>Harsh noise.
>Weightlessness.
>Pain.
>Your groggy mind slowly catches up with your aching body and you curl up on the unfamiliar ground.
>The air is warm and the ground is rough, but not entirely unpleasant.
>There is a buzzing noise, but it's not the buzzing noise you are used to.
>It almost sounds natural.
>Your eyes flicker open and you find yourself staring at a weird building.
>You pick yourself up from your laying position and sit up.
>As you look around, you realize you're nowhere familiar at all.
>You're in the middle of a... parking lot?
>And- and there are trees.
>You're outside.
>Y-you've never been outside before!
>Are you... dreaming?
>You pat the sides of your face.
>You don't feel like you are.
>You lift your head up and look up.
>Little pinpricks of light fill the dark above.
>Stars, just like in your dreams.
>I-it's real.
>There is a tugging in your chest.
>You almost feel... happy.
>Like when you first woke up.
>It's been so long, you don't even remember how to be happy.
>Instead, you just start to tear up.
>It's the only response that you could muster.
>You wish you could stay here for an eternity but... you hear something.
>You turn to face the noise and see a figure standing by the building.
>It hasn't seen you, and you can't see it very well, especially since your eyes were watery, but its presence makes your heart race.
>What if it's one of them?
>The thought brings fresh tears to your eyes.
>Y-you don't want to go back!
>You can't...
>You felt safe here, you don't want to let go of that yet.
>To your horror, it looks like it finally noticed you.
>You quickly stand up and stare at it, your legs shaking.
>Your eyes dart towards the dark forest around you.
>For once...
>You're not cornered.
>It takes a step into the light.
>For once...
>You can run.
>With all the energy you can manage, you bolt for the trees.
>You're not used to running, so by the time you stop, your legs feel like jelly and you're on the verge of hyperventilation.
>You listen out for a while, trying desperately not to collapse on the forest floor.
>You don't think it's following you, so maybe it's just a normal person?
>But... that doesn't mean you can relax.
>You need to find somewhere to hide.
>You won't calm down until you do...
>You wobble your way further into the forest until you find some dense shrubbery.
>This will do.
>You hope.
>You shimmy into the brush until you're nestled in the middle of it.
>You plop down and sigh.
>This is way better than concrete...
>You roll onto your back and look up once more at the sky.
>Even under all these trees, you can still see them.
>Exhaustion overtakes you as you stare up at the stars through half-lidded eyes.
>Maybe... maybe you can be a forest nymph.
>Like in that one story you read.
>Dancing in the moonlight and drinking from cups of stardust...
>Laughing together with all her friends...
>Maybe one day, you'll have friends too.
>You... you wonder what that's like?
>You'll find out soon enough.

- - - -

>The woods are... nice.
>Much nicer than you're used to, anyway.
>You slept quite soundly, aside from a minor fit.
>Little splinters of loneliness always prick you at the most inconvenient times.
>But you managed.
>You could dare say you're almost... excited.
>You're unrestricted.
>Untethered.
>Free.
>Somewhere in your mind, you wonder 'Why?', but... It really didn't matter, right?
>You should just worry about the now, for um, now.
>Like what you're going to eat, for instance!
>The frequency of your meals have always been... lacking.
>But now you can find food whenever you want!
>A wanderer among the pine~!
>With vittles on her mind~!
>Hehe... time to put those book-smarts to use!
>Lets just hope you remember what is and isn't poisonous.
>Hmph, let's just veto eating anything dubious for now, alright?
>You're not *that* desperate.
>You poke around the undergrowth for a while, but come up emptyhooved.
>After that, you rummage around a few bushes, but end up at the same disappointing conclusion.
>You guess this is harder than it looked, or um... read.
>How about... aha!
>You pick up a nearby pinecone and hold it aloft in a triumphant manner.
>You're pretty sure animals eat these all the time, so why not you?
>You sit down and stare at your bounty.
>So, do you just...?
>You bite down on the unappetizing cone, which makes a rather unpleasant crunching sound.
>You gnaw on it for a little longer before simply spitting it out.
>That... sucked.
>You guess your palate is rather 'person-like', eh?
>Pinecones and bark just won't cut it.
>Hmm...
>How about grass?
>You *are* a pony after all.
>It might be worth a shot.
>With renewed vigor, you make your way towards the weird building from last night.
>There was quite a bit of grass in that clearing, so maybe you can sneak a few bites?
>As you finally near the edge of the woods, your ears fold back at familiar sound.
>You slink towards a nearby bush and poke your head out from behind it.
>The parking lot had a smattering of vehicles resting in it now, as well as their talkative owners.
>You didn't recognize any of them, but all these people made you anxious.
>You're just about to turn back, but you see an odd tree near the back of the building.
>A skinny tree that has some sort of fruit.
>The sight makes your hunger much more apparent.
>You glance around and notice that the coast is clear.
>Here goes nothing...
>You briskly make your way towards the tree, careful not to step into the daylight.
>As you make it to a bush near the tree, you sigh.
>There isn't anyone around so...
>You make your move.
>Each step is much shakier than the last, and by the time you make it to the tree's base, you're more or less a bundle of nerves.
>Some of the rotund fruit is already on the ground, but most of it is still on the branch.
>With how small it is, a little shaking will do wonders.
>And you certainly know a thing or two about shaking!
>H-haha...
>Okay, relax now.
>With a deep breath...
>You start your heist.

>You are weary of every little noise, but nevertheless, you gather up as much fruit as you can carry in the crux of a foreleg.
>Now all you need to do is quietly make your way out of sight.
>With one last glance around, you submerge once more into the shade of trees.
>You keep moving until the sound of cars and people are replaced with the gentle sway of leaves and birdsong.
>You settle down in a sunny clearing and admire your haul.
>A small mound of little apples that fit easily in the hoof.
>You'll certainly take this over having to eat grass, that's for sure.
>You weren't very enthusiastic about grass anyway...
>Alright then, let's give this a whirl!
>You pick one up and roll it around in your hoof.
>With how small these are, you guess you could eat it whole, but lets just take it slow.
>You take a bite and are mildly surprised.
>It's tart, but not overwhelmingly so.
>It will take a bit to get used to, but it's nice all things considered.
>You're pretty sure these have a specific name, but it eludes you at the moment.
>All that really mattered is that you knew it wouldn't make you sick, so it worked out.
>After finishing off your apple banquet, you get up and stretch.
>You guess you'll file this down as a success!
>With your basic needs sated for the moment, you decide to think about your situation, which is always a fun thing to dwell on.
>But if you don't let your mind go through the motions, it will just keep eating away at you, so you might as well get it over with, right?
>You sigh and perch yourself up against a sturdy oak, watching the last bits of sunshine drain away.
>This was a major improvement and you weren't scared anymore but... you're still alone.
>Stuck in the middle of nowhere.
>But why?
>You feel like... like you shouldn't be here.
>Why didn't they just scrap you?
>They got what they wanted, why leave something behind?
>Especially something that knew their faces by heart.
>Maybe you just got lucky.
>...
>I-in a way, it was a little funny!
>Like some dark comedy about a couple of roadside bandits.
>Swiping rings and clutching pearls.
>They take, and then leave without a trace.
>Not before leaving a few scars of course, but you're still breathing.
>And they didn't even have the courtesy to tip their hats...
>You look down at your hooves for a moment, watching them tremble.
>The weight in your heart is telling you that you might be taking this too far.
>H-how about... We just make up a story instead?
>You can make anything you want, a-and it doesn't have to end like that, okay?
>You curl up by the tree and take a deep breath.
>Just think of something nice...

>A lone pony sits atop a stump, holding onto her windswept witch's hat.
>The meadow around her was vast and calm as her robe billowed in the wind.
>She watches as a small butterfly lands on a nearby flower.
>"Can you help me find my friends, miss mage? They're late for tea!" It asked meekly.
>The mare smiles. "Late for tea, you say? Let's make haste, dear sprite!"

- - - -

>You've always liked fantasy stories.
>From knights taking on immovable foes, to simple romps through enchanted forests.
>They could have been nonsensical at times, but they always had a happy ending.
>Not every story has to have one, but...
>You like it when they do.
>There was this huge old book in the closet of the attic you were in.
>It was dusty and in disrepair, but you loved it with all your heart.
>It was an um... an anthology? 
>Yeah, that's the word.
>You probably read through it over a dozen times before one of them caught you.
>You thought that maybe he'd take it away but he... he wanted to know more.
>He acted like he was interested.
>Like he cared.
>That was when you could still talk, and you ended up rambling on while he sat in that plastic chair in the attic.
>He would occasionally crack jokes about the characters, and you always laughed at them.
>He even brought you candy once.
>Up until then, you didn't know how to feel about any of them.
>They were so distant before, but for once, one of them was nice to you.
>And he kept being nice to you.
>You thought...
>You thought he was your friend.
>Your first friend.
>But one day, there was yelling coming from down below, so you hid in the closet.
>You couldn't make out what they were saying, but you recognized his voice.
>He sounded... angry.
>They all sounded angry.
>They were arguing and you didn't know why.
>After a while, it grew quiet, and then a door slammed.
>It didn't take you long to figure out what happened.
>He left.
>And you didn't even know his name.
>You were so devastated at first, you denied it.
>He'd be back, I just know it!
>Any day now...
>M-maybe he's just sick? I hope he gets better...
>You waited and waited, but it was just you again.
>Well, you and them, technically.
>But they didn't like you.
>In fact, in time, they made it quite clear that they didn't want anything to do with you at all.
>Every attempt you made to be friendly backfired into raised voices and harsh words.
>When you first woke up in that attic, they were gathered around you, smiling.
>You were so happy.
>B-but...
>They left you there and the only one who stayed and showed you any kindness was gone.
>All you had left was a book and the fantasies in your head.
>Quiet walks under a starlit sky.
>Mundane jaunts through a magical village.
>Chats with talkative woodland creatures.
>They were never grandiose in nature, but you longed for them nevertheless.
>And that's how you spent your days there.
>Until one day, one of them walked up to you.
>You hadn't had that happen for a really long time.
>And she... patted your head.
>They never touched you before so it made you freeze up.
>"We're going to play doctor!" She said with a smile.
>Her tone was so genuine that you... smiled with her.
>You didn't know what a doctor was, but it sounded good.
>And... and she took you downstairs.
>You've never been downstairs before, so it was exciting.
>There was a metal table set up.
>And the room was cold.

>The lady sat you down by the table and told you to 'sit tight'.
>You didn't know how to do that, but you knew how to sit still, so you did that instead.
>She left the room and you could her hear talking with the others.
>It was hard to make out, but you caught snippets every once in a while.
>"...what it looks like?"
>"...have to make a..."
>"...entangled with the..."
>"...the whole thing out..."
>It didn't make much sense to you, so you wound up occupying yourself by looking around the room.
>Most of the stuff in the room seemed old and it reminded you of a story you read about an elderly woman who lived in an oversized mushroom.
>She had all sorts of fancy knickknacks, just like in this room!
>But maybe not as dusty.
>For some reason, all the dust made you feel... weird.
>It was an odd twinge in your heart, but it was so fleeting that you couldn't describe the emotion.
>You didn't have much time to dwell on it, as the lady came back with the others.
>The others.
>Besides taking turns bringing you the occasional meal, you didn't know anything about them.
>You knew their physical features, of course, but that was about it.
>The one with glasses sat down in a nearby chair and sighs.
>"This manual is a wreck, but I think it'll pan out."
>The burly one crosses his arms. "What about the-"
> The lady cuts him off. "Not now! Later."
>She then turns to you with yet another smile.
>"Hey hey, you ready?"
>You shuffle in place. "What's... What's a doctor?"
>Glasses chuckles. "Really?"
>Burly scoffs. "This would be way easier if *someone* knew how to turn it off."
>Turn it off?
>Does- does he mean... you?
>Maybe you just misheard?
>They wouldn't-
>"I've read through this thing front and back, it doesn't. Abysmal design if you ask me."
>"I didn't."
>"Tch, whatever man."
>They're talking about you.
>And you don't like their tone.
>You scoot a little closer to the wall behind you and look up at the lady, hoping to be consoled.
>M-maybe you're just nervous?
>She sighs. "I guess we might as well get this over with."
>Her eyes fall on you. "Just relax, okay? We'll be done in no time."
>Her voice almost sounds... empty.
>B-but you thought... you thought things would be different.
>That maybe they wanted to get to know you.
>But they don't want to talk.
>You watch as she brings her hands down towards you.
>You don't understand.
>Their conversation before, it... it was about you too, wasn't it?
>Why would they want to turn you off?
>You're in a daze as she starts to pick you up, your mind trying to rationalize what's happening.
>But once you stop feeling the floor underneath your hooves, you snap out of it and start to panic.
>You wriggle out of her grasp and scramble around the room in a circle.
>There wasn't anywhere to hide, so you wind up backing yourself into a corner.
>"I told you this would happen."
>"Shut up and get ready, I'll grab it."
>The burly one approaches and you shrink down.
>The only resistance you can manage is a feeble "Please don't".

>There wasn't anything you could do to stop it.
>No amount of pleading or struggling would dissuade them.
>No savior or knight in shining armor to save you.
>You... you were just an object to them.
>Something to be taken apart at their leisure.
>As you laid on that table, you thought about all the stories about humans you read.
>Were they wrong?
>These people were nothing like the ones in your stories.
>Or maybe.. you were wrong.
>You thought that under all that apathy might have been good people.
>That you could get through to them.
>That if you tried really really hard... you could be their friend.
>And then everything would be okay.
>But...
>But they aren't people.
>All you see now are wolves baring their teeth.
>They don't want you.
>They just want what's inside of you.
>...
>You... you don't want to think about it anymore.
>Everything after that was a painful blur.
>And you were awake for all of it.
>Well... most of it, anyway.
>Somewhere along the line, you must have fainted, because you don't remember them putting... whatever is in your neck now, in you.
>You don't even know what it looks like, but you know it's hollow.
>There's something inside, but you can't reach far enough to open it up.
>Maybe you're a pinata now.
>Just quietly waiting to be smacked.
>You want to laugh at your pitiful state, but all you can muster is sniffling.
>Since then, you've always been a little... out of sync.
>Once in a while, your mind won't realize that your body is crying right away.
>The weirdest part is that you don't even *feel* sad.
>It's incredibly infrequent, so at least it's not something you need to fret over.
>You dry your eyes and take a deep breath.
>Relax, it's over now.
>It's just you against the world, so uhm... time for more... survivalisting?
>That- That's not a word!
>At least you don't think it is?
>You look up at the stars and let out a sigh.
>It's getting late, maybe you should visit that tree again and swipe a few more apples?
>You'll try eating grass uh... another time.
>With a stretch, you get up.
>Time for heist two!
>Let's hope it goes as smoothly as the first one.
>Hey, maybe you'll get to snoop around that weird building, too?
>It always smells nice, so maybe there's more food around it.
>With curiosity and hunger pushing you forward, you start to trek back to the parking lot, a silent rhyme in your head.

>There was a stillness in the air as you emerged from the undergrowth.
>Without the noise and sights of the day, you were much more bold, standing once more under the orange lamplight.
>You take your time as you make your way to the front of the weird building.
>There was a sign out front that you wanted to check out.
>Through the glass, you could see inside. But it didn't make much sense to you, with its checkered patterns and folksy imagery.
>You squinted at the sign out front, which had an unfamiliar pony with a poofy mane proudly displaying a tray on her hoof.
>She was well groomed and wore a playful smile.
>You glance over at your reflection in the glass.
>You try to imitate her smile, but the downtrodden mare you see before you doesn't budge.
>Hmph, be that way!
>You stick your tongue out at yourself, which makes you feel slightly better about it.
>You bring your gaze down to the words resting on her tray.
>'TODAY'S SPECIAL(S): [Caramel Apple Fritter] and [Bonanza's Surprise]
>The second one was hastily crossed out with a frowny face next to it.
>You guess this place serves food.
>But what's a fritter?
>Your tummy rumbles at the prospect, regardless.
>Soon, I say! Just relax until I finishing reading thi-
>"And the rain came down that day and it drained my soul away..."
>H-huh?
>Your ears perk up, trying to pinpoint that singing.
>Y-you forgot about the person from last night!
>"Bum de duh de dum..."
>It's getting nearer, you need to move.
>You slink around the building and once you see your target, the tree, you trot briskly towards it.
>You spare no time in swiping a few of the small apples.
>Once finished, you take a deep breath.
>You don't hear anything, so... maybe the coast is clear?
>"Hey there."
>You jolt and in your panic, the apples fall from your clutches, scattering onto the grass.
>Your mind is racing as it desperately attempts to plot an escape.
>"Woah woah, take it easy, just... hold on."
>You back away until you are brushing up against the bush by the tree.
>"Just hear me out! I'm- I'm not going anywhere."
>You hesitantly glance in the direction of the figure.
>In the light, you realize that it's just a tired man with a concerned expression, his hands in clear view.
>He slowly sits down by the building and after he clears his throat, he gestures to you.
>"You know, I was betting on squirrels stripping that tree. I guess I didn't think a pony was in the cards!"
>He rubs the back of his neck. "So, whaddya doing all the way out here, bud?"
>You continue staring at him momentarily before lowering your eyes towards the morsels on the ground.
>"Hungry?"
>You nod slowly, not taking your eyes from the fruit.
>"Hmm... How about this."
>You shrink down as you realize that he was getting up.
>He turns away and stretches. "Eat up. I won't bother you, okay?"
>He glances back at you for a moment. "Just... try not to make a mess, I'd rather not do more work than I have to."
>You watch him leave, utterly bewildered.
>He... left?

>You at the very least expected to get yelled at, but instead, he's turning a blind eye?
>M-maybe... maybe it's a trick? Like when you turn your back he'll-
>NO!
>T-this is a normal person! You can't- You can't expect the worst.
>You shouldn't do that anymore.
>Just... Just relax and eat, alright?
>Despite wanting to calm down, you're still rather shaken up.
>In an attempt at keeping your nerves at bay, you decide to watch his movement.
>He's picking up bags and throwing them in that bin out back.
>Besides that, he's cleaning up the area around the weird food building.
>Not long after, he's humming to himself again, doing some other random task.
>He just works here! He's normal.
>You fidget in place.
>You... you hope you aren't being a nuisance.
>Feeling... slightly at ease, you slowly start munching away at the apples.
>As your hunger is sated, your nervousness subsides as well.
>Soon enough, you find yourself getting comfortable, which has the unfortunate side effect of making you a tad sleepy.
>After a rather eventful day by your standards, it made sense, but...
>You listlessly glance up at the man, who was sitting on a concrete step at the back of the building, resting.
>Before you go find your sleeping bush... You should say thanks, or at least as close to thanks as you can in your current state.
>You know, for him not running you off.
>You look down at the last remaining apple on the ground.
>...
>You pick it up by the stem and get up.
>You... you got this.
>You gingerly make your way over to him, slowing down when he notices you.
>"Hey again. Do you... need something?"
>You shake your head as you approach a little closer.
>You stop quite a ways from him, but close enough that you can see the smile on his face.
>You try to look him in the eye but you falter and end up staring at the ground.
>As you take a deep breath, you try to think of something to do.
>How... how about you just toss it over like a um... a gift!
>Or maybe a snack?
>W-whatever, just give it to him!
>You get ready to lightly toss the apple, but put way to much force into it and accidentally launch it at him.
>...And watch in horror as the little apple spikes off his forehead and tumbles to the ground.
>The both of you stare at each other, with you slowly reddening.
>He bends down and grabs the apple, tossing it lightly in his hand a few times.
>He grins, despite the lump on his forehead. "Nice shot! Thanks for saving me one."
>You decide that this would spark the end of today's outing.
>You give him a quick nod before darting out of sight
>"You'd be great at baseball!" You hear him yell as you depart.
>You can almost hear the laughter in his voice, but it isn't... mocking.
>He just seems happy.
>You trot past the building windows on your way into the forest and see your face burning with embarrassment.
>But not only that... you notice a smile as well.
>It's incredibly awkward and more than a little dopey but.. it's there.
>Huh, you guess you can do it after all.

- - - -

>After that, you found yourself visiting often during the night.
>The parking lot had a nice clear view of the stars and seeing that most of the food you've eaten has come from around there, it made sense in your mind.
>Oh! And you finally tried grass.
>You uhm... didn't like it.
>It tasted way worse than dandelions.
>But at least you aren't hungry right now.
>In all honesty, there's a lot less to eat than you first thought.
>You guess you can't afford to be picky...
>Maybe you can try pinecones again?
>Hmm... let's put a pin in that for now.
>Right now, you just want to relax a little.
>You're currently sitting by the now bare apple tree.
>You guess it's kind of your 'territory'.
>By that you mean you can see a lot of the parking lot from here without feeling like you're out in the open, so you guess it's comfortable.
>It's nice all things considered.
>You've been 'people watching' as that man put it.
>He mentioned it in passing, as he was lugging a rolliewheel bin.
>You- You don't *actually* think they're called that, but that's what your mind came up with!
>A-anyway... you guess he's right.
>You've been finding yourself staring more often, be it him at night, or the building's patrons during the day from the bushes.
>You've even seen a few ponies, too.
>In a way... it made you feel a tad self-conscious.
>How can they look so calm being around all those people?
>You'd probably be terrified.
>Well... you guess you kind of understand now.
>Ever since that guy started talking to you. you haven't been as nervous.
>You still panic when he gets a little too close and end up running away, but you always come back after you calm down.
>Maybe it's a force of habit or something?
>You've ruled him out of being one of the bad ones, but you guess your instincts just kind of kick in.
>You let out a sigh and lay down, resting your head on the grass.
>But regardless of your anxieties... it's nice here.
>You stifle a yawn.
>The noisy bugs and warm breeze make your eyelids feel heavy...
>And the grass is almost... fluffy.
>The night's still young, but... maybe you can take a little nap?
>That... that would be nice.
>Really.... nice.
>As you close your eyes, your ears focus on some nearby crickets.
>Like a little band, lulling you to sleep.
>Playing their miniature instruments.
>Hehe, you bet they fashion them out of acorns...
>You... you wonder what kind of fun antics they get themselves into...
>For the first time in ages, you fall asleep in the presence of a human.
>Your dreams filled with adventurous stories of friendship between bugs.
>Maybe one day you can have your own adventures.
>Your own friends.
>And maybe even your own stories.
>That would be nice.
>Heh.
>You've been saying that a lot lately, huh?
>But you mean it.
>Every word of it.
>You feel... content.

- - - -

>Your ears perk up at the sound of something in the middle distance.
>"...shift is over...up and at 'em..."
>You don't catch most of it, but you're pretty sure that's your cue to make your exit.
>You open your eyes and groggily lull you head towards the familiar voice.
>Through your sleepy haze, you can make out the shape of the man, sitting on the steps of the back of the food building like usual.
>You wonder how long you were asleep? You still feel really tired...
>"Sorry for waking you, but I don't want to leave while you're conked out."
>You sit up and rub your eyes, half wondering what a 'conk' is.
>After you feel awake enough to stand, you get up and yawn.
>"Things open really early today, so you might not want to linger."
>Today?
>Well, you guess now you know that it's at least after midnight.
>You turn to the man and give him a nod, not really sure how else to show your gratitude for the warning.
>He gets up with a stretch and lets out a sigh.
>"Have a good night and try to get some proper rest. I'll see you round' like a donut."
>You wave him off, somewhat perplexed by his last statement.
>Now alone once more, you drag your tired body back into the forest after lazily munching on a nearby dandelion.
>As you trot, you realize how calm you felt.
>Usually your encounters with him made you feel jittery, even if you knew he was nice.
>As if your body was always on the defensive, ready to bolt at a moment's notice.
>But something changed.
>You almost feel like... like you're starting to trust him.
>Trust.
>The word was heavy in your mind.
>Dirty.
>Tarnished.
>Everyone you started to trust either hurt you, or left.
>Your mind may want to move on, but your body remembers.
>Each time you look at someone, you can feel that scared little part of you start to rise again.
>Almost like another you, cowering in a corner of your head.
>All she knows is that contact can spiral into searing pain and abandonment, so every person is seen as a potential threat.
>Even the gentlest hand terrifies her.
>Maybe...
>Maybe over time, you can slowly mend her scars.
>One day, she might feel truly safe again.
>Maybe it's already getting better.
>Her shaking is less intense now.
>Just like your own.
>It's... odd, isn't it?
>Thinking about yourself like this.
>Your lack of sleep might be making you weirdly introspective.
>Not to mention talking about yourself in the third person...
>You finally stop in front of your designated sleeping bush and give it a weary smile.
>Hidden in the large shrub was a shabby little den of sorts that you've come to call home.
>It wasn't the most comfortable piece of greenery, but you've grown a little attached to it.
>Did you miss me? I missed you.
>It welcomes you with open... branches?
>Yeah, you'll just go with that.
>You make yourself at home and lay down with a sigh.
>Tonight has been... pleasant.
>Even if you're still rather hesitant inside, you feel like there has been some progress, however small.