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The billowy sound of her gentle chortle filled the short pause between the aspiring young Throatling’s sentences. Africa relaxed more swiftly into conversation with Sikeax then she did many of the others who had walked freely in and out of her life. She held not a great many friends close to her heart, and those dearest were less her own gender. It was not by choice though; she had dabbled through the Threshold often looking for the weary and the wayward, opening herself to them both compassionately and inviting them to call the Throat home. Out of the countless faces the one-winged had brought home, those who had not vanished into hungry oblivion earlier had never returned after the darkness- Africa had no idea where they were now. Even the longest-standing members of this family seemed to have disappeared, and it pained Africa to lose them; Midas, Gaucho, Rasta, Silk...

Now with the champagne girl beneath her wing again (so to speak), clinging on to the hope that not all had been lost, a blissful energy began at once to swell through her core.

It was true that those carefree days lolling through blistering summers and still warm winters felt like yesterday, and the pale face nodded beneath its swirling curtain of tan-tipped forelock; fire licking playfully upwards from its midst. She missed the lack of responsibility now that the weight of this land rested squarely upon her shoulders. A pensive sigh slipped between barely parted lips as they offered a tender smile towards the girl, lightning again casting the grim world around them alight. "A lot has changed, and I fear a long road lies ahead of us in this new era." It was an understatement, but Africa had the resolve and desire to drive them on towards a better future. "All allegiances were severed when the herds were poured together into The Sanctuary. We are yet to learn who we can trust now." She paused and a wistful dullness glazed briefly her sandy eyes. "I fear all is still not right with the world."

Africa took no offence to the younger’s queries. She could not blame her, and confusion often overwhelmed her own deliberation. The smile spread warmly through her softly expression when Sikeax continued, answering earnestly the dappled Sultana’s concerned question. She had met Scare once, while returning from duty off shore. The adolescent blue-eyed boy seemed naive, though charming all the while and as the young mare before her explained her own encounter a giddy affection tickled her soul.

The Starry-Eyed remembered not so long ago, the forlorn plea of this horned creature and she had not granted the promise to help restore those memories lost. Disappointed in herself, but impressed that Sikeax had not allowed herself to fold with the pain and grief of her ordeal, Africa shared her remorse. "I’m so sorry for not being the support you needed. It’s a relief to hear though, that you found Sacre, and that he was perhaps some of the help you’d needed. Please forgive me Sikeax." Sensing the gravity of the topic, and noting the downcast shift of the other’s cobalt eyes, she spoke no more about it. She cared so deeply, and resented herself for allowing her own woes to cloud her sensibility.

Quickly the conversation swayed, and the question induced naught but a broad grin to smother the creased lines of worry as they had set right across her slim face. "When we swam together in the lake during Birdsong..." The one-winged began eagerly, "...you spoke of your interest in the healing arts; mentioned that you would like to heal for the Throat." Bright eyes sought connection with Sikeax’s. "Would you accept an apprenticeship for now? Learning the Sun Physician’s technique to earn favour by our Lord, and in turn the magic of the flame also?" She wished the girl success, reward for her loyalty, and it filled her with so much pleasure to be able to offer one so worthy the chance to wield their sacred art. Already Africa had in mind a mentor and a task for them both, should this offer be accepted.

[Ooc: To earn her rank magic, Sikeax would be required to work through some levels of her Tier's Rank Experience LINK and actively attempt if not complete any tasks set by her mentor or the Sultanas]

Africa