The buttermilk boy slipped from the herd land near midday. Affairs between Paladin and Soleil had not yet been sorted amongst, but with a seeming delay in her arrival Ricochet took that as an opportunity to live there whilst he could.

Mostly he just needed to get away from all the mixed bodies polluting his vicinity.

Side by side the duo streaked across the plains, each testing the other's speed and endurance. Guns as always shot ahead like a monochromatic bullet, but eventually the long legs of Ricochet caught up to the collie and overwhelmed him. They laughed and they slowed to a walk, the dog barking his excitement at his feet as the pair played like youngsters.

Let the dog enjoy these moments, he wouldn't like where Ricochet was headed.
Upon his arrival that stranger had swept in an nearly trampled the border collie. Ricochet had not forgiven that and still intended to bring justice to that marauder. That and he was just itching for a fight - Soleil didn't seem to be an ideal target now that she'd sustained those burns.
He'd have to wait.
He hated waiting.

Thunder bellowed overhead and the dog startled a little, slinking closer to Ricochet as they moved into the forest of the Threshold, the last place they'd met the stranger. If all went poorly at least Ricochet could look for new blood. Equine blood. Maybe just maybe, he'd even find an ally in these woods?

His grin glittered through the trees.

The mare was soon spotted by the dog, a soft 'ruff' directing Ricochet's attention to her. He nodded in turn to Guns and then strode forward just as another peal of thunder tore the skies. The dog jumped against Ricochet's legs, earning a slap of his tail. "Don't be such a filly gun-dog, forest'll give us protection," he chided as they drew upon the pale lady. Her mane and tail were of a most unusual color, and around her neck was a strange device and on her back leg an even stranger one. Ricochet took the time to openly stare as such oddities before remembering his manners with a clear of his throat. "Ahem. Pardon me for staring, I've just never seen the likes of such devices, much less on such a pretty mare as yourself," he smiled apologetically to her. It was a lopsided, boyish thing on his face, and in a way it matched the tousled style of mane he wore.

"The name's Ricochet, Ricochet the Incendiary and this here pup is Guns. Welcome to Helovia missus."

She offers very little in explanation for the contraptions, which is not what Ricochet had been hoping for, but he does not press her further on the matter. They do not interest him enough to run the risk of upsetting her, as he is quite sure it would, based on her ending comment. Curiosity had never driven the stallion, only a competitive urge and childhood need to prove himself. Knowing more of a mare unwilling to give it would only lead to an unsuccessful gather and he did not need to tack another failure onto his list so soon.

A gift or a curse. He wondered how she truly felt of them.
She spoke of humanity. Such things his father had known of. He'd once worn odd things too, so Ricochet had been told. Perhaps that had some relation to books and their covers? Ricochet truly had no earthly fathom of such things, but nodded all the same to appease her.

A soft rumble in Gun's chest alerted Ricochet to the approach of the Valiant. The dunskin's head turned, scars revealed for a moment to the lady, scars he'd been artfully hiding from view with a genial tilt of his head towards the left. Teal met red for a moment; ears slanted back for just a flash - uncertain. Ricochet did not know where he stood with this lead, this unicorn. He had not made a friend to be sure, but the dun sincerely hoped he had not made yet another enemy, at least not so quickly. The favor of Paladin was not an honest concern for Ricochet, but it would make his life a whole lot easier. Damn Smoke his mind hissed once more. It would have at least been worth it if she'd let him.

The Incendiary's gaze inexorably was drawn to the stallion's naked neck. He had not much glanced at the creature since the meeting and the healing, but his flesh crawled at the sight of the burn mark. His own scarring throbbed against his face, his jawline twitching as though the fires still graced it.
He glanced away quickly.

Thankfully Wezen was here to draw his attention. Her voice beckoned him to do just that and so he glanced back to her, head bobbing casually in response to her well-mannered greeting. Guns' tongue lolled happily, the dog slouched in the dirt near the dun boy. His ears and nose remained alert on the woods, but for now the Collie was at ease, accustomed to the approaching storm.

Ricochet was glancing down affectionately at the pup when the other voice slithered in. I am leader of the Foothills. Ricochet grunted to himself, face souring as he turned it away to hide the look from at least Paladin. The unwanted mongrel had arrived to boast then; come to steal Ricochet's thunder when the sky had plenty to offer. Surely the black dun had more charm than he, but Ricochet would not submit so easily to his superior.

"You've healed nicely so far Valiant. Quite a battle you had with the previous lead, although you came out worse for the wear. Hopefully your hair will grow in before the snow comes." Ricochet was pleasant as he spoke, his features all an image of concern as he held Paladin's red gaze. Yet there was an underlying current of apathy, perhaps not heard but at least caught int he corners of his patient, steady eyes. Paladin wanted to play games? Ricochet might flip the board over eventually, but for now he'd roll the die like a nice little boy.

"Speaking of snow," here he pointedly turned back to the mare, his rogue grin returning. "I wouldn't encourage you to test the wilds of Helovia with such a season approaching Wezen. There are three herd lands here which could offer you safety. Do you intend to linger long enough to make use of them, or are you simply making your way beyond?"

Ears tilted back in displeasure as the ringing sound of laughter broke from the black dun. Ricochet cast him a sidelong scowl before directing his gaze elsewhere, least he forget his patience and engage the haughty unicorn here and now. Did Paladin think he was the only one born into scars? Ricochet snorted, unimpressed.

He took at least some small satisfaction in that Paladin looked utterly ridiculous without a mane.

"You are free to leave the herd at any time if you wish," Ricochet murmured in-between Paladin's explanation oft he herds. Wezen's trust issues were not uncommon, but he hoped she would realize that she would only truly benefit from joining them. "Just be sure to let someone know if you leave, so we don't waste stallion hours trying to rescue you." Here Ricochet grinned good-naturedly, but he cast the Valiant a steel glower. Like Soleil's abandonment his mind hissed to the ignorant unicorn.

In time Paladin took his leave which Ricochet was only thankful for, although it was annoying that the twig-head thought he could sweep in and out at his pleasure, taxing Ricochet with the hoof-holding venture of leading her back. He already had other plans today by Nieque! Although he supposed he'd much rather be the one walking her anywhere than the horned monster.

"Where do you come from Wezen?" Ricochet asked conversationally, hoping to gain some more insight on her.