Not surprisingly, Gaucho was continuing to say stupid things that only worsened his situation. At Sohalia's feet, Mara was doing everything she could to try and communicate with either the Zephyr or mare. She bombarded them with images of confusion, the word amnesia, and of Gaucho repeatedly telling her that he did not remember. Although the snake had never tried to communicate mentally with anyone but Gaucho before, she was starting to realize that it wouldn't work. Unlike Gaucho's mind, which was an easily negotiable hole, their minds were like steeled-walls. Completely impermeable, no mater how hard she tried. And so, not wanting to give up, she continued to hiss and shake her head.

You used to call me Soh.

Soh? The word sent a dry chill down Gaucho's spine, causing the WildFire to noticeably start. His black nostrils flared, as his ears twitched. He retreated into his mind, to try and find the source, but, of course, it was already gone. Soh... it meant something to him, didn't it? LOVE HEERRRRRRR, Mara practically screamed from her place on the ground. The snake turned now from waving at Sohalia, to waving at Gaucho, who did understand her. Ssssssssoh! She repeated, once again flooding his mind of times that the two of them had spent together. Although these images were brief, they were nonetheless passionate, just like the courtship had been between the two.

Coincidentally, Mara once again forced the image of the crystal rose into Gaucho's daft mind, just as Soh threw the pendant to the ground. How he had painstakingly found one perfect enough for her, how he had arrived to find her upset, confiding in the shiny pegasus. How he had dropped it into the sands, nearly wilted from the journey anyways, but how Sohalia had saved it - preserving it forever. The thud from the crystal caused the dun's head to turn, and he focused on the object curiously. Same..? He wondered to himself, completely lost to the wave of emotion currently drowning Sohalia. His mind was far too overloaded in piecing together this simple puzzle.

Just Soh...

And suddenly, she was pressed against him.

Without even a moments hesitation or thought, Gaucho's wings stretched forward, encircling the petite mare. His fire cast wondrous shadows upon her pristine coat, but even as the flames rested upon her wither, they did not burn. The only heat produced was that from his own body. Surprised by this unconscious act, Gaucho's blocky skull rose slightly - which was quite easy to do, given Sohalia's short stature - to peer down at the mare pressed tightly against his striped chest.

I loved you, you know. Maybe I still do.

On the ground, Mara was silent. She was afraid if she interfered, whatever in Gaucho that had forced him to accept Sohalia's embrace, would suddenly slip back into the darkness. He seemed to be remembering, but the snake didn't know what, or how it had been triggered. As silently as she could, she slithered over to where the crystalline rose had fallen, curling her steel colored body over it protectively.

Gaucho's dark nose lowered to the crest of Sohalia's neck, gently moving her mane in a soft caress. It was exceedingly gentle for Gaucho, almost as if he weren't sure if he was allowed. His wings locked on the small of her back, resting easily there. The two simply fit together. If she could preserve the rose...could she preserve this? As his antlered skull lowered, as if once again making a cave for the two, as he had done so long ago, the WildFire sighed as his pierced-nose rounded inwards, resting just to the side of her cheek. "Gaucho not remember..." He whispered, normally rough voice soft with emotion and uncertainty. In the grass, Mara raised her head slightly hurt. Her bonded had defied violently the idea that it was simply amnesia, instead thinking it was a trick. She had sent him countless images to try and convince him that he was simply not remembering...and yet he was now confiding to Sohalia? Well...better than nothing...

"Soh He began, emphasizing her name, as he leaned his cheek against herself, though still holding his head high enough so that their muzzles failed to tough, although only slightly. "Not remember...anything. Gaucho not mean to...to hurt Soh."