My sleek, black and white patchwork coat shone in the morning sun as I chose my steps carefully on the rock path. Under the shade of a tree, I stopped to rest. Damn leg. I said to myself, with a shake of my head. Since birth my leg was never really normal. Yes, I knew why. But who says I couldn't pretend it was from something else, something completley unrelated? Not that I knew anyone well enough for them to ask me.

Who's there?

My head shot up from its relaxed position, ears pricked, whole body alert. However, the voice sounded somewhat familiar. Sniffing the air, I tried to mentally search my mind to find a face that fit. Faith? I asked myself, taking another breath, confirming that it definitley was her.

Cutting across the trees, branches slashed across her coat, but she didn't notice much. Soon Faith's figure came into view, by the trickling river. Reminding myself that she was blind, I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat, not really knowing what to say.

"Uh..It's me... Nova."

I felt almost stupid telling her it was me, knowing well enough that her sense of hearing and smell were very well. My voice seemed to shake, more out of nervousness than anything else, but I hoped she didn't take much notice. I had my own theory about Faith. A theory that I honestly didn't know true, however seemed to fit my situation.

Uh..It's me... Nova. That smell...yes I did recognise it after all. My mind clicked with the thought, and something puzzled me. Shouldn't I be sad at what Nova's presence reminds me of? Or angry? Here was the reason of my most favourite horse alive's death, and even now, I didn't feel the hate I did that night all those moons ago. Now, here was someone I knew, and I felt almost relief when I realized it was her.

I noticed the shake in her voice, hearing tone changes and quivers were what I am attuned to, and snorted quietly to her. "Oh. Hello, Nova." I said, my tone softening. I twitched my ears and tilted my head to the side. "Come here, I don't even know if I'm looking at you or not." I nickered, inhaling deeply to pin point her scent.

[[sorry, lost muse for a second]]

Oh. Hello, Nova. Come here, I don't even know if I'm looking at you or not.

I heard her voice in a softer tone than I originally expected. A nicker sounded as I swallowed the lump rising in my throat. Taking a ragged sounding breath, I stepped closer, inching in front of the mare. I stopped, standing very still once I was right in front of her.

I uhhh... was just pas..sing through."

Sheesh, there I went with my ever annoying stuttering. A sigh sounded, but I didn't let it leave my lips as I shifted my weight from one foot to the other nervously.

**it's okay, mine has deserted me as well.**

The faint mix of Ace's and ... her scent became more concentrated as I heard her come forward. I uhhh... was just pas..sing through. I heard her say, and I was held by a sudden tormenting grief at knowing she was planning to leave. That I would be alone again, alone with my thoughts...my dreams. They hurt me the most, and I could never escape then. I would just wade them out with the same shocking emotion every time, while I knew it would happen, it hurt the same.

I reached my nares out and sniffed around until my lips meet her forehead, her forelock tickled my chin and I rested there, trying to imagine what she would look like.... and failed terribly. "I'm not regretful that my sight wasn't with me as I came into this world, but times like these I almost wish I was normal." I mumbled, pulling away and cocking an ear forth.

"You may want to pass through now... but..could you please.." I took a shuddering breath and rushed the next words out so fast I would have been surprised that she could understand. "Couldyoupleasestayabitlonger?"

My soft, hazel pools watched carefully as she reached out her muzzle to touch my forelock. Despite knowing she didn't seem like a threat to me anymore, I still couldn't help but swallow through my thoroughly dry throat. The past still hung in the air as I tried hard to forget it. I hated that I was remembering it, and somehow I thought she knew it. I'm not regretful that my sight wasn't with me as I came into this world, but times like these I almost wish I was normal. Her mumble reached my auds easily as she pulled back. Normal..? I didn't like thinking of her that way. She wasn't... abnormal. If I was telling the truth, she didn't seem much like that day I met her... which definitley wasn't a great first impression.

You may want to pass through now... but..could you please..

A shuddering breath seperated her words, as I waited for her voice to sound again. Please...stay...longer ? Were the only three words I caught out of the jumble, but made enough sense to me. But when I really thought about her words, they surprised me. I would go as far to say they shocked me. I hoped it didn't show in my face so much, I had a bit of a habit of my facial expression betraying my emotion. Those were the last words I expected. Why would she want me around, anyway? Not that I intended to ever say no, the look and the shuddering breath was enough to tell me that she seemed troubled in some way, as if she feared to be alone. But then again, what did I really know about her?

"I can... erm.. stay. "

Ugh. That came out wrong. But I was still almost in shock from her words.

I wished I could make out what she was thinking as she was silent for that short while. They would have been one of those times where I could see and maybe figure out what she was thinking. My... mother always used to say she could tell what I was feeling through my expression as easily as she could tell the seasons. I doubted that worked now. Because whatever emotion I had, it was either twisted with grief or touched with happiness. I can... erm.. stay. Her voice made me feel unwelcome. And she was right to not want to talk with me. I broke her leg, after all. I knew her steps when she walked, one just odd of her normal beat. She'd never walk easily again, let alone escape from predators easily. I felt chagrined knowing I caused it.

I pushed away her wording, thinking that if she really wanted to leave, she would say Ace was expecting her or something. That made me think about Ace, he surely must be suffering aswell. I know I used to blame him too, but, he never meant for the tragedy to happen. "Nova..." I sighed and shook my head. "How is Ace..? Is he...is he okay?" No, of course he won't be okay, but how else will I know?

Nova... How is Ace..? Is he...is he okay?

Ace. Okay. Those two words weren't really heard in a sentence... well, not for a while anyway. Sure, I could tell her Ace was fine, doing quite well actually. But then I would just be continuing his charade of a mask, almost a barrier, that Ace put up. There was no way to get past it. It was as if Ace himself had left a long time ago, like he was no longer really there.

"Ace... he's.. well... I suppose I would never know if this is normal for him or not. He's been the same ever since I was born.. its like he isn't even there anymore."

I soon found myself pouring my heart out to the mare, something I expected least from myself.

"I wish.. things were different. That I could talk to him about her.. but he won't. He just refuses..."

Feeling tears prick my eyes, I dropped my head to stare at the ground out of habit, despite the mare's impaired vision, I knew she would be able to tell somehow. She always seemed able to do that. And, in a way, being able to tell someone about all this was a relief. I had no one to console in, and I felt like I could finally breath through the stress that was upon me, since I was just old enough to understand. Maybe before then.

Ace... he's.. well... I suppose I would never know if this is normal for him or not. He's been the same ever since I was born.. its like he isn't even there anymore. I tried to think how Ace was when we used to hang out, just him, mum and me. He never really did talk, mother and Ace would always stay quiet, as if they never needed words. But with me, and others, he did care. I know he did, even if he didn't speak, little gestures and the emotion in his eyes told me I was always going to be safe. The way Nova described him...it didn't sound like Ace at all.

I wish.. things were different. That I could talk to him about her.. but he won't. He just refuses... I sighed, and her tone of voice produced a great sadness. The tiny scent of salt that many horses would never pick up touched my nares ever so lightly that I barely knew it myself. But considering the situation... it was logical. "Are you crying?" I asked quietly, tilting my ears to the side. I wasn't sure or not, I had to ask.

I suddenly felt protective over my younger half sister, I wanted to help her. I wanted her to know who she came from, who gave her her best traits. "What would you like to know? Aro....Ah..Aroha.." I chooked out her name. "She was, well, so caring. So careful, also. You would have had a good mother, had she been here." I stifled a sob, blinking away the heat that sprung to my dead eyes. And raised my head to the sky, I waited till they drained away, before lowering my head again. My throat suddenly felt dry and I turned back to the river I had been coming to drink at before. I dipped my mouth in the water and sucked up what I could.

Are you crying?

I stiffled a sob at her question, but didn't answer, for I feared if I let go of the rein I had on my tears, I would lose it. Just completley lose it, like I never had before, even when I was alone. It seemed like somehow, Faith brought all this to the surface. But crying wasn't something that was going to help, I reminded myself.

What would you like to know? Aro....Ah..Aroha.. I could see how it hurt her. Like the gut wrenching feeling of watching Ace, my father, in his miserable state. I just wanted him, so badly, just to move on. For him, mostly, but for me too. I needed him, more than ever. But he wasn't here for me. I had long past accepted that. She was, well, so caring. So careful, also. You would have had a good mother, had she been here. I tried to picture my mother in my mind. But whenever I tried, those horrible mental pictures of her dying popped up, ones that brought all my emotion back to the surface. I took a shuddering breath before continuing.

What... did she look like?"

My voice was wrenched out of my lips, my stomach giving me that horrible pain of emptyness.

What... did she look like? The question almost caught me off guard, because I knew I would never know. I would never know for myself, nothing other than what she told me herself. She could have lied, she could have been black. Nothing like the autumn colored patchwork she used to wear. But I knew she didn't lie. My voice came out softly, with my mind somewhere else, somewhere a long time ago. "She looks like me..."

"Mumma! Mumma all the foals go on how their sires and dams say they look like them. I would say the same...but.."
"But you don't know, Faith. I know. All the mares say we look very alike, except right now your patches are alot lighter, I would think. I expect they will grow darker as you grow."
"I like looking like you Mumma, I think I will be like you too. Cause' your the best Mumma I have ever had."
"I'm your only mother, Faith."
"I'm going to be like you right now!" I bounded off to the others, hearing my mother laugh behind me as I whinnied, "Don't gallop too fast! You might fall! That log is too big to jump, how can you even see it?"

I was jerked out of my daydream suddenly, and flashed a bright smile to Nova. I wondered what she would think right now, she had never, ever seen me happy before. And I felt the grief fading away right now, I knew, that soon I was to be bound in happiness.

She looks like me...

I listened to her soft voice, her words replaying in my mind. Over and over. just like me.. I watched as she seemed like she was off in her thoughts, and just waited, let her relish in the dream, whatever it was. When she was jerked out of it, I saw something on her face that I had never seen before, something that surprised me the most. A smile.

Then there was something I really wanted to know. Needed to know.

"What were Ace and my mother like.. when they were together?"

I hoped that maybe I could figure something out for my long lost father. Maybe I could help him, finally. Bring him out of his solitude of misery.

I stayed quiet, listening as Nova's heartbeat increased ever so slightly. Maybe she was getting excited. Would I be? If I didn't know my mother and here was someone going to tell me? Yes, I think I would. What were Ace and my mother like.. when they were together? I thought of them for a few moments, my ears tilting back and my head lowering slightly. "Quiet, they didn't know eachother for long. But...she felt that she had known him all her life, like this was true love. And she would do anything for him." I stayed quiet for awhile more.

"He would be angry at me, for leaving you and him. You needed me...and I wasn't there." I whispered to myself, then shut my mouth quickly. I forgot I wasn't alone, that she could hear what I was saying. It was true thought, she needed someone who knew our mother the most, to help guide her as a small part of replacement. Even though I could never replace her, I could have tried.

Quiet, they didn't know eachother for long. But...she felt that she had known him all her life, like this was true love. And she would do anything for him.

I took in each one of her words carefully, as if savouring each bit of information. I tried to imagine Ace in love, and blissfully happy. The most pathetic thing was, I couldn't. His miserable image was all I knew him to be. I knew nothing more, nor had I ever see him betray any other emotion. Despite a tad bit of affection here and there. Even if he lacked showing it, I knew he loved me.

He would be angry at me, for leaving you and him. You needed me...and I wasn't there.

I shook my head, looking up at her. Sometimes I forgot she was blind, but I suppose I wasn't always so focused.

"No, I wouldn't ever blame you for that. You lost your mother, Faith. If I ever did know her, I would understand your pain better. There is nothing I will blame you for. Nothing."

This was something I needed to tell her. Things were difficult. Despite the fact I was incredibly young to even understand this when these things happened, it didn't matter. I had long past forgived her. My limp I could live with. Easy. Her thinking I would blame her forever, I wouldn't live with that.

No, I wouldn't ever blame you for that. You lost your mother, Faith. If I ever did know her, I would understand your pain better. There is nothing I will blame you for. Nothing. I nodded slowly. But then shook my head again. "I should not have taken it out on you, it's not your fault she....left us. And neither Ace's. We must find him soon, I need to see him again. I miss him." I sighed, then raised my head and looked around. I...smelt something? Heard something? It was so faint Nova would never smell it till it grew stronger... but it was familiar.

[[sorry that was real short, you can bring Ace in now yeah?]]

[[Its okay, and yes I will. Be prepared for major depression. lol]]

I should not have taken it out on you, it's not your fault she....left us. And neither Ace's. We must find him soon, I need to see him again. I miss him.

As I listened to Faith's words, it made me ponder a few thoughts. They were far stretched, however, these days I would think it wasn't that absurd. I wondered how close Ace and Faith really were. Could Faith be...? No. No, I was right to begin with. It is absurd. Shaking my head silently to myself, I looked back up at her, trying to forget my thoughts. There was a look on her face, but it wasn't long before it became clear to me. Ace. He must have followed me. Despite his depressive state, he was ridiculously protective. Ahh, well, I didn't have the heart to tell him to back off a bit. And I suppose it didn't hurt, although I wasn't as young as I used to be.

-------------------------------------------------

'Life sucks, and then you die. Yeah, I should be so lucky.' -Jacob Black / Breaking Dawn

Souless. That wasn't a bad way to describe the feeling. Meaningless. A good way to describe my life. Emptyness. A way to describe my heart.

My cold, lifeless eyes glanced down at the ground briefly, easily recognizing Nova's tracks. A ragged breath ripped through my maw, breaking the silence through the trees. I knew Nova hated when I followed her. Although she would never say it to my face, it was easy to see. Normally I would stay behind so she could not see me, hoping that she wouldn't know I was there. But this time a different smell came up, other than Nova's. It was a mix; Partly Aroha's. Thats what hurt most. I clenched my teeth together, shutting my eyes tightly to get ahold of myself. Part of me wanted to think it was her around the trees. But I knew who it was. It was Faith. The scent was unmistakable to me. She's gone. She's not coming back. Ever. I told myself like I have many times, even though it did little to sooth my aching mind.

Once I regained some control, I continued to walk on. I hadn't seen Faith since that day. Part of me wanted to turn and walk the other way. However, the rivalry that was created between the two, made me walk on. Despite the fact that Nova never did tell me that it was Faith that caused her limp, I always knew. I worried fight would strike, however hoped for reconciliation.

Finally I heard the faint trickling of a river running through the forest, and their figures came into view. The familiar one of dear Nova, and Faith. She looked so much like Aroha, my heart skipped a beat, and I struggled to pull myself together. Eyes cold and portraying no emotion, I walked on. Nova turned to me, sorrow playing on her face. My steps lead to her, as I gently reached out to softly touch her muzzle. She looked fine. I turned, regarding Faith, trying hard not to focus so much on her looks.

"Faith.."

My voice was dry, lifeless, and yet like a whisper. Faith had always been like a daughter to me. I missed her.

More than that. I missed everything.

[[haha i'm listening a bunch of depression songs to get me in the mood to type this one]]

Daughter to Father, Daughter to Father
I don't know you, but I still want to..

I couldn't see him, but when Nova grew quiet I knew he was close. Soon the trees rustled and I knew he could see me, I knew he was there. I felt an icy claw grip my heart, what would he see of me? My matted mane and tear stained cheeks from my last mood swing. I knew that I was no longer taken by grief, that today would be the dawning of my fews sun highs of happiness. And I was glad that I would see my like this, like I was healing, like my grief over her was almost over and I could move on. Then I would hopefully convince him I was okay, and when the cycle returned, I would disappear for awhile to let it overwhelm me again.

I heard him stop infront of me, and he did something to Nova, which was my guess. Then I heard his voice. Faith.. Misery threatened to destroy in just two seconds after I read the tones of his voice. And who was I kidding? Of course it wouldn't take seeing me to help him along. I thought maybe I could give him a little happiness while I had it, that maybe he would see that I was once again the little filly he knew that never let anything bring her down. But the dead sound to his voice, the only emotion of sadness, had sobered me up slightly. He sounded like me, I immediately knew his pain. It was almost as bad as mine when I was at the peak of my grief.

"Ace.. I... I'm sorry, so so sorry." I cried, and felt my nose push forward into his mane. I squeezed my eyes shut, listened to the thudding of his heart, and stayed quiet. I forgot about young Nova, standing there, I didn't think of what she would think of this. "I didn't want this, at all. If I had just...stayed. I shouldn't have left and I'm so sorry!" I felt tears pour down my cheeks, but kept my face hidden. My voice stayed firm, there was no falter in my facade. I wouldn't let him know how unhappy I could get. I tried my best to relax, and focused on knowing that Ace was here. My little sister was here. That I wasn't alone right now. That they too, knew what I lost. I didn't have to hide anymore, these thoughts calmed me slightly. I could do this. I could try and heal Ace.

[[lol that normally works well ]]

I swallowed a lump in my throat, breathing in Ace's familiar scent as he touched her muzzle softly. My eyes turned to Faith as Ace addressed her in his depressed voice. I shifted my weight, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable in the new situation. My new theory rose to the surface once again, as I tried hard to surpress it down. However with the look on both of their faces, it didn't help me to try and change my mind.

What if I was, in fact, correct?


-------------------------------

Ace.. I... I'm sorry, so so sorry.

I heard her old but familiar voice cry out, as she pushed her muzzle into my mane. I let her stay there, silent for a few moments until she spoke again. I didn't want this, at all. If I had just...stayed. I shouldn't have left and I'm so sorry! I could feel the dampness of her tears, however she was very good at hiding her emotions. I suddenly thought about her words, and shook my head, pulling away to look at her.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Faith."

I said with another shake of my head, stepping forward again to embrace her. Faith had changed so much. I ached for that little filly who stayed strong, who reminded me so much of her mother. I ached for her as much as I did Aroha. But more than that, I ached for those times back. To relive them, almost. They were the best of my life.

He pulled away to look at me, and I knew I couldn't hide my tears, but atleast I wasn't as bad as I could be. I would be happy, I wouldn't indulge in my sorrow like wolves on free death. I would fight it. You have nothing to be sorry for, Faith. I knew I did, really. I broke his daughters leg, I left them to survive on their own...well no, that mare from the Sanmere Woodlands had allowed them to stay while the war went on. She had nursed Nova until she didn't need milk anymore, but still.

I had my head back into the comforting arch where his throat joined his jaw, and I stayed there silently. "I still shouldn't have left. And it's not just because of your and Nova's sake," I added quickly, incase he tried to protest. "It wasn't good for me either. I should have stayed there, and we could have shared our pain, helped it, but when I left... You had to stay happy and bottle it up for Nova...and no matter how much I expressed it, it never helped. There was no one to talk to." I sniffed, then quickly pulled and away and raised my head. I was still shorter than Ace, I wasn't the biggest of horses.

"Nova..." My nose searched her forehead, I touched it briefly then faced towards where I hoped Ace was. "We shouldn't be unhappy now, I...I haven't seen you in so long." I wouldn't asked how life had been lately, because I was scared of the answer. I just hoped that now we could change the way of life, maybe we could get better.

I still shouldn't have left. And it's not just because of your and Nova's sake, It wasn't good for me either. I should have stayed there, and we could have shared our pain, helped it, but when I left... You had to stay happy and bottle it up for Nova...and no matter how much I expressed it, it never helped. There was no one to talk to.

I listened to her words carefully, thinking back to that time, no matter how painful the memories were. When Aroha died, pieces of me went with her. However, when Faith left, that's what finally broke me. I had a rapidly dying filly, and a broken heart.

"I knew I had to let you go. That was the hardest. There were nights that I wondered if you were somewhere safe. Sometimes.. I wondered if you were even alive."

I spoke softly to her, brushing my muzzle against her withers.

------------------------------------

Nova... We shouldn't be unhappy now, I...I haven't seen you in so long.

I had to run her words through my head a few times for them to make sense to me, mostly because I was focused on something else. Ace hadn't spoken this much since... well ever, as far as I was concered. Faith... I thought. She was the one who could pull him out of this. The only one.

I touched her muzzle back, staring at the ground, tears pricking my eyes. I wanted to know. I wanted to ask, but feared the worst. Why did I let my mind come up with these ridiculous theories? Putting on a emotional mask, I looked back up once I got control of myself.

I knew I had to let you go. That was the hardest. There were nights that I wondered if you were somewhere safe. Sometimes.. I wondered if you were even alive. He was quiet, and I shook my head. Suddenly my mood seemed to sky rocket, and I lashed my tail playfully. "But I am alive! And so are you!" I whinnied suddenly, not surprised at my outburst, it was about time my happiness leaked out. I touched Nova's wither. "And you are too, and my...our mother died for a reason, Nova. She wanted you to survive, you must be meant for great things if Aroha wanted this."

Her name cut me as I said it, but it had to be said. "Your not going to waste your life are you?" I asked, then lowered my mouth to her ear, I felt her fur tickle my nose. "I will help you, because I am meant to help you. Never forget I shall always be there for you, little one." I whispered, then pulled away and laughed like I used to. The same carefree chiming as I tugged on Ace's mane and trotted gracefully away. I neighed loudly, then sprung into a canter, awaiting my family to join me.

[[lol, dear faith is such a nutter]]

[[lol I love her haha]]

But I am alive! And so are you! And you are too, and my...our mother died for a reason, Nova. She wanted you to survive, you must be meant for great things if Aroha wanted this.

I smiled, for the first time since... then. It was a crazy feeling, this happiness. I launched into a trot, making a circle around my daughter and step daughter. The ones I loved dearly, but I had failed to see that for too long. It was about time something pulled me back into reality, and this is it.

"Your right."

I smiled softly and fondly at the two of them.

------------------------------------

Seeing Ace smile was like being reborn again. Everything felt like it was oddly falling into place. Things had been so horrible for so long, it was a missed feeling. I was right: Faith was just what Ace had needed. What we all had needed. We all needed a little 'faith'.

Your not going to waste your life are you? I will help you, because I am meant to help you. Never forget I shall always be there for you, little one.

Such words I had never heard come from anyone to me. Those words that would run through my head over and over. Those words that made me feel like nothing else. Her laugh was like a peal of bells, something that I figured had been lost for a while. A smile broke out on my face, and I jumped away, tossing my head to follow my father and half sister. The ones that I could always count on. The ones I loved.

Your right. His agreement, and the sound of his steady beating heart and high beating trot made my happiness boost. I whinnied and they joined my in my canter, in which I soon notched up to a full blown gallop. I was always abnormally fast for my breed, and I wondered if Nova shared this gift. It would be wonderful, to have someone else to race with. To know that no one would win the race but push ourselves to the limit anyway.

I neighed my joy to the world, and knew for sure I was bound in happiness. I smelt moist pine and leapt, tucking my legs up right as the fallen tree passed under me. So close, so easy to trpi and fall, but I managed to stay upright. I didn't fall, and neither would they.

[[wow that post sucked haha]]

Nova

I tossed my head and shook out my satiny mane, bolting after Nova. Feeling the wind blow against my body, feeling the ground pass easily under my feet. I saw Faith tuck her legs neatly beneath her to pop over a fallen tree. My face turned with happiness for a moment, figuring, why not? Clearly, I was not thinking wisely.

I took off from my back quarters, everything fine, sailed over it with a smile on my face.

The landing was something I had no thought through. From the moment my from hooves touched the ground, I felt my bad leg, which I had not taken into consideration, twist in a irregular way, pain shooting through it. Losing complete balance, my body plunged to the ground, connecting with a sickening thud, my head hitting the ground last. My body ached, but I would take that pain way before the pain that I felt in my leg. My eyes clenched shut as I held in any noise that could have escaped. My teeth ground together, trying to forget about the pain, to picture myself somewhere, anywhere but here.

I was back, my mother lay beside me, her dead body completley lifeless. Faith stood over me, my big eyes in my little head looking up at her, knowing what was to come...

"Mom..."

The word was let out from my maw before I could snatch it back. My stupid, idiotic theory. A cry ripped from my body, I suppose in the process of my dream I had lost self control. I shuddered as the pain came more steadily.

------------------------------

Ace

I cantered after the two, a smile lit up on my face. Faith neatly brushed over the jump, and I watched Nova, soon to follow. The smile was wiped from my face instantly. I shot back into a urgent gallop, sand spraying up behind me. A word was spoken through her lips, but I didn't catch it. Next came a pain filled cry. Reaching her, I looked up.

Faith!"

I called to her, the urgency plain and clear in my voice.

One moment everything was fine and dandy, and of course, it still was. Then I heard the thudd as Nova's jump didn't prove as successful as mine. I slowed down immediately, stopping and cocking an ear to listen. Was she getting up? Was she okay? I didn't hear her utter the word, rather, just a pain filled cry and that's when I realised that she wasn't going to just get up like I always did. She was actually hurt. Faith! I heard Ace call and I sprinted back to the two, and reached there in seconds.

"Nova, baby, it's okay, your going to be okay." I murmured, tucking my legs in and falling to her side. My nose nudged lightly against her neck and I breathed softly. 'What's going on, Ace? I can't see. Nova? Where does it hurt? What hurts?" I asked her, trying to keep my voice calm. It was easy, it was in such a blissfilled state that even worse circumstances couldn't cause me to panic. It all came with the mood swings, but I still worried. Was she okay?