A soft cloud of mist colored the air ahead of the mare, gently encompassing her molten chocolate maw as it touched her velvet lips with dots of condensation. Darkened hooves struck misted grass and dying flowers that clung to life as the air turned colder the higher she climbed. Cyan eyes watched the path carefully, having heard rumors that it disappeared as easily as the wind and faster than one could blink. Despite the chill that clung to every coat and mane, Rowan enjoyed the crisp clean air of frostfall with a sort of reverence. It cleared the mind much better than any willpower could. Flaxen mane touched slim shoulders as she finally found the precipice and the beautiful if retreating meadow met her with open if empty arms. Her ears took relief in the change in sound, hooves no longer striking old stone.

Around her the grasses strained up towards weak sunlight, and soon fell prey to her grazing jaws. Peaceful and quiet, enjoying the silence only broken by the occasional swish of her tail and the fleeting echoes of songbirds down in the plains. Rowan had left the borders, knowing she would return by nightfall to the herd she was still shy around. Now, she needed time. To collect herself. Company was welcome, Rowan was a kind soul, but she was not talkative in the least. A bird landed in her vision and she paused, nickering at it with a tiny smile. The little creature chirped and fled in surprise. Briefly Row thought of the majestic vision of Kri taking to the skies. Such things confused her, much like Prometheus and his many mutations that she was not familiar with. Briefly she found herself sad, dejected at the thought that she was so plain compared to their ethereal strength and beauty. Yet Prometheus scared her, and she also found herself grateful. Sighing softly she collapsed her small fragile legs and lowered herself to the earth, tucking herself in and curling pleastly as she rested. Breath melting away the frosted plants within reach as she watched the sky with soft eyes.

Time was inconsequential to the mare who lay among the white tinted grasses. How long she stayed curled upon herself she did not know and never would. Within time her eyes fell shut, like shutters they locked the world from her appreciating gaze. Sleep came upon her softly and slowly, and Rowan did not fight it. What awoke her was a peculiar sound. Kri? What would Kri be doing here? As the only wings she had heard before had come from her leader descending from the heavens the day she was greeted into the Throat. Cyan eyes blinked awake just as a pearly gray mare touched down and slowed her momentum to a walk.

Rowan lifted her head to watch her, curiously eyeing her wings. Not yet moving to stand. The chocolate clad doll felt no hostility from the newcomer. Her body heat had warmed the earth and she was unwilling to move. Though she knew it was only polite to do so when greeting someone. A shy smile flitting upon her visage as she collected herself and pulled, lifting herself until she stood comfortably on ebony hooves. She was delighted to see that they were almost even in height, the silver mare a smudge taller. Rowan was often teased for being small and this was a welcome change. The girl spoke and Rowan shifted, eyes meeting the ground. "Hello there. O-Of course you may join me, I certainly do not m-mind. I'm...I'm Rowan. May I inquire your name?" Pouting inwardly as her stutter decided to make an appearance. It was only apparent when first meeting someone and she was nervous, and she hoped it would disappear again once the conversation continued. Ears flickering slightly showing she wasn't used to speaking to others. Hoping she was not making too much of a fool of herself.

It was not that the femme found herd life unacceptable or unappealing; Rowan felt if for a moment guilty that she slipped so often from the borders. Always returning by dusk and remaining there the next day to compensate. She found it hard to adjust to this new, intimate way of life. Always someone there, calling you their kin when they had never met you. To Rowan, who had only formed one bond in her life that was stronger than anything she had experienced, this was both frightening and intriguing. Was it truly so simple? Having lived a solitary life, Rowan was highly uncomfortable surrounded by so many at once. To actually belong. Yet she also refused to flee; it was a nice feeling as well, one she wanted to nurture and help grow the best she could. 

Sunlight streaked down and lit the mare up in sparkles of color, condensation clinging to her coat and slicking off her feathers like a light show. Rowan found herself humbled and in awe of the beautiful Pegasus, feeling in return inadequate to be standing before such a beauty. A friendly, lovely smile was all that answered her stuttering, and a visible wave of relief swept over her. Head lowering shyly at the compliment, a smile brought forth in return. "Thank you. It's not much I'm afraid." Rowan never found herself particularly beautiful or stunning in any way. She was simply there. The doll before her, now she was art on legs. Rowan was jealous but also rather touched that a regal girl with mighty wings so unlike her own naked shoulders would speak to her so kindly. As if forgiving of her nervousness. "The pleasure is mine, Sohalia. It is not often a winged majesty speaks to me, or that I should have the courage to be in ones presence." The Throat was filled with Pegasi, yet Rowan scattered upon viewing their wings. Would they use them against her should she become too troublesome?

It was with relief and amusement towards herself that the chocolate lass realized they both struggled with talking to others. "It is. I find it's quite worth the climb. It's as close to the sky as I will ever get...you are truly lucky." Muzzle stretching to gesture to her wings. Rowan only found the same exhilaration when she was swimming. Letting the waves carry her weight wherever they wished. 

Regret gnawed at her stomach when quiet blues realized how uncomfortable Sohalia was under her praising stare. Was it really so hard to understand that Rowan thought she was glorious? "I am sorry...I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I wish I had been brought into this world with the elegance you possess." Not meaning her wings but more how she was formed, the build of her, the expression on her face. Decibels low as she kept to a quieter tone, embarrassed now that she had clearly caused discomfort.

And yet her brash words brought a laugh from the little mare, remembering when Feyther chided her for her wit and sarcasm. "I-I've certainly never though o-of that before. I haven't met many with wings, but I'm sure they can be a hassle at times just as much as an advantage." Stuttering now not out of shyness, but because she was laughing. Sohalia's outburst was a shock of color in her normally gray world. Rowan sincerely missed it, almost regretting the fact that Feyther's old ways had squashed her wild spirit.

Sohalia's snowy head fell in embarrassment perhaps, and Rowan chanced a few steps closer with a little giggle and touched velvet nose to whitened cheek. "It is truly fine. I understand what you meant to say. We are both entitled to abilities that others cannot achieve." Amusement making normally reserved oceanic orbs bright and playful. Stepping back once to allow Sohalia her room, knowing that not all horses were so open to touch, even if they were respectful or, as Rowan had done, friendly. "Sohalia, I may not be the best of company, but perhaps you would like to spend this beautiful day with me? I get rather lonely. But don't tell the trees, they're awful gossips." Poking fun at herself with a quirky smile, making it seem as if the tall bare things were her only friends.

Had Rowan grown rusty in the time she had wandered from Feyther's side to begin her journey to these lands? Both of the girls seemed uncomfortable, though Rowan could vouch for the fact that she was. Conversation was certainly not her best subject, and she had even fewer skills in the art of making friends. The one comfort she had was that Sohalia looked almost as unsure and minutely stressed as Rowan felt. It all broke, shattering like the pieces of a mirror, crystalline and reflecting the image they had posed in only seconds before. Gone was the tense and awkward atmosphere, replaced instead by the flow of relief and gratitude. Sohalia seemed comforted by the actions Rowan considered brave, and a soft smiled appeared to congratulate herself and them as a pair for clearing the first hurdle at a stumble.

In response to the molasses mare's words, Sohalia merely laughed and replied sweetly that she wouldn't be bothered at all to spend the rest of this beautiful day by her side. Their teasing, directed at themselves, was playful and seemed meaningless. Yet each held a trace of loneliness, of hope that things could change. Though Rowan didn't notice this consciously, an understanding of the fae came over her like a woven blanket pulled away from the eyes. Giggling and shaking her head, hooves shifting in a small change of posture to stretch herself. "I shall keep your secret in my ears alone. What a shame the jealousy of clouds, it seems they cannot take you today. And they cannot reach little ole me from way up there!" Now much more comfortable with the fact she had no wings to aide her in pursuit of the skies. Sohalia had banished both her worries and her disappointment with her outburst.

How long had it been since Rowan had found such simple joy in another's company? The chocolate fae rarely met other youngsters when traveling with Feyther- she often got into fights because they teased her for her short stature. After the kind old mare had died, it was like Rowan had lost her mother again. This time not abandoned but having to stay by her side and watch as age took her into the embrace of the stars. After that Rowan had raised herself, completely alone for two and a half years. Sohalia was like the best friend she never had, at least the possibility of becoming that. Already Rowan wanted to spend time with her, enjoying her company almost deliriously. It was such a nice change.

A giggle escaped as she shook her head, both of them unable to handle the jokes about trees and clouds with a serious visage. "I'm in Dragon's Throat. But I find that I enjoy wandering more than remaining there. Do you have a place I can find you?" Her innocence letting her blurt I out without care. She didn't mind admitting that she wanted to continue this budding friendship. Reaching out to nibble gently at her forelock, a playful and friendly gesture. Rowan felt more alone in her herd than she did out in the wild lands.

Being an outcast had crossed Rowan's mind more than once since she'd made it to this land. The only reason she didn't was because Feyther's last wish had begged otherwise. Rowan despised her and loved her equally, but wouldn't ignore a dying mare's wish. Herd life was hard for her, as she had been an outcast since birth. Envy was momentary in her mind, envy of the pearl lass who enjoyed such infinite pleasures that Rowan could not have. But logic snipped her and reminded her that she too had things that Sohalia did not. There was no use for envy here. There were ups and downs to every lifestyle, just as there were to being an equine or a pegasus.

Rowan was a little saddened when Sohalia admitted to having no permanent location. If Rowan was determined enough she would find her but wished it would be easier to strengthen their kindling friendship. The chocolate mate smiled back at her but wasn't blind to her seriousness. "I've been an outcast my entire life. It's hard, but after a while it's comforting to know you have a place to return to and people that will miss you. I don't have much, the fighting I know was from my youth and I only want knowledge. But there must always be a kind soul somewhere in every herd! I try my best." Trying to bring comfort to the princess, knowing there were benefits both ways and refusing to push or entice her with false promises. Yes it took a lot toget used to herd life. Rowan hadn't figured out if it was worth it yet but was inclined to answer yes. Sohalia wasn't her, and of course could have her own opinion. Rowan didn't want her to give up either way.
Think?

Pearl face seemed to open up as Rowan admitted how she was taking herd life, interest sparking in the depths of her eyes. Conflict was obvious in those pools as well, a conflict Rowan had been through and experienced on an extremely intimate level. The chocolate melted mare let her fight this through alone, ready to extend a helping word should it seem Sohalia would need it. In the end she didn't, admitting to the fact that life in a herd didn't seem so unpleasant after all. Following decibels held a tone of sadness and lost beneath their admission, and Rowan knew that her loss of Feyther was known in some way, though Sohalia seemed to have gone through much worse.

A small laugh escaped at the gentle nudge, slipping their cheeks together as Sohalia pulled away in reply to the jovial gesture. Heart soaring and eyes widening happily at the proposition. If Sohalia came with her to the Throat, Rowan would no longer feel so insufferably lonely. She'd have a friend, an ally, a sister in all ways but blood. The hesitant but hopeful look and sound to the beautiful pegasus was both reassuring and endearing. Nodding quickly, optics alight with a mix of emotions that she couldn't sort. All she knew was that they were all good. "I'm sure they would love you! I would enjoy taking you with me immensely." Unable to keep completely still, ready to wheel around and gallop all the way back to the herd lands no matter how far with the feeling that soared within her. It was shocking the intensity of it. She'd been lonely so long that this possibility of companionship, in a place she could always find her, was making her nearly deliriously happy. Relief flowed through her. Touching her forehead with a happy, smiling muzzle.

Accomplishment flooded the fae's emotions, knowing she had brought comfort or something equally as important that had drawn out such a sigh from her maw. Rowan felt as though she was a guardian, ready to lead Sohalia to the Dragon's Throat whereas she had made the life changing journey on her own. The beautiful mare would not be alone when the transition happened. Perhaps this was a good thing, as Rowan was still alone herself, trying and she suspected failing at transitioning successfully into herd life. They could experience it together.

Seeing the smile that appeared on her friend's face, one was prompted from Rowan's in reply. The fact that she had called her friend made her childishly happy. Giggling at the humorous tease, bringing back what would most likely confuse all others around them. Once the bubbles of girlish laughter had calmed enough for her to speak she turned bright, happy ocean eyes to the pretty doll. "I won't. It seems my trees will be jealous as well that I have a friend other than them." Giving an amused smile as if she were holding back from another round of giggles that were so different from the brief rounds of soft laughter she normally exhibited. Already turning slightly to the south, ready to lead her friend down to the desert to the Throat should she want to leave right then.