Irah winced at how obviously irritated the shifter was. Truly he didn't understand why given how honest he'd been, but he didn't have experience to understand that the stories of the dangers lurking among the islands were very real and still concerned him no matter his reason for visiting.
His eyes went wide and he just stared as Akio ranted in Thanati, truly understanding nothing of it himself but a little in awe of his first opportunity to hear the language spoken so fluidly.
"Look, I appreciate your...passion behind this but I really don't think I'll be in any danger. I'm always careful in new places. To be honest I've heard of some pretty frightening things about this place, but-" He gestured around them and shrugged, thinking it all seemed far too calm among the trees for him to fear for his life.
"I'd intended to hire a guide in the village, but I had to come see it for myself," he explained, breathing a tired sigh and feeling a little foolish since this man had such a strong opinion about what he was doing there. "Maybe that wouldn't be the worst idea anyway, get the lay of the land at least from someone who knows it."
He tilted his head slightly, eyeing Akio thoughtfully for a moment. "Could I interest you in the job? I'd pay well for the help."