Gnome was so lost in his own thoughts and emotions regarding his return to the islands that he did not register the distant peal of laughter. A flick of his ear caught fast approaching hoofbeats. Glancing out of his periphery, he noted a flash of blue hide. He froze, anticipation and hope causing his heart to beat fiercely against his ribcage. Could it be her? So quickly?
The stranger thrust against his flank, further leading him to believe it could actually be Lilika. He lifted his head as if to greet her warmly, and in that instant he realized it was all wrong. This woman was too short, her face bone white like his own. And she was being...well weird was the only way he could put it. He watched her circle him, puzzled, then pinned his ears as she scraped her teeth against him.
"Excuse you!" He snorted at his mare as she called him a pet. He had been reduced in her eyes to a plaything. Frankly, it was insulting. And just how she thought she could make him do anything was bewildering. True, she was stout, but he was far from scrawny himself, and he had a good few inches on her height wise. "I have no intention of being your pet, or of you owning me." He pursed his lips at her, studying her face. Relenting, he at least determined he should offer his name. "I am called Gnome. What's your name?"
He flicked his streaked tail as he awaited her reaction. He'd be damned if he allowed anyone to speak to him in such a way, mare or stallion.