When Megaera had arrived in the region, the summer had been waning, near to close, and the winds of autumn had come with a crisp chill. The earth-colored mare didn’t mind the wind (in fact, she was quite fond of the forceful currents) but the cold she could do without, it reminded her too much of the tundra where she had been born. Her father’s herd had all been thickly coated and hot blooded, but her mother’s southern blood had made Meg ill-suited for the cold. As she moved south back towards her newfound desert home, the air warmed again and the young mare had let her path wander.

Wide wings beat steadily as Meg circles lower and lower towards the sandy ground; she had spied a lake farther off, it seems, but there would be time for that later. Like usual, her agility in the air seemed to cease abruptly as she set down, taking her a second step to find sure footing on the solid earth. She had been hoping she might catch up with the two that had met her at the threshold. And what a strange meeting it had been; Gaucho with his snake (whose idea it had apparently been to invite Meg to the Throat) and sweet-tempered Africa with her dark plumed bird. The thought of being met with such openness still confused the poor girl. She had liked it, certainly but it was just so foreign. Megaera had been drilled in ‘fight first, ask questions later’, now she was beginning to think that might not be the best way to go about things.

She had spied the cloud-colored Pegasus from the sky, standing near the bright orange and yellow spits of the tall fire and now she stood about one hundred yards away. First, she was tempted to turn, avoid interaction all together, but she thought better of it This is your home now, you have to make it yours. Give them their best chance. So she started forward, black hooves kicking up sand and stones in their wake.

The white dove near the fire was stunning, sure enough, and it helped to put Meg’s mind at ease that she was neither very large, nor very old from the looks of it. In her attempt to break the habit of jumping straight to a defensive frame of mind, it helped that the mare she was forcing herself to approach was in size and bearing, had a very non-threatening presence. “Good idea, to keep near the fire, though this one seems to be more than just that.” She said in her low, controlled voice. Megaera thought better of those exact words as she came to a halt near the fire. She could see the raw scarring across the young one’s tender skin, they looked like they had come from fire as well. “I’m Megaera.” He tone may have been steady, but her face betrayed her slight unease. She was eager to be sociable but due to a severe lack of practice was not quite sire how to go about being so. “Are you a resident of Dragon’s Throat as well? I have only recently been invited here by Gaucho, who I think is one of the leaders here.”


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Notes: Hi! Hope you don’t mind me butting in :)

Megaera had once called a frozen tundra “home” but that now seemed such an unfitting word to call it. In her nearly three years there she had seen half the kindness and welcome that had come her way in barely two months in Helovia. The little soldier girl inside her kept waiting for an ambush, for someone to break this stream of smiles and soft words. Here in Dragon’s Throat it seemed that she was going to have to get used to being a part of a herd that actually wanted her there.

Warmed by the bright flames in their little dance, it was so easy for Meg to forget the night. The pretty little white thing before here, Alina Josephina she said her name was, smiled at her with such sweetness that she was quite disarmed. As contrary as it might have been to the habits she had built up, as the little dove spoke and called her ‘sister’, Megaera found herself smiling back and relaxing. So used to the company of other females being tainted with scorn and disinterest, Megaera for the sensation of comforting female companionship so novel, but it was such a pleasant feeling, just like she had met Africa in the threshold. So unexpected, so incredibly dear.

”Well met, Alina Josephina.” she said, her low voice calm as she grew ever more so. At the invitation, Meg stepped up closer to the fire and the white mare. “A warm welcome indeed. I was greeted back at the threshold by Gaucho, and a mare named Africa as well, perhaps you’ve met her? I only just arrived here at Dragon’s Throat, but I’m already learning to like it quite a bit.”

Thinking about where she’d come from inevitably made the circumstances of her departure flash in front of Megaera’s mind’s eye. An involuntary flash of defiance, of anger ran across her features. He deserved it! For all her father had done and all he’d failed to do, surely she had been justified. But with that old rage and resentment guilt still stirred, and she always tried so hard to move on. In an act of defiance she had woven his bone into her mane, but sometimes it felt more like a chain that a trophy. Meg must have noticed that she’d been lost in memories for a moment, so she shook her head to clear it. “Sorry… ah.. North of here, and quite far east of here too, I suppose.” she said with a sheepish smile, casting around for a change of subject, I like it much better here, that’s for certain.”

Her eyes found the fire again and latched onto that. “This…um… this fire. There’s something odd about it isn’t there? I’ve already heard and seen a bit of the magic of this land, is this something special too?

It was easy to forget one’s troubles in the company of a friend, and though this was only their first meeting, Meg felt that bond starting to settle between her and the little pegasus beside her. Growing op, she’d only ever had one that she could have called a friend and that had been for such a short time, and since she’d grown quite unused to having one. It was an odd feeling still, but it was a comfortable one. Friendship, like the fire before her, was something that warmed and soothed, and Meg was happy to think that she would find it here in Dragon’s Throat.

Already thoroughly charmed by the little mare, Meg felt a burst of affection when she had reached out to offer support and comfort. Alina seemed wary of the contact, as if she expected to be rebuked for a show of kindness, and this made the gesture even dearer. To show compassion in the face of fear, even a small fear, was a remarkable thing indeed, and a place where the two mares differed. Megaera had in in her to be a true and loyal friend, but kindness was rarely her first instinct. Most often she would prepare for a fight before saying hello, but she had been trying to reform herself.

She smiled as Alina answered her questions, speaking of Africa and the fire blazing before them. Alina may not have known exactly what, but it seemed that there must be some sort of magic at work, but a good magic. Life magic. Night had closed around them but it blazed on, keeping the chill at bay and giving light to this meeting.

The little dove’s words took a turn then, and it was clear from her tone that she was hesitant to pose the question. When she had finished abruptly, blushing as her words trailed off, Megaera could hardly stifle a laugh. There was no cruelty meant in her mirth, it just seemed so strange that anyone would seek her advise or wisdom on any matter. She certainly caught on to what Alina was speaking of, she’d experienced the same changes herself not so very long ago.

”Be at peace, little sister.” She said, her deep voice as comforting as she could make it. She reached up with her black muzzle to gave a gentle little tussle of Alina’s forelock. ”This is the change every mare must have. You’ll feel it come and go every season as we all do. It’s the urge and time for…well, for coupling.” she paused, maybe a bit awkwardly, hoping that Alina would pick up on that bit. ”No longer a baby yourself, you’ll be able to go off and have your own when you choose to, and any fit stallion is sure to send you into a flutter. You’ll have too be on guard, little one, for as you notice them they’re sure to notice you as well.

She paused again, she didn’t want to scare the girl, but from Meg’s experience with stallions any mare at her time was liable to drive them to be even more aggressive that they naturally might be, and Alina, pretty thing that she was, would definitely attract her share of attention. You should know that some stallions can get a bit…aggressive…in these matters, so I wouldn’t go wandering alone at these times. Stick by the herd and you’ll be just fine.” She smiled reassuringly. Meg certainly hoped this was true, but she couldn’t guarantee it. She’d only met two others from Dragon’s Throat and though they had seemed nice enough, what if the others in the herd were not? Even as she tried to reassure Alina, part of her words were also for her own benefit as well. She had to believe that not all were like this she’d grown up with.

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Notes: Aww, Meg and Alina are such cute little buddies!

Meg had noticed Alina’s moments of discomfort, the signs of anxiety that has replaced her embarrassed expression. It seemed that the young dove had expected a reprimand for foolishness, almost shrinking away from Meg before she responded. The mare thought she knew at least some of the feelings causing this reaction, though she’d been conditioned to respond with fight instead of flight. She’d had to stand her ground or she’d have gotten it twice as bad.

Alina visibly relaxed when the mare spoke, and Meg returned the smile with one of her own. It may have been unpracticed, even a little awkward, but it was genuine and the blossoming affection for her new friend could not be mistaken. ”I don’t know how qualified I am to be an advisor, but I will help where I can. I only recently went through the same thing myself.”

She watched the mare yawn, and chuckled softly at her words and stretched her head upwards to survey the heavens”It is getting awfully late, the stars are out in force now.” She brought her head back down as the dove started to bed down next to the fire’s warmth. Her eager ears swiveled round towards the other in concern as she arranged her tender scarred legs under her. She hesitated for barely a moment at the request, but then quietly settled herself beside Alina, and on pure impulse, stretched out a wide brown-cloaked- wing to cover the girl. "Sleep then, little sister, the fire and I will keep watch for you.”

Offering comfort was a new milestone for Megaera. She’d only ever been moved to do so for one other creature, and that seemed so very long ago now the impulse had been all but forgotten. Here with the night pressing close around her, kept at bay only by the little patch of dancing flames, she felt a surge of affection and a drive to protect her new friend. The little white mare had such an untarnished sweetness that though it was so different from Meg’s nature, the older mare could not help falling into the role of big sister above and beyond the call of heard-mates. She reminds me of Tanna she thought, remembering her childhood friend. I couldn’t protect her…. But this time will be different. If Dragon’s Throat was to be her home, she’d have to learn to redefine her idea of home, and redefine her notion of family. Megaera would make them her own, and she would protect them.

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Notes: Thanks Rover! And sorry about the delay!