A snowball fight?

The one-winged mare laughed softly at the suggestion, entertained always by the playful, eccentric nature of her speckled friend. Swiftly her extended wing sank to rest snug against her flank. It seemed that Rei’s spirits were seldom dull and it was a fine quality that was more often than not contagious – especially given the grey’s impressionable personality. Africa felt a little more comfortable then. She was hardly alone, and still less vulnerable in the company of her kin from the desert. Although always the plaguing fear of the Basin Unicorns simmered through her sensitive mind, the overwhelming sense of foreboding began to settle a little. They had numbers here, and a more placid smile lifted her pale grey features.

Flames danced to the silent rhythm of her calmed heartbeat, casting a warm soothing halo around her humble form. She was watching Rei thoughtfully, considering the gift she had stowed in the safety of her little pouch; a fine tribute to the amity forged between three. Africa had yet to seek Sohalia out about it, but the thought was never far from her mind. Quiet smile lengthened as the other mare scooted her nose through the white powder, flicking it towards another in the group, and the dappled mare mentioned respectfully, “Perhaps if we were more like centaurs, a snowball fight would be fiercer.” She thought of the stories once told by her mother – little did she know that one such creature had once strolled across this very region.

Regardless, the Starry-Eyed submitted to the light-hearted proposal and dipped her nose beneath the snow. She could hardly speak badly of something not tried. It was cold though, horribly so, not at all like the warm sands of her home. After only one flick (the spray directed towards only the familiar Pegasus), Africa wished not to continue. Perhaps if the high-noon sun sat above in place of the meagre moon of that night, she might had toyed longer with the idea- as it were no such warmth touched her skin and freezing was not high on her to-do list. With numb lips she spoke again, compassionate and attentive to those who were yet to voice their opinion.

“Perhaps, if we can’t decide on one fair test, we could try three?” There was no doubting her time at the head of the Dragon’s Throat herd had influenced her ability to mediate such interactive conversations - but still, these were mainly strangers and she was balancing on tenterhooks between them.

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Words: 411
Summary: Africa flicks snow at Rei, but finds it too cold and wet – not at all like the comfortable warm sands of her home. She suggests thoughtfully that the group try three tests to determine who might be best suited as the orb’s recipient, so that none might sway the results in favour of themself.