Dear reader,

It didn't exactly go as planned, sadly enough. I hadn't gotten the time to write while walking, because I was a bit tired of writing that whole conversation down.

But I'm safe now, under the covers of my bed in a shared two-bedroom apartment. Because I was the only girl, I didn't have to share a bedroom. That's a relief.

It also seemed that Shadow and Noir had become friends. Noir is still gruff to him, but just as gruff as he is to me, and less gruff then before. But still, trust isn't something that is easily to gain. I think Noir trusts me; I certainly trust him. Shadow trusts us and I trust him, and I think Noir trusts him too. There's still much to learn about them.

I still have to laugh at the silly things we talked about during the last mile of our trip, nearing Vanhoover. It just felt so right. He also taught me some more tricks, like lighting up my horn faster and better, and he even learned me to let a ray of light point north!

Yes, being in the presence of a teacher certainly is a great experience.

Anyhow.

We trotted into town.

To be honest, I've never been in a town this big. I was overwhelmed by everything: the noises, the smell, the feeling to be in a city that big. All those tall buildings, the hurries of the cabs; I've never seen so many ponies at one place before. It is astounding.

And so I bumped into quite a few ponies.

"Watch it!" "Look out!" "Stop dreaming and look ahead!"

And Noir would get them back with a snarl and a look at me I couldn't place. I think it is concern, but I'm not sure.

Shadow didn't seem to be impressed at all of the city. He just walked on, straight ahead. It was getting a bit dark.

"So, where are those family members of yours?" Shadow asked. Noir shrugged.

"This way."

He lead the road. Left, right, right again, left. Through a maze of alleys he lead us to an old, abandoned building.

He knocked.

Nopony came.

"Wing Noir, are you sure…"

A scream suddenly pierced the evening sky.

"Wing Noir! How dare you come back here!" An old, male, drunken voice said, from one of the open windows.

"After all these years! After all these years that your father died! You didn't even once visited us! Not even once!" the stallion babbled, with a double tongue. He shouted at the end.

"But… Uncle, I…"

"No! No Uncle! I'm not your uncle anymore! Now shoo!" The window, two stories high, third on the left, closed with a loud bang. It made Noir flinch, something I have never seen him doing since I have met him.

Okay, that isn't long, but I'm sure he's not the pony to flinch.

"I think we'd better be going." Shadowflame said. I nodded, too. I don't want to be here when the sun has set completely.

But Noir just stood there, completely still.

The main disadvantage of being me, is that I can't penetrate other minds to see what they're thinking. That would be mighty interesting. However, I don't think you need to be a psychic to know what he's going through. He just lost part of his family, he has to rely on somepony he met just that day for food and shelter. I don't think he's very happy with it.

Scratch that, I think he's depressed.

Right now, he needs a shoulder to cry on – even though he won't exactly cry, but nevertheless, he needs somepony, a friend. And I knew that that friend has to be me.

The thing is: I have absolutely no idea how to be a friend.

So I just sat there, until I couldn't bear it anymore and sat down next to him.

There, in the middle of the rubble and puddles in the cracked pebbles, I sat down to give him some comfort. And before I knew I was trying to talk to him.

"Hey."

I nudged him.

"I… I'm sorry about your uncle."

He didn't respond.

"Noir?"

Still nothing.

"Come, Noir. It's getting a bit late."

Nope.

I guess I just have to wait until he's ready to go. And yes – after a while, he stood up, without a word.

And without a word Shadow lead us to the inn where he could rent a room. They were full, except a two-bedroom apartment, so he took that. Was a lot more cheaper anyway.

And without a word we ate our supper quickly and without a word we went to bed, they in one room and I in the other.

And so I am lying here, writing down the rest of the day until now.

So now I'm lying my pen down to go to sleep, wondering what the next day will bring.