The ice-kissed mare doesn't mean to come off rude or disapproving with her statements and questions, she's just attempting to understand the traditions that seem to have shaped the life of her newly obtained friend. In her somewhat-limited travels and the dealings she's had with various strange families and herds, she hadn't encountered such a practice or tradition and found herself intrigued. Though she was aware that some winged strangers trimmed their feathers into strange shapes, dyed or painted them, or even modified them to render themselves incapable of flight- it wasn't something she herself pursued. But the styling of mane seemed to her like it might be a similar practice, given the intricacy of the wraps and decoration.
Stanza, rife with curiosity but not yet sure how to articulate the points of her inquiry other than a vague gesturing nod, swivels her ears curiously and offers Gethin a round-eyed look of entreating curiosity. When she asked about the length of his mane she didn't really have a name for the strange section that was bound up and seemed meticulously cared for, but now that he had given a word to it and begun to explain, she nodded along.
"Sorry to add to all of that, then," Stanza offers with a shy laugh at his explanation. "That sounds like it might be frustrating, like you're never getting it right no matter how you change it. Which would be both ridiculous and unfair, since it is your mane to do with as you wish. And how you might wear or style it, or not do so, should not impact anyone's life but you're own. I didn't mean to join the side of the naysayers and nosy nellies and whatnot. I must admit that your cousins way of things sounds like it would be a lot of work but also probably looks quite pleasing."
She's at a bit of a loss as to what else to do but nod her understanding and silent sympathy at the issues surrounding the terminated relationship. It wasn't a specific scenario she had experience in but she did have friends that had severed relationships, left herds, cut themselves off from toxic or unsupportive family or herds and whatnot. All in all it was not the first tale as old as time, but it certainly wasn't far behind.
"Oh, I see. I didn't mean to take liberties or suggest them, I just thought you might be unburdened by letting them go if they no longer fit into your life... But I see now even that process might be, emotionally complex."
Stanza herself was familiar with a few of the raven and raccoon workers that had the tendency to sell and trade at the Faire, but somehow suggesting such a thing be done in the open did not sit well with her, so she kept further ideas to herself aside from the encouraging nod she offered.
"Of course, of course, no trouble at all." She murmured modestly, giving a shy dip of her head in a nod. "That sounds fair then... A flight display and climbing lessons is an even enough trade, and probably not something done in a single visit... Perhaps two or three?"
Which didn't sound bad to her at all, if she were honest.
Things remain amiable as they meander to the sheltered glade and settle out of direct sun, and Stanza feels herself relaxing with a relieved sigh. The crystals seem to chime agreement, crackling as they grow, taking advantage of the cooling wrap of Gethin's shadows as well as the general shade around them.
The compliment Gethin offers her earns him a wide-eyed look of surprise before she's modestly ducking her head. "Oh, thank you. You are very kind. Truth be told I am glad they do not unsettle you; I imagine you understand all too well how these unique traits can somewhat isolate us from those who do not share them."
Stanza, rife with curiosity but not yet sure how to articulate the points of her inquiry other than a vague gesturing nod, swivels her ears curiously and offers Gethin a round-eyed look of entreating curiosity. When she asked about the length of his mane she didn't really have a name for the strange section that was bound up and seemed meticulously cared for, but now that he had given a word to it and begun to explain, she nodded along.
"Sorry to add to all of that, then," Stanza offers with a shy laugh at his explanation. "That sounds like it might be frustrating, like you're never getting it right no matter how you change it. Which would be both ridiculous and unfair, since it is your mane to do with as you wish. And how you might wear or style it, or not do so, should not impact anyone's life but you're own. I didn't mean to join the side of the naysayers and nosy nellies and whatnot. I must admit that your cousins way of things sounds like it would be a lot of work but also probably looks quite pleasing."
She's at a bit of a loss as to what else to do but nod her understanding and silent sympathy at the issues surrounding the terminated relationship. It wasn't a specific scenario she had experience in but she did have friends that had severed relationships, left herds, cut themselves off from toxic or unsupportive family or herds and whatnot. All in all it was not the first tale as old as time, but it certainly wasn't far behind.
"Oh, I see. I didn't mean to take liberties or suggest them, I just thought you might be unburdened by letting them go if they no longer fit into your life... But I see now even that process might be, emotionally complex."
Stanza herself was familiar with a few of the raven and raccoon workers that had the tendency to sell and trade at the Faire, but somehow suggesting such a thing be done in the open did not sit well with her, so she kept further ideas to herself aside from the encouraging nod she offered.
"Of course, of course, no trouble at all." She murmured modestly, giving a shy dip of her head in a nod. "That sounds fair then... A flight display and climbing lessons is an even enough trade, and probably not something done in a single visit... Perhaps two or three?"
Which didn't sound bad to her at all, if she were honest.
Things remain amiable as they meander to the sheltered glade and settle out of direct sun, and Stanza feels herself relaxing with a relieved sigh. The crystals seem to chime agreement, crackling as they grow, taking advantage of the cooling wrap of Gethin's shadows as well as the general shade around them.
The compliment Gethin offers her earns him a wide-eyed look of surprise before she's modestly ducking her head. "Oh, thank you. You are very kind. Truth be told I am glad they do not unsettle you; I imagine you understand all too well how these unique traits can somewhat isolate us from those who do not share them."
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