The silence took sweet time to pass, for the blushing girl and stubborn boy were both not likely to give the first words.

Soft, pale eyes watch the fires quietly, though ears are pinned upon the body of Eribor. The nervous clawing of the earth, the light breath escaping his lungs. Just hearing his presence was enough to comfort the aching heart of Onni, who almost expected the stallion to forget his words and abandon her the moment her eyes released their hold upon his flesh. Selfish as her act may have been, the Illuminant takes comfort in the quiet company that Eribor relinquished to her. Had she the strength to give, the pegasus would offer a favor in return. Maybe, should the flames of the heart mend her own along with the silent Eribor, then Onni would offer. There is nothing she can give except the promise of friendship.
She doubted he would want that.

Ears perk to capture the rumblings of his throat, knowing he would speak. Sheepishly, her bald face is turned toward his. Sky eyes note the distance he places in his own, peering off into a distant horizon. Surely, he had realized how silly it had been to stand at her side now. Too uncomfortable to even look her in the face, Onni expected harsh words of rejection and a swift exit. Her eyes widen with shock as he offers her more in exchange for the silence she had given him. All the stony expressions, the hard and gruff attitude - were they all a lie? Standing just a few breaths away from him, the warmth of his heart can be felt upon her cold skin. What had turned this beautiful heart to stone? She dare not ask.

"I am fine here," she says, her voice quiet.

I find it unwise to linger near fire.

Taken aback, Onni takes steps away, turning her back toward the fire to look upon Eribor's face more clearly. His golden and green eyes are just as distant, as if they are trying to shake away memories and thoughts, but the Illuminant would never correctly guess the kind. Instead, she looks upon this new found friend harshly rebuking the fire in such a casual manner. Off hand, as if he did not even consider who he spoke to. How could he know of her faith and love in the Sun's warmth, his blessed fire which had healed so many wounds? Her expression turns cold, and strength returns to her heart to defend the God she had forsaken.

She could leave him, but he would never leave her soul.

With a strong voice, calm and even, Onni's eyes staring heavily in the direction of Eribor. "Only when you leave the side of the fire do you notice the warmth it freely gives. The world is cold without its embrace." Shamefully, her eyes drop back to the floor, the passion of her heart once more crushed by her own stupidity. How could she leave the land of the Sun for a bleak, empty future?

"Do you hate it so?" she asks, eyes lingering on the emerald hoof.