The stranger does not move, does not even react as you dance into position before him, but you are difficult to deter - hunger sings through your veins. Glistening golden eyes do not waver from his pale, pink and freckled face.

Heartache stalks like a shadow behind you, creeping ever closer, snapping at your heels; though you are entirely oblivious as plumes of smoke tower above the ruins of your father’s kingdom, the paradise into which you were born. Peace is all you have ever known; love and safety, but all are no longer. Your family have been broken, crushed like the withered Orangemoon leaf. Deep below the frivolous crust of your infancy, your soul is pining and overwhelmed by sorrow, touched by a dream - or a nightmare - though it will be many years before you truly understand the harrow of loss. The pieces of the puzzle lay strewn throughout this world, fragments of you childhood, your life, stolen by self-righteous creatures - the bloodthirsty and cruellest of Helovia. The ache is small thus far, a puny seed- but it will grow to blossom, fed by your own conviction, fuelled by the echo of your father’s final words.

Your generous smile only broadens when his ink blue eyes find your face.

This stallion stands tall before your slim, immature frame, forcing your dimpled black chin to rise. The sun sinks from on high through the sparse, pine canopy, in visible golden shafts around you both - filled with wandering dust and mould that would otherwise exist beyond realisation. The forest this morning is beautiful, misleadingly tranquil; even the low breeze that stirs the pallid down-hair in your mane whispers not of the wrath to the east. His teeth part at last, but reveal only a sound, confusion - your fine ears flicker as you fight to find meaning from its midst, you want to understand. The forward pitch of his rounded, cream ears wilts suddenly and his nostrils rattle in unison. The simplicity of conversation remains still a mystery to you; a babe, still learning, you glance down to consider what next you should say. He speaks again though and relief sweeps through your core. Your fluttering eyes lift eagerly, and so does your posture; shoulders roll and hips straighten. You understand his question and don’t hesitate to answer…

“Ma!” you explain quickly, “Da!” They will be waiting for you - no, searching for you… Suddenly the error in this narrow-minded quest dawns and you turn entirely to gaze in the direction from which you and Hanna have come. “Deep Forest…!” is where you mother told you to hide. You never made it there though - could not remember the way - and your scattering thoughts recall Zero, who had chased away the darkness throughout your first night spent alone. Hanna wriggles restlessly, confused by the weight of your floundering mind - even if true clarity was far beyond either of your childish capacity. You have never wished so desperately for the closeness of your parents as you do in this moment, and your pleading eyes mellow with worry.