There was no way to know for certain what sort of response he might have received from his mother to his question - he hoped she would be kind, at least, whatever she decided to say. And she was - a small rush of air in a soft sigh escaping him when it was confirmed that Zero had been healed, that he was still living. Of course, Mesec wanted Zero to thrive, not just live, but he appreciated that he even got an answer so for now that little bit of news was enough. He got the confirmation that Gaucho and Ampere had been able to take care of the wounds Zero had suffered. At least the physical ones.

He stood quietly, listening to his mother as she spoke, but this time he did not argue when she said she was proud of him. Perhaps it was a combination of the warm rush of air, a soft caress on his neck and through his mane, and the kind words that accompanied them.

They did not erase the hurt that weighed down his heart but they did help. He needed this softness from her as much as he needed her honesty.

Mesec’s silver eyes widened at the offer of a gift - watching the sparkling, starlight key with awe as she explained what it could do. Immediately, his thoughts went to Zero - wondering if he could use the key to protect the boy from what had happened. But, then, Mesec would actually need to get close enough to do that… And what was the likelihood that he would ever be forgiven? He did not deserve to be forgiven.

But these were things to consider later. For now, he nodded at her warning to use it wisely - Lucius chortling at the idea that Mesec would do anything other than agonize and mull over the gift he had been given. Making a point of ignoring those chuckles, Mesec reached out to carefully take the key before turning and offering it to Lucius for temporary safekeeping. “Thank you, mother.” He smiled faintly at her when he turned back around - truly appreciating the gift and her words, as difficult as it was to convey any joy while still feeling this hollow.

There was a small breath of silence while Mesec tried to arrange his thoughts, tried to figure out what of the dozens of questions was the most important to say now, while she was still here. In the end it was the largest question - the one that haunted him. “What do you think I should do now?” He wanted to hear her opinion, assuming she had one, believing the Moon would be able to shed some light through the fog in his mind. He needed a nudge, a suggestion, because right now he didn't even know where to start.