Company is what she needed, since she could not wander into the woods and lose herself in a snow bank or a field of wildflowers. She found the earthen walls here comforting, she did, but they were repressive as well. It was dangerous on the surface, though her mind continued to wander there. Perhaps a little venture would not be so bad? Maybe she could search and see if anyone else was looking for the caves, if anyone else needed help. At least that would be something to occupy her mind, when she wasn’t going over the names and uses of the herbs she was learning.

For now, though, she desired some company. A new face to distract her – and there certainly was no shortage of those! Strangers from all across Helovia were living in these caves. Anything, anyone, that might help distract her from the troublesome thoughts that refused to leave her alone.

Aly did not imagine it would be hard to find someone, as she wandered about – past the wall with all the strange carvings – and sure enough, it wasn’t!

It was that squeak, echoing off the walls of the caves, that encouraged her to peek into this particular cavern and see if she could spot who had made it. What she spied was truly an adorable little scene – a stallion and a little pup that she imagined might be his companion. That entire world still confused her slightly – having no experience with it herself. Perhaps he had just found the little thing, though the warm smile on his face rather suggested a deeper connection.

Realizing that she was either going to have to move forward or back – it was impolite to just linger in the doorway staring – she hurried forward a couple steps and spoke softly to alert the pair to her presence. “If I’m intruding, please feel free to tell me to go mind my own business. I don't wish to barge in where I'm not wanted.” It would not offend her in the slightest to be told as such, everyone needed their space! She had held off for what she thought was an appropriate amount of time, but her curiosity got the better of her. Not to mention the cuteness of the little ball of white fur. A warm smile brightened those emerald eyes as she took a couple more steps but no more - leaving a handful of paces between her and the pair. She was wary about getting too close – the pup was so small, she would not wish to frighten her! “She’s absolutely adorable.”

Truthfully, Alysanne rather expected to be shooed out of the room… though perhaps in a rather angry manner. She felt rather bad about imposing, getting the feeling that this was a private moment. That smile on his face when he looked at her! She knew that smile. She had felt it when she looked upon her son and she had seen it when his father and met him for the first time. That smile suggested a strong connection, stronger than just something forged when two friends meet.

It would not have been so surprising for her to be told to leave – but she was so happy to be allowed to stay. She found herself irresistibly drawn to that smile and the happy little moment she was a witness too. These were dark times, after all. Her heart wrenched to think of all that she had seen, but here was a little proof that not all was lost.

Alright, so maybe she was thinking far too into being allowed to stay, but it was a relief to know that she wasn’t intruding, though she understood so little of what was happening. He seemed genuine, despite the roughness of his voice, and Alysanne relaxed – finding it hard to take her eyes off of the fuzzy white pup who had moved forward so that she was wiggling about between them. Her own smile would not disappear as she met the “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. I’m Alysanne – but just Aly will do.” Despite the fact that Ouija had come towards her, Alysanne was still nervous about approaching any closer. She was just so small! Perhaps she should wait a little longer to make sure it was alright. They were close enough to speak easily to each other, after all.

She lowered her head a little though, bringing it closer to the level of the pup, and whickered a soft note in greeting to her – thinking it would only be polite after greeting Voodoo. Then she found herself looking up and asking the question that was still bouncing around her mind. “Is she… your companion?” The question was hesitant and apologetic. There was so much about Helovia she had yet to learn, which often made her wonder why she felt so attached to it. Shouldn’t she learn all there was to know about it and then find out whether she still considered it her home or not?

Still, a place that fostered a bond like the one before her could not be so terrible, could it?


@[Voodoo]

To her surprise, the red-splattered stallion did not offer up an immediate affirmative in response to her question. She had not expected that – it seemed that she had made up her mind that everyone she met in Helovia already knew about companions and everything. “Really? That says an awful kind thing for you to do, to care for an egg you just stumbled across.” It spoke a lot about his character, she thought. Not everyone would just care for a little unborn life that way. The world would be a better place if that were the case, she imagined. She liked to believe in the inherent good in everyone but slowly she was learning that not everyone was as kind as she had once believed.

Ouija moved towards her, and Aly took a small step too – taking it as a sign that her presence was truly not being terribly invasive. Her emerald eyes still positively bright with a smile she lowered her head when the little fox rested at her hooves – sniffing at the little ball of white fur before exhaling in an affectionate ‘whoofing’ noise that was punctuated by a chuckle. How could someone not want to smile around this little life?

And Aly certainly felt touched that she had come over to say hello! “Just delightful.” And now she looked up, for as wonderful as the small fox was she was equally as delighted to find a new unicorn friend. “You’re very lucky. I’ve never even seen a companion up close before.” She wondered how it worked, that connection, but it would seem that this was as new to Voodoo as it was to her. Considering his smile, she was so happy that this would have happened to him – it clearly brought him so much joy! Of course, she had no way to reference what he was like in other situations, but she felt like she understood that look in his eyes and upon his face.

It did a great deal of good to be around someone who was capable of such a smile. Her own troubles seemed a little farther away because of it, and for that reason she was unwilling to leave them alone just yet.

Very carefully, now that there was someone at her feet, she moved forward a couple more steps to reach a more comfortable talking conversation distance - stopping after the first step to look down and make sure Ouija was coming too. And with that thought she found a new question to ask, that easy smile never leaving her face. “What made you think of that name – Ouija?”

@[Voodoo] (I'm so bad at remembering to tag)

She tilted her head at the explanation of the name that Voodoo had chosen - repeating the pair together in her mind to see if they did match together well. “Makes sense.” The names did sound good together but she had no idea what either of them meant. “They’re both lovely names.” She spoke with complete sincerity, so happy that she happened to stumble across this fascinating pair.

But of course, she needed to remember her manners. Although she had been welcomed into the scene, she could only imagine how having a newborn companion must be a pretty big step! They needed to get to know each other, to figure out that bond – especially since it seemed that Voodoo did not know much about that strange connection than she did! Well, it wouldn’t be very nice of her to stand here, chattering about how great they were and trying to get to know these newfound friends a little better.

“I’ll give you two a little privacy to get to know each other. But I’d love to see you two again soon!” She looked to Voodoo with a hopeful smile. He wasn’t among the chattiest of individuals but that did not bother her – he had been nice enough to welcome her into what she could only imagine was a rather intimate moment. His first moments with his companion! They would be together for a long time but firsts were important. Maybe the next time they would meet when they were both under sunny skies instead of surrounded on all fronts by rocky walls. “Have a wonderful day.” She reached out to touch her muzzle to his for a brief, gentle gesture of farewell before looking down to Ouija and whickering a soft note to her before backing up and turning around.

She glanced back once before exiting the room, adoring the sight of the dark and light pair, and flashing them one more smile before continuing on out.



@[Voodoo] <3