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The deluge was relentless and steady, beating heavily upon Africa’s thin, murky-grey dappled coat and soaking quickly through to chill the warm skin beneath. A light haze of steam fought its way upwards through the rain, lifting off her coat, the sand; the blistering world which was their home.

Perhaps it was the rain distracting her thoughts, her comfort. A soothing smile slipped across her thin, dark lips as Sikeax began to fumble for words, and the one-winged strained to comprehend the chaos of unstructured thoughts as they began unsuccessfully to splutter into their wet surroundings, "Uh..... Um.....". The paler’s skull tossed and turned as though trying to shake away a memory, and finally she composed herself long enough to say, “ Please ignore my last words, cruel tricks are being played on me.” The Starry-Eyed shrugged calmly, and the stream of water etching a path down along the ridge of her shoulder jerked irritably. She was a creature of patience and virtue, quickly disregarding the mistake as necessary. Naturally she was concerned about the strange hurt which had all but possessed Sikeax’s sky-blue eyes, but remembering the way the other had turned away, cast down her vulnerable gaze, the empathetic mare held her tongue.

She’d been there so many times before.

The Unicorn went on to suggest a reunion of sorts with World’s Edge, to reforge the alliance which had been let to dissolve in recent times. Who led them now? The Dragon Heart? That was the last name she remembered who’d wielded any sort of power there. Africa nodded, smiling vaguely, considering... "A valid idea, sister." She answered quietly thereafter, though she couldn’t imagine presenting by the glass gateway empty-handed. Perhaps they could offer a gift, a token of good will. Herbs? The grey’s nostrils rattled loudly, impressed with the idea. It could wait though, there was more pressing matters to tend to yet.

After her own apology had been most graciously accepted, Africa brought forth eagerly the proposal of Sikeax’s apprenticeship. She could see right away that the younger horse, a girl forced to grow up too soon it seemed, thought well of the offer. A sheer smile spread through the champagne one’s pretty expression, illuminating her face. It was quite contagious. Soft pastel eyes fluttered with expanding delight when the other accepted, pledging her service for the greater good of the herd. It was the aspiring hearts, willing and generous like that of the mare standing before the Starry-Eyed, that would set the firmest of foundations for Dragon’s Throat to mature upon. "Let it be so then!" she beamed, defying the miserable storm as it grumbled resentfully above them, "Andromeda our Sun Physician will teach you well.

Seek her out over the days to come. The task I set both of you now is to find some herbs that grow only through this oasis. Harvest them, roots and all so they might live on... (already Silas had cut loose the satchel by Africa’s elbow. Between the artful clasp of his hooked beak, the zephyr carried it through the rain and began to fasten it just below Sikeax’s elbow) ...Take them to World’s Edge in this bag and present them to their leaders, to the one called Resplendence who is rumored to heal with herbs. I have seen the garden she tends with many different kinds. Complete this before Orangemoon browns the forests of Helovia please, and return with their response." Africa fell silent, nodding appreciatively as though to conclude her turn.

[Ooc: @[Andromeda], you don’t have to reply to this thread. The last couple of paragraphs apply to you too though ;) ]

Africa