Lovingly his sculptured ears listened to her words, standing like toy soldiers to attention, pleased that their bond allowed unquestionable trust to permit such secrets of one’s past be uncovered. He was forever learning new angles about her mysterious character, he wanted to know her entirety, but he figured that would take a lifetime to learn (which he was more than happy to spend), and would settle for whatever she deigned to reveal about herself. He had spoken of his own beloved, upbeat family to her previously, and he was delighted to hear that a similar relationship existed in her past, the strong, unique tie of siblinghood. He didn’t mind that she had not mentioned her sister before, and he offered his plush, soft muzzle against her hide in attempts to wipe away any guilt she might have felt. Azzuen thought of his family often, and though he knew they all walked the afterlife now, beforehand, he hadn’t known whether his brother was dead or alive. To find him alive, and then to have him die – it was torturous, and if he could have, he would reverse the clock and spend more time with him – but at least now he knew his brother’s soul was able to rest in peace. He had to focus on the living now, in order to keep on living himself.

“Life has a way of throwing distractions in our path, causing one to think of things they might have never considered before.” He smiled warmly, lipping gently at the wet strands of silken mane that hung limply from her nape. “Though many years and even more miles separated me and my brother, and now death… our bond will never die.” He spoke slowly, words deliberate and careful as he brought up his brother’s passing. It took a lot of focus for him to not allow the misery to drag him down again. Was he wasting energy in loving his dead sibling? He still cherished the memories he held of his parents, and he knew that when he walked in the afterlife with them, he would still love them. There was no way for the honest steed to demonstrate control over who his welcoming heart loved, breathing or no, but he could attempt to control his ever-changing happiness. Shutting his charred eyelids, he frowned, wrinkles coursing over his brow, for a handful of seconds, realigning his thoughts to more brighter happenings.

His attempts seemed to work, for soon enough the planes of his façade returned to their smooth, sculptured magnificence, his handsome smile not marred by warring emotions any longer. He was getting better, it simply took practise, and diligence, both things which were inherent features of this charismatic individual. “What is her name?” He asked after the identity of her sister. He knew Cass’ scent well enough, and he was confident that he would have been able to identify a sibling of hers based upon that, particularly if he employed the magic that was instinctual for him, to enhance his sense of smell. “Tell me about her, about your family –if you would be so kind.” Nudging her, he invited her speech to continue, longing to hear what her curvaceously carved lips would reveal of the maiden he had grown to love and cherish more than his own life. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the Pegasus filly they had created darting in and out of the trees, looking for a suitable leaf to try and dislodge. The young belle would be kept preoccupied a little while longer before she figured out how to dislodge a leaf from the tall, swaying palm trees.