In the depths of his soul that creature that still knew how to care awaited for that scoff, for the prying questions that the handful which had managed to pry his self-given name from his lips had been unable to resist. Perhaps it was not created by himself. Perhaps he truly never had been anyone. That his mother had not even deemed to give the little black colt a chance at being more than a shadow she wished to be lost away amongst the rest. He could believe it after those days and weeks she so grudgingly allowed him the nourishment to survive until he developed a taste for the long grasses. It was the kindest act she had ever given to him. And each time he was chased away with a fresh painful nip of teeth before he had had his fill. It was a wonder the colt had grown to the stallion that now stood. His sinewed form was no longer deprived, though it still bore the marks from those early days.
Yet no scoff nor questioning remark cut at the dark statue. Instead his clipped ears listened only to those soft sweet tones thanking him, uttering his name as though it were as natural as any other as a smile was issued his way. Eyes stared towards the golden angel silent and still as ever, yet beneath the surface a confusion nudged at him, tugged at his conscience. He always knew what to do. The stallion’s life required little thought or effort beyond following his bodies demands. Now he merely felt a small ripple of relief as her gaze lifted away from him to the heavens above. A sight that could surely provide far more comfort and answers to life than he.
Across his haunches his tail flicked, an idle automatic motion as he tugged his gaze aside, aware only as she turned back that he had come to stare too long. For a moment a crack appeared in the impassive facade, a flicker of puzzlement stirring across his face dragged up before he could still it. The lady must truly have been lonely if she had found in him a useful companion he felt. Yet even as that thought was pushed aside she awoke within him another, dark eyes turning to stare at the falls to hide their hesitation.
What did he search for? Nothing was the automatic answer that echoed through his mind. He searched for nothing and nothing awaited him. He would linger a while until his limbs decided it time to wander on again to find fresh shadows to hide within. But something stopped him from uttering such empty hopeless words. Her shimmering frame stood like a beacon of life and hope. Untouchable, yet to be encouraged, not quenched by his empty shadows. "I am glad I could help at least a little.." the words formed somewhat wooden and unnatural, but some response was required. Silence fell back upon him for a moment before a few words slipped forth, a rare firm insistence to the low tones, "You will find somewhere safe?"
