Kiada

It had already been a long winter. Constantly stuck in the confining area of the World’s Edge. Finally, today, after such a long time, the filly managed to escape, using her companion as a means of being her eyes. He alerted her to those passing by or checking on her, and especially when her mother had finally managed to leave to deal with some things. The fiery filly was upset, missing her twin brother, and eager to stretch her legs. So what was another trip to the Threshold? It was simple, even if she got into trouble she’d either managed to get someone to return to the Edge with her, or she could lie and say she had been fetching herbs for the greenhouse. She always had her excuses, and Khairi (the bearded vulture companion that sat comfortably perched upon her withers) always knew how to help her tell those lies.

While Kiada wasn’t too interested in gathering herbs and learning, when she did manage to slip out from under her parent’s nose, Khairi would pick up a few things here and there that they had learned about, keeping them tucked in his talons in an effort to prove the story true. It’s not like she’d used it yet, however. During her time in the World’s Edge, she’d only slipped away once to the Threshold despite being crowned its champion for the Aurora Basin the season prior. Nevertheless, the filly was restless, almost a year old, and itching for adventure. Her ink dipped hooves took her and Khairi diligently through the icy snow as morning arrived, painting the sky in golds and whites reminiscent of the child’s mother, but more importantly her brother.

Suddenly, a scent hit both her and Khairi’s senses. It was something unfamiliar and intriguing, and Kiada wondered if the threshold was really piling with people by now. She had remembered the faint scents of trails prior, but something about this one seemed fresh. Eagerly, the child turned her course and headed in the direction of the unknown. As she arrived, she was quick to notice the unfamiliar creature that stood with shaking legs, and Kiada tilted her head slightly – though still rather hidden among the brush that garnered droves of Frostfall’s winter.

A few moments passed before Khairi nudged her with his broad slate beak, as if to ask “what are you waiting for” in his impatience that bounded through the bond. A soft sigh slipped through her nose as she nodded her ashen head to him, turning her oceanic orbs to the newcomer. Her hooves took the child through the brush, the flames that danced along her spine morphed into various different creatures – mostly deer (perhaps slightly reminiscent of the mare’s own set of antlers) but paired with a lion that dotted her topline. Clearing her throat, aiming to not frighten the mare if she hadn’t heard the filly’s approach, a smile found its way onto her pink splotched lips – her ivory masked face aimed at the woman as she began. “Hello! Welcome to Helovia.” Her voice was growing deeper with age, but still carried the hint of youth. “My name’s Kiada, and this is Khairi, and we’re from the World’s Edge. Is there anything I can help you with?” The filly made a small notion toward the vulture that sat upon her withers, crooning a hello as he was introduced while his blood red gaze danced across the mare briefly.

"Talk."