When the stranger speaks his name, Encantador experiences a million sensations at once. Eventually he dips his head in silent apology and stares at his hooves for a few moments, clearly embarrassed.

“Badr. I… I’m sorry, it’s been a long day.” He’s all too aware also that he had promised his neighbour that he would visit to discuss an alliance and had never got around to it. Damn Avalanche and Mafioso. Why couldn’t I have just let them be? He curses quietly beneath his breath and steps closer to the liver chestnut, trying to disguise his limp.

“Yes… you mentioned. I-I would have dropped by myself, but, you know…” No, he doesn’t, he chides himself mentally, but manages a sheepish smile. He realizes, then, just how grateful he should be that Badr is a potential friend, and not a potential enemy – with his slight advantage of height and apparent lack of injury (unlike Canta), he’s well aware that Badr could beat the shit out of him if he wanted to.

“Well, here I am.”