As a rush of children approached his side, an ear tilted back to hear Smoke move from behind his figure to look at the strange sight as well. Normally children ran from him - his scarred, grizzled figure punctuated by bloody, crimson colored eyes proving rather frightening. He was the image most conjured to their minds when the phrase "never play with strangers" was ordered from parent to devilish youth.
Where Paladin offered firm greeting and question, Smoke seemed to speak softly. He had to admit that this was not a side of her he had ever truly been able to see, and he furrowed his brows for but a second, attention tilting back to the children for a brief moment. One of them cascaded into his side, and the helpless expression he angled toward the elder mare seemed to be returned with amusement that was not unwelcome.
He snorted lightly in response, but the corner of his lips cracked a half smile, crimson eyes sparkling with the birth-sparks of life before fizzling out once more. One could argue that his spirit was broken, or perhaps, he had just grown older and wiser. Even he did not know, and he preferred not to dwell on the subject much, even in his own mind.
Paladin listened to the girl speak and felt like he was hit in the chest. Ktulu had another child, this time with the black and white stallion he had spoken to earlier. The stallion was at a loss for words, trying to inhale steadily. He was not sure why this news struck him so deeply, but he knew that he was not ready to be a grandfather this soon. Perhaps it was just a father's personal lie that he forever believed his own children would stay virgins.
"Ah, we look alike because your mother is my daughter. I am your grandsire," he explained, gritting his teeth ever so slightly. Luckily enough she seemed occupied with the dragon who was chirping and a little too close for comfort. Paladin sidled away ever to slightly only to spy a silver figure in the distance, once whom he thought Soleil would keep careful watch over.
Paladin stared eye in the blues eyes at his son, and the stallion moved gently closer. "Soren," he murmured, trying not to frighten the boy who stood on the edges of the commotion as if he were afraid. "Where is your mother? Did you run far?" he asked, hints if concern grasping at corners of his heart that he had thought were torn.
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