Had I been approached and asked an opinion on my new home, I wouldn't know how to answer. There wasn't a single doubt in my mind that it was leagues better than my home in the mostly racist Basin, for I was never meant with a harsh eye and the others who called these rolling hills home were always more than happy to speak with me. Those occasions had been few and far between, however, for it wasn't often that I went out of my way to approach a stranger. Personally, I blamed it on my lack of social skills, seemingly handed down to me by that of my father...

As solitary as I was, I often sought the company of others, at least visually. The simple fact of knowing that I had not been abandoned and that the rest had not up and left during the night was all that I needed to remain comforted. This day was no different, and it was only with mild panic that I had awoken to find myself completely and utterly alone. I doubted that my newfound herd had truly deserted these hills while I rested, but I couldn't help the yearning I felt for the sight of another in the first few, sleepy moments. With a shake of my head, I did the best I could to wake myself up and get a move on with my day.

The morning was still young, for the sun had just barely risen from its slumber and was only now beginning its descent into the clear cerulean sky. There was a light breeze that set to ruffling my mane about as I hoisted myself into a trot, making a swift reminder that the unforgiving season of Frostfall would soon be upon the land of Helovia. I embraced the wind, however, lifting my head and joyously allowing it to run its silken fingers through my mane. This wind, I knew, was an extension of my mother, something I had and always would hold near and dear to me. Was this her way of wishing me a good morning, I wondered?

But before I could get too far in my journey, the sound of thundering hooves caught in my ears, and I came to an abrupt halt so that I may hear better. Not a moment later, a chorus of barking filled the chilly morning air, and up ahead I could hear the snapping of hooves beneath foot and the rustling of fallen leaves. A flash of black caught my eye through the trees, and then another; who was it? Normally I might have been more cautious than to approach, but the barks I had heard did not sing a song of fear. It was one of pure joy, and I wished nothing more than to see just what there was to be so happy about.

Quickly closing the gap between myself and the more thickly wooded area, my eyes found the towering form of a smoky stallion. I knew I had never lain eyes on him before, but there was something so strikingly familiar about him... and realization hit me when my eyes found the tawny contraption bound around his face. With a glance to the canine accompanying him, I miraculously pulled a name to her face. In a whirlwind of thoughts, I recalled my conversation with this pair many a season ago.

"Sometimes when I speak, I am someone else."

"... Knox?" I forced myself to speak up, hoping he wouldn't be too put off by my bout of staring, "Is that you? And, Manhattan..." Though, could it really be them? I recalled the strange thing to have been white back then, not to mention the stallion now seemed even taller despite my own spurts of growth since then.

"Do you remember me? My name is Mesec."