Her hooves barely left a dent in the damp earth.

Just the way she liked it; sneaky, sleuthy, full of mystery.

The midday sun filtered through the overhanging branches, golden light reflecting off of golden markings and golden horns. Daddy had told her once that her bones were gold, that even her blood ran bright with that aurelian metal.

She believed him even now.

Her tail hung in the air like a question waiting to be answered, the wildly curly mop of hair that grew from the end of that leonine appendage peppered with twigs and leaves. Pausing near a small puddle, the lass glanced at her reflection, a small smile perched on full lips. Golden eyes were clear and careless as she gazed at her surroundings; there wasn't anything to be found here, was there?

The petite maiden pushed a sigh through her nostrils, causing the curls that twined so languidly about her facial horns to shake and shiver halfheartedly. With a grunt, Ovidius stepped through the puddle and continued her wanderings, not bothering to observe her surroundings with any real gusto. How long had she been traveling? How long had it been since Daddy had left her side and his voice - sweet and slow like molasses - had become nothing more than an echo at the back of her mind or a weight in her heart?

She spat the taste of memories from her mouth, hating the thick film of nostalgia on her tongue.

She would miss no one and she would mourn no man. There was nothing to her name and that was just fine with her.

Being a King of her own self was just fine with her.

Ferns as tall as her head parted before her, sharp hooves striking into the moist earth without hesitation - that had been a rule from Daddy, "Hesitation is the same as cowardice, baby." - and without remorse. There was a sudden and newfound gusto in the lass' steps, something that had slid silently away from the mystery and sleuthiness of her previous steps.

Something full of life.

There was an odd feel to this land here, a heartbeat in the soil that resonated in the woman's golden bones. The ricochet and reverberation pulsed through her thin frame, swelling her soul and pushing at her conscious mind. The earth beat in time with her own breathing, a river of unknown power exploding from the ground.

What is this? What is this? What is this?

A voice broke Ovidius' concentration, drawing her attention away from that incessant pulse and toward the face of a towering mare. The blackened maiden eyed the stranger with a sort of cold appreciation, some sort of consideration that bridged the gap between frigid politeness and genuine interest. The woman looked strong, capable, real. Ivory and onyx fought for dominance over her hide and a single horn spiraled from the center of her forehead. There was a delicate cast to the study frame that Ovidius couldn't help but notice and admire; a kind cast to the lovely face that she couldn't help but grin at. Slowing to a stop before the unnamed mare, Ovi gave a mischievous wink and arched a brow.

"Thank you, I appreciate it." A moment of silence stretched between the two, bird chatter floating through the boughs, "I'm Ovidius." The mare's words were flat and straightforward - "Mincing words is a waste of time, and wasting time brings you closer to death." - but her molten gold eyes were alight with curiosity, "What is that? The pulsing feel in the soil? It rushes underhoof and surges in my body. What is that?"

Her name was Daetiin and she appreciated the girl's honesty.

Good thing, too. Whatever would the spindly lass do if she wasn't appreciated? A mischievous smirk twisted at the corners of the petite lass' mouth, though she spoke nothing of the sarcasm that was running rampant within her head. She liked this Daetiin well enough; liked the lines of her figure and the way her voice cut through the birdsong like a shark through waves. Yes, she decided, this mottled mare was a lovely representative of the pulsating earth beneath Ovidius' hooves.

As quickly as it had come, the grin fell from the blackened maiden's face, aurelian eyes widening in wonder at the mention of magic.

Magic!

It was difficult for the gold-studded mare to pay attention as her new acquaintance continued to speak, the idea of something as wondrous as magic actually existing stilling the usual cacophony of thought. Shaking her skull in an attempt to clear her mind, Ovi listened carefully to the remainder of Daetiin's words, hoping there would be more information regarding the celestial pulse.

Her disappointment was masked with ease, the mare rolling her thin shoulders in a sort of shrug and giving an apologetic smile, "Then I apologize for interrupting your search, could I hel--"

Words were cut short by the arrival of a behemoth. A bright orangebehemoth. She watched in silence as the mountainous creature studied her newest acquaintance, golden gaze flickering with intrigue. When it came her turn to be inspected, the willowy dame bared her teeth, though there was no real venom behind the gesture. As the brute addressed them, the depth of his voice reverberating in her bones, Ovidius moved to stand beside Daetiin, shooting the mare an impish glance.

A popped hip and a quirked brow served as judgment for the towering mass of male that stood before them, his massive wings draped alongside his barrel in a grace that belied his size. Smacking her lips together, the little mare tried not to cough on her own laugh as she spoke, "What pretty words, Gaal." Her voice was velvet and smoke, "This is my main gal, Daetiin and I'm Ovidius. Now, tell me, because I'm dying of curiosity,"

An outright smile, blunt white teeth against a back drop of onyx and gold, "Is it difficult to haul your fat ass into the clouds on those wings or do you just keep them around for show?"