The ears being wedged forward were a clear sign that his voice was very interesting, but so were his pockets. Looking for treats and nosing about.

"Pet horses after you've finished." He narrowed his eyes at the boy from over the gelding's hindquarters, doing his tail now. He wondered why he even bothered honestly.

Xae grinned as the horses nosed him all over, spreading his stance so the horse could check to his heart's content. "I don't have anything for you, gorgeous boy. I'm very sorry." He apologized, running his hands over the stallion's neck and reaching up to rub the horse behind his ears. He rolled his eyes as the older man called over. Pet a horse for one minute, and what did he get? "The old man's quite ornery, isn't he? Is that all for me or is he normally that pitifully angry?" He cooed, entirely loud enough to be heard. He popped another light kiss to the stallion's muzzle and then turned to start on the last stall in dutiful silence.

The stallion eyed the boy as he moved off. Pierce would never admit it but the horse seemed to like the kid surprisingly. What that would do to Xae's ego. Especially not while all that teasing was going on. "You agreed to work for my teaching." He said evenly.

Now came the faster part, picking up a new brush, he started grooming the rest of the gelding which seemed go by in the blink of an eye.

"I did. And I have not complained once about doing said work." Xae shrugged, continued through the stall for the next couple of minutes and finishing up soon after. "Do you want fresh shavings spread? The stalls look like they could use some." He offered, closing the stall behind him and wheeling the muck bucket back to the corner it had been in.

Pierce grabbed the hoof pick and stayed quiet possibly glowering through the animal but he didn't want to drag the conversation on. "Bedding is in there." He pointed to the door by the entrance which was slightly ajar. "Use extra in the fat mare's." He ordered, showing some form of sympathy.

Xaden gave the man the most offended glare on the mare's behalf. "She is not fat!" He defended with a huff, moving to grab the bedding. He pulled the large bag with him and started spreading it with the pitchfork, taking care to put extra in the biggest mare's stall. It took him all of five minutes, and immediately after he was back to horsie playtime. He made his way around the little herd, introducing himself to all of his newest friends.

Pierce rolled his eyes and stood up, setting the pick down. "Yes she is." The gelding kinda hung out a bit and wandered around the barn. They seemed utterly relaxed. "If you want to brush them, you can." He brought the bucket closer and walked over to the 'fat' mare, who greeted him with a burr. He started to do her mane in the same way as the gelding, but he let her stay in her stall.

"No she's not. She's perfect." Xaden corrected, scratching one of the mare's behind the ears and grinning as she stretched her neck out and brushed her lip against his shoulder. "Alright." He nodded, lifting his hands to curl his arms loosely around the mare's neck and settle his head against her in a hug, closing his eyes and blowing out a breath.

"She's pregnant." Pierce breathed with annoyance. Her mane was less tangled, amazingly, as was her tail. He much preferred it. Plus she seemed to be half asleep, her head drooping and one of her hooves kicked out. He started brushing out her coat she she was mostly sleeping.

"Exactly. Perfect." Xaden answered cockily, cuddling the mare in front of him unabashedly. She seemed to soak up the attention, half confused by the human clinging to her and half pleased that it was her he was hanging on. She continued sniffling him for some sort of treat, locking onto his hair and nibbling at it halfheartedly.