The mare had not had as much time as she would have liked to ponder over the new friendships she had been forging. Her friendship with Smoke was built upon mutual respect, the more she learned about the mare the more she admired her, wanted to keep her closer. Watching silently as others arrived and milled about, Mirage contemplated where they would all go in the world from here. Her brothers, who keenly observed all that arrived with less than welcoming stares, would fight in the upcoming battle that would, hopefully, earn their beloved Qian a home. Lace arrived, and seemingly found comfort by her own side, which Mirage certainly did not push away. Akaith greeted the little white Fajira whom she had grown so fond of with her usual enthusiasm, and it was this more than anything that allowed the brothers, Madyrn and Maskan, to relax some more. They trusted in Akaith's judgement, and so they stoically stood guard while the silver grulla passed them, merely sparing a glance and a sampling of his scent before diverting their attention back to the present. When on duty, the brothers were vastly different when they were at play. And this was no time for play.

Mirage was curious as to the relation between Lace and the former Healer, and reflected briefly on the tale he had told her - was she the one who had healed him? The shadow mare may never know for sure, but that did not stop her from musing on the possible intricacies of it all. The unruly steed that had made such a kerfuffle at the recent Foothills meeting arrived next, and Mirage had to wonder at his relationship to Smoke, or perhaps more appropriately, Smoke's daughter, who lingered not far behind Ricochet. Mirage stood by the mare, Smoke, a silent observer, a friend promising her support against anything that might try to harm her, or the new life she had just birthed. The brothers barely had to shift their weight in warning for the stallion to put distance between himself and the bundle of new life he found so repelling, and so they remained still, too. The keen golden gaze of the little shadow mare watched all the complicated emotions that drew across Ricochet's face however, and she made a note to discuss him in the future, when things settled down, and she and Smoke were able to convene. Who knew when that would be, however?

The familiar mare, Solstice, then arrived, and once again, another seemed to recognise Lace. She wondered at how Lace would feel coming across faces who recognised him from Isilme, wondered at whether his sinful past had hurt them. It didn't matter, she decided, for she had taken claim of his responsibilities, should any wish to question his honour, they were to ask her. The mare knew him, or thought she knew him, at least, to be an honourable steed, both in morals and actions, and she would give her word for him no matter who asked. But nothing more was said by Solstice, as the little Israfel stole the limelight once more. A warm nicker escaped the brothers at the arrival of their other sister, who pushed their broad muzzles against her fondly. Mirage leaned into the gesture Rishima pressed against her, love and adoration evident in the simple gaze she gifted her with the turning of her nape. The DragonHeart nodded subtly, agreeing with the words her sister spoke in compliments to the little bundle of sunlight that laid before them. A shadow of a smile had to tug at her lips at the openly enthusiastic arrival of Kimber, and the water-creatures that kept her company.

Mirage had to wonder at the relationship between siblings, at how strong an influence Ricochet might have upon Kimber, or vice versa. The open acceptance Kimber displayed for her newest sister was heart-warming, and, Mirage hoped, infectious. The little tribrid whose father was an immortal creature that aided in the creation of the very lands they stood upon would surely have an adventurous life to lead, even if all those around her tried to prevent it. Greatness is usually earned, but sometimes the greatness of one's own blood and heart are there from the beginning. The little shadow mare could only wonder what was in store for this daughter of sunlight itself. She would be sure to keep an eye on her, at the very least. Ears pricked, having fallen to a relaxed pose for a moment while many thoughts ran rampart through her tiara, at the sound of Smoke's voice again. A genuine, honest smile that gleamed not only upon her lips, but behind her liquid pools of clear amber, decorated her features in response, as with an equally strong and sure voice, she replied.

"Of course, Smoke. You have our loyalty, and protection, whenever you need us, we will be there." In a rare display of open affection, the mare proffered her muzzle to the other mare, the one she felt was as equal to her as those of her blood-tied family, as well as a gentle caress to the youthful tribrid's poll, before shifting her hindlegs in a relaxed pose, patiently content to stand by the mare for as long as it took for strength to return to its maximum, and some semblance of peace and security to settle over the situation.