When Grimalkin discovered the reason behind the lake being the young prince's love of the lake, he could not help but stare. It was impossible, biblical, and yet, demonstrated right before him. Expecting the normal thing to happen - a hoof approaches the water's surface, a hoof breaks the water's surface - and instead witnessing the surface seemingly transform beneath cloven feet into something able to bear the weight of the lanky, growing colt, caused his mind and his jaw to become slightly unhinged. Emerald pools widened, a shot of ivory appearing around their edges, his jaw opening slightly to show a row of yellowing teeth in surprise. It swiftly shut again as the steed recovered his dignity, snorting the surprise through his nostrils instead.

Feeling very much the fool, the steed halted his rambunctious motions, allowing the water to settle around his thickly set limbs, giving the colt a surface upon which he could play and dance and evidently run along without ever feeling a drip upon him. Jealously suddenly rose, sharp and slicing, within his breast, but it was swallowed by the awe and affection he already held for the princeling. Magic, Grimalkin was about to learn, ran rampart through Helovia, and in order to keep up, he had to desire it enough to earn it, learn it and wield it. As he watched the dark colt prance and play before him, before sweeping his horned crown and painting his lips with a demonic smirk, he felt nothing more than a deep desire to smack him sideways with his antlered crown.

But the colt's ego was not to be taken down a peg today - no, Grimalkin was too new, too fresh to this world. He had to play it carefully, respectfully, he had to win friends in order to win knowledge and power, and he had to do it the right way. Slapping the colt would not win him any favours - not when he knew the colt's father was their Lord, not when he knew this colt could walk on water for crying out loud - who knew what else he was capable of? It was an abrupt and harsh lesson to Grimalkin to learn never to judge a creature by their outward appearances - and it also gave him a healthy, albeit slightly begrudged, respect for the young Erebos. Curling his lips into a satisfied grin in return, the steed replied simply, russian tones punctuating the handful of syllables he chose to voice, swinging his dampened tail against his dark hide as he did so.

"Very much so."

[ Sorry for the wait love! Welcome to simply fade to black here if you like, poor Grim's had a mindfuck lol.
@[Erebos] ]