He had been expecting one family, his first family, but the warm face that greeted them was not D'Artagnan or any of his clan. It was Ophelia! He had glimpsed her in the crowd at Hototo's grave site but there had been no time to go to her then. Now, his face brightened with a sudden smile and he rushed forward to accept her embrace - burrowing his muzzle in her mane as he exhaled a very quiet, just-for-her, "It’s good to see you too, mom" before inhaling her scent, feeling like a yearling again. He couldn’t remember ever addressing her with that word before, not in such a direct manner, despite considering her a second mother since she had given him a home and family a few years ago. In this moment, however, it felt important to say it now. To make the distinction between her and his birth mother, even if it was only for himself.

He could not shake that smile now, not after embracing her and hearing her words. She was here, in the Basin! When they parted, he cleared his throat quietly - dislodging the thick, near-choking feeling that came with an emotional wave. "Thank you." Such a simple, understated response to how it felt to hear Ophelia say that she was proud to see him as he was. With a few meaningful sentences she gave him such courage. He might not see what there was to be proud of in himself, but how could he doubt her sincerity? "Have you been well? I did not think to see you here in the Basin." If the smile wasn’t enough, the warmth in his voice certainly made it clear that it was a pleasant surprise.

He did not feel sheepish about this obvious display of affection in front of all these near-strangers at first, but it settled in when he looked around. Two other unicorns joined them then - a familiar face that introduced himself as Deimos, Lord of the Basin, and another that was Roland, Thief. To them both Mesec gave a polite nod of greeting, unsure as to whether he should say something - choosing instead to follow Bucephalus’ lead. With Ophelia's blessing, they were welcomed inside the Basin. Mesec, for his part, tried not to fumble as he entered the herdland he had left as a yearling, feeling watched by the giant mechanical sentinel, but the sight of summer in the Basin was a welcoming one. Perhaps not quite relaxed, Mesec felt less on edge in the company that he stood in now than he expected to. Once comfortably inside, their message was relayed by Bucephalus and Mesec stayed quiet - watching for the reaction from their hosts. He had only one experience with their captive, when Helovia was in the caves - she was one of the last faces he had seen before being summoned by his mother, her uncomfortable presence marring the reunion he had been celebrating with a friend.

I’m trying to find my direction home, ______________
A question of space, a matter of time, _______
I follow the stars until the first light.