It seemed like the suddenness of her intrusion had been received well enough. The unfamiliar roan keeping company with Resplendence offered a nonchalant enough nod, and it spurred a soft smile to rise through and above the painfully passive nature of her arrival. One pale, golden eye glistened as her slim ashen face lifted again into the sunlight to join their conversation, heavy flaming forelock draped down across the other, and blinking nostrils expelled a gentle sigh. Africa had become so withdrawn lately.

It was becoming more and more apparent that she was a magnet for heartache, a sprite spreading plagues of grief wherever she stepped, and it grated terribly on her confidence. So too had she become alarmingly aware of her vulnerabilities, and though Silas was a faithful and constant guardian beside her, the one-winged mare could not help the fluttering awakening of nervous apprehension as she stood like the brightest beacon in the unpredictable Threshold forest.

The flames licking playfully throughout the grey tendrils of her mane, and those also trailing with the length of her tail, were just another scar to remind her of the countless mistakes in her past.

Attention turned abruptly to the little dragon perched atop the clay-bank dun’s poll, and his shining, scaled body seemed to expand visibly, indignantly. Africa had seen many of his kind through the years and true to her experience, the little reptile’s spirit was hardly feeble. Resplendence introduced herself in turn, and revealed that Valiance was her companion. Her pale face nodded quietly, before lips parted around a most humble introduction. “This is Silas, and I’m Africa.” She motioned towards the watching zephyr who still perched upon her rump, before the palest of their meeting began again to speak – lastly to the grey.

Without hesitation, the Starry-Eyed answered thoughtfully. “Well enough, Res. Thank you, it has been so long since our last conversation – you were building a garden I think, or a shed?” It hardly mattered and a billowy chortled rumbled through her chest. “She is quite the green thumb, Cheska.” Brightening eyes wandered back towards the other mare, and her skull tilted a little to better view her (forelock slipping still further back). “Resplendence has travelled from the West, World’s Edge, and I from Hidden Falls just to the north. Our families are on fond terms.” She motioned unconsciously around them to signal the directions of each region in case of any lingering doubt.

“If you are weary, you are welcome to return with me to the Falls. It isn’t so far.” By no means was she trying to undercut the one-eared mare – the art of seduction was something she was quite unfamiliar with (although there seemed to be no end to coveting stallion’s willing to pledge their love...). The shell which had cloaked her so securely was slowly crumbling and the softly spoken creature beneath was both benevolent and humble.