The filly’s reaction was strange. She recoiled slowly, at first, before finally being stirred into action and moving away from him to hide behind her mother. Ernesto could not exactly say that he was hurt by the child’s reaction – she was just a child, after all – but he was somewhat confused by it. Children were usually so inquisitive, and yet this daughter of theirs seemed decidedly uninterested.

He returned his attention to Selenium as she began to speak, and although she seemed to be taking care to control her words the panic seemed evident on her face and in her eyes until at last it burst from her with a sob.

Ernesto’s ears flicked back in worry for a moment, and he reached out instinctively to comfort her, stepping closer and moving to run his nose down the side of her neck. It was unnerving to see Selenium like this – although he couldn’t say that he knew her very well, his impression of her was certainly one of a strong woman who was fazed by little.

This reaction showed the intensity of her worry.

“Shh,” Ernesto murmured, trying to comfort her as best he could. “It’s not your fault, Selenium, you have no need to apologise. She’s just… different.”

ernesto
heartbreak is savvy and love is a bitch