To Ian's probable surprise, Ilkka laughed, a hearty chuckle that startled a few birds from their roosts.
"Afraid! Afraid of us!" He laughed once more, before allowing his grin to relax into a casual smile, his eyes glimmering brightly in amusement. Scratching at his prickly chin, he mused, "I defend humans where I can, whether it be from vampires, or lycans such as you or I. But afraid, always afraid! Should I save a child or a woman, do they feel thankfulness, relief, or joy? ...No. They know nothing of it. They only reek more of fear. But once, have I met a woman who did not scream at the sight of me."
Sliding his hands into his pockets, Ilkka gazed eastward, to the rising sun. It had just struggled through its ascent over the dark horizon, casting a gold and purple glow among the scattered clouds and the bleary sky. It was a warm and familiar face, though not as close as the moon always felt.
"You claim they deserve to be afraid. But why? Is it not they who build cities, knock mountains aside, wrench forests from the earth, while we immortals cower in our caves and our castles?" Ilkka looked to Ian, his face friendly but stern with reason. "Somehow, despite their weaknesses, they outnumber us lycans, and manage a widespread community built of honour and law." He smirked. "It seems as though they and us are merely... incompatible.
"We lycans are terrible and beautiful; just as humans."
