I was looking for you, she says, bold as brass and he snorts out an appreciative chuckle, caught entirely off-guard by her bluntness. The shock of it immediately earns a few points of favor from him and he has to bite his cheek to hide the delighted smile that threatens to form the longer the strange little mare continues to speak. It is not often that Asmodeus deals with anyone - gender notwithstanding - who were so forthright about what it is that they wanted, let alone with someone they did not know.

"I guess I have no choice but to prove I am neither a waste of a leader nor a boring pushover." He says, eyes glittering with amusement despite the sincerity in his baritone voice. He didn't consider himself either thing, but it was interesting to know that Helios was considered a boring pushover by some. That information could certainly be used to his advantage. "I'll leave the judgment of whether I am entirely incompetent up to your discretion, however."

He allowed his two-toned tail to flick across his hocks as he contemplated her for a moment. He was not a stallion that cared overly much for looks, although he knew how to appreciate a pretty mare for what she was. Beneath the grime and the grimace on her lips, she had potential, although he doubted that such a forward nature would ever lend itself to the sort of mind games and intrigue that Nyimara favored. More of a Xiomara or a Marceline then.

"The Desert doesn't have room for idle vagabonds," he said, just as plainly as she had made her pitch. "Why should it take you on? What strengths can you bring to our number? Rafe is dethroned as you've said yourself, so this is no political match."

In truth, Asmodeus had no desire to send her on her way, and, in fact, if pushed, would have tried to force her to stay. She was clearly made of titanium beneath that velvet hide, and the Desert could use more backbone among its members. More drive. More purpose.

He just wanted to hear her say it.

Adult Stallion 16.0HClassic Champagne ChimeraSolomon x Xiomara