//------------------------------// // Lost // Story: Lights Going Out // by Gonderlane //------------------------------// "Aurora! Aurora, are you awake?" a voice called out from the distance, snapping her out of her daydreaming. It was the voice of her dear friend, Winter Wonder, and Aurora could tell by its tone that something serious was ahoof. "Aurora?" the voice repeated, this time much closer and louder. Aurora regained her sense of reality and looked around her. She recognized her surroundings as a field of snow-dusted grass and trees, which indicated she had wandered off from her clan. She couldn't remember exactly why she was here or how she had ended up so far away. "There you are," Winter cried, running up to her. "Where have you been?" "Winter?" Aurora replied, feeling confused and disoriented.  "We thought you had gotten lost, or worse," Winter explained, sounding relieved to see her friend again. "We've been combing this area for hours looking for you." Aurora's mind reeled as she couldn't find any memory to fill in the gaps in her recollection. "What happened?" Winter shook her head. "You mean you don't know?," she confessed. "We were just out searching for a new river source when all of a sudden you just started wandering aimlessly. None of us could get your attention, and you just kept walking away from the group." Aurora's head began to hurt. "I don't understand. I feel like... there's this fog over my memory, or I'm forgetting something important." The confusion on Aurora's face was evident to Winter, who looked as if she was trying desperately hard not to worry. "We should get you back to Snowpitt," Winter insisted firmly, grabbing Aurora's hoof in hers. Aurora allowed her friend to guide her, still struggling to remember anything from before she had found herself wandering through the woods. She tried to recall her last memory, but all she could see were flashes of light and sound, like pieces of a shattered dream. She remembered the sensation of being lost and confused, of feeling a sense of longing for something she couldn't name, and then the overwhelming need to run. She trotted alongside Winter Wonder and several others, the original group that had been sent out in an attempt to find a new source of water. They all seemed concerned and relieved that she had been found unharmed after disappearing for nearly a full day. Aurora couldn't explain the reason for her absence, only that she didn't seem to recognize the landmarks she had traveled through during her time away. She had no idea where she had gone or why, nor did she remember any significant event occurring between leaving and returning to the group, and back to Snowpitt. As they made their way back towards her tribe, Aurora struggled to comprehend the events of the last few days. It was as if she were waking up from a dream and realizing she had been sleeptrotting, unable to recall any details of the journey. She knew it wasn't natural, this lack of awareness, and she suspected something supernatural was to blame. Was it her encounter with the spirit? Was that what had happened during her time away from the clan? She knew Baba had told her not to speak of the encounter with the spirit, but she couldn't help but feel the pull to do so. When they arrived back at Snowpitt, Aurora and her group were immediately met with Heavyhoof's booming voice. He was standing in the village square surrounded by several other ponies, all of them talking loudly and pointing in different directions. As Aurora approached, she caught sight of other members of the clan ring. Notably, Moonlight Solstice was also present, and she looked anxious. "So? Did any of you find a new water source?" Heavyfoot's question echoed across the gathering. His tone held a note of urgency, as if he expected a response immediately. Winter Wonder shook her head, unsure of what to say. Heavyhoof frowned in concern. "Is there any news? At all?" Aurora glanced nervously around the gathering, noticing many of her fellow clansponies looking just as worried as Heavyhoof himself. She had never seen her chieftain so agitated; it was unnerving to witness. "We haven't found anything," she answered quietly. Heavyhoof's expression grew dark and troubled, and he turned towards Moonlight. "I don't like what we're hearing. This is the second day in a row where we've had no new water sources to speak of. It doesn't make any sense." Aurora's brow furrowed. The situation was becoming increasingly alarming; it appeared as though the tribe's supply of fresh water, and perhaps more importantly, fish and other food sources from the nearby streams and lakes, were drying up rapidly. It was clear to everyone gathered that the situation was dire, even if they had no idea why it was happening. Moonlight looked equally distraught. "It's not just us. Other tribes in the valley and further south have reported similar issues." Heavyhoof shook his head. "We're meeting tonight. Everyone in the ring and shamares are to attend. Something needs to be done about this." He then turned towards Aurora, giving her a stern look. "And you," he added. For a moment, Aurora felt a surge of panic rise within her chest, as if Heavyhoof somehow knew about her encounter with the spirit. "Yes?" she asked tentatively. "Stay close. Keep an eye on the others and make sure they're safe" Aurora nodded obediently as her heart sank back down to its normal place. She knew Heavyhoof well enough to understand that he would never ask her to reveal something that she shouldn't. That was, if he did know about her encounter. She still couldn't be sure. Aurora then tried to spot Winter Wonder, but her friend was nowhere to be seen. She sighed in frustration. She had so many thoughts racing through her mind at that point, but she needed some answers. She needed clarity, and Winter was always the one who could bring that to her when she didn't have it. She needed to find her friend as soon as possible. With the gathering dispersed, Aurora set off to search for Winter once again, paying a visit to her igloo first. As she entered, she saw her friend sitting at a table, staring intently at a map spread out on its surface. Aurora paused for a moment, taking in the sight before her. The map showed the terrain surrounding Snowpitt and the surrounding tribes, each marked with a distinctive color to signify their respective borders within the valley. As she approached her friend, she noticed a look of deep concern on her face. Winter was tracing her hoof along an area of land that lay directly north of their location, and Aurora recognized it immediately as one of the places they had been scouting earlier that day. "Winter?" Aurora said softly. "You okay?" Winter shook her head. "Something isn't right," she replied. "The maps we had before... they're all inaccurate. There's nothing here." Aurora stared in surprise. "What... do you mean?" Her friend sighed, shaking her head in frustration. "I don't know," she admitted. "All I know is that there's no water source here anymore." Aurora frowned. She didn't fully understand, but something was wrong. The maps had always been accurate; at least, that's how they had been taught. And Winter was right; there was supposed to be a river here. As she peered over her friend's shoulder, she noticed that the markings on the map were faded and blurred, as if they had been drawn with a shaky hoof. She couldn't help but wonder if this was the result of age or if something else were causing them to disappear. "Do you think this is worth bringing up? To the others?" she suggested. Winter hesitated for a moment. "I'm not sure," she admitted. "I really don't need Heavyhoof getting angry at others." Aurora nodded. She understood Winter's concern. Heavyhoof was not one to be trifled with, and he would likely dismiss any suggestion that something wasn't right. Still, she felt compelled to investigate this strange phenomenon, and she hoped that the rest of them would follow suit once she presented her findings. "I should at least tell my dad, before the meeting tonight," Aurora decided. "Maybe he knows something I don't." Winter shrugged. She clearly felt helpless, and Aurora felt a tinge of pain at the thought of seeing her normally confident and strong-willed friend in such a state. It normally took a lot to put her out of such an optimistic mood, but it was her idea to go searching for a new water source in the first place. Aurora knew that her friend was desperate for a solution and that whatever she found, she would do her very best to share the information with the others as soon as possible. "We can try to figure this out together," Aurora assured her. "Don't lose hope, alright? We'll find a way." Winter gave her a grateful smile and nodded her agreement. As Aurora turned to leave, she knew that she had to find a way to gather more evidence and prove to the others that something was wrong with the maps. If she could get enough ponies to support her findings, it would make it easier to convince Heavyhoof to take action. With that in mind, she set off to search for her father. Dirt Patch knew the land like the back of his hoof, and if anyone would be able to shed some clarity on their situation, it would be him. She found him sitting on the porch of his igloo, staring blankly into space. His coat was a softer brown than most of the others', and his mane had a silvery hue that shone in the sunlight. She wondered what he was thinking about and whether he was aware of the current crisis. As she approached her father, Aurora was surprised by the lack of greeting. Instead, he seemed to be lost in thought, his gaze fixed on something in the distance. Aurora followed his stare and realized that it was directed towards the mountains in the distance. She approached and sat down beside him without saying a word. "Hey, Dad. You doing okay?" she asked softly. She knew her father well enough to know that he was worried about something, but she wasn't sure what it was yet. He looked at her with a sad look in his tired eyes. "I don't know," he murmured. "Things have been changing so quickly, Aurora." Aurora felt her heart drop into the pit of her stomach. She knew exactly what she had to say next: the maps, and her concerns. But her voice caught in my throat when she opened her mouth to begin. She didn't want her dad thinking more chaotically, and she wasn't sure if what Winter had said were real or just her overthinking it. But her father didn't give her a chance either, interrupting her with a heavy sigh before she even uttered a word. He shook his head. He was clearly troubled about something. "The world is shifting," he muttered, almost to himself rather than her. She didn't quite follow what he meant but didn't question it. "It's as if the spirits themselves are trying to warn us." "Of what?" Aurora asked, perking up slightly as if he might have answers for the strange phenomena. Dirt shook his head, looking away from her. For a moment, Aurora saw tears forming in his eyes. He then turned back, and stared at her, his brow furrowing deeply. "A spirit found me. A beautiful, shimmery creature," Dirt whispered, sounding like it was painful to even speak. Aurora froze, shocked by what he was implying. She knew it was true; she had experienced the same spirit, the same magic. She swallowed hard against the knot rising up in her throat. "Me too," she breathed, feeling a surge of relief wash over her at finally having someone to confide in. Dirt Patch looked at her curiously. "What?" Aurora hesitated, unsure of what to say next or how to even begin. She sighed. There was no going back now; her secret was already out. And judging by what she knew of her father and her experience as a ring member of Snowpitt, she trusted him implicitly, regardless of how the others might feel. So, she took the leap. And she took a deep breath. "A couple days ago... I went to my usual place where I meditate, by the lake. Everything was fine, for a while... but then I was attacked by a wolf. It almost killed me." Dirt listened intently, his face showing concern for her. Aurora shifted her body, showcasing the side of her flank that had been injured during the encounter. "But then there was a storm, with wind and snow and lightning. And I swear to the spirits, it was as if I saw something emerge from all those elements, a beautiful white horse, glowing and shimmery and... it saved me. It healed me and brought warmth to where there should have been cold." She looked to her father, who looked as if he'd seen a ghost. Aurora prodded anxially. "You saw the same thing, didn't you, Dad?" He looked as if he were in shock. His eyes darted from her to someplace beyond her shoulder, and then back towards her. "I did," he confirmed. Aurora gasped. "So, it wasn't just me? What was going on? Why did we both see it?" Aurora felt the tension building between the two of them as they both tried to piece together this new information and make it all come together into some kind of understanding or meaning. She had so many questions that were buzzing around in her head that she could barely even think straight. "I believe you and me, we saw the same spirit," Dirt Patch said slowly, his tone cautious and careful. "And I think that it's trying to tell us something." His face grew serious. "I don't know what yet," he continued. "And neither of us can be certain, but there's clearly something going on, something bigger than any pony can imagine. And if we don't heed its warnings, there will be severe consequences for everyone." Aurora nodded slowly, trying hard not to show how nervous she truly was. Her dad had always been wise and knowledgeable; she had learned from him at a young age that there were powers greater than anything she or anypony in Snowpitty could comprehend. It scared her, to think that she and her father were experiencing the effects first hoof. But there was still the matter of what Baba had told her to hide. Aurora knew that she couldn't ignore the warning forever, especially since Baba had specifically instructed her not to tell a soul. But she couldn't keep quiet either when her own life was at stake. She frowned, frustrated at herself for being in such a position in the first. It felt as if every time she tried to take control of the situation, it slipped from her grasp faster than she realized she could hold onto it. She shook her head, feeling overwhelmed. She knew she needed to focus on the present and figure out the next steps, not get stuck dwelling on the past. She took a few calming breaths to collect herself, then turned to her father with a resolute look on her face. She cleared her voice. "I talked about it with Baba." Dirt's eyebrows raised. "Really? What did she say, exactly?" he urged her on. "She was... scared. Scared for me, how the spirit apparently chose me, and not one of our shamares. And she told me to keep quiet about it. To not tell anypony else." Dirt's frown only grew deeper. "That sounds... strange. And a bit suspicious," he said slowly. "It is! But what can I even do? Baba Hooves has never given me any reason not to trust them," she argued, though even to herself her words sounded weak and unconvincing. She was beginning to question even Baba herself at this point. Her dad looked at the sky, as if pondering the next steps. Finally, he sighed, turning towards Aurora. "I think... that you have to be careful," he advised her. "You're not sure who you can or can't tell, so just stick close to me and be vigilant about it. I don't trust this whole thing." Aurora nodded in agreement, feeling somewhat relieved by his support. They sat in silence for a few minutes, letting the sun beat warm rays on their backs as Aurora tried to make sense of what she had just learned. It seemed as if she had been chosen, somehow. But how? She had no magic, and the clan ponies were renowned for being highly skilled in that department, so why was she suddenly so interesting to the spirits? And if it weren't for Arctic finding her in that field, who knows how things might have turned out. She shuddered, not even wanting to consider that possibility. After a few long minutes of contemplation, she turned to Dirt. "So, what do I actually do? About this whole thing, I mean." Dirt shook his head. "I'm honestly at a loss for ideas," he confessed. "You, lost? Since when?" Aurora teased half-heartedly, though she felt anything but humorous about the current circumstances. He smiled, giving her a gentle pat on the neck before looking at his daughter intently once more. "Just keep yourself safe and stay vigilant until you get a better sense of things. We'll figure it out. Together," he said reassuringly. He had a determined spark in his eyes; one which reminded Aurora that she wasn't in this alone anymore. "Thank you," she murmured, leaning her head against his chest. She felt safer in that embrace, knowing that her dad would do everything he could protect her and the rest of the village. As she closed her eyes and breathed in the familiar scents of pine needles and woodsmoke coming from the chimney above the igloo porch, a thought occurred to her. She pulled herself up abruptly, startling her dad. She couldn't help the smile spreading over her features, feeling excited for the prospect of solving this mystery. Maybe the spirit was leading them somewhere, or maybe it wanted to show them what was going to happen next? Either way, she was willing to follow wherever it led, and so was her father, judging from his own reaction when he saw Aurora grinning widely. She had an incentive. "Have you told Arctic?" he inquired curiously. "He might be able to help us." "Not yet," Aurora confessed, feeling a twinge of guilt. She had promised Baba she would keep silent about the spirit, but she couldn't keep hiding her encounter, and certainly couldn't keep it from her own husband. She knew her father wouldn't tell him without her approval, but she also felt a bit guilty that he hadn't already. "I will soon. He deserves an explanation." Dirt patted Aurora's back, sensing her hesitation and uncertainty. "Take your time," was his advice, and he didn't push her any further about it after that. They simply sat there for several long minutes, until Aurora gained the sudden thought of wanting to hug her dad tighter and thank him for everything he had done for her growing up.  And she did. And it felt nice. ❅ ❆ ❅ Pluck! Aurora plucked another fish out of the river with her mouth, placing them into a basket beside her. The afternoon had flown by in a flurry as Aurora and her group fished, foraged, and gathered berries for dinner. It was a routine task, one she had been doing for nearly as far back as her memory could remember, and yet something was different this time around: there seemed less purpose to the act. They didn't feel any sense of urgency behind their work, as there usually would be when their food stores began depleting. Instead it seemed almost aimless, like they were just passing the time. It bothered Aurora that they hadn't made any headway in their quest for new water sources or even a single fresh berry bush in days. As Aurora tossed another catch on top of her collection, Snowbell bounded towards her. He jumped around her, eager for attention. Aurora chuckled softly at the sight of his fluffy coat. "What is up with this little guy today, hmmm?" she cooed, nuzzling his neck affectionately. He responded with a happy squeak before running off towards one of his friends. Aurora watched fondly as they fought with snowballs before she turned back to her pile of fish. She had always been fond of Snowbell's company, ever since he was just a foal, but she found comfort in his playfulness today. It reminded her that even amidst their troubles, life continued to flourish all around them, just as it should be. His innocence played a strong part in how little he knew, but at the same time, his joy brought her a peace unlike any she had experienced in years. Aurora turned her head back into the waters, scanning for any stray catches that might have slipped through her line. As she searched, however, her thoughts returned to how she would approach the subject with her husband. She still felt torn about telling Arctic about the spirit; she knew he wouldn't betray her secret, but she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her chest after her chat with her father. It was frustrating not to feel like she had complete control over what was going on. But she knew she had to trust her instincts and follow her gut. She would figure this out, just as she had always done before. Because if she didn't, her responsibility as a friend was now combined with the responsibilities of being a wife and mother—and she had no intention of letting either slip. She would find a way to make things right and keep them all safe, no matter what. She owed it not only herself but to the entire clan. "Aurora?" Aurora snapped up at the sound of Frosty Flakes' voice.  "You okay? You're doing the thing again," she asked, concern evident in her usually soft tone. Aurora blinked and realized she had zoned out completely. She glanced back at Frosty, nodding slowly in response. "Sorry, yeah, I'm good." Aurora replied, forcing a smile. Frosty tilted her head, recognizing that her friend's smile was far from natural. "You sure? Winter told me what happened." she pressed gently. Aurora nodded, her lips pursed. "Just... a lot on my mind." "You've always had a lot on your mind, ever since we were little fillies." Frosty nudged her with a playful grin. "But you know what that means, right?" Aurora nodded, feeling touched by Frosty's words. Her friend had always been there for her, and she appreciated it. She knew she had made the right call by confiding in her, despite her initial hesitation. "I know." "Then let me help," Frosty offered. Aurora looked at her friend for a few long moments, debating internally. Finally, she gave in and sighed. "I need to tell you something. And you have to promise you won't tell anyone about it, okay?" Frosty's eyes widened in alarm. "Yeah, of course." Aurora took a deep breath, but just as she was about to speak, Frosty interrupted. "But not here though," she insisted, glancing around nervously. "We should probably get this fish to camp anyway, and then we can talk in private."  Aurora agreed.  She grabbed her basket with the fish, hopping it on a pole and letting the other basket slide to the other end, where she could carry it with her. Then, they set back towards Snowpitt, the rest of the group consisting of the usual mares in the clan that always helped with fishing and foraging. As they walked, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over them and painting the snow a subtle pink. Aurora took a moment to enjoy it, knowing full well that the nights would soon be getting darker and colder, but also longer. It was a bittersweet thought. While she was grateful for the beauty of the northern lights and the stars that came with it, the dark and the cold were something that she learned to avoid.  She trotted alongside Frosty, who also kept two baskets of fish on a pole held with her mouth. While Aurora had always been fond of her friend's company and her sweet, gentle nature, she was still hesitant to tell her about the spirit. It was just that she had grown up with her and knew her well enough to know that she could keep a secret, and yet there was still something holding her back. Something that made her feel uneasy, almost scared, even though she knew it was foolish to feel that way. Snowbell and Arctic also walked alongside them, with Snowbell bouncing up and down as he went. The two of them laughed at his antics and continued to walk along the path. It was comforting and familiar to see him so playful and happy, especially with what had transpired recently. Aurora couldn't help but think of how lucky she was to have such a wonderful and supportive family. Even though things seemed confusing, they had each other, and that was all that really mattered. It made her smile. Arriving back at Snowpitt, Aurora dumped her haul of fish onto a wooden table, where they would be cleaned and prepared for the evening meal. As she did, she noticed Baba watching her closely. Her expression was guarded, and her eyes narrowed slightly as she stared at Aurora. She couldn't help but feel unnerved by her gaze. It was as if something had shifted between the two of them since their last conversation, and she couldn't quite put her hoof on it. Aurora shot a glance at Frosty, who looked equally apprehensive as she met Baba's gaze. They had to act quickly. As the sun began to dip beneath the horizon, Frosty led Aurora to her home igloo. As Aurora stepped inside, she was greeted by the familiar scent of burning candles and pinewood, which instantly put her mind at ease. She took a seat at their small table, gesturing for Frosty to do the same. She obliged, taking a seat across from her. "Did you see Baba out there? What was that look about?" she asked immediately. "No clue," Aurora admitted. "But it's making me nervous," she added. "Me too," Frosty agreed. "Is it related to what you wanted to tell me? What's been up with you? Winter mentioned something about you being weird lately?" Aurora sighed, nodding slowly. "Yes... sort of," she replied hesitantly. "There is something I need to tell you." Frosty looked intrigued. "Go on, then," she urged her friend. Aurora paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts. Then, she took a deep breath and launched into the story of the spirit and her healing. Frosty listened intently as she relayed the details, nodding along and occasionally interjecting with questions or comments. The addition of Dirt Patch apparently meeting the spirit as well was far from what Frosty considered a coincidence. She didn't seem surprised by what Aurora had told her, but it was clear that she was concerned. "This sounds pretty serious, Aurora. Have you told Arctic?" she asked. Aurora shrugged. "I told my dad earlier when he told me, but I'm still not totally sure I should tell Arctic yet..." Frosty frowned. "Why not?" Aurora sighed. "I don't want him to worry. Or worse, think I'm crazy," she confessed quietly. She knew how silly it was to think that her own husband wouldn't believe her, but she had seen how others reacted to stories like hers. She didn't want to take that risk, not after everything that they had been through together. Frosty shook her head firmly. "Aurora, he's your husband. If you can't be honest about something like this with him, then how is he ever going to trust you?" Aurora winced at her words. It was a fair point. She knew that she couldn't continue to lie to him; it was unfair to both of them if she kept something this major from him. She nodded. "I know. I'll tell him." She looked down at the table, tracing her hoof absentmindedly over the grain. "It's just going to be hard." "Well, if you want, I can come with you to talk to him tonight. Just to show some moral support," she offered kindly. Aurora felt grateful for her offer. "That'd be great." The two of them left and walked to where Aurora had seen her husband last, hoping to catch him before he left for the night. They found him sitting by the campfire alongside many other clan stallions, laughing loudly and swapping jokes while they waited for their dinner. Snowbell sat besides Arctic, his eyes shining in the firelight, as if he were listening intently to every word that passed between the stallions around the fire. When Aurora approached, she noticed that Arctic seemed tense, his eyes darting towards her and Frosty as if he had been expecting them. She could feel her heart rate quicken with anxiety. She glanced at Frosty, who gave her an encouraging smile before nodding towards Arctic. Aurora took a deep breath and approached her husband, her hoofsteps feeling heavier with every inch of distance between them.  She took a deep breath and cleared her throat. Arctic glanced up, noticing her and Frosty approaching. He smiled warmly and waved them over. "Hey! Where've you been since you got back?" he asked. Aurora swallowed hard, knowing she couldn't delay this any further. She leaned closer, whispering into his ear. "Can we talk? In private?" He raised an eyebrow but nodded in understanding. Before he stood up, Baba approached randomly, like she had been waiting for them the entire time. Her demeanor and reputation caused the rest of the ponies around to grow silent, as she eyed all three of them intensely. "What are you up to, Aurora, my dear? And you as well, Frosty," Baba asked, her tone icy and calculating. She paused for a moment, looking at Arctic with confusion. She could feel her heart racing even faster as she struggled to keep her emotions in check. "Nowhere. I was just going to show Arctic something I saw while we were out fishing," he answered, her tone as casual as she could make it. Baba's eyes darted between Aurora and Frosty, as if she suspected something. But after a long, tense pause, she stared directly at Aurora. "I hope you know what you're doing." She turned on a hoof and stalked away, leaving Aurora feeling shaken and unsure. She turned to Arctic and Frosty, who looked equally bewildered by Baba's sudden appearance. "What was that about?" Arctic asked in a whisper. Aurora shook her head slowly. "I... don't know," she muttered. She felt sick to her stomach, like she was being watched and judged from all sides. But there was nothing she could do to change it. She knew she had to tell her husband the truth, regardless of how he might react. But with Frosty here, she felt a little more confident that at least she wouldn't be alone. Aurora cleared her throat once more. "Um... Arctic. We need to talk. Can we?" she asked awkwardly. "Sure, honey. Back home? I'll bring Snowbell," he offered, standing up to retrieve the colt before following his wife and Aurora to their igloo. He looked confused but not suspicious, which Aurora was grateful for. As they entered the igloo, Aurora motioned towards the table, where they all sat down. Unlike Frosty's Igloo, theirs was small and cramped, but cozy enough for the three of them to sit comfortably. Aurora felt grateful for the warmth radiating from the fireplace, as well as the comforting presence of her husband and friend. As soon as they were seated, Aurora took a deep breath and began to recount the story of her encounter with the spirit to Arctic. He listened attentively, not interrupting or asking questions. As Aurora finished her tale, she glanced at Frosty, who gave her a reassuring nod. Aurora looked at her husband, who appeared to be processing the information she had shared with him. Snowbell had fallen asleep by the hearth while his parents spoke. "Wow, that's..." Arctic remarked finally. "And Frosty knows?" Aurora nodded. "She does. So does my dad," she confessed. "I didn't want to lie to you." Arctic's expression hardened, showing an emotion Aurora rarely saw in him: anger. "Why tell me now? Why not tell me when it happened?" Aurora felt her throat tighten as she tried to explain herself. "I was scared! I was scared of what you would think of me." He sighed heavily, his gaze softening slightly. "Aurora... I love you. And I trust you. I know you wouldn't lie to me about anything. Not about something this important." Aurora nodded, feeling a lump forming in her throat. "I know," she choked out. "And I'm sorry." Arctic leaned forward and placed a comforting hoof on Aurora's shoulder. "I understand." Aurora smiled tearfully. "Thank you." She leaned into his touch, grateful for his understanding and support. She knew that he would be there for her no matter what, and that she could count on him to have her back. Frosty smiled at the two, glad she was able to be of assistance in getting Aurora to tell Arctic the truth. As Snowbell snored softly, Aurora felt a wave of peace wash over her. Here she was, surrounded by her husband, friend and son, and knowing that she was safe and loved. It meant more to her than words could describe. And in that moment, she felt truly blessed to be part of this community, and to have found the courage to be honest with those around her, even in the face of adversity. She smiled to herself, feeling content for the first time in a long while. Telling not only her dad, but her friend and husband, made her feel like she was finally taking the right steps to figuring out the mystery of the spirit and why it had chosen to save her and reveal itself to her. And while Baba's reaction had unnerved her, she was determined to stay vigilant and figure out a solution. Now at least, she felt relieved. Incredibly relieved, like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. It felt good. It felt right. And she hoped that it was the start of something new and positive, at least, for once.