Look down, the ground below is crumbling
Look up, the stars are all exploding
"Then I'll call you Nell"

Slowly both eyes shifted towards the stallion at the suggestion that they a seek comfort by the smouldering pit of molten embers. Her guilty self-loathing resisted the pitiful need for such luxury, and her fetlocks stiffened so that she stumbled clumsily when finally her will caved.

Right then, she felt as though she were lost once more amid the snow-flurries as far to the edge of the brutal Basin as she could hope to manage. Always there were eyes trailing her broken and battered form; and always she was fearful that the cold, conniving earth might again spew that life stealing force which had claimed the breath of her ghost-sister. The cold soaked easily beneath the thin spread of matted dappled fur, and Africa shivered, longing secretly for the warmth Lace offered.

"You have a beautiful companion there" He continued, the strange fluid calmness filling the fissures throughout her heart. She did not notice that it was conveyed with slight force, it did not matter. His gentle tones and thoughtful presence were a healthy distraction for the oblivious mare and though still wary, she began subconsciously to circle the carefully placed bait. For a moment Africa paused suspiciously to consider, but her scatty thoughts were vague and did not align quickly enough to check the reply as it slipped her companion’s name innocently.

"Silas." Her voice was soft and still nervous as she lifted her face to find the dragon he spoke of drifting through the diluted, smoky air updrafts. Africa huffed to herself, and watched the dim white figure as Lace spoke on. Africa had seen Fajira’s kind before, while she rested in the company of Smoke and Hellena, and the little creature offered her the same reassurance that Zaffre had, through the steadying beat of Silas’s heart.

The Zephyr followed the switch of his friend’s attention and he was heartened that the Dragon was nearby. He held a respectful affinity with the species, having shared only constructive dealings thus far with the few he had met. An assured chirp broke the air, and as he settled himself after the mare’s stumble, he began to preen a thick oily dreadlock pulling her mane. Africa’s heart rate began to steady slowly, and Silas was relieved.

She stepped forward, though away too ever so subtly, from the stallion. Enough confidence was cushioning her anxiety now that she dared accept his offer. Quietly she slipped forward with Silas still perched atop her withers towards the Heart.