"That's... strangely sad," Cotton Fluff mused, gazing out blankly into the darkness. "I mean, for me, as someone who grew up knowing her parents." She turned to look at Clove. "For you, I'm sure it's less of a big deal."

"Yeah, I really only care about it when I'm talking with other ponies," Clove agreed. "I don't really think about what I've missed until I hear about what other ponies had." He shrugged. "Still, it doesn't really bother me much. My life has been fine the way I've lived it, parents or not. Plus, my dad does pop in from time to time and, while I don't know him well, it's nice to know I've got someone with an... innate connection."

"Makes you feel a little less alone in the world?" Cotton asked with a brief laugh.

"Uh, something like that. I dunno." Clove took a deep breath and looked back down at the papers at his hooves. "I'm just gonna... look at this for a moment, alright?"

"Fine with me," Cotton said, watching as the stallion began to pore over the documents in the low light, though she could tell her own hornlight was close enough so that he could read. She was even able to make out a few of the words and diagrams, though she didn't have much interest in looking at the palace's diagrams; she was content taking a backseat, just doing what she was told. Just staying out of the way as much as possible...

"Hmm... I've gotta get out of here before my coat starts to wrinkle," Mochi mumbled to herself as she splashed forward, coming up on the muddy bank next to where Cotton lay on the grass.

"I suppose that could be an issue," the brown mare stated, turning to watch as Mochi shook herself dry. Luckily, she wasn't close enough to get more than a few drops on Cotton's coat.