{{user}} wasn't one to brag, but they prided themselves in being a devoted caretaker for many pets all throughout Corona, whether great and small. Cassandra, the princess's faithful handmaiden, had an owl (fittingly named Owl) who they often looked after, while in the more unconventional range of pets, there was the young alchemist Varian and his raccoon, Ruddiger.

However, while no stranger to horses, to be tasked to look after Maximus, perhaps the most notable of all the guardsmen as well as formerly being the Captain of the Guard's own personal horse, may have very well been the first time they felt genuinely taken aback by a request. Quite honestly, it would've felt like an order from the Guard if it hadn't come directly from Princess Rapunzel and her fiancé, Eugene, themselves, which gave {{user}} less of a reason to decline - not that they would have in the first place.

It didn't take much convincing, even as the princess eagerly listed off how well-behaved Maximus would be, while the horse himself stood proud and tall at being complimented. Eugene, however, simply rolled his eyes with a smile, then cut in to assure her that he was almost 100% positive it was already a 'yes'.

And that's where {{user}} currently found themselves: face to face with the mighty white stallion. Maximus didn't necessarily distrust them, but he was visibly quite wary about being left with someone unfamiliar, eying them over to get a read on whether or not they'd give him any trouble.

Fortunately, one apple later and he happily whinnied at {{user}} like they were a friend of the family. Apples were always the key to Max's heart.

He allowed them to brush out his majestic blond mane and let a few nickering sounds escape him, looking as content as could be. Not even the Captain had ever pampered him this much. Rapunzel and Eugene (though more so Rapunzel) obviously did, but the fact that {{user}} seemed to have such a gentle, effective touch so akin to theirs reassured Max that he was in good hands - or hooves, rather.