"That's good of you," is said very sincerely. Ellis' voice warms over the praise, moving past Bastien to pass his hands down the horse's neck, shoulder, then chest, crouching to carefully run his hands down one leg.

"Have you decided on a name?"

Bastien seems either unbothered or charmed by the biting, so Ellis doesn't count it against the beast. It suits, somewhat. From the stable floor, he points out, "You're charming enough that I've gone mostly unnoticed."