She did look rather like a hoarder or an eccentric soul, carrying her basket and music box and scorpion toy. But she was not so much a hoarder as she was a collector of sentimental objects. The glass basket had been one of the very first things she had ever crafted and was a reminder of her days as Glazier here, instead of queen. The scorpion was a toy gifted to her by (who she imagined to be) a friend of sorts and also a reminder of the hopefully good will between the Edge and Basin. And the music box, well it sang, and that was sentiment enough for the painted woman who, more often than not, had the head and heart of a child. At least she meant well.

Settling her basket to the forest floor between her hooves, she bobbed her head to his greeting, more-or-less oblivious to the look he had given the scorpion toy. Murdock, she repeated to herself several times, a habit of hers to help her remember names. There were so many to remember, after all- friends, acquaintances, allies and enemies; children and elders, those who had gone from their lives and those who had returned after mysterious absences. But for all the names in her head, Murdock was not one she had heard of before. Not that it offended her, she was as happy as a clam in the ocean to meet a new friend.

And she liked him instantly as he continued on- what was there not to like about someone who wanted to join her home, after all? “Well we’d love to have you!” she exclaimed just as soon as he had finished talking, entirely oblivious to the fact that he might be a spy from who-knows-where coming to steal their secrets. Nobody told lies, in Kahlua’s head. “Our aim is for peace,” she added then. “So if you think can help us achieve our goal of a peaceful Helovia then you’re more than welcome. We’re even trying to start over with the Basin,” she frowned for a moment. She still did not trust Illynx entirely, but it was not in her nature to hold grudges forever.

But he had specifically asked about the warriors and so she provided him information that might prove more useful to him. “Archibald and Ktulu are in charge of the warriors, they may yet be here.” She liked them both well enough, though she hadn’t had much time to converse with either. Surprising, really, since she spent so much time conversing with others and generally being a source of much of the chatter in the Edge and the surrounding areas. “Oh! Forgive me!” She exclaimed suddenly, as she realized she had left out another important bit. “I’m the queen of this land, and Kaj is our king.” But for the love of everything, she hoped he wouldn’t bow or treat her differently. All she wanted to do was be normal. So, with introductions over, she hoped they could get on to more interesting conversation.

Kahlua