It was really by chance that she came across the grouping, and quite the group it was. Perhaps it was a group of visitors from another herd? A collection of emissaries? There was little doubt in her mind that someone else from the Ede would come along shortly - a patrol, other curious onlookers. For it was curiosity that drove her closer. Although she had been wandering the Edge border lately it was mostly to keep an eye out for that wandering daughter of hers. Why did it have to be that trait that she inherited from her mother? This stint in the Edge was the longest that Alysanne had ever called a place home and even then she had wandered in and out from time to time.

It was simple curiosity until she recognized the filly that was curled up underneath a stranger’s wing as though it were the most natural thing in the world. Alysanne bristled at the sight, a fierce protectiveness rising within her and the distance between her and the group was covered quickly after that. Her wings were folded tightly to her sides, using the pressure to hold herself together from making a scene over what seemed to be a peaceful procession. She stopped before them, scanning the crowd for any signs of malicious intent and, in her daughter’s face, any sign of distress. There wasn’t any, not now, but there are wild and terrible situations running through her mind and she can’t make them stop no matter how hard her wings press against her side.

When did she get so paranoid? She took a deep breath to calm herself - attempt to calm herself - before greeting them with a smile. “Welcome to the Edge.” Her face was a mask of friendliness that she hoped covers up her fear - she used to enjoy greeting others, meeting strangers, so it was easy to pretend that it was the same. Green eyes shift to her daughter then and her expression softened. “Naerys. Who are your friends?”

Alysanne was grateful for Evangeline, an emotion that she was growing more and more accustomed to. The presence of the chestnut mare did wonders to sooth her nerves while at the same time fanning the righteous fire that burned beneath her surface. The words that came from her fellow Moon Doctor, her friend, echoed the thoughts in her own mind and made Alysanne feel as though they were warranted. She might have done the same thing if their roles were reversed - finding the strength to speak up rather than maintain a false calm appearance if a stranger’s wings were around one of Evangeline’s children. She would raise hell for the foals of her friends as much as she would her own. Only fear differed - the fear that something would happen to Naerys was strong enough to stay her tongue.

It would not fade, not until the group dispersed. Not until her daughter was safe.

The filly had such wandering tendencies and it broke Alysanne’s heart to see her returned to her in such a fashion. First the explanation of Naerys and then Rift filter through her ears but her blazing green eyes are locked on her daughter. Better to feel the fire of the anger than the crippling sadness that it was masking. How often did Naerys leave the Edge without her knowledge? What condition would she be in next time, or the one after that? Not everyone in Helovia was as ‘kind’ as the gathering before her - if their stories were to believed.

His made little sense, though. So far as Alysanne knew, her daughter’s magic to grow flowers at the touch of her hooves on soil had no connection to any distress. It simply happened - she remembered watching a laughing girl dance and spin as she watched the blooms follow her as she raced across the forest. If she had known his thoughts, known that he blamed her for Naerys’ distress, the fragile calm exterior would have shattered completely. Visitors from the Throat or not - Alysanne would have held nothing back.

She didn’t like how he explained things, either way. As if she would have let Naerys leave the Edge if she had known that she was sick. “We’re healers. Th… thank you for bringing her to the Edge.” Her manners are steely and she can’t soften them no matter how hard she tried. Her focus briefly flickered to Rift but it was back on Naerys - the fire present but fading as she scanned the girl for injuries. It was difficult with the space between them but short of whacking Rift in the face with her wings, she needed to wait until her daughter came forward. “Where does it hurt, Nae?”

Alysanne was so thankful for Evangeline’s presence then, she wanted to sink into the chestnut mare’s side and leech strength off of her. But she didn’t dare move. She was too busy being shocked - first at her daughter’s just barely respectful retort to Evangeline and then at Rift’s sudden shift into this revolting, sarcastic creature that Alysanne would have liked nothing more than to race forward and attack right then and there. She felt it, the stir of anger in her stomach like the first spark of a fire. Had he not turned to leave just then, she might have been tempted to chase him out - but movement toward her distracted her.

Naerys moved toward her, finally answering the question about where it hurt, but Alysanne did not let the girl touch her. She waited until it was just the three of them left, what she was about to say was no business of the retreating stallion.

“Let me get this straight.” Her voice and legs shook with anger as she stepped back from her daughter - the pain and fear surging within within her and to avoid them she cloaked herself instead with anger. Naerys had hurt her, just as her father had hurt her, and Alysanne no longer had the strength to pretend that her heart was doing anything other than breaking. She was too weak and she was sure that her daughter knew it, sure that the filly was racing around Helovia making friends with whoever she found because she lacked strength at home with her mother. But Alysanne didn’t understand why Naerys kept coming back if she found companionship and guardianship elsewhere.

Perhaps it was simply coincidence that they kept running into one another. Surely, the pegasus girl would have found Mauja first upon her arrival back in the Edge. Perhaps one of the others. It was easy to notice the large spotted unicorn at the side of her daughter but that didn’t mean that there weren’t others as well, temporary guardians that Naerys sought because her father lived in another herd and her mother was useless.

Everything was crumbling around her and within her, Alysanne could feel herself slipping a little further away as she took another step back from her daughter. She grasped onto the only sure thing that she had, this pain, frowning at the girl before us. “You left the Edge, without telling me. Got sick on these travels of yours with gods know what and instead of coming home or sending Petyr to get me you thought you would stop and make some friends along the way.” Her green eyes burned with hot coals as she watched the retreating form of Rift. Any lingering respect for the stallion for walking her daughter home vanished with how he had treated her friend. What an outstanding friend for her daughter to make. Ready to step up to save a pretty little filly and with only harsh words for her herd mates.

Would he have reacted any differently in her place? Would anyone? Were they so out of line for their reactions to seeing a stranger act with such affection to a filly?

“And what great friends you have made, Naerys. Evangeline may not be your mother but she cares about your wellfare and neither you nor your "friend" spoke to her with any respect. What did she deserve to earn your scorn when you were so easy to trust a stranger you picked up in the Threshold?” Her words were coming out in a hot whisper, too angry to yell. Too inexperienced at having to yell at her children to know what she should be doing but she followed through where her emotions took her - believing that Evangeline would check her if it became too much.

When she found her voice again, it was with finality. The volume never raised but her intensity did, not breaking eye contact with Naerys. “You are not allowed to visit him.” She might have allowed it except for his parting words, but now she refused to entertain the idea. “I want you to tell me whenever you plan on leaving the Edge from now on. You find me first - not Mauja, not Tembovu, not anyone else. Me. Do you understand?”

Her strength was not so much that she could withstand the assault from Naerys. She regretted the physical distance between the two ever since she had made it but would have pushed the girl further away if she thought it would help either of them. In her indecision, she didn’t move - and died a little more inside every second that she spent with distance between them. How could she take it back now, though? She worried about being rejected the same way that she had rejected Naerys.

Her daughter fought her every step of the way, fought her with all that she had, and Alysanne feared that they weren’t going to be able to survive this so she weathered the hits. Later, when their tempers had cooled, they would have another conversation. She didn't trust herself not to make this worse. She felt angry, both at herself and her daughter for talking to them like this. What did it matter what Evangeline’s reasons were for wanting to protect her? Why did it matter why no one wanted to see Naerys get hurt? It was such a natural reaction to her - Alysanne would step up and defend anyone’s child - and she was confused at how her daughter could not make that connection. She, who made friends and so readily defended one stranger (Rift) yet argued with and battled with another (Evangeline). Naerys wouldn’t accept her mother’s friends but Alysanne was at fault for not accepting her daughters and it hurt how unfair that was.

Alysanne no longer had the strength to verbally respond to the girl, chilled to the bone with what her daughter has turned into and all the while her thoughts screaming at her that this was her fault. She had done this to the girl. But had her absence really been so damaging? She managed a nod in response to the (rhetorical) question that had been asked and watched as Naerys disappeared before she allowed herself to react. A sharp gasp escaped her as she fought for breath to fill her lungs, followed by several more as she tried to catch it, to calm her heart from the thundering pace that it has set. Somehow, now, she managed to get out some words - wings unfolding just a little so that she could try to touch the side of her friend, something to keep her rooted.  “Eva, what have I done?” She stumbled then, her knees giving way, but she managed to catch herself before she fell to the earth. “Was I wrong?” She wasn’t even sure she wanted to know the answer, despair taking over from the fear and anger that had been roaring through her just a few short moments ago.