Ernesto noted the strain that seemed to taint Selenium’s smile, if the shape her mouth made in response to his greeting could even be called that. In the back of his mind he wondered what had her looking so tense, although for now he put it down to the simple stress of being a new mother.

“Silicon,” he repeated, glancing between Selenium and the filly. The name was foreign and felt strange on his tongue, but he would soon get used to it as he was getting used to the rest of the names around these parts.

The filly, on the other hand, did not seem quite as interested as her father. Although he lowered his nose to her she did not stir with the inquisitiveness he expected from a child, but she did not seem frightened either as she did not seem to pull away or squirm.

It was a curious reaction, but Ernest had only just met the girl and didn’t feel in much of a position to judge. He reached out to bump his nose against her cheek gently anyway, if she would let him, before lifting his head and returning his attention to Selenium.

“Maravilloso,” he commented simply, despite the child’s quiet response. She was still a beautiful little thing, he wasn’t about to deny that.

“How have you been, mi querido?” he asked then, returning to his easy, relaxed tone as he shifted his weight to one side with a warm smile. “Both of you.”

ernesto
heartbreak is savvy and love is a bitch