me always for decisions." Though at times he envied her for her light-heartedness and her freedom, he could not help but grow more frustrated with her each time he shouldered another job meant for her own duties.

"She is fragile. Where I come from, Evangeline, mares were the power and royalty. Stallions were their protectors, only useful when the magic that made them so dangerous waned with their energy and we stepped forth to shield them bodily. We were merely there to deflect and defend, to die for these female warriors far better than us. Kahlua is different in every fashion...I had desired to protect her out of my own will, instead of under threat of death or exile." It is the first time he has spoken at all of his homeland to anyone, and it is tentative as it leaves his tongue. What will she think of his matriarchal herd, of his past? Was it even a valid reason for his behavior? "I was wrong, to desire to protect her. But even when I try to step back every new morn, she clings to me ever stronger. Is it wrong of me to not want to push upon her responsibilities, ones I know will go mostly unheeded, and let our brethren fall to shambles because of her childish mindset?"

Fierceness creeps into his vocals, though not directed at Evangeline. Even the thought of the Edge falling into ruin makes him passionate, makes him ever more eager to fight that fate, to make them strong and keep them safe until his lungs could no longer seize air and his heart could no longer beat for their sake. "I am stuck between a...what is the saying? A boulder and a strong place?" He smiles at her, lopsided but genuine, but he does not hide the distress inside due to the topic at hand.

At least the topic changes.

Stone creeps into the glass of his eyes, hardens his gaze as his jaw constricts and bulges as he grinds his teeth at the very recent memory of what had transpired at their borders. But he answers her, for he will never ignore any request made with good intentions. "Her name is Aurelia. Two season cycles young, and with two foals rarely ever alongside her. Kahlua desired her Seer, and I conceded when the Goddess displayed her agreement, believing it would set her on a straighter path." Now, he regretted not choosing another, perhaps even Evangeline herself. When he had mentioned her as a possibility, Kahlua had disregarded it, and Kaj had confusedly kept quiet about it. After all, he had no awareness of the exchanges between the two mares and the subtle animosity Kahlua may possibly harbor for the cinnamon damsel. "It is true. She ran well past their borders and refused to leave, even when allowed peaceful escort and confronted with large numbers peacefully but firmly requesting her departure. When they refused to allow her to stay, she turned hysterical and employed her magic, burning another her age and wounding those around her. They kept her captive briefly, as is in their rights, and returned her to our borders not long ago." Anger is tight and hot on his face, but he tries to keep his tone level, to not return to that same position of outrage and sense of betrayal that had been so prominent during the encounter with the Falls members.

"Her pettiness and idiocy could have caused us war, Evangeline. She could have had us wounded, killed, driven from our homes. Attacked for the countless time! She didn't just put herself in danger, my level of caring is far lower in that account, she attempted to use her rank to her power while simultaneously possibly dooming the herd she is supposed to serve and protect through the Goddess's visions of the future." Tail lashes angrily, curling round an ankle as he attempts to compose himself. But the knife is still aching and sharp in his back, and he feels as if he cannot forgive this transgression. "Excuse my anger, miss Evangeline. I have never felt more betrayed. I entrusted her to a job of import, and in return she nearly made us all relive the hell of invasion." Idly, he wondered how she would react to all this.