Alysanne had been standing on the cliffs, her wings unfolded just enough to feel the breeze beneath them, feel it toy with the feathers there. She wasn’t quite confident in her re-education of flying to leap off of them just yet without any fear of plunging into the depths and rocks that waited at the bottom - but she enjoyed the possibility that it would come to her soon. For now it was enough for those emerald eyes to close and her to imagine the take-off and flight. Being practical even in her imagination, Alysanne was sure to include a few mistakes as she pictured how it might happen. If she wasn't an expert in reality she had no right to assume any different in her mind.

Returning to earth and to the Edge, she began to turn away - unwilling to watch the last bit of light leak out of the day - when she noticed a stranger grazing just within the forest a little ways off.  

Well, here was a perfect chance for her to stop being a recluse, to actually integrate herself back into the herd and try to recover what she had shrugged off. She only hesitated for a moment before moving forward, steeling herself against the flutter of uncertainty and shyness that was new to her, abandoning the cliff side and moving toward the trees and the unknown mare.

Although there was something a little odd about the mare’s movements as she grazed, it was not something Alysanne dwelled on as she approached (easily dismissing it as a preference for certain grasses). Still, she worried about accidentally spooking someone so intent on their grazing so she made sure to shuffle her wings and shuffle her hooves slightly on rocks and dirt, subtle noises that might be a herald before she drew close enough to speak. By now, certainly, it was far too late to turn and run - she would have been seen.

Hemlock, her small owl companion, perched in his favourite spot between her ears gave her a small nip of encouragement. So she moved until there was a comfortable space between them before stopping - the setting sun soft and warm upon her back as she offered a similarly warm smile. “Hello! Sorry, I don’t mean to intrude on your meal - but I don’t think we’ve met. My name’s Alysanne, I’m one of the doctors here.”

Alysanne could not recall how long it had been since she had met someone who was blind - certainly it had been a long time - but she did not fail to notice the tell-tale way those strange pale eyes seemed to settle just a little off place. It made her nervous how close Ravel was to the cliffs - not close enough to be in any real danger, of course, but close enough that a handful of steps in the wrong direction could spell disaster. The desire to protect this mare was not unlike that she felt for her daughter and her sister and, well, everyone else she ever met. It was strong.

But, the pegasus chided herself, before she went and started trying to mother a near-stranger she needed to remember that she didn’t know the depth of the blindness. It could very well be that there was still some sight! Never having been blind herself, Alysanne shouldn’t make assumptions. She was a doctor, after all. It would be rude to lump everyone together into neat categories based on a few observations.

In a soft voice, the black mare introduced herself and Alysanne smiled warmly in response - the expression showing in her own voice. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ravel. Are you new to the Edge?” It would be rather embarrassing if she wasn’t, since the two mares had not crossed paths before, but it seemed a safe question to ask.

At the comment about how healing others was a noble profession, Alysanne’s voice brightened further with her smile. Healing was something she found easy to talk about and she welcomed the chance to do so. “Thank you, it’s always been something I’ve enjoyed ever since I was a filly learning herbs from my father. Have you considered becoming a healer?” Almost all new members of the Edge were greeted with the same speech about which of the five sectors they might feel most comfortable in. Did Ravel have one in mind?

The black mare wasn’t a healer but, hey, not everyone could be. It was wonderful to hear about the passions of others, especially when they didn’t align with her own because that meant Alysanne could learn something new. “That is a noble pursuit, Ravel.” She used the same word that the black mare had employed to describe healing on purpose, a smile twisting on her mouth at the gentle joke. “Helovia is not only rich in lore for itself but also the dozens of homelands that others have come from. Have you spoken with our Seer Alune yet?” Surely his ranks of sages and philosophers would be the best fit for Ravel!

“It’s been four years now, I came to Helovia quite by accident - I got lost in a snowstorm and separated by my family. The members of the Edge took me in and I found a home here.” Alysanne felt as though she were radiating fondness, the warmth in her voice clearly demonstrating a love for this herd. And, when it came down to it, she did love it - more than anywhere else she had ever lived. However many pig-headed kings she had to deal with, the Edge felt like it would always be her home.

But before she can lapse into dreamy silence, Alysanne was quick to continue. “Luckily, my sister and son found me before too long and they’ve been living here as well.” Alysanne knew that she was one of the fortunate ones - whose left-behind family was almost completely in Helovia now despite the fact that they had not been born there. Even though her son was currently missing she still fostered a bright sense of hope that he would one day return, that they would all be together. But just as she had left her parents when she was younger to start a life and family of her own - perhaps Artorius had felt the same drive pushing him from the Edge.

“Do you have any siblings?” Sometimes it was a heavy question but, hopefully, it would be an easy topic for Ravel.