Golden eyes study the tobiano mare as her dark gaze follow’s the strange stallion’s retreating form. Curiosity flashes across his rugged features as he notes the sadness and perhaps longing that flattens the annoyed expression that had been planted firmly on her angelic features only moments ago. Was it because of the chimera stallion or was it something else entirely? An emotion akin to guilt tugs at the ends of his heartstrings. What must it have been like for her? Having to birth a child alone in the dense jungle and wait patiently day in and day out in hopes that her mate might return. How must it feel even now to watch a stranger simply turn his back on her as though she meant nothing? A face easy to forget. A face easy to leave behind.
Although he does not speak the words aloud (or dare to let his eyes betray him) the beast makes a promise to the gods above that he would not ever be the one to leave this mare behind. If ever his luck decided to change, he would keep her tucked safely at his side under the protection of his companionship if nothing more. As prickly as his demeanor might be, at least he did have a heart…. Sort of.
At his prompting, the pretty mare turns her gaze back to him with a stoicness that bothered him somewhere deep down. He refuses to let the expression rise to the surface at least, until she makes her request. ’..Do not harm my little girl..’ Seriously? He had heard of herd stallions out in the world that would kill a male child that was not his own to prevent the spreading of another stallion’s offspring but did he really look like the type? I mean, Annubis knew he did not still have the same boyish features these days but did he really look that…. Oppressive?
A rumbling scoff echoes in the snort that blows from his nostrils as the sterling stallion gives his ash dusted head a quick shake. A false hurt plants itself on his rugged features as he fights hard against the smirking grin that threatens to tug his lips upward. ”Do I really look like the child-eating type?” he asks, glancing down at the young girl to offer her a warm wink before returning his gaze up to her mother. ”I assure you I have no intentions of harming your daughter nor would I allow anything to happen to her if it is within my power to prevent it.” he states in a rather matter of fact tone.
”Now if she decides to somehow climb a tree and gets stuck…. THAT is aaaaaalllllll on you to deal with. I don’t climb. Not a fan of heights ya know?” he teases, his mischievous tone playful as he stretches his ashen muzzle forward to blow a soft breath against the mother’s shoulder. No need for ugly bruises or scrapes with him. He liked his flowers pretty anyway. ”Name is Annubis by the way… I know you were just dying to ask me.”