Blinded

The next day:

Bard had slowly woken up, a bit before Applejack came to wake him up. His magic had come back to him and once again he was able to gather his bearings. His aura ‘felt’ for everything in the room judging it’s size and shape. “Hopefully the train company found the rest of my stuff… nnnn, maybe I should go check today… wearing the same clothes any longer will get weird…” He laughed quietly. He stood up and walked to the door, slowly opening it, he gave his aura time to flood out, scanning the hallway to make sure nopony was out and about.

As soon as he knew the coast was clear he walked out into the hallway, he kept close to the wall, after a few moments he found an open door. He stood the the side for a moment and after a few long seconds he deduced it was the bathroom, being there was a sink, toilet, and what he could assume was a shower curtain. He stepped in and closed the door, taking his time in stripping. He set his bandana down on the counter of the sink before slowly stepping into the shower.

“Right is hot… or is it left is hot?” He mumbled, fumbling around with the shower controls until he got to a temperature he liked. “Aaah… yes, amazing…” He sighed loudly planting his hands on the wall as he let the water wash over him. It had been a few days since he last showered and the feeling of the hot water over his body was like heaven.

He heard somepony enter.

“Bard, yah in here?” Applejack asked.

“Yes! Sorry, I wasn’t going to go looking for your room, and I woke up a few minutes ago… I just sorta tried to find the bathroom. I really… really needed a shower.” He laughed quietly.

“Alright, um… I’m gonna go put yer clothes in the wash. Just ta get em nice and fresh for yah. Ah’m sure Big Mac will lend yah some clothes for the time. They might not fit yah… but they’ll be enough ta cover yah up.” AJ said.

“Alright… hey uh, I know it’s a little strange… but, would you mind coming back up here after you put my clothes in the wash? I’d like somepony nice to talk to again… it’s just been kinda rough on me the past few months. Seeing as my only friend left just up and abandoned me…” He sighed. “Never mind… It’s stupid.”

“Ah’ll come back up. But first, Ah’m gonna go tell Big Mac and Granny Smith about yah. Applebloom can sleep a bit longer before Ah bust her back about the party.” Applejack said. “It ain’t no problem. If’n yah ever want ta talk to me, just go ahead and ask.”

“Thanks!” Bard said happily.

“Just don’t go thinkin Ah’m joinin yah in there.” She teased. “Ah’ll be back up soon.” She scooped up his clothes. “Do yah usually clean yer bandana?” She asked.

“I usually handwash it. I like to have it nearby constantly… it’s sort of comforting.” Bard admitted. “I’m… a bit weird.”

“Everypony’s different.” She laughed. “Ah’ll leave it here.”

“Thank you.” He said, letting out a long sigh.

Applejack left the bathroom, closing the door behind herself. Under her one arm she was the bundle of clothing. She bumped into Big Mac who had just gotten dressed.

“Mornin’ AJ, what are yah… who’s clothes are those?” Big Mac asked as he noticed the clothes she was carrying.

“They belong to a stallion who’s stayin the next day or two with us, till Rarity gets her guest room ready fer him.” Applejack explained.

“Yah know Ah trust yah but… why invite a random stallion into our home?” Big Mac asked, though it was an accusatory tone.

“He’s blind… and well, he needed help.” She continued. “He got left here, he’s from Coltsville… and now he’s alone with no pony ta lean on fer help.”

“Ah.” Big Mac nodded slowly. “Alright. Where is he now?”

“Takin a shower. Ah was gonna ask… can he borrow some of yer clothes? This is his only change of clothes, Ah was gonna ask him if he had anythin else…” She inquired.

“Sure. He’s free ta go ahea… Uuuh, yah might wanna help him pick some stuff out…” He laughed. “Ah’ll go down and tell Granny about him. Ah’m sure he’ll be welcomed with open arms. Should Ah know anythin else?”

“Just uuh, if Applebloom wakes up… send her ta me. Ah’ll deal with her.” Applejack said. “Don’t worry about what she did… she’s already gonna get grounded fer it.”

“Alright. Ah’ll leave yah to her punishment.” He nodded, slowly walking downstairs. AJ followed after him, though instead of the kitchen she went to the washroom. As she opened the washer his underwear fell out of the bundle. She’d dealt with her brother’s clothes before and just sighed.

“Great…” She shook her head, putting the bundle of clothing in the washer. She picked up his underwear, though they appeared clean she was hit with a strange scent, one that immediately caused her face to flush. “Oooh doggy… that’s… strong…” She mumbled, trying to shake the scent from her nose. She threw the underwear in and unconsciously brought the hand that had touched it to her nose, breathing in a bit more of his nigh intoxicating musk. “Gods, girl what are yah doin?” She laughed quietly, wiping her hand on her shirt. She closed the door on the washer and turned it on. “Yah, he’s a handsome stallion… but yah barely know him. Don’t go lookin for somethin that might not be there.” She walked out of the washroom, going back upstairs and to the bathroom.

She heard Bard softly humming now. “Always tried so hard… to leave a tragic story…” His voice was actually amazing it was completely surprising to her. She honestly didn’t expect it and she just sat down on the toilet to listen. It was a little over four minutes later before he finished his song. It made her just absolutely desire to hear what he sounded like when he was honestly singing and performing.

“Applejack, are you back yet?” He asked.

“Yeah! Ah’m back.” She answered. “What did yah want to talk about?”

“Just… anything. Go ahead and ask away.” Bard said. “I… don’t really know you either, so I don’t know what you like to talk about.”

“Well, yah said yah learned how ta cook fer yerself, who taught yah?” Applejack asked.

“I taught myself to be honest… a few burns here, some burnt food there, and a lot of plates broken… well you learn through mistakes.” He laughed. “I wouldn’t say I’m a great cook, but it’s good enough to want more, and from what my doctor told me it’s healthy enough to constitute a special ‘diet’.”

“Alright…” AJ said letting out a sigh. “Besides the obvious… what do yah do fer fun?”

“Not much really… I’m sort of limited.” He said. “So, I just usually sing… practice my instrumental skills… listen to ponies tell stories. Recite them, try to think of my own.”

“Well, yah’ll enjoy talkin to me and mah friends… our friends. Once they all meet yah, they’ll all be willin to talk about anythin we’ve done.” She said.

“That’d be great!” Bard chuckled. “So, since you asked me about my love life last night, what about yours, do you have a coltfriend?” He asked, now actively washing himself.

“No, Ah do not. Ah’ve been… really busy, doin a lot of stuff with mah friends.” Applejack shook her head and sighed.

“What about before recently, ever had one?” He inquired.

“Just one… it was a while back. After a few months we sorta broke apart and went our separate ways.” AJ said.

“A nice, caring mare like yourself? It’s hard to believe you’re alone like that.” He teased.

“Why so curious all of a sudden?” She mused.

“I’m just curious. You asked me the same thing last night.” He shifted around, washing out his mane. “You could’ve just said it was personal, I wouldn’t have prodded.”

“Yer right, Ah did ask yah about it last night… it just didn’t cross mah mind to tell yah it was personal.”

“You know, despite never having been able to see… there are a few times I wish I’d be able to.” He laughed quietly. “Meeting ponies I take an instant liking to is one of them. You… Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Rainbow Dash… it’d be nice to actually see who I’m talking to. Know what they look like.” He sounded a little depressed. “See what I look like.”

“Take it from me. Yer a really handsome stallion. Sure, yah may be missin a bit since yer blind… but it gives yah a chance to get ta know ponies, right? Yah ain’t just attracted to sight, but ta how they treat you, how they speak to yah, who they really are.” She smiled slightly. “Bard, Ah’ve only known yah less than a day, but yer a great stallion. Yah’ve just been thrown into a terrible situation and have made the best of it.”

“Only with the help of some really nice ponies… I’m… usually more apprehensive with new ponies. I’ve been… taken advantage of in the past. I’m glad I wasn’t apprehensive with Sweetie… I could have still been outside when the sun came up.” He planted his hands on the wall again.

“Ah’m glad yah weren’t either.” Applejack stated.

He slowly turned off the shower. “Applejack, can… you get me a towel?” He asked.

“Sure!” She stood up and dug around under the sink for a towel. In the meantime Bard had opened up the shower curtain and stretched out a little.

When AJ turned back around she was greeted with the sight of his nude body. She gulped quietly as she looked over every inch of his body. For his supposed lifestyle he was quite muscular. He seemed to keep a bit of effort in working out. He had a small six pack, it wasn’t visible if you didn’t look right at his chest. Next she got an honest look at his arms, they weren’t at the level of say her brother, a guard, or anypony who had to do heavy work, but they were quite attractive on him. She finally looked down at his cock- which right now was soft- his sheathe was at least a foot long, maybe a bit longer. It was from her best guess as thick as any of her bigger dildos, which is to say around five to six inches thick. His sack was more normal sized, only each ball being about two inches for a four inch size sack.

“Thank you.” Bard stepped out, approaching her and taking the towel. He wrapped it around his waist, holding it there with one hand.

“Wow…” She mumbled, still a bit stunned.

“So… um, about those clothes.” He said, not realizing what he’d just let her see. His magic grabbed his bandana and tied it over his eyes, the white cloth did sharply draw attention up there.

“Right… right. Um… just uuh, follow me.” She said, straightening up and leading him to Big Mac’s room.

Two hours later:

Applejack had taken Bard with her, just to keep an eye on him as she bucked down apples. Thankfully everypony had taken a liking to him, Granny Smith especially with how independent he tried to be.

Apple Bloom was of course grounded, though Bard had managed to talk down the length of time much to her liking. She wasn’t allowed to go out with her friends again for another two days, and she was to report where she was going for a week after that.

Big Mac wasn’t too hesitant about talking to him, AJ had managed to convince him that Bard wasn’t helpless and if he could he’d offer to help.

Now it was just Bard and Applejack in their own sequestered part of the orchard, occasionally Bard did try to get some apples down, much to Applejack’s amusement.

Now was one of those times, he gave a hearty kick, taking three apples down. “How many did I get down that time?” He asked.

“Three.” She laughed loudly. “Yah don’t have to do this.”

“I’m going to get down ten one of these times!” He growled.

“Ah’m sure yah will, don’t hurt yerself…” She put a hand on his shoulder.

“I won’t.” Bard turned and smiled at her. “Why so concerned?” He joked.

“Yah don’t want to play that game with me.” She retorted, moving her hand to his cheek.

“What game?” He asked innocently, smiling even more as he cupped her hand in return.

Her eyes narrowed. “Bard…” She started.

“Applejack?” He mused, using his other hand to cup her cheek. Immediately she leaned in closer, letting her lips touch his. The two kissed for several long seconds. “Perfect.” He grinned, now wrapping his arms around her, she mimicked the action.

“So, handsome, what did yah intend ta do now?” She asked, lightly nuzzling him.

“You.” Bard stated firmly. “And… I want to keep you.” He sighed.

“Oh? What makes yah think yah’ll lose me?” She asked.

“I’m not much… o-or so I’ve been told.” He laughed quietly. “I honestly wouldn’t know… I only really…”

“Sugercube… yer huge.” She chuckled. “Don’t let some skank who was treatin yah poorly tell yah any different.” She ran her hand down the front of his body, gently caressing his package through his pants.

“Really?” He asked, kissing her deeply again.

“Really.” She pulled back from his lips. “Now… yah know what yah need ta do?”

“What?”

“Take what yah want… at least in this case.” AJ said, caressing his cheek and bulge.

“I’m not a virgin, Applejack.” Bard laughed. “Not by a long shot.”

“Ah wasn’t sayin yah were.” She laughed. “Just… a little rusty, ain’t yah?”

“A little bit.” He grinned.

“So am Ah.” She nuzzled him. “Ah think we’ll both do juuust fine.”

“Well… why don’t you start? I’ll follow your lead… and once I figure things out, take charge perhaps?” He offered.

“Just don’t keep me waitin.” She nodded, slowly sliding down his body. Part of her wanted to pull his pants down and just bury her face in his crotch, taking in whatever musk he might have. She took in a deep breath, slowly pulling his pants and underwear down. His half erect cock fell out into the open causing him to shiver. “Like Ah said… yer huge…” She moaned softly, leaning forward and nuzzling it lovingly. She took in deep breathes of his pure musk. “Oooh gods yah smell so good…” She nuzzled his balls now, kissing and licking them.

Bard moaned loudly, “Oooh keep that up…”

She easily popped one of his balls into her mouth, licking the sweaty orb for a few moments before doing the same to the other. She moved to licking his hardening shaft, covering it in love. “Yer so tasty…” She moaned out, letting his medial ring rub against her cheek. “Bard…”

“Y-yeah, Applejack?” He groaned, rubbing his entire cock against her face.

“Yah can’t stay in mah room tonight… n-not fer a while at least… e-even if we do this.” She began.

“I can wait… so long as we still find ways to make love…” He smiled down at her.

“We will… Ah know it.” Applejack gave his shaft a kiss. “Definitely…” She kissed his tip now, swirling her tongue around it. She slowly took it into her mouth, moving her hand to squeeze his sack. Her eyes widened as his hands made their way to the back of her head, but he didn’t push. He just ran his fingers through her mane.

“I’m not going to force you to do anything.” He assured, “I just… Mmm… wanted to touch more of you.” He admitted, causing her to blush. She slowly pushed a few inches into her mouth, swirling her tongue all around his salty shaft.

She closed her eyes and let him feel her mane, happily suckling away at his cock. Her free hand wrapped around his shaft, squeezing and massaging it.

“I didn’t expect this to happen to me…” He groaned, his cock throbbing in her mouth, letting a bit of pre fall down her throat.

She pulled back from his cock, nuzzling the tip against her cheek for a few moments as she slathered the rest of his shaft in saliva and kisses.

“Treating me like a god, are you?” He teased.

“Yah smell… and taste so damn good…” She moaned softly, nuzzling his sack again. “Ah know yah deserve it too…”

“If you think so, I won’t fight it… I really enjoy it too.” He caressed her head. “I can’t wait to taste you…” He whispered, causing her to blush. “You’re voice is so sweet… I’m sure you taste and smell just as good…” She shivered at his words.

“W-why wait? Ah’m yers… just tell me what ta do.” She breathed out.

Bard slowly sat down, resting his back against a tree. “Strip… and then come sit in my lap. No penetration… I want to feel your body.” He said, though his tone was commanding his voice had a gentle sway to it, enticing her to listen and obey. Applejack slowly stripped down, leaving her clothes in a pile. She crawled into his lap, nuzzling his neck lovingly as his hands found their way onto her body. “You’re so warm…” He sighed happily, nuzzling her back.

“So are you.” She replied, closing her eyes as he softly caressed and felt her body.

“You’re beautiful. Even if I can’t see you. I know it to be true.” He stated firmly, slowly feeling her sides, moving down to her flank. She just smiled widely, letting out an enticing moan as he touched her cutie marks. “There we go…” He pressed his fingers into the flesh on her flank. She shivered and now openly moaned out for him. The sound was like honey to his ears, “Keep that up… it lets me know I’m doing a good job…” He whispered. “And please… please, please, please tell me if I do something you don’t like…”

“Bard… so long as yah don’t go tryin to hurt me, ya’ll be hard pressed to find somethin Ah won’t like.” She assured. “If’n yah remain this gentle and calm, yah’ll have me beggin to stay here…”

“I’d love to keep you here… just making love to you for the rest of time.” He joked, kissing her deeply as he gripped her flank. She moaned into his mouth, reaching down to guide his hands to her breasts. He let her, gentle squeezing and massaging her breasts, though he became more sure the longer he touched her.

Their tongues danced and coiled, the two bringing a true passion to the lust they were acting upon. His cock was standing straight up, nuzzled softly between her muscled cheeks, she ground back against it as his fingers slipped to his nipples. She groaned happily as she felt him tweak and tug on her hard nipples.

“You enjoy that, don’t you?” Bard pulled back.

Her cheeks were burning brightly, and her mouth was left hanging open. “Oooh gods yes…”

“If only you produced milk, right?” He teased.

“Yah’d milk me, wouldn’t yah?” She breathed, closing her eyes.

“Of course… I’d drink the milk fresh…” He groped her breasts, rubbing his thumbs against her nipples. “All while I plowed you raw… no safety, no fall back…” He whispered teasingly, nipping her ear, “You just might get pregnant…” Despite his words she felt the familiar tingle of magic in her stomach.

“Ah’d… Ah’d carry any of yer foals…” She panted, pushing her snout into his neck.

He continued to gently nip and chew on her ear causing the farm mare to shiver. Slowly she raised her hips, trying to show him how ready she was.

He could feel her dripping onto his lap, ready and waiting for his cock. His hands glided down to her hips, “Oh my beautiful mare… What sort of stallion am I if I’m leaving you to wait in agony?” He teased, kissing her. “The worst kind…”

“No yah ain’t… yer the best… so sweet, so kind… so lovin…” She breathed out cupping his cheeks. “Yer everythin ah’ve wanted…” She returned the kiss. “Take me… please.”

“I don’t want to just take you…” He kissed her again, “No. I want to have you forever.”

“Bard…” She wrapped wrapped her arms around his neck. “Don’t even say it… don’t.” She nuzzled his nose. “You and I both know what needs ta be done… and it ain’t talkin.”

She smiled as one came across his face. Without another word she felt him help her go all the way to his tip. “I’m going to make sure both your holes are nice and claimed for me…” He growled out, now taking up a more dominant standing with the mare he was holding. She shivered as his tip teased against her aching marehood. She moaned out to the heavens as his thick flat head spread her wide. Everything said this should have hurt, but all she felt was pleasure. “Sooo… sooo tight…” He groaned, leaning up as she hit his thicker medial ring. His lips attached to her breast, and he nipped and sucked on her nipple. The farm mare tightened even more around him as her weak spot was abused.

“Baard…” She moaned, trying hard to press further down his shaft. She gasped as he let go of her hips and she sunk down his thick meat. She moaned even louder as her lips sucked in his medial ring, making sure he’d fit firmly inside of her. He let out a low groan as he hit her cervix.

Her eyes widened as she felt him firmly grasp her hips. “You’ll get everything.” He stated, thrusting up roughly into her, she bit her lip as he actually managed to break into her womb. The only real thing that hurt about it was how roughly his tip impacted the back wall of her womb, stretching it out to contain the rest of his shaft. But after that initial pain it was like heaven to have him so deep.

“Oooooh gaaaah!” She stiffened up completely as he nuzzled her neck, the blind stallion having succeeded in claiming her body for his own use.

“There we go…” He held her close, resting his head atop hers. “All mine…”

“All… y-yours…” She moaned softly, nuzzling into his neck. “Y-yah big… stallion…”

Bard gave her a light thrust, moving her up his shaft. She moaned loudly, bracing herself by gripping his shoulders. She slid back up it the moment she hit his lap, trying her hardest to ride the massive cock now lodged in her.

It took her several moments to find a proper rhythm, the wet sloppy sounds of their lustful sex filling the area around them. Every time she reached the apex of a bounce she was slammed down into his hips again, the two shakily kissing and holding each other.

Though the pace was slow, it had been a long while since either of them actually experienced another pony in any intimate way.

“Applejack…” He breathed out, kissing her deeply. His cock throbbed shooting a thick glob of pre into her womb.

“Nnnn, y-yah gonna show yerself ta be… w-weak?” She moaned, already feeling a fire in her stomach. She knew what was close at least for her.

“No… No…” He shook his head, slapping her ass, causing her to tighten up considerably and yelp out. She came on impact of his hand, her juices splattering out against his crotch. She quivered and clenched him tightly, riding out her intense orgasm. Despite her clear orgasm Bard only picked up his fervent pounding, taking his mare for the ride of her life. His hand slid up to the back of her head and she found herself pressed into his neck. He shifted forward, now forcing Applejack onto her back. She wrapped her legs around his waist, trying to keep him drawn in as he took control over her.

“B-bard!” She screamed out as he roughly plowed her fertile womb. He bit down on her ear, drawing a bit of blood as his frantic pace picked up. His cock gave one more throb, his flare locking him inside of her womb on his most powerful thrust yet, this one knocking away AJ’s breath. Instead of stopping he let instinct take hold, now pounding against the back of her womb as he sprayed jet after jet of his sticky and warm cum into her. Her legs tightened around his waist, though her strength did little to stop him from bashing against her womb, trying to spread his seed all around.

He shook violently as he emptied himself into her, his breath coming out in hot short spurts as he panted and snorted, his arms tightened around her, making sure she couldn’t budge.

“Nnn...nnnaa….” AJ moaned loudly, her walls steadily milking him of his thick seed. Despite the spells in place both ponies were lost to their basest and most primal instincts. He was attempting to breed her, and she was more than willing to take his seed.

Bard ground himself against her leaking labia, trying to show her how much she was in for. It took nearly a full three minutes before his flare finally slipped down to a more manageable size. He let go of her ear, licking the blood up. “I’m not done with you… On your knees after I pull out…” He whispered the command, licking her cheek as he yanked his still achingly hard cock out of her.

She gasped, suddenly feeling empty despite the heavy amount of cum in her womb. She shakily got onto her hands and knees, her tail shifting completely out of the way. Even if he couldn’t see it, he knew her clit was winking at him. Her scent was honestly heavy in the air.

“Oh how I wish I could have tasted you before this…” He mused, taking a more dominant position over his mare. He prodded her lips once again, “I’ll just have to accept taking you over… and over again…” He breathed, now plunging back into her.

“YES!” AJ screeched, now feeling happily full again.

He pulled his hand back, slapping her ass and roughly groping it as he gave a mighty and forceful thrust into her. She screamed out again, trying to push back into his cock. When their hips met again, his seed splattered out onto the ground, leaking fully out of her cunt.

“Say it…” He hissed into her ear.

“Ah’m yours!” She moaned happily, shaking her hips against his crotch.

“Yes… you are…” He nuzzled the back of her neck. His one hand groped and massaged her ass, his other reached under her and grasped at her dangling breasts, squeezing and tugging on them. “All mine…” He nipped her hurt ear, causing her to tense up, though he turned to a soft licking. He seemed to be pulled back to reality as he realized he’d actually hurt her. “Are you alright?” He asked, stopping his thrusting.

“Y-yeah… Ah’m fine…” She took the breather in stride, turning her head to kiss him. He gladly returned the kiss, now using a more gentle speed. Every thrust now instead of just causing her to gasp and tense up was eliciting a moan and a light nuzzle.

“W-what… d-do you like more?” Bard nuzzled her lovingly.

“A-anythin… a-as long as it’s you.” She returned the nuzzling. He couldn’t see it but her pupils had turned to hearts, and she found herself utterly enthralled by her new lover.

“I love you, AJ.” Bard whispered, kissing her on the lips.

“Yer definetly showin it…” She moaned, returning the kiss and happily pushing her hips back into his after he pulled out to nearly his tip.

“Nnn, so are you…” He moaned, now wrapping both his arms around her stomach. His slow and steady pace was far more pleasing for the farm mare than his rough and heated one, and now she could eagerly enjoy each and every thrust to its’ fullest.

“K-keep… th-this up…” She groaned. She closed her eyes, riding out a smaller orgasm as his cock firmly planted itself over and over again in her womb. He rested his head on her shoulder.

“Applejack… c-can w-we try anal?” He asked quietly.

“Yes.” She quickly tore her hips forward just as he reached his tip on pulling out. His hand slid up to her cheek, turning her head towards his so they could kiss again. He used his other hand to guide the tip of his aching and lubed cock to her tight plot. He slowly pushed into her waiting ass.

She groaned into his mouth, her backdoor being spread wider than any of the toys she’d been adventurous enough to try before. But she’d be damned if it didn’t feel right.

He pulled back from her loving lips, letting her moan out to the heavens as he sank to the hilt, resting firmly in her ass. “Yeeeer maaassssiveee!” She shook her hips.

“You’re so tight…” He returned the grinding.

“Nnn, y-yer the first stallion Ah’ve ever had back there…” She moaned.

Bard kissed her neck, hugging her once again. “I feel so damn lucky.”

“Yah’d b-beeeter!” She screamed out, as she violently came. Her ass tightened signifigantly around him, nearly crushing his cock. He bit his lip as his cock flared outward.

“NNNN, TOO EARLY!” He groaned loudly as he fired off into her tight ass. The two wracked with their best orgasms yet, they writhed in pleasure, he desperately tried to hold her still, trying to remain right up against her. She collapsed completely now, this orgasm was far to intense for her. He fell on top of her panting heavily as his weak orgasm ended. Though his cock remained firm and hard, he had no energy left to make love to her.

“Aaah… y-yah’ve g-got the stamina of an apple…” She joked, rubbing back against him.

“T-too… b-bad I don’t have the energy of one…” He laughed weakly, “A-Applejack… c-c…”

She already knew what he wanted. With a final burst of energy she pushed him over, now taking up a chest to chest posistion with him, nuzzling his neck as they cuddled on the cool grass.

“Thank you…” He smiled, kissing her deeply. She moaned happily into his mouth relaxing as the two regained their energy.