He rolled his shoulders, stepping a few paces off, preparing to depart.
@James
He rolled his shoulders, stepping a few paces off, preparing to depart.
James nodded and stood, stretching out before trotting after Pride to see him depart,
He smiled and stepped back, turning to return to his bed, flopping down in absolute exhaustion.
That was enough emotional turmoil for one day. He curled up and sighed gently, remaining there for a moment or two before standing up and moving towards the chrysalis instead.
He flopped down there and rested his head against the stone, trilling quietly as he rested, waiting for Comet to come home.
Part of him was aching to get back--to see his daughter, to check her over (a father's instincts). But Mischief was keeping watch, a tired but alert watch with the senses of a hare, and so Pride's departure was unhurried. He didn't rush away from James, instead offering him another nod, a glance--as if to assure himself that the horse was all right.
Only then did he leave, picking up into a clipping trot. He felt drained--but that was all right. He hadn't realized how much weight lay on James.
At the very least he'd be there in the future for when the horse wanted to talk. And hopefully next time, James wouldn't wait quite so long to do so.
Pride hoped that this time, at least, had been some comfort to him, and some help.