The anxiety that permeated his thoughts so thickly drained away at the sound of Naerys' voice and the sensation of the child leaning into his side. Worried expression softening into one of adoration, the lanky youth felt something akin to a paternal affection toward the lass and her curious companion; how could he have chosen to follow Ranjiri and Laedere to the throat when the cherub tucked so carefully beneath his wing existed elsewhere? The likeness she cast of his youngest sister both comforted and terrified him, part of him hoping against all odds that the gods had given him a second chance whilst another piece of his soul feared that Naerys would turn out to be his punishment. 

Despite the risks, though, the scarlet stallion found that he could not force himself to abandon the angelic child. No, she deserved good things and he had decided to strive to be something good for her even though they were still considered strangers; she shared enough traits with Avarice to where he couldn't help it. 

Just as Rift was about to bend down and tousle the child's forelock, an emerald- eyed mare emerged from the trees, shortly followed by another. The dormant anxiety within his belly awoke and sent shivers racing down his legs as Naerys greeted the black-splashed stranger as her mother. Despite the mare's seemingly friendly greeting, Rift felt his stomach twist in fear; his mother could play at friendliness like the best of them and he knew from experience that a mother's wrath left none standing. 

Swallowing thickly at the golden mare's line of questioning, the gangly gent steeled himself and opened his mouth to answer but was cut off by the chiming voice of Naerys. He nodded frantically at her explanation, ruby eyes wide in the face of what he assumed was his demise. Casting a glance toward Naerys and finding that her hooves were covered in blooms, Rift felt a spark of anger; what kind of mother caused her child so much fear that her level of anxiety triggered a sort of passive magic to take over?

He spoke to Naerys' mother first, addressing her with a polite "Ma'am," before beginning, his voice cordial, "What she says is true. Her head began to hurt when she found us in the Threshold, I didn't think that it was a good idea for her to travel all the way home by herself if she was sick or injured." 

Eyes sliding toward the golden mare, Rift felt an uncharacteristic level of annoyance rise up within him; who was this mare to cast suspicion onto him and his herdmates? Who was she to take the place of Naerys' own mother in her line of questioning? Rift fought to keep the irritation out of his voice as he replied, "She was not feeling well. Flowers had burst forth beneath her hooves and she had covered her face with her wing, I am no healer, miss. The only thing I could do is offer my support to the girl. No one deserves to feel alone, especially when they are in pain. I would hope you can understand that." 

He pushed away the urge to huff at the golden mare, reminding himself that she was only concerned for the well being of Naerys. Try as he might, though, he could not help but find her haughty suspicion offensive.