After days of running, of hiding from the darkness that consumes Helovia and sleeping in hollows of the earth, barely able to shutter their eyes for a few moments with the fear that when they awoke it would already be too late. Muriel had never had to rely on her own wits and strength before, especially in order to protect Leliel. Blind and helpless, he relied on her, and it shook her to the core like a furious earthquake to know she was so defenseless on her own. How could she possibly help him, when she couldn't even help herself? There was nothing she could do, and she didn't know where the strength came from inside of her to possibly lead him onward towards safety. Where, inside him, could he possibly feel that she was trustworthy? Didn't Leliel remember how weak and frivolous she'd been? It led to her silence, most days. They were an odd pair- she mute by choice, and he blind unwillingly. It had been a harsh, discordant process. Together they had stumbled and fallen, scraped knees and shoulders alike, bruised and banged until they were sore and losing faith that there even was a place of sanctuary.

Muriel had never had to lead a blinded figure before, and the both of them had much to learn from the other. Not that Muriel was prone to share, these days. She yearned for Onni's presence. Somewhere along the way, in the craze of the traveling, they'd been separated from the gentle soul. Muriel was left in the presence of the stallion she both loved and hated, perhaps even equally, with a mess of things to sort out in herself and no time or privacy to do so. Instead, she turned inward, seeking solace in the only place she had left. Who could even be sure that she'd be received well by Leliel, if she tried to initiate conversation with him? The quad-flighted male had always been stand-offish, with nary a care for frivolous feelings and emotional tendencies. Unluckily for Muriel, that was her all wrapped in one. So she remained mum.

The cavern was clearly the place that seemed to be thought of as the safest, with well-traveled entrances and paths that stemmed out from place to place like a spiderweb of history. Giving a soft sound she reached a wing towards her companion, the touch a by-now familiar language between the two of them. With a mere touch she could direct him, not trusting herself most days to speak. Moving ahead of him, she stretched her lowermost wing backwards towards him. It was a way to lead him forward, instead of worrying about where the both of them were stepping at the exact same time. Her muscles screamed at her, aching in ways she'd never thought was possible. All she wanted was to get inside and not have to worry about anything else ever again. Or maybe sleep for a good three years. She'd take either at this point.

A hole in the earth was her only sign of activity, and leading underground a steep hill, pebbled and weak soiled. "Steep hill ahead, go slow," she murmured behind her, her own fuchsia hooves digging deep into the loose earth as she slowly clambered down. Voice rang out from below, soft melodies of worry and confusion. They'd finally found it. It took a while, mostly out of her own hesitation to go too fast, but she wasn't eager to mingle with people she didn't know. Instead she kept her head low, hoping she wouldn't appear too odd in her pink hues and Leliel's electric blues. Not to mention their quad-wings of Janet. All she wanted was to find a quiet spot. That's all she asked for.

Wandering deeper, careful not to move too fast or navigate in spaces too complicated for her blind companion, the desire to be away from people odd for the normally bubbly mare. She followed the sound of water. The shores of the sunken falls reflected light that seemingly had no source, but it wasn't as if Leliel could see it and enjoy it with her. Sighing, she slowly lowered herself down to the soft sandy shores of the underground beach. Everything hurt, and she let out a tiny whimper as she finally settled. The sand was cool and pleasant against her belly, and if she let her wings spread out like a broken bird, well...at least Leliel couldn't see how pathetic she looked.

Looking over at him, she murmured only a few more words. "Rest, Leliel. We're safe now."