She turns her head away in response to his question. Why was she unable to face him? She had stared him down on the battlefield without an ounce of fear and now she looks away. Was she going to walk off and put an end to this interaction. Ashitaka wouldn’t blame her if that’s what she wanted to do and he wouldn’t chase after her if she did. He wasn’t a pushy controlling stallion that needed to know every detail about her. She was entitled to her privacy. He can feel his heart breaking for her and although he wants to charge forward and embrace her tenderly he does everything in his power to simply stand there.
When she was finally ready to face him again she would find a gentle smile across his dark lips. He listened carefully as she gave him a glimpse into her past. She stated that they had experienced different upbringings. That receiving affection was considered weakness, a flaw that would not be tolerated and something that would result in punishment. For a moment Ashitaka want’s to share how he and his sister were raised. Their upbringing had been regimented and strict. His father considered praise and affection to be rewards for achievements rather than something that was necessary for the healthy development of a child. At least there was no physical abuse. The bay roan stallion holds his tongue on the matter. This was Cursed Dreams taking her first step towards healing and he wanted to fully support her. Now that she lived with him there would be plenty of time for the pair to learn more about each other.
He watches as she closes her eyes and slows her breath. He waited a few moments just to check that she had finished speaking before he made his move. Taking a few steps forward he bumped his muzzle into hers, he wasn’t gentle about it but he wasn’t intending to hurt her. Like when a human slaps another human across the back. He hoped she would open her eyes but even if she didn’t he was still going to say with the utmost certainty.
“Of all the words I would use to describe you; weak would never be one of them.” There is no gentle smile this time. Just a serious expression to communicate that his opinion was sincere and not just some pretty words to make her feel better.
“You can have a fresh start here,” he paused for a moment before he added,
“if that’s what you want.” For all he knew she could be perfectly comfortable with the mare she was today and didn't need to want to be
'fixed'. He could have stopped there, should have stopped there, but ended up blundering through and saying,
“I like the way you are now.”
Ashitaka was an empathetic stallion that was in touch with his emotions but that doesn’t necessarily mean he was accustomed to sharing them. He felt his cheeks grow hot the moment he shut his mouth and decided to take a leaf from Cursed Dream’s book by using some humour.
“Just because you’re a block of ice doesn’t mean your heart needs to be,” he chuckled awkwardly hoping she understood he meant that metaphorically and not physically.
ASHITAKA
Male. VII. Bay Roan. Hokkaido Horse. 13.3HH. Beta of the Inlet.