Tears formed in Star's eyes, she leaned closer to his body and returning the embrace as best she could. She couldn't speak and tried suppressing the sobs, but her body still shuddered. There was a long moment of silence before she could speak. She felt the soothing coat of the alicorn, remembering his kind words, and the gentleness he shown. Those brought back some composure. 

"Th-thank you, Torrential," she said. "It… it wasn't your fault. You had to do what you needed to do to stop the Laughing Mare. I promised your sister to help you, and if it means saving your life… my e-eyes are worth the cost." She leaned back again to rest, exhausted. 

Snow Tail had tears running down her eyes as well, looking at the alicorn and pegasus comfort each other. Crying was something hard for her, not since her troubled youth before she got used to the hardness of the world. But right now, at this moment, the world did not seem so harsh. Under the clear blue sky, by the now peaceful water, a scene of tender love was occurring. There was a beauty that made her soul wish it could last. 

Shaking off the tears, Tail knew there was still much to do. [i]By the Bearded wizard, I can't stay here, not when another pony needs help.[/i] She bowed to Torrential. "Forgive me Master, I wish not to interrupt. There's still the matter of the missing Stormwing Legionnaire, and we're not in a very secured position. But before attending to either… is there anything I can do to help you or Star?" Her eyes quivered, hoping that the Alicorn would know of something that could help the Scholar.