Hollow’s chocolate ears swivel this way and that absorbing the sound of every drop of water and the rustling of whatever manner of small creature scurried along her path. Curiosity being the curse of both cats and foals she presses a little further into the surprisingly warm cave as emerald eyes sweep back and forth over the rocky terrain. A memory tugs at conscious thought and she almost gives into the hazy sensation of standing on the outside observing the recollection. Her present circumstances, alone and venturing down a strange path, allow her mind to grasp firmly at the present. She is positive she knows which memory would plague her now anyway and the idea of losing herself in that particular one holds no appeal. Mismatched feet carry her further down a tunnel until the heat becomes stifling and a bright glow to the left captures her attention. What in the world? A wall of scorching lava burns a track down the wall and she watches in a horror filled moment fully anticipating the fiery substance to spread and consume her.

A full minute later a breath is released she didn’t know she held and joints slowly unlock themselves; the lava keeps to its track and it is then she realizes there is something in front of it shielding her. Small hooves cautiously walk closer, her breath huffing against the crystal and forming a cloud where it hits. Forest eyes widen and she begins to laugh, the stored tension leaving her shaking body. A greeting interrupts her and the sound dies in her throat as limbs and ears jerk to attention. Turning she heads back to the opening, the voice sounding similar to hers in terms of youth.

She did not wander terribly far from the entrance and quickly reaches the surface, grateful for the semi cooler air. Before her stands a younger filly with beautiful touches of blue and gold woven into her appearance as well as a sharp horn protruding from her forehead like her adoptive father, Ilios. Head tilts to one side, though she never believed him to be a liar, it is still reassuring to see evidence of others like her; different and utterly unique. Before she can fully leave the cave entrance and introduce herself to the girl a masculine voice breaks the silence, his accent surprising her though not nearly as much as his appearance she sees as hooves take her to stand next to the filly. ”What are you wearing?” The words blurt out and she quickly colors in embarrassment. ”Oh forgive me.” She lowers her muzzle to her chest while her right foreleg lifts to a ninety degree angle briefly before she looks up, sending her gaze between the unicorn filly and the…well I’ve no idea what to call him. Smiling in secret amusement she addresses them both, ”My name is Hollow, who are the two of you?” Where she might normally be wary of a strange male, his attire and comical (not a bad sort of comical) appearance render her more at ease than usual.