walls kept tumbling down; [Nihlus, Shatter, Falls Diplomats]

[Texas]

Texas has witnessed quite a range of expressions on others faces, so the fact that Brennen’s is a novelty is rather impressive. He’s died before – never of the age that threatens him now – and seen shock, but never from his own child. He has dozens of them, of course, most of whom he’s never seen. Brennen is one of the few that Texas has met, and even rarer, one of those that he likes. And so the bay stallion is pleased at the shock, once he recognizes it for what it is. Always good to keep the youth on their toes; can’t have them getting too cocky.

Brennen introduces him to the rain-making stallion, and Texas manages a friendly nod (a result only of the combination of minor pleasure at seeing Brennen again and the duty of diplomacy). Brennen leaves the majority of Texas’ titles out of the introduction which is not an uncommon thing. Most horses do not remember them all; some days even Texas doesn’t. “I prefer it here,” he adds mildly. “Much better weather.” If he gives Nihlus a sidelong look it does not last long, turning as he does to face the approaching grey queen.

She wants an alliance with the Tundra as much as they want one with the Falls, so as she speaks he allows his attention to wander, and his gaze drifts over the forest that the Brothers have just traveled through. He’s always had a fondness for trees (though not the kind that grow in the jungle with their plastic leaves and strangling vines). The sunlight is shining through the canopy again, and the drip of falling water echoes through the trees. Texas comes back into the conversation abruptly, having caught the term ‘Zon’.

He turns his attention to Nihlus as the boy talks of the Amazons and their assistance in the manner of replacing their king. The Tundra should have been able to do it themselves, he thinks mildly, but if Nihlus has no qualms with making it known that his home is indebted to another kingdom over and beyond the Falls, it is not Texas’ place to train him to be a better diplomat. As attuned to Nihlus as he is, he can see the young horse straightening up at Shatter Me’s request. A hundred years ago, Texas might have immediately driven Nihlus from the kingdom for his insolence and disrespect; today he simply scratches an itch on his nose with an outstretched foreleg.

“You’re the ones that came to us asking for an alliance.” He says mildly, glancing at Brennen to see what his reaction is to Nihlus’ response. The Falls had not been the ones to reach out first, despite the mutual desire for an alliance; the ball is in their court and Nihlus doesn’t seem aware of that. Texas might disagree with the addition to the alliance himself, but he has no intention of speaking against his queen in something that she’s decided months ago. “But please, relay it to your king.” He appears to have finished speaking, but then adds with the glint in his eye that appears only when he finds himself incredibly amusing: “and perhaps to the Amazons as well, if you need their permission?”