Restlessness had been set into her heart long before the herd had been forced to take refuge, hidden away from the vast comfort of the star-spangled night sky. For more months than she cared to figure, Africa’s mind had been a troubled web of secrets, bitterness and antipathy; all of which had forced her withdrawal from the flow of mainstream herd-life over time (memories as terrible as those haunting her sleep, easily corroded the mildness of a feeble heart). Though the hard shell making her lovely dappled exterior seemed pleasant enough- normal even to the eye that had not known the sweet childish ignorance of the seasons past, internal conflict stirred her disquiet, and now with the darkness eating Helovia the Oracle could simply not unwind.

Wandering away from the Wall of History- a place where meditation aside from self-analysis came relatively quickly, the one-winged Oracle looked with a heavy gaze towards those still mingling in the room nearest to the doorstep into the open; The Sanctuary which seemed now to be as bustling and awkward as the pine-rich Threshold. More herds had come, though the natural relief which had welcomed them down had dwindled away. Although it had been decreed that all the population must meld together and resist the plague, Africa could not find peace while those Unicorns who had robbed her lived in the same quarters. She had not seen those present that day- yet, and certainly she wished never actually to find them at all. It was hard though, everyone was beginning to smell musty and dank; the dust of their homelands was fading fast.

Pale eyes found a few familiar faces scattered around the chamber, but none she particularly felt inclined to approach. The art of small talk had been lost for now, and the desire to push herself to interact was weak. Quite unpredictably though, intrigue was roused when she found Megaera near to the corridor which led outside, standing with another who did not look altogether well. Lethargically she approached, but her expression stiffened into a careful smile when the shadows released their grip. "Friends," she greeted the pair amiably (any winged horses were respected- except the blue, lightning mare from the northern forest), soft voice easily hiding the rampart disharmony beneath. "…I’m glad to see your safe return Megaera." Personally, Africa held no want to put herself in harm’s way- kudos to those braver than she. Thoughtfully she glanced to the stranger, dipping her face as a friendly gesture while quiet concern formed throughout the wrinkled sockets of her almond-shaped eyes. "I’m Africa, the herd’s Oracle. Are you alright?"

Africa