Wickedly brisk, and driving ever quicker between the restless creak and groan of old, haggard redwoods, the wind stirred lush mottled tendrils into whirling, twisting tangles. Upon its breath also was brought the subtle scent of another- a female, though unfamiliar otherwise. Long charcoal tipped ears switched readily; searching upwind for the approach of the stranger and soon enough another Pegasus (the first, basic impression) strode smartly towards them. The green tinged Unicorn had found her also; though Africa could feel the tension build through the other mare’s lithe form- her own involuntary response was much the same; the flex and ripple of refined, ready muscles, the sway of bodies as they merged closer together. Instinct had always held a firm grip on her resolve. Rarely did she act apart from that.

Regardless, Naveen continued the conversation although her tone had mellowed so that wispy words mixed quickly into the circulating air. They were not lost to the dappled mare however; her ears were fine-tuned and careful, and a gracious smile creased further the wrinkled crooks of her thin dark-grey mouth. No sooner had the horned mare revealed her purpose, the blue mare with locks as pale as the icebergs dotting the northern oceans had arrived- without anything greater than a cordial nod to mark her joining. Undeterred and brooding mood alleviated by the light-hearted company to her side, Africa offered to her winged-brethren a warm smile- transparent emotion that had long been lost beneath the perils of grim memories and rotting guilt.

Unfortunately, the words which sailed clear of the newcomer’s lips were right; a warning, and one without the frills of hope other’s sheltering beneath the earth dressed themselves in. Africa found herself staring, thoughtful pools of shiny sand swimming through the strangely ethereal gaze of the other; captivated, curious. Eyes drifted beyond stoic, still features to find unusual markings crawling above feminine curves; a slim waist, gloriously rounded hips- though she could see no more from the angle she was watching from.

Naveen’s sceptical voice pulled the one-winged grey from her study; words slipping with subtle sadness for the admission born upon them. "The evil is real." She glanced thoughtfully back to where the tri-coloured mare still stood to her side and offered something of a reassuring nod- only to say that this was no lie. "We who have not been infected hide away beneath the earth. It has been many months since most have basked in the warm grace of sunlight." It was not all terrible news though- she shrugged soberly and offered a weak smile. "The God of the Earth has blessed a fountain in the Sanctuary and it is said that those waters can cleanse a wraith of its illness. There is an army too who have risen against the darkness..." Her pale face jerked slightly, the scoff withheld. Many presumed that this was actually the end of the world- and Africa couldn’t blame them.

"I agree. We shouldn’t dither here. Will you return to the caves with us?" The wing feathers clasped snugly against the curl of her barrel bristled, though the journey would not be blessed with flight she acknowledged calmly.

Africa