The small, elegant stranger turned her refined black-speckled skull down from the branch above to speak, and Africa drew her softly gaze away also, to listen. The tone of the other held a familiar beauty, a tranquillity that had not been so prevalent across her own tongue for many years. Pastel eyes watched quietly the rolling lips of the other as she described her unique perspective of the coupled bird’s relationship, though they were dulled a little by the ethereal mist still gliding about the forest floor. She appreciated what was said, and offered an amiable grin in conjunction with her bouncing, flame topped face.

A brooding silence overcame the stranger and the dappled one let her eyes saunter back into the canopy, grazing the green-whiskered branches, admiring the steadfastness of the old trees which seemed so resilient to any weather cast down upon them. Much like the birds still singing jovially through the dawn-lit forest; their strength seemed never to pale. Until the other spoke again, Africa held her tongue respectfully. The pensive sigh did not pass unnoticed however, and she could not help but wonder what thoughts so occupied the dainty winged horse’s mind. All who stumbled upon this doorstep into Helovia seemed racked by the toils of their past; she was rarely surprised with a heart not burdened by one thing or another.

Nevertheless, the one-winged was not so narrow-minded to presume the same for this sweet spoken mare who by then was muttering something incomprehensible beneath her breath. The murmur pulled Africa’s attention down from the canopy, and as Rei introduced herself pleasantly, the grey too dipped her own benevolently expressed face. Not for one second did she agree that the spotted one had rambled; nothing mentioned was distastefully, thus she was more than happy to listen as long as necessary. “I’m Africa,” she answered quickly and amiably after, “...this forest is practically my second home.” Softly she laughed, but even despite that breath-like grace of her voice, an effortless optimism was portrayed.

A moment or so swung by, and Rei spoke again. Already the air was starting to dry and the light to expand, though Africa’s puddle coat was quite cool and damp. The black and white mare’s observation was a curious one that caused the grey to pause, and think, to consider those failures and grievances that spread so grimly through her past; through her time in Helovia. Of course her experiences weren’t all awful... “My favourite part?” She began, closing her eyes trustingly, slipping back through the myriad events which had wrought her character today and where exactly they had taken place. “The place where I live, Dragon’s Throat, is rich with culture and diversity; magic and majesty. It is a realm of unfathomable beauty, both ferocious and fair. You are standing in Helovia, Rei. Welcome.”

The melodious note of her words faded through the light passing of breeze, and the mist swirled playfully against its stroke. Patient eyes roved upwards as the flecked mare’s chocolate gaze did, finding her companion settled and watching, a peaceable distance from the birds (which had by then fallen quiet to preen their feathers in the soft light). His sharp, aloof glare shed unremittingly down and Africa chuckled affectionately. “Yes... he is Silas.”