Caine smirked.<br/><br/>"I've never been much for 'type', I'm afraid. Why limit yourself to such a narrow window as personal and fickle preference? Let this be a lesson that there are quite a few things that can surprise you if you'd simply let them. Makes the world a more-" his gaze twisted back towards the stable door, "invigorating experience."<br/><br/>As he watched him go, the smile faded only somewhat as he tilted his head in the same way he'd done for Dane. Though there were ulterior motives at play, he hadn't needed to lie. Caine was someone who could admire so many things. Highest among those would be the build and swagger of a seasoned fighter. Luckily for him, both men fit the bill and he gave a muted chuckle as he committed Ace's gait to memory.<br/><br/>This was going to be one interesting little endeavor, regardless of outcome<br/><br/><br/>Dane didn't seem too enthused by Ace's arrival.<br/><br/>"It found me," came the dull sigh of a statement, the man taking a few more steps into the stable while one hand idly attended to the little animal who he had propped against his shoulder. Even while the other man came forward, he turned his gaze off. It was that cool indifference that somehow seemed a natural part of his personality that led to him ignore most of what the other man said. Like an animal, however, the quick jerk caused his eyes to snap back and lock. They stayed there to stalk him across the stable.<br/><br/>He hadn't had the adequate time to size up the other man. Truth be told, he wasn't a very good judge of character but at least he could try and figure out if he'd spend the rest of his nights sleeping with his back up against a tree or not. So far, he seemed like the rest of the common rabble that he'd run across here. Loud, sure of himself, and looking to poke him with a stick. He wondered, for a moment, what it was about him that made everyone want to do that. Probably, he guessed with a look around to the horses, the same reason the animals around the felt so tense.<br/><br/>Taking a few more steps in as he silently observed the interaction between Ace and the stable master, he couldn't help but feel those initial thoughts solidify all the more. Barking orders and pushing his weight about. How common.<br/><br/>As 'Gruffy' made his way out the door, Dane stepped to the side and gave him a polite nod of his head to acknowledge him. He hoped, at least, that it would make him feel less lowly after the other man's crass words. Once he passed, the man slowly made his way forward as Ace brought the frightened palomino towards him. He stopped as it pulled back, a soft frown there that disappeared back into that placid line of his pale lips.<br/><br/>"I am not very good with animals. They tend not to like me."<br/><br/>As if to render his point moot, the tiny kitten perched on his shoulder, turned and then gave a shaky leap to the side of his head. It managed, without his assistance, to perch itself atop it. Dane's already flat expression leveled out even more so. He ignored it the best he could.<br/><br/>"What would you suggest we do," he sighed, "when the owners of these animals decide they wouldn't like to lose them in the middle of this god forsaken place? I highly doubt anyone who has a horse would like to be stranded her on foot." He assumed, of course, the man would continue tossing his prowess about and likely try to strong arm them into giving them up.<br/><br/>"I would think," came Caine's voice from the door, "that they can be reasoned with and, for the right price, anything is for sale." And, sometimes, that price was their life. He'd watched stable master go and sauntered his way toward them. Judging by the look on the man's face, there was something going on that he'd need to be part of.<br/><br/>The answers weren’t exactly fooling Dane and he nearly shook his head before reaching up and snatching the small grey animal off of it as he stated, “Lovely. Just how I wanted to start an honest job- a bit of strong arming. Nothing like going into unfamiliar lands ahead while leaving an unfriendly path behind. It’s always a good idea to fall back to the safety of carved daggers.” The sarcasm there was rolling from the annoyance that was working its way into him. He’d simply wanted a job that would keep him moving without having to worry about bringing attention to himself anywhere along his path. This was failing as far as fitting his expectations.<br/><br/>“Sometimes you have to forgo your favorite strategy and be just a little flexible. You never know, they might be looking forward to a little extra coin…or, well, we could just save the trouble of asking.”<br/><br/>Dane’s nose wrinkled. “I’m not stealing another man’s horse.”  A horse left unattended in a merchant’s herd, alright, but to steal directly from someone who might need it? No. He’d sunk low enough.<br/><br/>With a chuckle, Caine let his tongue run over and pop away from his teeth. “Mmm, I am sorry for the suggestion. I was merely thinking some way of alleviating you of your worries.” The amused gaze cut over to Dane with a question. Majorities did often make the rules, after all, and Dane would already find himself in an uncomfortable situation he tried to stay behind and reason with two riders who just had their horses stolen by the very men he’d been seen with.<br/><br/>His smirk cut a little deeper line on his face, brows raising slightly as his eyes remained on Ace.