I don't really like myself without you
Every day his charm was becoming more like his father’s. His sire had been a charmer, but his tongue always twisted with lies. Ironclad tries to be honest with everyone, but he also understands why one lies to grow their herd. There was strength in numbers and some were desperate to have that. His current herd was small (especially compared to Solomon’s), but he had enough mares to appoint a lucky few into power. He just needs more bodies now to show everyone who thought him too young that he could be successful. There was his own herd to keep safe and prove to as well. Numbers typically meant safety.
He stares at the younger female as her ears change direction and go towards the back of her skull. Ironclad is no longer a stranger to aggression or even the small forms of dislike. He did not know this mare, nor she know him, so it was natural for there to be some tension. He had plans to clear that up in due time, but for now his charms would have to do. He easily makes friends this way, but the older he got making friends was becoming increasingly more difficult. He should have worked harder to start his herd as a colt (though he had tried) despite everyone telling him he was too young. He could have given into Cherokee and gotten her pregnant like she wanted. That way she would of bore his first blood and not shown him his first act of betrayal. The sting of her actions still stuck with him even today. He now worries more of his mares would do the same. Kvothe…no hers was a different story. Wasn’t it?
He could not get distracted! He was courting a new beautiful face in the commons that he would bring home to his growing herd. This young mare would fit right in, especially if she had any kind of hidden fire in her heart. The grullo steps towards him not long after stepping away. This was a good sign, yes? A grin spreads over his greying lips. He catches on right away to her intentions (well her flirting). He has been with a mare enough to know what flirting could mean and where it could lead. He was excited for this conversation to go even further than just simple talking. Why does a new face excite him this way? A similar feeling to what he had felt with Skylla….but he would not do that to this one. ”Your entertainment has gotten you in trouble then.” He grins, tail flipping wildly behind him.
Ironcla doesn’t even stop to think that Hellebore might not actually realize where she was and what this place meant to the stallions of the world. He steps a step even closer at her teasing. His muzzle reaches out to allow his warm breath to touch the skin of her nose. It was a simple greeting that could be done between friends, but it was the fire in his eyes that made this mean something more. ”Your beauty and your energy draws me into you, Hellebore.” Eyes flutter once in the same flirting manner she has displayed to him. His head slowly pulls back to grant her back some personal space. ”My home is just getting started and in need of warm bodies to make it successful. I come here, to the commons, to seek out lonely souls and unspoken for mares to bring home.” He wonders if she would begin to understand. He wants to take her home, but that also she has no choice in the matter. She would be coming home by choice or by circumstance.