Kae’ouit
Kae’ouit recognized the mare’s expression of self-conscious discomfort, and it drew a crease in his brows as he wondered why, instinctively trying to let her feel more at ease by relaxing his proud position, taking the flag from his tail and the arch from his neck, yet he couldn’t erase years of having to posture for his herd’s safety, and a natural sort of pride or dignity was maintained in his bearing, though he tried to make it less imposing. He knew that what he was trying to do probably wouldn’t be much help, but it might affect her slightly so he would try it.
Respectfully he dipped his head to her as he learned their names; the mare, a richly hued mink shade, was Tisane. And Laxius, a name he hadn’t heard before, was the stallion, his fur a shimmering coat of flame that was stunning to behold. Kae’ouit managed to not let it show in his face, but he was surprised that Tisane was the one who introduced herself and Laxius; usually the stallions took that role as protectors of the mares. Though stallions were never rulers, they tended to have the most pride and overly dignified self-esteems that annoyed Kae’ouit so. Many stallions, when they looked at him, saw a stuck-up fool who thought himself leader of the world, prancing around thinking he was doing a world of good for his herd by giving himself a title higher than should be, a title that never existed. And maybe that’s what he was. But Kae’ouit was only doing the best for his herd. A fat lot that did them, he thought, regret and shame flickering in his smoky emerald gaze.
At Laxius’ question, Kae’ouit’s ears tipped forwards slightly, and he cocked his head, surprised a little at the stallion’s boldness. What a strange, somewhat personal, even, question to ask right after exchanging names. Bold, indeed. Why would he ask that sort of thing? Small talk, Kae’ouit, he reminded himself. But that sort of thing hadn’t been exchanged much back in his old herd. Though, he mused slightly, gaze clouding in just a hint of darkness, Laxius and Tisane probably thought he and Anna were a couple. It was perfectly normal to ask, in that respect- but to Kae’ouit... Though the ocean was beautiful, the tang of the salt in the relentless breeze, the vast feeling of loneliness that came with the immense space stretching around them and the faded colours created a somewhat nostalgic air, not to mention the rain clouds brewing on the horizon.
Raising a single brow, a hint of a dare sparking in his dark gaze, his eyes flicked to Anna, revelling in the bright shade of cerise her eyes were, something he’d never seen before. Intriguing. Meeting and holding her gaze, he tilted his head slightly and flicked an ear, daring her to respond.
Yet when she did, his lips pursed slightly. This was news. She’d been lost? He glanced pointedly at her with a frown. Why hadn’t she said anything? Kae’ouit knew the area well enough, he’d been staying there for several weeks already. He’d talk to her later about it, and definitely help her get to where she’d been needing to go. Worry softened his gaze, and he turned back to Tisane and Laxius with a slight smile that was too troubled to reach his eyes.