[Just posting around Kimber, but she can jump in any time :o]

The buttermilk boy watched the painted lady and son arrive with their own emotions still flashing in the light of their eyes. Ricochet let slip a smile to find it was an anger that burned in them, similar to his own. He could not help but feel a small triumph that Paladin and Soleil were meeting some hostility from the herd.

The boy excused himself smartly, although Ricochet wouldn't have minded his company, still intrigued by what Aaron had to say in the meeting. Would he be a prime candidate for an apprentice, or was Aaron's heart already nestled beyond Ricochet's grasp? As Solstice turned her focus towards him Ricochet cocked his hip in a casual stance, ready to converse freely with this mare he unexpectedly found as an ally. She seemed to think similar.

It was such a confusing game of friends and enemies Ricochet played. Solstice, much like Smoke, had always been at conflict with Ricochet's core purpose in life - to eradicate all species non-equine. He supposed his methods, preferring raw bloodshed, were no less ideal to them, but any method was likely unfavorable in light of exterminating species they seemed to grossly cooperate with, and willingly. Somehow his father had earned respect despite his racist intentions and similar goals. Maybe he was just less outspoken. Yet here he finds Solstice in agreement with him over one thing, and Smoke he stood beside proudly athe meeting, and follows her lead in some aspects, gratefully. An odd position he stands at indeed.

A simper breaks Ricochet's pursed lips, amusement pulling his lips as he notes Solstice's pointed intention not to say Soleil's name. Does she truly despise her so? Ricochet does not hate the mare, but he thinks her unfit to lead above, or even beside, Smoke, and he feels her crimes never answered for. "She gets praise and titles when her crimes have been left unanswered. Paladin speaks of equality but he seems to have left out justice." Soleil should be beaten into submission for abandoning her herd, her family, on a mere whim. And to a unicorn no less! Truthfully Ricochet did not find it much in him to forgive, much less the transgressions Soleil had committed. So although he did not hate her, he wished her dead all the same. "The unicorn thinks with his wrong head," Ricochet muttered, annoyance casting his tail to swat his flanks. He did not like the Valiant much better, but he especially didn't appreciate the favor cast upon his mare. All of it left a bad taste in his mouth. He swirled his tongue in an attempt to be rid of it.

"What can we do though?" he glanced up at Solstice, teeth clicking in frustration. "If that other, Indy, spoke true she is injured badly, I will wait until she is whole lest she cry out disadvantage. I may not stay until then though, if the dun expects an apology from my lips." Ricochet snorted, too headstrong to bow when it would benefit him. "And the herd... the herd is divided. Some will support Paladin and Soleil regardless. To make a bold move now will only upset everyone further. There will be anarchy..." Ricochet trails off, wisdom coming from his lips in this surprising hour of burnt out tempers and tired thoughts. Such complaints are not ones he would normally consider, but he is young and even when he ruled beside Aera he looked to her for assistance in leading them. Annoying a few here and there is inevitable and pissing off someone that deserves it he does not mind, but inciting a mutiny in the horses he hopes to lead to glory will drive him to restlessness. In some small aspect, Ricochet is always seeking validation and praise. To pit himself against everyone would only ruin him.