He was used to mares throwing him for a mild loop with their responses to him, but never had he felt like the grass had been tugged out from under his hooves. Dia certainly was different from any of those that he had met before, and not just because of her personality. Rather, it was the profound effect her personality seemed to be having on him, and after only conversing for such a short time.
Generally, though he felt uneasy in the presence of mares, it was only just that - uneasy. He excused himself and moved along, and in the end, he didn't concern himself much past the exchange. However, this conversation with Dia had unsettled him, and his stoic nature had been disrupted, if even for a moment.
The only person he knew who could get under his skin so quickly was his sister. That was both dangerous and, in a way, a little amusing.
Willing himself to relax, he shifted his weight around, forcing the tension out of his shoulders and back as he did so. She hadn't meant to insult him, had merely been trying to express herself. He ought to recognize how difficult that could be, and out of anyone, he knew how terribly wrong it could go. He often found himself fumbling for the right words and, in the end, not quite grasping onto them.
He shook his head slightly, a small smile turning the corner of his lips without him realizing. "I suppose... we're even. I'm unused to, well. Being complimented."
It sounded pathetic, but it was true. Often overlooked at the best of times, Gaspard wasn't one to garner praise and positive attention from others. He didn't need it, and never asked for it, but that only made him more awkward in accepting praise with grace when it was offered.
Ears turning toward her, the slight smile fading as he relaxed again, he mused, "In temperament, I resemble my father. He's a rather atypical stallion himself."
Generally, though he felt uneasy in the presence of mares, it was only just that - uneasy. He excused himself and moved along, and in the end, he didn't concern himself much past the exchange. However, this conversation with Dia had unsettled him, and his stoic nature had been disrupted, if even for a moment.
The only person he knew who could get under his skin so quickly was his sister. That was both dangerous and, in a way, a little amusing.
Willing himself to relax, he shifted his weight around, forcing the tension out of his shoulders and back as he did so. She hadn't meant to insult him, had merely been trying to express herself. He ought to recognize how difficult that could be, and out of anyone, he knew how terribly wrong it could go. He often found himself fumbling for the right words and, in the end, not quite grasping onto them.
He shook his head slightly, a small smile turning the corner of his lips without him realizing. "I suppose... we're even. I'm unused to, well. Being complimented."
It sounded pathetic, but it was true. Often overlooked at the best of times, Gaspard wasn't one to garner praise and positive attention from others. He didn't need it, and never asked for it, but that only made him more awkward in accepting praise with grace when it was offered.
Ears turning toward her, the slight smile fading as he relaxed again, he mused, "In temperament, I resemble my father. He's a rather atypical stallion himself."
