My eyes have been opened, numerous times, since my arrival in this realm. Helovia, are you out to change the fundamental properties that make who I am? I arrived here, tired and fleeing a past which has confused me, and I am thrown into a world of males, Pegasus and equine, and all things else that might exist under this unbearable Sun. The Edge is wilting, and it is with little surprise that I find it to be a rather empty land. I take my leave of the place, having done my shift of watching the borders. Dirk, my forever-companion, clings to my withers, his little paws gently waving at the flowers that reside amongst my tendrils. There are fewer flowers there this season, the oppressive sunlight having drained a lot of my energy, and evidently a lot of my magic too. But still they permeate their scent, however dimmed, and still I find myself welcomed by most things male. It is something to which I have always been accustomed to, however now I find myself wondering whether they like me simply for my magic, or simply for me. At my old home, such things would never have mattered to me. But here, where I mustn’t pay homage to my Earthly God through sacrificing a mate, I find strange little insecurities about my own self emerging.

Dirk purrs as he dozes atop my withers, and I take us to a cooler part of the lands, seeking out anything to relieve me of this heat. With some curiosity I observe the scent trail of another Edge member, and wouldn’t you know it – another stallion. But I have not met this one directly yet, perhaps only in passing. There is something metallic about his smell, and I follow his trail towards the Arch, enjoying the change in climate, wondering at the land’s ability to maintain ice even amidst such a season. I hear a voice, his voice, ahead of me, but I cannot make out the exact words he speaks. “Hello.” I murmur to the dark brute before me, gentle tones calling ahead as my slender legs approach closer. Nodding my tiara to him, my hazel eyes drink his form greedily. I will admit that he is a fine specimen of the male gender, strong and sturdy in build, certainly one that I would have considered preying upon with my womanly ways in my previous home. As it was, I gave him a small smile, addressing him from one herdmate to another. “I am Lotus, of the Edge. This is Dirk.” Arching my nape I reveal the kitten who hides amongst the strands of mane that linger over my shoulder.