Rigidity greeted her in Moth. Onni was not particularly surprised. Normally she was not so frightened. Even on that day, being chased by the shadow creature from the Dreamscape, she had no acted so paralyzed with fear. It was curious to think about, really. Collected when faced with a real monster, but nothing but a quivering pile of shambles when left in a dark cave. No wonder Moth stood stupified as she practically whimpered like some frightened child in a harmless cave.

The tension eased slightly as the mare pulled away, and for that she was glad. Knowing that his body was still stressed, Onni had the feeling that her abnormal actions would probably only make it worse. Her choked words sounded stupid, and bitterly she snorted at the end of her apology at her own foolishness. Even though Moth calmed at her words, she did not entirely. The weakness of her knees subsided, her breath still holding steady as she brought the moist air in and out through her lungs. Her flaws painted on the backs of her eyelids as she closed them in shame. Her pale irises were not seeing anything in this light, anyway. At least this false night would seem to be of her own doing.

Rather than the chiding words she would have received from her mother, or the mocking tone someone else likely would have used, Moth's voice was gentle, like the light touch of a breeze. Onni opens her eyes, finding that small droplets of tears had formed there, her former anxiety stressing her body. Afraid of the dark, afraid of being inadequate, afraid he would laugh... all things that were terribly blown out of proportion to an outside observer, but still enough to shake the heart of the young mare.

Softer than his voice, the cool brush of feathers against her back. Turning her head, Onni hopelessly strains to see the limb stretched over her own wings, unsure of whether she is to believe her senses. After all, Moth had never really attempted to console her before, had never even really touched her so purposefully. While her fear dwindled, something else began to make her heart race, but she was quite certain it had to do with guilt. Moth, who was ill, should not be comforting her, who is in perfect health. Onni turns her neck back forward, after the failed attempt at seeing in the dark.

A shy laugh perks out of her mouth at his joke, her ears tugging forward and staying put this time. Her giggle bounces off the walls of the cave, amidst the sound of falling water. He was right, though. Onni had not noticed any unusually scent in the cave - it was just her fear getting the better of her yet again. The relief did not last long, though, as Moth's suggestion to leave comes forth. Immediately, Onni turns her head to look blindly at Moth in the darkness, or what she thought would be his face, her voice zooming out before he even finishes his sentence.

"Oh, no," she says, a new form of anxiety forming. "I can't ask you to leave here just because I was being silly." The barrage of words rains out quickly, in a panicked manner. "You should be in a cooler environment and get some rest, really. Don't let me trouble you!" She takes a breath, letting it whistle out slightly as she settles down. "It's fine."

[ Onni: /flails at moth. ]
""