Lilac eyes roved meticulously over the sinewy black body of the male- the stranger who appeared at first glance to wear not the lines and furrows of an aggressor. Silas clung with a ravenous grip to the thick knotted bough of the leafless oak, balancing there despite the wicked wintry gust spilling through the forest constantly, monitoring the nature of the stallion’s movements for even the slightest trace of ill-intent.
His feathers were sleek, pressed clean against the lithe figure of his body; as black as a moonless night, though if he turned or swayed upon short scaly legs beneath, a slight purple sheen would glimmer in light. Down the length of his glossy back to trail the length of his elaborately feathered tail, and even a little further still; across the top of each glorious wing, to spill like a waterfall’s mist behind, he was speckled by true star-shine. He was a creature born of myth and beauty. His gaze was as sharp as an eagle’s, his mind bright and brave, and the Zephyr had pledged to guard over Africa no matter the foe to face.

The one-winged mare waited enduringly for the stranger’s reaction with the lush black and red tendrils of her tail spilling idly into the wind as it swept her by. Ears leaned forward, pricked with interest enough so that pretty black tips brushed eagerly together- and so too did her gaze remain ahead and fixed tightly upon him. The young masculine voice danced towards her, guided playfully by Frostfall’s relentless breath and Africa received it readily with a softly polished smile marking her relief. His reply had been swift and uncomplicated; no delay to indicate a mind calculating options behind the silent caress of sinister eyes. In fact, she thought easily, he seemed quite enthused by her appearance. Certainly he did not present in the same guarded, critically pained fashion that so many before him had.

Intrigued, she pulled forward into a brisk walk just as he did, and the remaining space (though slim it was) vanished. He greeted her without respect; typically as a newcomer to these parts might, and she smiled lightly for the sake of their coming together. Firstly the dappled mare nodded in return, pulling the lonely wing to her right, snug against the warmth of her slender barrel. "Hey." Manners had been wrought through her personality from a tender age, but she was no more formal in her conduct than she was able to fly in the form of a Pegasus. Quietly she took the liberty of studying his young limber physique from the angle she stood. There was nothing malicious lurking behind the pastel gold pools of her eyes to rouse in him suspicion; Africa was a gentle creature who sought to avoid conflict and confrontation, and that quietness emanated blatantly through the grace and care of her natural, casual manner.

"I’m Africa, from Dragon’s Throat in the south." She paused and turned her calm face towards the tree which held still her valiant companion, before adding "…and this is Silas." Her pallid features fell again towards the unfamiliar Pegasus, tilting slightly, curiously; the smile lingering across her thin smoky-grey lips as she waited in turn for the revelation of his own identity.