Dull skin trembled beneath sleek summer dapples; the tension exuded by the timid stranger absorbed instinctively by she who was alert and watchful. Pale yellowy eyes scanned the slim glade surrounding, but for the most part no other moved- not even the rustle of flamboyant forest birdlife. Ears flicked curiously, searching also, though returning always to settle on the golden Pegasus whose figure seemed so defenceless in the vast wilderness encasing her. Africa wanted to reassure her, to sooth the nerves which flinched frequently across her hide, but she could not find the source, was oblivious to the phobia marring the mind of the other.

From the distance she had waited, the young grey could see the twitch of lips, pregnant with verbal intent; appeal or worry. Africa watched them falter, and the silence which had formed between them both was as stifling as the heavy blanket of summer heat across her sloping shoulders. Vigilant eyes switched rapidly to find the form of another, a green accented stallion who she had not before seen, silhouetted suddenly motionless before the jagged tree line. He nodded civilly, and the grey offered the same gesture in return. Without delay he introduced himself as Solace, a name which Africa had not heard either. She smiled quietly where she lingered by the periphery but began to edge a little closer when she noted the quite apparent discomfort her winged kin in the presence of the male- because of his gender, his species, his odour; she could not tell yet.

The Oracle slid ever closer to the frightened mare, nares fluttering with warmth and compassion all the while. The fear was pungent, like a thick fog churning around her and Africa waded through valiantly before extending her gentle, pale face forward; empathy a glaze across her kindly expression. “Vanity… She cooed softly, recoiling her neck and drawing her skull away again. “… this is Helovia, the Threshold where all begin.” She paused deliberately to glance towards the green tinged stallion and smiled trustingly (foolishly, but readily offering him the benefit of the doubt). “You don’t need to be frightened, you are quite safe in our company.” Of course the statement was a brave presumption but she concealed it well, and stepped away, closer to Solace as though to prove his worth of character.

He did not seem crude, rough or arrogant- his position suggested a creature who was patient, not overbearing, and that was what Africa was counting on to sway the emotion of the golden Pegasus.

“I have come to offer you a home- surrounded by the feathered like ourselves, a sanctuary, for the frail, damaged or ambitious alike. My family lives by Dragon’s Throat in the south.” The grey paused then thoughtfully and shifted slightly to invite Solace to speak- she was courteous and reasonable, and knew well the routine of recruitment.