Alysanne wasn’t sure what exactly had compelled her to do so, but she had gathered some of her most precious keepsakes today when she was heading out - three feathers from her nest. One a rich brown, one a bright white, and one mottled black and white - tokens from three of those in this world that she held closest to her heart. Although Iona was around and certainly would have come with her on this excursion if she had asked, Alysanne wasn’t heading out with a particular destination in mind and so just planned on wandering until she found something. So she wanted to carry these trinkets with her as her mind often went to her children and her sister - never a day passing when it didn’t.

Equipped with the small bag that Raeden had given her, the doctor and her companion set out on the search of new plants to expand the garden they tended. After a while, she started to realize how impractical it was to wear feathers just sticking out of her mane here and there. If she moved too quickly, or if the wind picked up at the right angle (as it was doing as she crossed the Thistle Meadow on her way south) they went flying out of her mane and Hemlock had to swoop down and collect them again.

On one such even, just a little north of the flaming heart, Hemlock was bringing them back to her when she noticed that the white feather had a kink in it. “Oh Hemlock! Look, Arty’s feather is all bent.” Her voice was without accusation towards him - it was her fault for bringing these precious things out with her. Carefully, the little owl placed the treasures on the ground and tried to straighten out.

‘Put in the bag?’ He offered as a suggestion as he worked, to little effect.

“No I worry that even in the bag they wouldn’t be safe, I should have left them in my nest. What was I thinking?” Quietly she cursed her sentimentality as she lowered her dark head down to get a look at the damage. These were the last feathers she had from her children - and although she was sure that she would see them again and would be able to gather more, she would grieve for their loss all the same.  

So distracted were Alysanne and Hemlock, continuing their quiet discussion over what they could do that they did not notice the approach of someone else until they had spoke. The hesitant voice interrupted thoughts of finding flat stones to press the feathers between (but then, how to carry them from here?) and Alysanne started with a small jump in her place at the sound of it.

“Oh!”

She exclaimed as she turned, quickly spotting the beautiful white pegasus standing nearby. As there was no aggression in the other’s stance, Alysanne settled quickly and offered a small smile as she answered the kind question. “I’m fine. It’s just that…” But her dark face crumpled back into a frown when she looked back down to the bent and damaged feathers that lay on the ground, guarded by Hemlock as he peered curiously up at this new stranger. It seemed strange to him that he and Aly could have spent years here in Helovia and yet there were still unknown faces that they had yet to meet.

His bonded, meanwhile, was attempting to describe. “I took the feathers of my family out with me when I left the Edge but I shouldn’t have, because they’ve become bent in our travels. I don't know why I did it...” She wondered how silly it sounded, how upset she was getting over these feathers - but perhaps if this mare was a mother, she might understand. Her green eyes were undeniably sad as she sought to explain. “My son and daughter are missing and they’re all I have left of them.” She reached down to nuzzle the three feathers gently, each still smelling faintly of their previous owner be it son, daughter, or sister.

What were the chances! Alysanne’s jaw almost fell right off when it opened up in response to the white mare’s words. It took her a moment just to realize how incredible of an opportunity this was, how amazing of a coincidence this was. Or perhaps it was fate! It wouldn’t be too hard to believe that this star-white mare was some sort of angel, the way she appeared in Alysanne’s moment of need.

“Really?!” Her green eyes started to swim with tears again but this time out of happiness. “Oh that would be wonderful. I’m sure we could find rope easily.” She was already searching her mind for plants they could use to make the tie, or perhaps Hemlock could even worry a little thread from the leather bag hanging at her side.

But as happy as she was about this chance encounter, she would not ignore the soft words from the mare - the admission of a similar pain. She didn’t - couldn’t - know that Sohalia had known true loss where Alysanne only had absence. She extended her muzzle, aiming to nudge this new friend in a small show of sympathy, genuinely grieving for the loss of the mare’s children. “I’m sorry that you know…” She broke off, the words catching in her throat and she couldn’t actually speak them. “I would not wish this on any parent.” Believing that they were out there, simply lost instead of lost forever, was enough on some days but not all of them. She had tried to build a new family in the Edge but loving her herd mates was not the same as loving her children. Nothing would ever replace them.

“I’m Alysanne, a doctor from the Edge and I’d be… forever in your debt if you would help.” She stepped back then, leaving the three feathers on the ground and making enough room for the other mare to get as close to them as she needed to.

Alysanne didn’t think anything of the hesitation in Sohalia’s voice before saying she was from the Throat - it could mean a dozen different things and it wasn’t her business to pry. She too wished they had met under better circumstances but she was glad that they had met - it was wonderful to meet someone so kind and it lightened her heart.

Hemlock remained on the ground near the feathers but hopped respectfully a food or so away, taking Aly’s lead to give Sohalia space to do her work. Both owl and mare watched with avid curiosity as the magic started to take form. It was clear that there was an artistry to it and Sohalia worked with the medium beautifully - smoothing out the kinks in the feathers as they became weighed down by the crystal. Alysanne did her best to stay as quiet and still as she could - not wanting to interrupt.

As they were finished, however, a delighted gasp escaped her as she took in the result. “Oh Sohalia, they’re perfect! You’re an artist!” She complimented the work with delight as she stepped forward again, lowering her head to investigate.

At the question about her children, her smile changed - growing sad but fond. “The brown one belongs to my daughter, Naerys - she’s just two years old now. And the white one is from my son, Artorius.” She gently breathed over them each as she spoke of them, a note in her voice that only ever came when she was speaking about her family. There was room in Alysanne’s heart for everyone she met but her family was something different - and she imagined Sohalia would understand that. Her green eyes shifted to the last feather, the one with a mixture of black and white. “This one is my sister’s, but she’s with me… for now.” Alysanne explained with a smile. Hemlock hopped around the feathers now, nudging them gently with his beak to inspect them. Then, carefully, and one by one he picked them up and put them into the leather bag at Alysanne’s side.

As he did that, her attention focused more completely back on the white mare by her side. “I don’t have anything to repay you…” She paused, trying to think it over - only coming up with one thing. “Except my headband here? It means a lot to me, almost as much as these feathers.” She adored her headband, the chain of glass and the small heart that rested on her forehead - it had been Kahlua’s first gift to her. But she felt as though she needed to offer something to Sohalia - something that meant a lot to her because that was how much she appreciated these crystal feathers. “And if you ever need me - as a doctor or a friend. I’ll always come.” She spoke earnestly, the promise coming with no effort at all - despite how so very recently they had just met. But Sohalia had given her a gift that was immeasurably kind and meant the absolute world to her - Alysanne was not someone who would forget such a thing.