He hadn’t expected company but was nonetheless unsurprised when a stranger turned up.  This area showed signs of populace, though nothing of permanence.  Snapped branches and well trod trails winded through the snow-laden trees and what little sparse vegetation survived winter’s frigid kiss remained relatively un-grazed.  Ghosts entered this place, perhaps much like himself, wandering vagabonds, searching for a life left behind but unable to return. From the signs of this place, the ghosts only pass through and leave. Whereto and to what end, he couldn’t say.

Part of him hoped that there is a terrible curse or a dark monster haunting these woods that ultimately prevents a population from settling here. But nothing felt out of place; no darkness lurked here. Nonetheless, the thought is comforting, however unlikely that it may be.  

Young, Raistlyn thought.  He was surprised and mildly impressed he didn’t sense or hear the stranger's approach.  As natural as breathing and just as automatic, he honed his senses on his surroundings and became more aware of the scents and distant sounds that the wind carried.  From then on he remained more alert and vigilant than when he had first entered the wood.  His heavy thoughts and feelings had clouded his mind like a thick, damp fog.  If he was back in the Rift, that single moment of careless idleness could have certainly been his last.  But this world is not the Rift.

It was a tame world and so he lived another day.

He observed the stranger closely, noting the healing wounds first, the bright metallic glitter of a golden horn and keen golden eyes second.  He sensed nothing threatening or otherwise aggressive about the young dark unicorn, just mild curiosity.  The overall analyzation of the stranger and perhaps most especially his youth left a strange impression on Raistlyn.  He recalled a cave in the mountains.  A deep, dark cave glittering with gems and firelight.  A pool of molten silver liquid and iron shackles. And pain. Pain beyond recognition; he remembered that most.  Of eleven, three survived training. Of three, only Raistlyn survived the final Trial.  But he was forever changed and sometimes he wished he had not survived.

The stranger’s question pulled him from the memory of the cave in the mountains.  

“Yes, you could say that,” he answered wryly, a bitter tone lingering in growling rasp of his voice.  His breath unfurled in the cold, twisting like a serpent.  How long had it been snowing?  He stamped his hoof and shook the snow from his silver hair.  “Ever heard of the Rift?” Somehow he had an uneasy feeling Helovians would know the word and would not willingly receive him kindly as a result of associating him with the Rift.  If a portal had brought him here from the Rift, he could not fathom what else had escaped into this fair green haven. Had destruction and chaos been unleashed here, as well as the Wood?  What heinous creatures now roamed and infested their realm?  How long could Ultima survive out there, without his protection?

And for this reason, he resisted the urge to return to his solitary exile in the shadows and remained in place, feeling vulnerable in the small clearing.  He could hear others moving through trees.  Was he being watched? Followed?  Before he could continue questioning the dark unicorn, a black and white pegasus barreled into the clearing, nearly crashing into him.  She righted herself with an exclamation of embarrassment and introduced herself as Alysanne.  He was not sure what sort of person sought company in dark forests under the shadow of dusk, but he was not one to question or inquire about things he did not find interesting or of relevance, so he did not comment on her quest for company.  How strange this realm was.  

Alysanne seemed quite harmless and perfectly friendly but he remained cautious and wary.  She glanced eagerly back and forth between himself and golden-eyed unicorn, perhaps looking for some sort of confirmation that she was welcome here.  She was neither welcome nor unwelcome, but he supposed he ought to at least acknowledge her.  He tilted his head politely.   “Evening.”  He glanced at the stallion, wondering if they were acquainted at all.

Two more emerged from the trees, closing in on the small group like wolves stalking prey.  Two unicorns, both female who smelled similarly, like mountains and crisp pine.  One with silver hair, bright eyes, and stars glittering on her shoulders.  He wondered if she was naturally this beautiful, or was it some sort of enchantment?  He wished the silver medallion on the thin chain around his neck had not lost its magical properties when he had crossed through he portal.  It would have burned his skin if it sensed any magic or powers in the immediate area.

The other female had a strong looking, black twisted horn, faint grey paint markings, and a remarkably thick winter coat.  He almost envied her; his was not very thick and the cold had a way of making his bones ache. Perhaps Alysanne had not known the golden-horned stallion, but the silver-maned female certainly did. She appraised the stallion with an icy look and then did not acknowledge him again.  But she assumed far too much; he certainly did not desire any sort of company.  He almost said so, but that would get him nowhere.  He needed information.  They desired company.  He was not sure what kind of a trade that was, but then again, this realm and its customs were strange.

Fortunately, he did not have to oblige the star-mare be entertaining her notion of the evening sky; the black-horned female with a thick coat quickly agreed, cordially addressing the other female as Ki.  Was they sky beautiful? He did not know.  At one time in his life, nature had held a certain degree of beauty and gave him a sense of peace.  Since then, he maintained indifference.  The sky was shot with ribbons of blood; he could not see the beauty in that.

Savages.  They are all savages, he thought.  He did not exclude himself, but he could not include himself, either.  He was not what they were.  A mutant, an outcast. And yet he had vowed to protect these savages from the dark and the even darker creatures that prowled in the shadows.  Again and again he had fulfilled his oath, but they remained no less savage and cruel than before.  He did not know if humanity was worth saving any longer, but serving them and following the Path was all he knew.

A home?  He finally realized what they were offering him.  A home.  The concept was nearly impossible for him to understand.  He had no home, no family. Only one single purpose that completely consumed him.  The purpose for his creation, the sole reason he lived and breathed.  He could never have home or wife, or even a comfortable life.  His place was on the Path, and it was a lonely one.  

Aurora Basin.  Northwest. Perhaps he would begin his search there, and work his way south. Before he could inquire about this Aurora Basin, a remarkably tall mare with strong shoulders wove through the trees to join them in the clearing as the colors drained steadily from the sky.  The stench of wolf filled his flaring nostrils, but no one seemed alarmed by the white wolf that trailed obediently by the bay mare’s side. He eyed it curiously, wondering what magic the enchantress must have used to tame the beast’s spirit; he would be very interested in such magic.  They must all be sorceresses. One was far too beautiful, the pegasus had a tame keen-eyed owl, and the black-horned female also had a seemingly content white raven. The thought of being surrounded by sorceresses made him uneasy-- he'd dealt with their vicious kind in the past and hardly anything good came of dabbling with their mix. Although...there had been those exquisite nights under the moonlight with two sorceresses in particular...

But that hadn't ended well either, now that he thought about it.

The bay mare seemed quite unremarkable compared to the others, except for her pale eyes and bold marking lancing across her face, but he was also quick to notice how greatly she differed.. There was a hardness to her voice.  Was it bitterness?   She fixed him with a unyielding gaze, penetrating and cold. Some sort of challenge, he sensed.  He ignored her question, still considering her thoughtfully as she introduced herself as Essetia and the wolf as Romul.  What has the world done to you?  

It was against the nature of his mutant kind to seek out the company of others, but when the situation arose, he somehow mustered enough social grace to navigate through the simpler of interactions.   Raistlyn hadn't interacted with Helovians yet; he had managed to avoid them until now.  But his Path remained uncertain and he lacked all knowledge of this place, he desperately needed answers, and the quicker he engaged in their small-talk, the quicker he could get those answers and find Ultima and return with her in tow to the Rift. He was, however, unsettled by their quick acceptance of him and how unperturbed they remained in his presence.  Why were they honoring him with offers of homes and companionship?  Did they not know the damning brand on his shoulder? Were they blind to the fangs beneath his lips when he spoke, or the slit pupils of his strange feline eyes?

They did not know who he was, or what he was.
The realization…it was mystifying.

“I am Raistlyn of the Rift.”  He considered carefully what to say next, watching their expressions closely for any sign of recognition.  “A portal brought me to the Riptide Isles some time ago.”  He grimaced at the thought of the portal, the blinding green light, and the chaos that followed.  He glanced at the two unicorns from the Aurora Basin.  “Your offer is appreciated, but I must decline.  Traveling is part of my profession." Was this their ulterior motive? Recruiting soldiers to fight their wars and live and die for their kingdoms? If this was true, at least he might do some good here in the future. Where there are wars, there are always monsters, and where the are monsters, he would always be needed. "I’m also searching for someone.  My niece,” he added hastily. The idea of having a niece was entirely laughable, but Raistlyn didn’t laugh very often. "We were separated after the portal closed." 

ooc: uhhh i'm sorry this is so long and so boring omg, i'm really super rusty writing-wise and trying to get back in the hang of things! Thank you all for threading with me! :)