Just close your eyes, the sun is going down
You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now
Come morning light, You and I'll be safe and sound

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She is left to her own devices most of the time.

The winters here are cold and Vanille’s buckskin coat gets as thick as a munchkin’s belly. She almost resembled an Icelandic pony, my gosh, imagine that! She used to chuckle at herself, her black tipped ears swiveling back and forth as she made funny faces in the water.

Then summer came and babies came too. Vanille had been overjoyed to see the cute little fluff balls and as the snow began to melt and reveal the sparse grass underneath, she had taken to mediation.

Mediation is good for the soul, ya know?

She watches Solgar from a distance, too young, too afraid to call for him. He always seems busy and when he isn’t, he is bestowing affection on Winter or Briar or one of the other more mature mares. Does he find her annoying? Robyn had used that term a lot, ‘annoying’ or ‘go die, alien’ and of course, ‘contacting your home planet?’ when Vanille had talked to birds. She had not understood her funny mother, not realized that she was pushing her away but Vanille realizes now that her carefree approach to life is not easily swallowed by many.

Today though she is pushed by loneliness to do something different. Her yellow coat shines and her black tail flicks nervously as she steps towards the shore. She calls for Solgar, her first time in so long, his name sounds funny on her black lips and she turns a head back towards the inlet. Will he come? And if he does, what shall she say?

Vanille lightly dips her hooves in the chilly water, watching as the ripples move out to sea.

Vanille
hold onto this lullaby

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