Cheerfully she laughed at the painted Pegasus’ bright attitude; those with such light heartedness were few and far between these days and she found such very endearing. Discreetly she rolled Africa off her own tongue, curious to note whether Rei’s remark held any truth. The grey naturally spoke with such clumsy casualness that she’d never actually paused to ponder the phonetics of what she was saying. Af-ri-ca, A-frica... she tested, stiffening suddenly when she noticed her own distraction. In reality, she was nearly as strong as the birds nesting by their heads- not nearly as powerful as her name apparently insinuated; quietly though she smiled at the thoughtful suggestion and nodded. Perhaps there would be time in the future when they could really get to know one another.

Quickly, before the spotted mare began to speak again, Africa said, “Rei too is a lovely name; it has a fresh sound, clean and bright, much like your outlook?” It was part question, some compliment, mostly innocent observation, and her pretty pale face slipped a little to the side as her kindly gaze travelled between the glossy chocolate pools of the other; dawn light seeping to lighten their midst.

Rei continued, not for one second lost for words and it soothed Africa’s busy mind all the more. She scoffed well-naturedly as the other punned, appreciating her sense of humour- which was another quality not often seen throughout the sombre and commonly wicked world of Helovia. Whiskery chin lifted high as dull grey lips peeled into a grin, away from her pearly white teeth.

It was in the next few moments that Africa had deliberated at length over the question posed by her company. After she’d replied- indicating that her favourite aspect in all of the wild country surrounding was Dragon’s Throat and also introduced Silas, the black and white asked still further, seemingly curious about the bond shared. “It’s a very long story,” she began decorously. They had been bonded for nearly a year now, and often she overlooked just how special their relationship might have appeared to those who had not yet discovered their own.

“We met many seasons ago in the north (carefully she skipped the manner of their uniting; Rei was quite new to the land and the Starry-Eyed wanted not to rattle her), Silas came out of nowhere to be honest, and we have not truly been apart since. My heart aches when he leaves to patrol or forage, like it might burst or break if he strays too far. Perhaps he feels the same?” Enquiringly her doting eyes caressed his small frame. The zephyr puffed out his feathers unenthusiastically, not the slightest bit interested in whatever they were garbling about. He could not understand their tongue, but should he have sought to draw from her mind the basis of the conversation, he would have understood. But he had no desire to follow.

Africa shrugged coolly, all too aware of his rather aloof nature, “He is not much of a conversationalist...” she joked, lowering her focus again. The Starry-Eyed had never known her companion had hatched from the very egg captured from a rare Basilisk in the Deep Forest. She had been so bitterly disappointed when she'd returned after her incarceration to find the treasure broken and scattered all around the sandy floor of her nest.

For a moment they both paused, and the grey mare glanced to watch the birds again. One had slipped unnoticed from their company, the other now sat comfortably in the intricately placed bed of sticks- she noticed too with quirked interest, that fine horse-hairs had been woven throughout. Amazing...

Suddenly Rei’s chirpy voice pierced the quiet and Africa smiled broadly. “Of Course!” she answered happily, unbothered by the eagerness tripping the expression of the other mare. “There’s no place like home.” Pale yellow eyes turned towards the south after offering affably her fluttering nostrils in traditional Pegasus salutation.


[Ooc:
O.o Rei’s writing ability could become the most epic addition to the herd! Writing letters could be her role or something if you wanted that? We can work with it IC when it comes up. I will start their thread in the Throat!]