Marko is pleased to see that Garmr isn’t swayed by his unfriendliness. The painted stallion enjoys playing hard to get; the game of ‘win me over’ never fails to entertain.

The hint is clear in Garmr’s statement about secrets, and Marko tilts his head to watch his brother. Kristjan’s expression is a bit stubborn still, but there is a confession in the relaxation of his brows when he takes a more thorough look at the other Lagoon stallion. The grullo’s ears give a flick of annoyance, but Marko reads this as a good sign. The elder brother feels seen, but not in a way that accompanies being caught doing something forbidden by an enforcer; rather, in the way of being caught by a fellow rule-breaker. He won’t love it, Marko knows, but he won’t bite the hand that leaves his secret in the dark instead of yanking it out.

Well, the point is obvious. Garmr doesn’t need to elaborate further. Marko cocks his head, willing Garmr to see the gears turning in his thick skull. He’s made up his mind already, but he enjoys this subtle game between himself and the other stallion, and he suspects Garmr might enjoy it as well.

“Sounds like poor management to me,” says Marko finally, his tone thoughtful and a bit drawling. “Everyone knows it’s not the job that matters; it’s the boss.”

He watches Kristjan out of the corner of his eye, but refrains from putting his brother in the spotlight. Kristjan stands motionless and silent for a long moment, thinking, but clearly unwilling to give away the direction in which his thoughts lean.

Finally, he shrugs. “Something’s gotta give,” he grunts, and turns from the other two stallions to retreat into the darkness. It’s enough for Marko, and the champagne stallion grins with satisfaction, watching Kristjan slink off into the night.