I’ve become a simple souvenir of someone’s kill

She returned. Clutching onto the events that had occurred from her excursions. Things that had changed her, decided her fate beyond what she could even control. She had grown into a golden flame, here in the Basin. The flame was growing dim, and she began to realize that despite how well she thought she carried herself, she’d never be able to continue to thrive the way she had before. Not with enemies at her doors. Not with Kings that lured her elsewhere. No. It appeared she had a thing for high status men – both of which carrying the power to destroy her. One that had already, and continued to do so even after she sought her refuge here in Helovia. The other, she hoped would have no means to wish her dishonor. She couldn’t be sure, in the events. Yet, the creature that burrowed against her while clutching her mane in a warm circle as a snake with fur as he slept, kept her mind at least somewhat sane. Marembo, her newly found companion. A fiery heart with a surprising amount of pride for his size. He already could tell the frustration and terror that was spreading through each vein of her heart to even think about letting someone else near her. Which might have been her savior, in another world.

The Thief passed the dwindling spires of power that the Sentinels had once been, she slowly made her way to the center of the Basin, her cerulean gaze scanning across the many cave openings that were placed in strange lengths away from one another – never perfect, but unique in their own ways. She carried a now healed scar, a contrasted ebony “C” etched into her skin on her shoulder. She could consider herself a warrior, but she didn’t. She was a Thief. A Thief that had been caught. Not necessarily in terrible means, but rather her mental state had become a bird trapped in a cage. Emotion causing ebbs and flows against her morality. What was she to do now?

Rexanna knew she had to gather them. Gather them and talk to them. If anything were to happen to her, she wanted to at least know who would be able to replace her and perhaps perform better than she had been able to. It was now, that she stood tall. Trying to hold herself together as Remy gribbed onto her mane and chains to hold himself up and in turn be the glue that kept the golden mistress together. Scanning her surroundings once again, she noticed the shadows created by the sun as it peaked across the mountain tops, shadowing the back half of her body against the front as the sun began to rise. It had been a long journey home, exhausting, but she had more than enough energy to group them and speak with them.

“Thieves, and those of you interested in joining, come to me now” She called out, her once passive mindset now replaced by demands and the inevitable ‘I’m going to get my way whether you like it or not’ attitude. Who would show, she didn’t know. But she hoped that it would be a promising turn out. She needed to know who she was leading, what power she held in this side of the Basin. They needed to expand and grow – but first they needed those creatures that would be willing to. She remembered the few that came to speak with her during the always eventful herd meeting, and hoped that they would show as well.

A few moments passed before she wondered if her voice would’ve been loud enough and demanding enough to carry to the ears she needed it to. The mare then focused her magic, taking bits and pieces of the rage that billowed within her chest subdued for moments like this, to shoot an array of fireworks into the sky of the growing daylight. That had always been useful for gatherings. Who’s to say this would be any different?

"Talk."

And like the sea—

I’m constantly changing from calm to ill.

Rexanna

I’ve become a simple souvenir of someone’s kill

They came funneling in at the mixture of her looming voice and display. She stood, waiting, a pillar for those to come and speak with her. Yet the creatures that showed weren’t exactly the welcoming party she had subconsciously hoped for. Fiachra came first, trotting to over to the gilded Thief and dipping her head. Remy watched with beady eyes, already finding a nonthreatening feeling from this mare – partially influenced from Rexanna. The Thief returned the dip of the head, though a bit hastier than Fiachra’s show. “Fiachra, welcome. I’ve been better.” A small hint of a smile crossed across her features, but was extinguished as duties came forth. “You are welcome to join the ranks starting as a Phantom as I did.” She spoke gently, still carrying the demanding tone from before and unsure of whether or not she should try and appear stronger. The scar loomed like a cloud over her chest, standing in stark contrast to her pale body.

However, Albrecht came – with what appeared to the Thief as an aggressive demeanor. Remy’s eyes immediately shot to the bearded man, tense in every part of his snake-like body. Before the Thief could respond, the stallion that had spoken to her from the meeting approached with the striped feline at his side. As they approached and stood beside her, his voice reaching out in a retaliation against Albrecht, something of which gained some regard in Rexanna’s book. Remy eyed the tiger with a hint of worry, clutching Rexanna’s forelock with a bit more intent. He was still young, but Rexanna could still sense the feeling of uncomfortableness that loomed from the tiny polecat. She nodded a quick greeting to Prometheus briefly before turning her attention back onto Albrecht. “How I decide to go about my duties is of no concern to you, Albrecht.” She growled to him, her eyes gleaming with frustration – remembering their last encounter with the fire from the Heart Caves. “Perhaps you should stand closer to my fireworks and learn just how much a beautiful thing can hurt.”

Removing her glare from Albrecht, she pulled herself and Remy away from the trio of thieves gathered, shooting a quick glance around to see if anyone else were to join before landing her attention onto Prometheus and Fiachra, part of her refusing to spend too long staring at the old man in case he wanted to use his magic once again. “I have asked you here for the simple task of needing to fill the ranks. As Deimos said at the meeting, we are aligned with the Edge and Throat. They must remain untouched by us. There are those out there we need to keep an eye out for, Tingal, Gull, and Calstron. However, I’m unsure if Calstron is going by his full name. Deimos spoke of what Tingal and Gull looked like, but Calstron is a new threat. He’s a Pegasus, blood bay in color with a white mane and tail, fierce orange eyes. Do not engage him if you come across him.” She admitted, her gaze breaking away from the group to glance at the opening – part of her wondering if the Blood Prince would magically appear at the mention of his name. It was almost as if thinking about him caused her scar to hurt again. Her hide twitching around the black scar as she shifted her weight. Rexanna inhaled deeply before shaking her head, hoping to lose the feeling of pain, and returned her gaze back to her band of phantoms. “First things first, a majority – if not all – of our job is information. Do what you must to attain this information, but be sure to not land yourself in a place you can’t get out of. Once you are out there, you are on your own.” This was the Thief’s low key way of saying I won’t come find you if you fail. She expected them to succeed. Whether that was foolish or not, she wasn’t sure. She needed to hope for the best in the situations given to her. “You must prove to me that you can successfully attain information. With that being said, you need to go out and be social. Meet others from other herds, regardless of the Basin’s alliance. Learn something from them that could benefit the herd. For instance, let’s say someone from the Throat is a healer that knows certain information about plants that thrive there and how they can help the body. Perhaps you should try to learn what this plant is and pass it on to our healers for our greenhouse.” Her voice rang out with intention, her eyes glancing across each one of them. “Of course it’s not limited to that question specifically, but find something that could benefit our home. Our job is to protect the Basin – gather information that could be beneficial to us and you will be rewarded.” She nodded to them as Remy looked upon each one, being completely silent. “Any questions?” Rexanna paused, allowing for time for conversation – hoping that questions would truly be asked and not childlike bickering as every Basin meeting seemed to devolve into.

"Talk."

And like the sea—

I’m constantly changing from calm to ill.

Rexanna