The forest of the Threshold was but one place the Sun’s mighty rays were interrupted by the canopy of leaves and branches above. It created a mystic sort of wonderland beneath it. Though certainly not the thickest or densest forest the mare had ever travelled, she travelled it now for new reasons. Beforehand, the mare had travelled here simply to amuse herself, and perhaps gain an acquaintance here or there. What had actually eventuated was numerous friends had been found, and had supported her ideals and ambitions. She hoped to extend this friendship further now, and sought worthy souls to join her band who danced to the tune of the full moon – the Qian. They were small, but always growing. They were a family bonded not by blood but simple compassion and loyalty. They travelled together not because they had to, but because they wanted to. They did not call one single land within Helovia their home – yet – in fact some members were a part of herds. It was fine with the Weyrleader, for that was what Mirage was, for them to have their ties and friends outside of the Qian. The Qian was a group for those who yearned to belong somewhere, for those who were willing to give aid to their fellows, to enable one to never feel lonely. Such a beautiful concept, we will surely prosper. She hummed happily to her dragon, and the queenly beast responded in kind, a warm purring sound vibrating up from her gullet as she sat atop her bonded’s charred withers, watching the world go by with lazy, rainbow eyes.

The earthly mare that stood before her seemed somewhat tense, flightly. Athletic in build, Mirage surmised that she would be a swift mover, and agile on her neat hooves. The obsidian one made this assessment with her own bodice hidden from view, behind her magical veil, which she only dropped before those whom she felt deserved to see her sleek, raven bodice. Today was such a day, and as she angled herself around a copse of trees the illusion dripped away from her, and like a shadow rising from the depths of this very forest, she approached this newcomer. Tiara nodded politely to her, her liquid aureate pools absorbing what she could of the mare in a few seconds of critical observation. “Greetings, newcomer.” Her words were not unkind, and held an accent that labelled Mirage as a newcomer once upon a time, too. “You speak of something I am still yet to find.” The ebonite one referred to the single word she had detected from the mare’s lips as she was approaching; Home. “Maybe you would be interested in finding such a thing together.” It wasn’t posed as a question, more an open statement that invited the mare to elaborate onwards with her obvious yearning for a home. Akaith, still sitting atop her bonded’s withers, stretched like a feline might, before resettling herself down, enjoying the sun’s warming rays on her reptilian body. Would the mare prove worthy to hearing about this devious little mare’s ambitions?