Gnome did not miss the tension that riddled the young female’s frame as he approached, but he was sure to keep his expression open and friendly. They exchanged breaths briefly, which he took as a good sign. At least she wasn’t so wary that she felt he was an imminent threat. He did wonder why she had seemed so nervous initially; perhaps it had something to do with the initial equine he’d noticed.

Indeed, his suspicions were confirmed as the younger mare endorsed that the flash of white had been her mother. His lips turned up in a slight smile; some thought their mothers were such a bore. He couldn’t really relate, but he could certainly try to sympathize. His white face dipped into a serene nod, confirming that this land was called Paradise. The words she mumbled after drew his ears forward in an attempt to catch them, but he was unsuccessful. He did not miss the skeptical tone, however.

She continued on before he had time to consider how to respond, and his eyes widened with interest. A princess, eh? Must have been quite a life. He thought he could see where this was going, and he began to say so. ”I see…” he murmured softly before she persisted in her tale. He allowed her to speak without further interruption, for today he had plenty of time for listening. As she talked, his tail swished languidly at his hocks and he mirrored her relaxed posture by shifting his own weight to one hip.

His expression darkened somewhat as she described her father’s abandonment and new family. The mare spoke confidently that this is where her sire ruled now, and so before she even said his name he knew it was Rougaru. That he would willingly desert his own spawn told him all he needed to know about the silvered male. However, Gnome would still need to play his hand carefully to avoid creating an enemy of him. He cleared his throat quietly before answering, ”Yes, this is indeed Rougaru’s territory. I am Gnome, currently second in command I suppose you could say, though I don’t know your father all that well.”

He’d have liked to say what he thought about her father, but he figured it wasn’t his business to tarnish someone else’s reputation. Surely it would be inappropriate to sully a daughter’s opinion of her sire. On the other hand, she was clearly an adult capable of forming her own opinion. ”Judging by your eye roll, you don’t seem too thrilled to have come with her,” he remarked thoughtfully. ”I don’t blame you; Rougaru’s lead mare is a force to be reckoned with.” It was true; despite Gnome’s mixed feelings about making his home here, he did respect Monster and had enjoyed her company. He also had no doubt that she would not take kindly to a stranger claiming Rougaru’s heart. ”Still, not all of us here are will be so defensive. I can only really speak for Veles and myself – she’s back up in the jungle a bit – but the two of us are relatively drama free. For the moment anyway.” He cracked another smile, hoping to get one out of her in return.

Gnome