Falls

Solomon

Solomon catches the colt's attempt to mimic the two older stallions and a small smile lurks on his charcoal lips that broadens as he catches the colt's laser focus on the mare's face. He knew it would be hard for the sabino to learn how to read lips, but in the stallion's opinion, it was imperative if he wanted to operate as a respected herd stallion. If he spent the rest of his life shouting at everyone at the top of his lungs, it was sure to turn more than a few horses against him.

A sound from Bjorn has the champagne's gaze flicking back to the male who seemed to have settled down now that Sauron was actually at his side. Surprisingly, the smaller grullo was apologizing for the gruff way in which he had interacted with Solomon. Appraisingly, Sol studied him for a moment before nodding in acknowledgement and acceptance of the apology. He didn't want to demean the stallion by calling more attention to the admission when it was really not that large of a deal, but he also wasn't going to ignore it either.

The mare then responded to Bjorn's offer as Solomon had expected her too. He couldn't imagine feeling comfortable enough around a group of strangers to sleep, especially if he was a lone mare and the strangers were all stallions. Still, he is pleased when she at least takes him up on his own offer, curling her smaller figure into his own for warmth and the proud bow of his neck draws taut as he touches her shoulder gently and shifts his weight to better support her. A season past and the press of her pretty hide and supple against him might have elicited a different reaction from him, but as it is now, her presence against him was simply a comfort. Evidence of the bone deep chill she'd been experiencing rattled through his bones as she shivered and he stood firm, although his attention diverted briefly to Sauron as the colt spoke excitedly.

Solomon won't lie, the same mild thread of annoyance from earlier flashes through him before he quells it. Sauron has every right to want to spend time with his actual sire, even if he had asked Solomon to teach him what he could. The colt's cheeky comment about Sol being busy in the spring earns wry grin from the stallion, even though it hardly has any importance to the situation. While it is true that he will prioritize time with his own sons and daughters, he sincerely doubts that Bjorn is not also expecting at least a few of his own.

What is surprising, however, is the way in which Bjorn answers him. For Bjorn to switch from the pointed glare upon first spotting them to deferring to his judgement regarding the boy's care suggests there is a potential for a working relationship between them. Shrewdly he studies the other stallion for a moment before nodding and directing his attention to the boy.

"As long as your mother allows it, I'm fine with it as well." In reality, he has no official parental hold over the colt and Shaydowfax would likely throttle him for presuming to give permission as to where Sauron went and when. Still, it opens an opportunity for him and he raises his gaze back to Bjorn, the question lurking in his words. "Perhaps I can take you to the Ridge myself before spring hits. It'd be nice to see Atlantis for myself."

Next to him, the worst of the painted mare's shivering has ceased and she speaks again. He cocks his head in her direction to listen and nods in acceptance of her name, not wanting to interrupt the other stallion. He lets a beat of silence fall before he asks another question, tipping his head toward her so that he can watch for her reaction.

"Where were you heading, Rivaini?" He knows that questioning her may be opening a can of worms that is painful for her, but he figures this is better than asking where she is from.

Dutch Harness Horse Mutt | Champagne Grullo Tobiano Stallion | 17 Hands | The Cove