Chaos descended, after a fashion.

It was no surprise, really, because when energetic foals were involved, chaos was a rather common occurrence. After his greeting, he received two interesting statements: the filly's exclamation about hooves and flying, delivered in the self-centered, all-knowing way of children. In an adult, it would've been utterly annoying, but as it was wont with foals, it was just endearing. Most grew out of it, and those who didn't faced lonesome lives. The other statement was the mare's greeting. That she pegged his home wasn't at all strange. Wherever he went, Mauja brought the characteristic scent of brine and the Edge's trees with him, and as of late, the one left in the aftermath of fire - ash. The lack of rain and proper winds had kept it around, swirling like a marbled carpet, the Sun's mockery of their gone fog. Otherwise it would've been blown clean and washed away by now, but it clung to his world like a curse, a constant reminder of their unfortunate. What made her greeting interesting wasn't his home, but how easily she had guessed his rank; he was not one to flaunt it, seldom gave his title unless prompted or on official business. He didn't think he carried himself with more regality than any other horse born of noble blood. Unless his own nose betrayed her she belonged in the Dragon's Throat, but he hadn't met her before. He'd visited twice, and wasn't too fond of Kri, and unless she was secretly in love with him and just pretending to hate him, Kri wasn't too fond of him either. Because the former was such a minimal possibility, the only logical conclusion was that the latter was the truth. It wouldn't be strange if she'd informed her herd that a white Edge unicorn with black spots was the herd's ill-liked King. Woe.

He chuckled, a warm sound, open gaze falling on the filly and the interesting play of light across her coat. It didn't look entirely real... but he had no real time to ponder it at that moment. "Indeed the world is hot," he agreed, leveling her gaze at the child's wings. Was it strange that he enjoyed her child-like scolding, the way she'd taken his question literally? What was strange, however, was the mention of Azzuen, and his rank. General. It looks like both of us were more than we let on, unless you've been promoted since. He was a worthy stallion, a formidable foe. Mauja would do well not to underestimate the Throat. He could hear the note of caution in Cassiopeia's voice - it was wise of her, to not trust him so easily, but he had no intention to be rude to them at this moment. And so, he didn't comment on it. As long as she didn't turn as hostile as Kri...

"Does lady indicate old age?" he asked of Cassiopeia in an amused voice. "Or simply good manners and a gentle nature? If so, perhaps I should've called you girl, little Cirrus." And now he'd probably get nose-slapped for calling her little. Dealing with Snö was a hassle, not because she was annoying, but because he didn't really speak on the same frequency as children. He'd been denied a period of learning, had simply been tossed into her company without a single clue of how to talk to her, how to behave, to phrase his words - he loved her, with all of his strange heart, but sometimes he just had no bloody idea of how to act around her. His eyes flickered to the mother again, a kind, warm little smile on his face, and in his eyes. "I am Mauja. And you're right, I have met Azzuen. He seems a good sort. You're a lucky lady, Cassiopeia," he said with warmth, motioning with his head towards the girl. He didn't want to talk over her head and be all oh what a pretty child you have!, but hoped she'd understand that the gesture meant to include Cirrus in the "lucky" package. And back to Cirrus... "And that's a fine amulet you have!" He guessed he'd go cross-eyed before he'd sorted out how to act in this situation, attention going back and forth...