Sam eyed her, quietly seeing if he could trust her. "I- my dad just died and i need to go home for the funeral." he said, again with that sense of emotionless pain in his soul. He didnt really know what to feel. Hatred for his father not being there in the crucial parts of his life? Happiness that he was free of his clutches? Sorrow and remorse the he had died? Sam's head was currently so full of feelings he felt about to burst at the seams.

Ellie frowned a little as he seemed to be judging her slightly but it soon disappeared when he reluctantly told her what was up. "Sam..." what was she to say? She didn't know mich about Sams father and what she did know, wasn't very good. She was quiet fot a moment as she pondered what to say, but eventually she spoke up. "How do you feel?" She asked quietly after nothing the rather pale look on his face.

"i have absolutely no idea." Sam said in reply to her question. Slumping against the post and rails fence, he looked straight ahead, again his face, a canvas without a painting. "i hav absolutely no idea.." he repeated, more quietly this time. Looking up, he met eye contact wthe Ellie, an odd, pleading expression on his face. "what do i do?" he whispered.

"You'll have to go," She replied softly. She honestly didn't know what to say or do, how would you comfort someone who had lost a parent- even if it was one they didn't know all too well. "You... should go get some rest. It's getting late and I'm sure you're tired, once you feel refreshed you'll be able to think better. If you need anything, just call me, I'm happy to help." She offered lightly.

"yeah. yeah, ok." Sam said, getting up slowly and dragging his hands through his hair. "thanks. ill go." he said, walking in a daze back to his accomodation, where he sat on his bed, staring into space. He didnt sleep that night, just looked at nothing.

Ellie watched him leave with a small expression on pain for her friend pasted on her face. He didn't know what to feel, and that was something she couldn't envy him for, but instead feel pity for him. After doing a few odd jobs around the yard, she made her way to her own little space, falling into a deep and peaceful sleep,

Sam got out of bed and nibbled on soe burnt toast absent mindly.

in the night, he had decided he wasnt sad about his fathers death, more sad that he had gone without pending much time with him. So he sat for a while, knees tucked up onto his chest unhappily.after a while he decided to pack for the journey back to the city, where he would stay for a week or so. Once packed, he booked a taxi and strolled quietly outside, looking for Ellie so he could say goodbye.

Ellie awoke early in the morning to go and sort all the horses out, along with Sam's horse, assuming that he wouldn't be up to the task just yet. After a short while, she heard the rumble of a car making its way down the drive. She curiously looked out of the stables to see a taxi park not too faw away, the n she spotted Sam. She walked- well, speed walked, or basically ran towards him, "You're going already??" She asked frantically, like she couldn't get the words out quickly enough.

Sam aised an eyebrow just slightly at her franticness. "yeah, ive got to go." he said, sadly. "ive gotten a stable hand to take care of Nero while im gone, but maybe give him a treat from time to time, OK?" he said, looking her inthe eye and smiling reasurringly. "ill be fine." he said, giving her a hug.

Ellie puffed out slightly, like she had almost lost her breatth in her unnecessary dash to him. "I didn't think you would be going so soon," she complained quietly before stepping into his hug and wrapping her arms around hos waist softly.