[ the blonde isn't particularly noticeable against her already-pale hair, so Johnny doesn't see anything different - at least not right away. It doesn't help that he's being distracted by the horse. She's not exactly affectionate, but she is quite concerned with confirming that he's back, in that way reunited animals can be; even Gray's approach doesn't seem to bother her, as Slow Dancer stays put, sniffing and nosing all around Johnny until he puts a hand on her snout to gently push her head back. ]

-- All right, all right, I get it, you missed me, [ he sighs, though he can't help cracking a smile at her demeanor before his attention goes back to Gray. ] Figured she would've just run off, but I guess she knows humans have the good food. Thanks for looking after her...

[ he trails off when he sees Gray looking a little teary-eyed. ]

Uh, you okay?

[ he figures this can't be about his return, because no one would be that happy to see him, and that leaves him puzzled. The fact that his horse has belonged to someone else for months hasn't quite set in; to him, it feels like he's been away for a day or two at most, even though he knows the truth. ]