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Soren had been polishing away, knowing that with the limited resources the clan had it was now more important than ever to keep his armor looking s**c and span. It was less about appearances and more about how bits of grit could work their way in, pitting the metal, scratching the surface. Tiny little chinks in the armor that could give way during an important time.

He had the vaguely unsettling feeling that he was being watched but he shrugged it aside, intent on his work. Then there was a tap on his shoulder, a feminine voice reaching out to him. He looked at her, noting the dress, the horns. Conquest more than likely. He tilted his head slightly, face almost blank. Obviously it was an indication for her to continue. Obviously.

"Soren." He told her gruffly, dismissing the sir easily enough. His red gaze watched her carefully, noting the needle and the badge though he really didn't need to see it.

Wordlessly he started to take off the fur, carefully keeping the broach on it with him, the fragment getting tucked away as he held out the pelt to her. It was precious to him, and while he knew that tiny Conquest horsewomen could beat him in a battle...well, that was a tiny noble. Not a shy little filly like this one. He vaguely wondered if he could just intimidate her into doing things for him. "Careful," he said, a slightly warning edge to his tone. It was his precious, but getting it fixed by someone skilled in that area? He could have taken it to Lifen but this would work nicely.

It was almost suspicious exactly how happy Ying was over him handing over his cloak. He watched her closely, but overall she seemed to be careful and he relaxed slightly, paying attention to what she was doing.

He was really rather content to just remain silent, but when she continued talking, and he realized that she might just repeat herself over and over if he didn't offer her something he broke his silence. Besides, she was doing him a favor, and if she was the type that liked to talk he could attempt to hold a conversation. Maybe.

"They're trophies. This creature was strong, agile," he said, tapping at the cloak. "I was stronger. It shows my strength."

While it was slightly unlikely that Soren would consent to "twirl around" for Ying once the repair was completed he also wanted to see it finished well and while his eyes drifted away they came to rest on her hands and his cloak more often than not.

He looked at the pelt, remembering the hunt he had been on. Astridr had clearly made up something she had needed from the human world to give him an excuse to go, knowing this was something he wanted. He had not realized it until he was already there, gathering the rare blossoms she suddenly needed immediately, and spotted the herd. It had been off to one side, a rarity among its kind, sacred to many of the little human tribes, and he wanted it. He wanted to tear the life from it, soak in the victory of such a rare kill. All on his own, without another's aid. Knowing how difficult it would be without long range weaponry.

He had returned from the hunt several days late, exhausted and blood, bringing with him the pelt and several small wounds and she had simply smiled and ordered him not to touch her until he had cleaned up, seeing to it that the pelt was made into a fine cloak, that every bit of the fur had been used to decorate their clothing. He was proud of it, proud to share his triumph even to this stranger, and she deserved an answer for working on it. "White bison," he informed her.

"Only difficult opponents are truly worth keeping," he muttered. That was what made them trophies after all, showing off the skill that had went into defeating them.

When she tugged a bit at a certain section, not exactly gentle, he made an aborted move toward the cloak, hand reaching out before he could stop himself and he forced himself to settle back down, watching her closely again just in case. "Can you handle it," he finally all but growled out. He was fine. Really.