I felt myself slipping away. Slipping from this conversation, feelings, the loneliness. This conversation is too painful. The young lad tries to shed light on his situation, but I get the sense it's not truly like that. I'm not sure if my mind is now making things up, or if the boy truly feels lonely. My contorted face relaxes marginally, my petty anger at the mention of Gaucho fades away, replaced by nothing but a neutral expression. His father keeps the herd safe and his mother teaches the herd. In all honesty, the colt looks like a yearling. When I was less than a yearling, I was horrifyingly alone. I came to Helovia at the age of one, joined the Throat, and was basically alone. At one and a half a stallion tried to take my wings. At two, I was an outcast, not even in a herd. Yet, this boy, he seems upset that his parents don't have time for him? I do not really understand him, or this. If he's so lonely, why doesn't he leave, find a new herd that will accept him and nurture him into a worthy stallion?

His facade of bravery and positivity falters when he cannot name anyone. He has no friends, no one to be with... At all? Destry takes pity on the boy and explains that she has been through the same experience. Her gentle and kind soul begins to break, showing the cracks, revealing inner turmoil. I let my muzzle drop to her, press into her, comfort her. My eyelids flutter as my muzzle retreats, she turns to face me. Destry is a loving mare, one I don't deserve. She is like the rainbow after a storm (no doubt I am the storm), or a warm breeze after a cold winter. She claims that her life was like that until only a few seasons ago. Because I changed it, maybe? I feel my lips part into a toothy grin. I get the slight suspicion she speaks of me. A warmth erupts inside me, but it's not the kind that makes my hide burn with bright flames. This warmth is different, gentler.

Deciding I should speak, I clear my throat and begin. "Not long ago, I had no will to live. I did not want to continue the journey that is life. I figured that if I layed down and never once got up again, my problems would disappear, but then I would too. I remember thinking that absolutely no one would miss me, but that was a lie. I had fallen for a certain lady," I peered at Destry for a moment before my gaze returned to the metallic colored youngin. "a certain lady that felt the same way I did. She would miss me. And in the afterlife, if there truly is one, I would miss her. I would regret my decision to leave her, this world, everything. There is always someone who will miss you, someone's heart will break at the news of a death. It may seem like they don't care, or that you are not enough, but you are. Parents do not always know everything, they may not know you feel this way, or any way, really. Communication helps any relationship, I am sure of it." I felt my words leave my mouth in a gentle song-like voice. This was a voice that I seldom used. Truly, I do care what happens to the boy. Sadness is the greatest hindrance for growth and prosperity. If the boy still feels sad in a week or so, maybe I could introduce him to a certain set of twins that were also abandoned, or felt abandoned, by their young, gold-flecked, fiery mom.