Sensing his lack of enthusiasm at her talk of faith, she bit back her desire to delve deeper into that subject. She had realized early on that few were as devoted to the gods as she was, and while she found it wasteful her teacher had taught her that religion was something very personal. It was not something one ought to shove down the throat of those who had no interest in it, but rather something to discuss and share with others of similar interests. She were to explain and teach those who were ignorant or curious, certainly, and maintain suitable levels of respect and courtesy within everyone else, but no more.

It was a shame, really. If there was ever a subject Erthë could have gone on and on about it was the Moon Goddess and her brothers, their powers and purpose and the role mortals played within this enchanted realm they had created. Inevitably however, such topics would steer from magic and prayers to war and struggles and right back to Kaos, and as she had just pointed out, it was a depressing topic.

"I don't exactly know" she admitted, in reply to Volterra's question. "I just..."

... and suddenly her eyes were swimming with black as she was enveloped in Volterra's warm embrace. The little mare was startled into silence and stood very still, wide eyed and disbelieving. Hardly daring to breathe, her mind reeled with the unexpected turn the situation had taken. It was hard to formulate into words exactly what it was that surprised her so; if it was the impulsive act of compassion from her macho, übermanly and standoffish friend, the fact that he had even noticed her distraught state of mind... or her own reaction to it.

It was not... unpleasant. Hot, of course. Warm, very nearly stifling, and burning where his body pressed into hers. She could feel every inch of skin tingle where his touch lingered, and as if in response to his high temperature a rare heat blossomed within herself, so unusual that the young girl barely recognized it.

Over the course of several alarmed heartbeats she struggled against the notion, the idea that this brotherly figure, this friend of hers could be able to affect her in any way besides general fondness and the generous familiar love she poured over everyone she knew. Her tension was barely noticeable, and lasted a mere instant... then the little mare relaxed and pressed herself a fraction closer, cheeks flushed with embarrassment and heart racing over her own daring.

But hey. He had started it. If he didn't like it, he could step away again, and nothing would have changed. Nothing at all. Right?

"... anything is fine" she managed to say, though her head was so full of new notions that it was hard to formulate anything remotely intelligent. "Just tell me something... happy?"

Big girls cry when their hearts are breaking