Gnome watched the two interact with curiosity. He was interested in the herd dynamic here, wondering if it was more similar to what he was used to or more chaotic like the Inlet had been during his stay. It was neither as it turns out. Rougaru seemed very possessive as he reached his mouth over to nip at the painted mare. He stiffened and fought the urge to roll his eyes. He had no intention of disrupting the herd dynamic here; all the same, it was his belief that mares and stallions should both be able to pursue whatever relationships they wished. This mare did retaliate, but it didn’t seem as though it was a true protest but rather a possessive gesture of her own.

He was disappointed that the chocolate colored stallion was just as in the dark as he. Gnome didn’t particularly enjoy being shuffled around at someone else’s whim. He wished to choose his own home. He longed for the Prairie. Letting his mind wander, he pictured the tall, flowing golden grasses. He saw the lithe form of his love and heard the laughter of his daughters. But they were older now. Eve was a grown mare, and Iris even older. He could not imagine having such a life again.

He was brought back to the present moment by Rougaru’s pronouncement that Gnome had responsibilities here. It was natural that he should contribute to the herd’s wellbeing, but something about the way he said it seemed...off, for lack of a better word. That thought drifted from his mind momentarily as the other male listed off the standard duties: protecting the herd, greeting newcomers, and so on. He nodded and murmured an agreement. ”Naturally, that all should be no problem.” Gnome followed the green gaze to the cluster of other horses gathered a short distance away. At Rougaru’s next words his eyes narrowed and his features creased into a slight frown. ”What sort of battle? I admit I am strong, but I prefer not to fight unless it is a cause for which I feel passionate.”

Monster, the queen, as he had found out, then offered him a tour. He smirked a little at her eyebrow raise. He was mildly suspicious of her, as these strangers probably were of him. It was indeed strange that if there was to be a battle that Xiomara would exchange him for a stallion who shirked her duties. But, as she herself had admitted, she herself couldn’t explain her decision making process. ”Very well then, Monster. Where should we begin?” Her name was foreign to her tongue. It seemed odd that someone would name their baby Monster, but everyone has their issues he supposed. He hoped that her name would not end up being indicative of her personality.

Gnome