The Songbird’s heart was moved, beating a tremendous, bright, brilliant crescendo as they came on flickering flames and edge mists, on the delightful unknown and the serenest of hues, on the rush of autumn and chilling ramparts. Her smile lifted into luminescent alms, splashing into the illustrious gathering, proclaiming grandeur, opulence, a radiant, reverent decree meant for each and every soul longing to listen to the threads of their yesteryears. She might have even cried for sheer happiness, but kept herself composed – content in their regard for the world she loved and cherished, tender towards them because they’d agreed to the Thief and the Mender’s invitations, warm and compassionate because they weren’t afraid of the once perilous and dominating fortress. She extended her benevolent greetings towards the first stranger, pearlescent and beautiful in the evening fires, “Hello! Welcome to the Basin!” and continued on as they ambled forth – sweet Alysanne, “It’s good to see you again, friend!” (with a wink, with a nudge to her shoulder) no longer bleeding or withering, decaying from the inside out (who requested stories of either creatures or the Time God himself), and then a watery fae she recognized from the Falls (Syrena, she called herself, and the femme placed it in her memories). Even Glasgow, dear, quiet Glasgow, had managed to return back to the glacial quarters, and Lena offered her the same sweet blessings and generosity. “Likewise! Perhaps, when you’re not busy, you may look in on your greenhouse,” and she winked again, turning her head towards the colossal Edge King, Tembovu. “We’re pleased to have you in our midst, sir.”
 
She acknowledged their desires and appeals, pondering over where to start when she finally surmised that it should be at the beginning – when everything for them started anew, fresh, foreign, but welcome (away from the strife, the agony, the anarchy). Her tunes were spells of enchantment and woven benedictions, a contortion of artwork for the soul. “The Time God has always been rewarding.” Her eyes lifted to the horizon, to the flames, to the fires flickering along each gaze, to the grand mountains that had granted them protection and security, tranquility and perseverance. “We were once a part of the Edge,” she began, reveling at the itch of history intertwined and layered between her limbs, along her veins, threaded across her heart in scars and banners. “There were only three herds at the time: the Windtossed Foothills, the Dragon’s Throat, and the World’s Edge.” She smiled towards Tembovu and Alysanne, wondering if they’d ever been granted the information she was about to impart, and if it even mattered – if stories and legends were nothing more than dust, no matter how many had lived through it. “While we lived in the Edge, we were invaded by an outcast band called the Qian, led by Mirage, and assisted by the Dragon’s Throat.” She paused, swallowed lightly (consumed the rancor threatening to build over her composed features, her beautiful, rapturous gaze), and continued on, a smile still embedded through her lips. “We lost, and became refugees along the Frostbreath Steppe. It was a terrible winter.” The nymph could remember the overwhelming sense of loss, of failure, of bitterness clouding their sentiments, of withering, decaying, and trying to find a way to live again. But her spirits lifted, and her grin too, recalling the spectacle of the Time God and the path he’d made for them. On a mellifluous chime, she continued their pivotal tale, exuding grace and poise where she might’ve faltered seasons before. “But we endured, and soon after, the Time God appeared before us, and granted us a home.” She’d never forget the way the sun glistened over the trail along the borders, how the summits had parted, how the power of hours and sparks had been transported into the elegant hills and powerful peaks they stood beneath now. “After he moved rocks, after he maneuvered stone, he led us into a lush valley, tall mountains, and a chilling wind, he allowed us to stay here – in the Aurora Basin.” Her eyes swept over the region again, and her heart soared, blessed all the more because she’d been granted the opportunity to stay here, in these walls, for so very long. Then she waited once more, to see if they had questions, concerns, or if they simply wanted more.

[Post order still a lie! ;D @Alysanne @Adria @Tembovu @Glasgow]