It seemed to have done—the dynamic of the room shifted slightly. Twilight barked out something to the green pony, which caused her to take a couple of steps back. Meanwhile, the guards were watching her intently, perhaps waiting for orders to throw her out of the room. The quiet yellow one looked up at him and sidestepped out of reach of his hand. There was an ineffable sorrow in her eyes, and he instantly regretted his outburst. He knew that they were at least as intelligent as he was . . . yet he felt as if he’d just kicked a puppy. 