As she hoped, it was only a matter of time before she came across someone – or before they came across her, as it actually played out. When another painted mare stumbled quite literally across her path, relief and joy leapt through Alysanne and a smile appeared bright in her emerald eyes. So there were others! From a glance this land might not be so different from the one she left - and seeing as how her wings did not startle this mare, there must be others that looked like her.

But wait… were those mushrooms?

She did not get a chance to get more of a glimpse, however, because she quickly picked up on the condition of the mare. That bright smile was replaced with nothing less than heartfelt concern. Kahlua, as she introduced herself, seemed to be attempting to get the better of some tears (and unfortunately, failing). “Oh honey, what’s wrong?” No condescension, no sarcasm, just pure concern.

It hardly mattered that they had just met and were basically strangers, Alysanne did not like to see anyone in such a terrible mood. The initial instinct was to reach out and give the mare a sort of hug with her neck, but perhaps that would be too much. So instead, she took a step forward, reaching out with the intention of gently touching her muzzle to that of the other mare, in a comforting gesture.

Or what she hoped was comforting. There could be a million things causing Kahlua to sob so, and Alysanne only hoped that it was a problem that she might be able to help fix. Perhaps a few words off-subject might help. “Thank you so much for the welcome, it’s so kind of you.” The fact that the Pegasus was, by all accounts, lost and had wandered into a foreign land did not seem so important at the moment. No, there were other things that had her focus now. “I’m Alysanne - or just Aly - and it’s very nice to meet you.”

A moment later, upon hearing someone behind her, she turned her head to see a young colt, dark grey and with his own pair of wings. He seemed young to be travelling without his mother, but perhaps she was close by. Seeing him brought to mind her own son, but she mustn’t dwell on what she had left behind. Surely he was safe, growing up around his cousins and his aunt. Brushing aside those thoughts, she invited the colt into their conversation with a gesture of her head and greeted him warmly. “Hello Dust! I’m Aly. How are you?” Colts at Dust’s age, or at any age really, usually wanted to appear older than they were and resented being talked to ‘like a baby’. So she resisted the desire to inquire into the whereabouts of his mother, at least for a little while longer.

Her welcome into this land – Helovia, was it? – consisted of a sobbing mare and a young foal. But now that she was no longer alone, Alysanne did not mind in the slightest.

Alysanne smiled softly to herself as the other mare fell against her, happy that what she could offer as comfort – a touch, a body to lean on – was welcomed. She let Kahlua stay there as long as she needed to and gave the mare another soft nudge as they separated. Everything was going to be fine, that touch said, and Alysanne believed it. After the introductions were made, Kahlua seemed to be calming down – at least for another moment until she explained the reasons for those tears, and oh were they justified.

They are joined as Kahlua spoke by a third “horse” – and though Alysanne had seen a lot of strange and wonderful things in Nocturne nothing quite compared to this stallion and the… creature on his back. The stallion at least reminded her of the unicorns she had known, but less frail and certainly with more horns, but she couldn’t summon a comparison for the creature. She had never seen a griffin before – she did not even know that was the term for it. It really was a ball of hair with wings! She shuffled a bit, making room so that they could all address one another easily, already liking the new additions and his warm smile that was mirrored on her own face.

How fortunate she felt, in that moment! To be surrounded by such wonderful new friends.

To Kahlua, she echoed the stallion’s consolations with a soft expression. “I’m so sorry about your friend, my dear.” There was more she could say, though words would not bring Antheia back and she did not want to make Kahlua more upset by dwelling on the topic… especially while it was so fresh. So she focused instead on the second part of what was troubling the mare. “And that’s awfully rude of him! Silly bird. Do they hurt? You know, they really don’t look so bad.” She offered, truthfully. Perhaps she was a little biased; it was so easy to find something beautiful about everything that grew from the earth. “I can…” Oh no, wait. She had discovered during her journey that her healing powers had left her upon leaving Nocturne, much to the detriment of the young injured fawn she had happened upon. This memory caused her offer to see if she could heal away the fungus to die on her tongue.

But maybe she had another way of helping – the little fungal blooms brought to mind lessons that her father had given her as a foal. “But you know what fungus doesn’t like? Dry heat. Bask in the sun for a bit and maybe they’ll be gone!” That was, if it was ordinary fungus and not some magical species. For Kahlua’s sake, Alysanne hoped that they would not be plaguing her for too long.

The rest of the introductions were made, and a delighted smile returns to the black and white mare’s face. “It’s very nice to meet you, Blitzen. And you as well, Comet.” Was it common for those here to have such a kinship with other animals? Her initial impression that this Helovia was going to be similar to her home may be quite far off indeed. Emerald eyes foundd it hard to look away from the unknown creature but she turned to Blitzen with a question, her voice soft and cautious. “I’m terribly sorry if this is rude of me, but what exactly is Comet?”

The subject of a home is breached and Alysanne realized quite quickly that she was being recruited - definitely not an altogether terrible thing. She was smart enough to realize she could stand a better chance with a herd. She had learned, not so very long ago, what it could cost to wander into strange lands alone. There were scars, physical (though hidden by her wings) and mental from that mistake. The nightmares had followed her all across the world and she longed for the comfort of friendly faces.

Surely there were no nightmares waiting for her in the lands that housed the friendly faces before her now! “You’re both so wonderfully nice! And your homes sound so amazing. I suppose I am looking for a home. I mean I have one, but it’s rather far off and I don’t really know how to get back there. Somewhere to stay, at least for a little while, would be amazing.” But how could she choose? They were both so nice. Though of course, or at least she hoped, following one was not a lifetime commitment and she might still be able to be friends with the other. Perhaps there was more she could ask, more to learn about this strange place. “What are the herds like here? Where I come from there were ranking systems and we were divided on our strengths – mostly whether you were of the ability to be a warrior or not.”

Not forgetting the colt – everyone was important – she grinned at him and asked him, “What about you, Dust, do you have a home?” Wondering if perhaps he too had another herd and another land to introduce to the conversation.

Though she was far from home, Alysanne was enraptured by the moment. The peace of the forest, of the sunlight filtering down through the trees and the dappled patches of light dancing with the faint breeze, mingled with the joy of new friends. This was what she loved so much.

Never one to be cautious, to fear that there might be something more sinister waiting for her in Helovia, Alysanne privately rejoiced in her good fortune – the celebration leeching into her bright green eyes, illuminating them with a warm smile.

Blitzen kindly explained that Comet was a griffin, a word she had never heard before for a creature she could have never imagined. No one else seemed quite as surprised as her, so perhaps she had just been living in a rather sheltered world. Luckily enough, the unknown did not frighten her. To the discovery of Comet’s species and to the idea that there were stranger things about, she exclaimed “How wonderful!”

Oh even if she were only here for a week it would undoubtedly be a wondrous one. So much to learn!

The freedom to converse and consider her choices without pressure was a wonderful thing. How lucky was she! Everything was going smoothly, and she was simply spoiled for choice. It might make it easier if one of them had been boorish – though Alysanne would never wish for that. It delighted her that the sweet Kahlua and warm-eyed Blitzen (and quiet little Dust) were her first impressions of this land. Helovia seemed so wonderful and she had met some fantastic faces so far – she would never forget those who were in her company right now.

How silly she must sound! But the love she felt for strangers and acquaintances was a wonderful thing.

“Oh no, I don’t feel pressured at all. It’s becoming quite clear that I’ve found myself in a land that’s quite different than where I come from.” Strange creatures that were companions to the equids, what other magic was lurking behind the seemingly-normal Threshold that she was standing in now. It was frightening but in a way that made her excited. Alysanne remained hopeful that she might receive news that gave her some indication of where she could find Nocturne in relation to Helovia, but for now she was happy to explore this place and discover all the enchanting things that kept everyone here. “Both of your homes sound so lovely. A peaceful place is just what I need. I don’t know how long I’m going to be here… but it would be nice to have somewhere to stay.” She missed Nocturne but it was the faces that she had met there that she truly missed.

Could Helovia become a second home to her?

It was a difficult choice, to be sure, especially since she would have no idea whether either would be a fit for her unless she went there and got to know everyone else well – which could take a long time. And she was so tired of wandering, so ready for a little bit of stability while she got her bearings.

“I think I would like to accompany Kahlua to World’s Edge.” She smiled warmly at the other black and white mare but her attention turned quickly to Blitzen. It truly pained her to have to turn down any invitation, especially one so kindly offered, so perhaps there was a way to avoid rejection - because that word was far too harsh for this situation. “But I would like to visit you in the Foothills sometime soon, if I may?” She worried very much about offending one of her new friends so early on.

And what about Dust? He seemed interested in learning about the other herds; perhaps he would want to see them all before he made a decision. He was young but she was not his mother, she could not make this decision for him. Still, she could offer a choice. “Dust, you can come with me if you would like.” The choice was, ultimately, his own. But like Blitzen, she hoped that she might see him again in the future.

It was so good to see Kahlua smile when just moments ago she had barely been able to get a couple words out through the tears. The sadness was still there, Aly knew, and she regretted deeply that she could do nothing to heal it or take it away. No amount of smiles or kind words (both of which she always had in excess) would undo what had happened to her friend - but if she could make Kahlua smile at for just a little bit longer that would be worth everything.

Much to her delight, Blitzen did not hold a grudge over her decision. With a nod of her head, Aly acknowledged his offers - for a visit and for a backup should she not find a place for herself at World's Edge. "I will keep that in mind, thank you." He then went on to extend an invitation to Dust, which sounded just wonderful to her. She liked the horned stallion, with his warm smiles and his amiable nature, and felt at ease about the idea of the young colt following him.

However, though she had made her decision their youngest companion seemed torn. Touched that he held them all in such high regard and that he too considered them all friends, she lingered to offer him some advice. It was a hard decision for him, she could see that, but it did not have to be so definite. Lowering her head a little closer to his eye-level, she spoke with a smile that matched her gentle voice. “Blitzen’s offer is a good one, my dear Dust.” If she was a foal in a new land, that would have likely been her choice – exploration and youth tied together so brilliantly. Alysanne was excited to explore Helovia but for now she was eager to go see World’s Edge and find out where she would be staying. Sometime soon, perhaps, she would find out what existed beyond the Threshold and World’s Edge – from the sounds of it she had stumbled into a country even more diverse than where she had come from.

“We’ll meet again soon - like you said we’re friends! And you know where to find us.” Already she was looking forward to seeing the two of them again. Alysanne was eager to get home, to see if she could figure out which direction she should even head in, but for now she was so enraptured by Helovia she could not see the harm in staying here – having some stability after her travels was just what she needed. Like the earth, Alysanne enjoyed change but stability was just as welcomed.

She turned then to follow Kahlua, excitement overcoming her – the start something new was always thrilling – but there was still a moment of hesitation. Not over her own decision but she wanted to wait to make sure that the little colt made up his mind.