[ Posting order is Mauja - Leyra - Delinne! ^-^ ]

His call faded into silence, a slowly dying echo lingering among the trees. Moonlight filtered down upon them, and the only response he got was a word and the rumble of Leyra's belly. One of Mauja's ears fell back curiously, and a gentle, amused laughter spilled out of his mouth. Of course there was food to be had! It was everywhere around them - not the sweet, lush grass of spring, but nutritious and filling all the same. Due to the Edge's size, they always had fresh grass to find. The herd strayed across all of this forested cliff, and when one region had been eaten bare, they moved on, allowing the grass to spring up again before the hungry mouths came to wear it down again. How on earth Deimos had not killed everything was a mystery - even when he didn't purposefully attack something, that gray stallion was always leeching the life out of everything. Mauja guessed he ought to be thankful that he hadn't accidentally killed anyone yet. Not even the whisper of an attack had reached the sovereign, so except for that Ophelia incident, everything had gone surprisingly well.

With a sweeping gesture of both horn and hoof he indicated the carpet of grass around them. "Take your fill, both of you," he invited them, stepping into the brook and up on the other side. There, he paused, held back by yet another question, and he gave the slightest of frowns. Was she blind? Or just extremely tired? There was a brook right under her nose! "Why, right here Leyra." Even though he spoke with one 'brow arched coolly, he kept the slight irritation out of his voice and eyes. Perhaps she came from a place that had no brooks? It would be a weird explanation, but Mauja had learned that many lands outside of Helovia were weird. He gave the slightest of shrugs, and turned to watch the dark forest, looking for signs of movement - for his herd, someone, to come. Sometimes they did, sometimes they didn't. It depended on the season, the hour, the individual... There was no rule that they all were to attend an initiation, and sometimes no one happened to be within easy range. But even though he knew that, he still hoped someone would come. And if not... well, he'd just have to entertain them himself for a while, seeing them settled in and make sure the thin mare actually got some food and water into her. It'd be terribly rude of him to just leave them here.

Long pillars chose careful spaces on the uneven ground. She was investigating the creatures who lived here, and had found the nest of a squirrel. It had put many a pine cone in it's dug out, carefully burying some, and letting the shredded remains of past meals cover it's bounty. He was preparing for winter, just as she was. Except she didn't dig holes, and stuff her food in them. The sleek of her pelt was changing, growing longer to last the cold that would continue. Silver tinted eyes continued to study the tiny burrow, while her ears cupped forward listening to the distant brook she had only discovered yesterday. It gurgled along, if time did not matter, and it did seem to say Faelene come take a drink. The first time here she had to be careful not to over indulge, her body was far from use to having what it needed let alone wanted. One last look to the nest, she lifted her neck, and ambled her way to the flowing water. She dipped her dry muzzle into it's coolness, sucking up the brisk liquid. There was a rustle of fauna and she lifted her crown enough to detect where it was coming from. Up the brook somewhere, and her hindquarters tensed...ready. Then she cocked a hind leg, whoever was moving was not near enough to catch a whisper of her. With the white fog dancing around her legs, while her lungs barely passed any air. With ears straining they rotated against their dark perch, and she wasn't sure if she had only heard the squirrel running to it's nest in panic. What would have set it off? A raised brow, she turned away from the water, intelligent eyes poking at the darkness. She wasn't sure if it was strange behavior for her to be more of a night creature, or if that was the norm here. Suddenly a powerful call shot from the darkness, bouncing off the trees, and flying by her. That voice she knew, not the greatest, but she did know it was the Edge King. It took little effort to think, she heard the intent. There were more members, and the herd was welcome to greet them. This not sounding like a half bad idea, she began to walk in their direction. The problem was, she had to chose a place where not many a hoof was placed. Trying to be the graceful creature she could, she failed miserably. Tail of crimson snagged itself on more than one bush, and berry sticks, and she found her right hoof caught in a mole hole. Least no one can witness this, she thought darkly, a tuck in her lip of defiance. She stubbornly pulled her whip-cords upward, and picked her fetlocks higher. When the shadows played tricks, she would twist the nape of her neck, and peer cautiously at a raised, dead tree. After a good guess she would fling herself over it to be countered by another one. The scents of unicorns directed her to continue. There was one more fallen tree in her way. It would be the one to make her crash. Her lift was right, she had not seen the other side where it's thick branch awaited for her. When she soared, hooves reaching for earth, they came down on the limb. It splintered into a thousand bits, and made her lose balance. Knee catching the ground, she bit back a curse, and pushed herself to a stand. What an entrance, she chided herself. Four pillars beneath her were strong, and did not quake by the weight placed upon them. She collected along breathe, but she did not dare yet lift her head, nor shift her locks to see who she had fallen before. She was not quite ready to see their faces, she would feel shame in disturbing them so.

( <33 Faelene. New posting order is Mauja - Leyra - Delinne - Faelene! ^^ )

They both seemed exhausted, ravenous and thirsty. With a hunger he'd never seen before in a newcomer they fell upon the grass, ripping off the drying blades and swallowing them with reckless abandon, as if there would be no tomorrow. Curious, he turned around to peer at them as they demolished the small clearing. It was unlike anything he'd ever seen before, and with unmasked amusement he watched them. Figuring it could take a while, and that either interrupting or leaving would be a bit too rude, he cocked one hip and rested the hind hoof on its tip. He felt like the warden of children, a vigilant guardian making sure no harm would befall the flock, and with a visible smile he watched them claim their shares of food and water. Delinne folded her thick legs beneath herself and laid down to rest by the creek, but Leyra remained awake for a while longer. Her eager voice floated into his ears, and he looked up at her, not quite prepared for being included in their bubble of happiness and life again. "Hmm?" he hummed, and then gave her a gentle smile. Help? Well, there was one thing he could think of right now... Given how utterly exhausted she'd been in the Threshold, and then the journey to the Edge. He'd hardly want to put her at work now. "Rest. Get some sleep, you've earned it."

But she didn't seem intent on following it for too long, even though it seemed to him that her body was screaming for it, trying to force her mind into sleep. She looked to him again, and he returned her gaze with kindness in his blue eyes. At her words, he laughed softly, not wishing to wake Delinne. "It's my pleasure, Leyra, but please, don't keep yourself awake for my sake. You really need the sleep." He moved to the creek's bank again and crossed it once more, feeling the cool waters swirl around his ankles. It felt good, soothing, and he came up beside the appaloosa mare and gave her neck a comforting nudge. She could sleep - she should sleep, and if she didn't soon, he just might have to order her to do it. He'd keep her safe from harm. Both of them safe, he added wryly to himself as he glanced to the peaceful form of Delinne. Her lightning patterns glowed in the moonlight, shimmering softly, but oddly enough a corona of purple surrounded her horn. That was curious. He'd have to investigate it later, for he had no desire to intrude upon her probably much needed rest.

But fate would have it otherwise; she jerked awake just as sounds began to float up to them from the forest downstream. It sounded like someone was crashing through the vegetation, and Mauja raised a 'brow before stepping past the two mares to stand between them and the potential danger. He drew the air in deep through his nostrils, but whatever it was that caused the ruckus was downwind of him. Well, wasn't that just perfect? In his chest, his heart picked up speed, fluttering and readying him for a fight. Some dark things lurked in the World's Edge forest, but most of the time they stayed away, so there was no telling what this unseen disturbance was. Cold swept into his blood, and he held his magic at the ready in case the situation would turn hostile. Narrowed icy eyes stared at the darkness, trying to penetrate it, but the heavy boughs had cast it into shadow.

And out of the dark, vaulting across a fallen tree, came Faelene.

For a moment Mauja just stared mutely at her as she landed upon a branch, splintering it and sending pieces of it flying in every direction. She stumbled but righted herself, eyes glued to the floor; the King relaxed, and gave a gentle, rippling laugh. "Aaah, Faelene..." he greeted her with amused warmth. He gave his head a small shake, eyes trailing her body; he'd not had the chance to meet her all that much, but so far she'd been pleasant. Her black coat was growing shaggier he saw, no doubt in preparation for the winter like all of them. In the monochrome light of the night her red mane and tail seemed more brown, but he knew it to be a color like blood or wine in daylight. What on earth had spurred her to jump across the trees? Shaking his head in silent bemusement he walked closer to her, before reaching out to put his warm, soft muzzle against her poll. "It's okay," he murmured. She seemed quite embarrassed about the act, staring at the ground that way in silence. "Why don't you greet our newest sisters, Leyra, and Delinne? Leyra's the blue roan appaloosa, and Delinne's the other." His voice was quiet and gentle, not meant for the ears of the newcomers but only for Faelene's, hoping to soothe her and make her feel at ease again.

The black Friesian stood up quick as she heard a noise that had confirmed her thought earlier. She saw Mauja standing in front of her, protecting her and the sleeping Leyra. What was coming? Where did the noise came from?
As the mare looked around, she saw nothing. Darkness, trees, the sea. But the noise were coming from somewhere, right?
Dell slowly walked closer to the white stallion and observed the still forest in front of them.

All of a sudden the noise became louder, and a mare stumbled upon them. Or, if you have to be correct, she fell over a fallen tree. The mare seemed embarrassed and had her eyes glued to the ground beneath her.
Delinne didn't want to embarrass her more so she remained quiet whilst she watched Mauja, trying to anticipate his next move.
And she was surprised.

He laughed at the mare that had fallen in front of them. Del tilted her head in confusion - why would the King laugh at a mare that clearly was embarrassed for her entry? The name Faelene was heard, and then she watched him walk closer to the unicorn, only to nudge her with his muzzle. Though she didn't quite hear the first words he spoke to Faelene, but she did hear the introduction.
When Mauja mentioned her name, Dell lowered her head a bit in a kind of bow. The Friesian soon raised her head again, and walked closer to the mare as well.

"Hello, Faelene", she said, and observed the mare with her blue orbs. Faelene was totally black, with a branch-like horn in her forehead and a reddish color on her mane and tail. She was rather small, but still bigger than Delinne.
"My name is Delinne, as Mauja said before." The words came easily and she watched the black mare with interest. Was she a part of the Edge's herd?


Word count: 317

Walk, walk, walk.
"Talk, talk, talk."
Think, think, think.

Steadily she felt her blood racing through her veins, especially her visage. There was an airy, yet deep corded laugh that greeted her. Instantly she recognized the voice as her name was spoken. It was only then she shifted her cranium so her red bangs would drift back and her eyes could see. Mauja was the first she saw, but she could not heighten her stance. It wasn't like standing taller might help her gain some of her dignity. She silently tipped her head in polite hello, not finding the right words to say. She studied white spotted King as he walked in her direction. Uncertain what to expect she stood there, trying to mutter an apology for the display. The lady only managed to open and close her muzzle before his towering figure hovered over her, a kind touch to the curve of her neck. Tone was polite she remembered, and did it's work by helping her eventually lift her drooping head a couple degrees. Further he spoke in tender fashion, helping her overcome. "Thank you," she managed to say in hushed tones. More respectfully she stood, taking notice of who was who, the bow she was given. The other remained asleep, for that Faelene did not feel so bad for. Delinne seemed nice enough, and Faelene saw light streaks that seemed to dance across her limbs. She would not stare, but give a low bob of her head. "Nice to meet you," she said most pleasantly, wanting to redeem herself. "Sorry for disturbing you, I don't think anyone has erm came that way before."

Slowly they drew closer to Faelene, like moths drawn to light; Leyra remained asleep behind them, resting gently upon the grass with moonlight blanketing her. He could feel the warmth radiating off the two mares closest to him, and flipped one ear back as he craned his head to look at the one still asleep. She was so thin... The King drew in the night air deep through his lungs, picking apart the scents, searching for danger - there was none, at least not which the breeze brought him. Nodding to himself, he decided that she was safe for now. And after all, the three of them were not far off at all, should something cruel come their way. He only had no desire to waken her, listening to the hushed voices of the other mares as they stood huddled around Faelene. She had overcome her embarrassment, at least it seemed so to him for she dared raise her head again, and he gave her another gentle smile. Things always seemed softer in the darkness.

A hushed laughter escaped him again, and he gave his head a small shake, moonlight rippling along the crystals on his horn. No, indeed not, it seemed like no one had. "Faelene the path finder," he said with a wry little smile, amusement in his voice. "What on earth made you come that way?" There was genuine curiosity in him, something soft to his edges, his head giving a curious tilt. What, indeed, made a mare crash through the thickest vegetation and then try to leap across a fallen log that size? Not that he was worried about her sanity (hypocrisy, if I had), but because.. well, because it was an odd thing to do and it intrigued him. Briefly he switched his attention to Delinne and her monochrome body. She seemed at ease. Good. She, too, had been tired, the wear of journey evident upon her body and skin, but at least she'd been able to stand - unlike Leyra.