Compared to the myriad personalities roaming Helovia; especially those favoured by the God’s enough to have been bestowed wings at birth, Africa saw little that was remarkable about the Pegasus mare she and Gaucho were conversing with. She was of simple bay hue- no audacious white breaking apart the sleek, solidity; few blemishes marred her coat either, those which did draw Africa’s eye closely appeared only to be the prickly shell of a burr, or thistle here and there. Most notably, aside from the vast plume of lush auburn feathers, a jewel of some sort (like ivory or bone- the young Oracle could not decide), was knotted securely into the highest drape of her mane. It dangled there idly behind the curve of the mare’s defined jaw line, like a spider hanging from its web. Africa could not easily retract her eyes from the odd embellishment.

Since coming to Helovia, and even before, the young dreamy grey had forged a collection for herself out of the finest treasures and matter to be found throughout the land. Many things had been hoarded in her cave in the Throat- in fact, there was such a vast quantity that in excess of three trips across the oasis had been necessary to relocate the entire stash nearer to the fire of the diviner, just the week before. It had been a loathsome task, but Africa had sacrificed nothing. Naturally, she found herself quite drawn to that piece which clung so tightly to the other mare’s mane.

Long ears swivelled forward at the sound of Megaera’s voice- her name, and the introduction which followed tactfully after. It did not pass Africa by that the bay Pegasus was taken aback by something; perhaps the manner of Gaucho she thought quickly, and his rather choppy, blunt manner of speech. The tone of her smooth voice did not mimic the uncertainty though, and the dappled mare’s eyes wandered patiently between the apparently hollow black pools of the other’s. Like the pupil-less pits of Midas weren’t unnerving enough- black was worse, and she found it more than difficult to hold any contact with them. Never the less, she maintained her poise easily and smiled warmly as Megaera queried once more.

Africa glanced humbly towards Gaucho and nodded. “We are standing in the Threshold- where travellers seem always to find themselves lost.” It was quite an interesting concept really; few who roamed these woods were native Helovians. Most had been funnelled in, much the same way Africa had been originally, from the far eastern outskirts of the country. “It happens all the time.” She shrugged smoothly, and drew a thoughtful breath. “Many come to offer newcomers like yourself a place to rest and recover, or a home if that be their wish. That is our purpose also.
Helovia is overwhelmingly large, though easy enough to remember is that there are four main territories- typically north, south, east and west, and wild lands in between.” She had studied the lay of the land thoroughly, and her description came fairly effortlessly. Without wanting to overload the mare though who already seemed confused, the Oracle fell quiet; waiting perhaps for either her herd-mate or Megaera to speak their turn.