He had not been doing as much as he should, and the thought filled the horned brute with nothing but guilt and anxiety. Was it right of him to be here, within the Edge with those that he had used to call 'family'? Was he letting them down, as he had done in the Foothills? Gods... Perhaps he should have stayed within the Forest. At least he wouldn't be disappointing those who loved him, who believed in him... If anyone did.

A sharp, minutely painful sensation snapped the overo from his dark and troubled thoughts, head turning to spot the creator of such a tiny affliction. It was Zola, standing upon his withers with tiny claws digging into his hide. The black, eyeless feline stared at the overo's face through empty sockets, but even though the cat's eyes were empty, Apollo had no doubt in his mind that she could see him. The black feline flicked her tail and growled a discontented sound. Annoyance trickled through their bond, curling its way through his veins and seeming to hold, soothe, and admonish his troubled heart, and the Merciful stallion heaved a tired sigh. Even without words, he knew what Zola was trying to say.

An image, however brief, displayed the beauty that was Lakota and Ktulu, flashing across his mind's eye as Zola reminded him just why he was here. Another of Archibald and Loretta, of Kaj, of Resplendence... Everyone who he cared about, and who cared about him. They were why he was here...

"I know..." Apollo murmured, deep tones soft and uncertain, "But... I'm so useless, Zola. What can I do? How can I help?" The annoyance that had so delicately curled about his heart had turned into something akin to love, to adoration and reassuring understanding. A warm, resonating purr emitted from the depths of Zola's tiny chest, soothing to the sound and the feel against his spine.

Nuzzling his muzzle against the cat's soft fur, Apollo heaved a sigh. Help, indeed... His only skills were in healing, and the Edge already had a plethora of doctors and nurses. Would he be a help, or a hindrance?

It was while he was caught in the midst of such a foolish musing that Zola made a sound of distress, and the stallion spotted the cause of it a second later. Valiance, the Companion of Miss Resplendence, shot through the air, twirled about his head before darting off once more, leaving the stag standing in confusion and surprise. Was... He being beckoned? Was Resplendence alright?

Zola, Gods bless her, clamped on tightly to the stallion's mane with her mouth and dug her tiny claws into his skin, her mind urging him on. 'Go! Go!' She seemed to be saying through actions alone, as though understanding whatever message Valiance had been trying to display, and all dark thoughts forgotten, Apollo hurried after the dragon. It didn't take long for them to stumble, almost quite literally, to where Resplendence stood, herbs and plants settled upon a rock as though on display.

"Miss Resplendence?" Apollo asked, honey-brown eyes wide as Zola peered with socket-less eyes over his shoulder. "Are you alright? I saw Valiance, and... I was concerned, ma'am."

ooc: -coughs- I'm rusty for Apoderp. But he wants to see what the hub-ub is about, work on his doctor knowledge, and perhaps inquire about becoming a nurse for the Edge. :3 Thanks for letting him join!