It should be stated for the sake of physical record that Romina and Kiada should probably have never met.

Not that Romina would ever think so, or dare to manifest such a thought in the future. But for the sake and stability of greater Helovia, the faux-cousins should have never been introduced to each other.

There was a twisted nature to their souls, an off-kilter strangeness that did not quite have the time to develop into something outwardly evil. In some ways they were still nothing but children, with all the innocence and naive bravery that came along with their titles. But combined, they were an unstoppable force. One that would undoubtedly spin out of control in the future, as their schemes and machinations grew more complex and held higher stakes and consequences. And as much as Romina desired to only have her brother for company on expeditions such as this one, he too wandered into the wilds on his own just like she did. So whenever he found herself alone in the mountainous lands, irritated once more with the cold and the itch of adventure under her skin, she went seeking her beloved cousin.

It was plainly easy to convince Kiada to go gallivanting farther into the south than Romina had ever ventured before on her own. Safety in numbers was a ridiculous notion when they were two young fillies wandering about in the aftermath of godly battles and portals tearing between two worlds. Yet they ventured onward into the depths of the wilds, and Romina could finally breathe easy beneath the heat of the summer sun, turning her chestnut coat into a glowing ember of color. The fawn spotting on her body played tricks with the light filtering through the leaves, and she finally felt at home in her body and environment. With Kiada at her side, the journey was bound to be a complete success regardless of the outcome.

Romina had asked Mama what the Threshold was and its purpose after the herd meeting that had emphasized recruitment. A contest, even, set forth by Kiada's mother. And Romina already knew her competitive streak was slowly but stubbornly blooming inside her as she aged. So when the pair stumbled across the brightly colored woman in the long shadows of the trees, Romina cast her apricot eyes across their surroundings, internally shrugged, and sauntered up to the adult with an inquisitive look.

"Are you lost?" Opal antlers tilt along her delicate cranium as she drinks in the sight of this odd woman. Not that she has any true place to talk, considering her own endless list of mutated parts. She does not offer her name, not yet, an excited thrill zinging through her as she imagines using the code name Kid had created for her. If she could silently communicate that to Kiada, of course. But...if they were supposed to recruit people (whatever that meant, aside from bringing them to the Basin as far as Romina understood) then maybe she shouldn't give the lass a false name.

Romina flicked her burning gaze to Kiada and sidled closer on graceful limbs, tri-toes pawing at the grass and wilted ferns beneath.

They stood as a pair, hips cocked and horned heads tilting inquisitively at the colorful creature before them. Two ghouls haunting the yawning shadows of the forest, enticed by adventure but bound by duty and curiosity. Kiada does not have her brother's fluid movement, and they do not move together like two parts of one whole. It makes Romina ache for her beastly twin, wonders how long it will take for him to realize she has wandered from him again. He will find her, as he always does. As she bids him, as she trained him to. He is hers and she is his, but in his absence, her macabre cousin is a suitable replacement. Her long leonine tail playfully moves to wrap around Kiada's hind ankle, dancing closer to the emanating warmth of her bodice. A show of unity.

The pale faced woman stares for an indeterminate amount of time. Romina dislikes her blatant ogling, it reminds her too strongly of the gossiping, chittering beasts of the Basin. The ones that believe she cannot hear their whispered jibes and crooned, faux concerns for her appearance. She lifts her tiara proudly, meeting the mare's gaze steadily until at last her lips part to speak. The pun is not lost on her, even in her youth. Mama had explained from the very start why she appeared different, why people may mistake her for a deer or cerndyr in the future. An attempt to prepare the banshee girl for the judgment she would encounter in life. But she smiles and pretends to not hear the needling of her voice, though her tail tightens a little around Kiada, bumping hips to help control her emotions.

The paid had been practicing together to try and control their magic, which activated in both of them when their emotions ran high. Of course, Romina couldn't help but roll her own eyes internally at the familiar answer. Bones (better known as Kid to all but she) had said nearly the exact same thing. Could nobody speak plainly, like her brother? Or at least have the creativity to try a little harder.

If you didn't notice by now, Romina is a bit of a critic.

The appearance of another silences whatever she intends to say, which is quite favorable considering the sass she had that never ceased to land her in hot water. He seemed afraid of them, or wary. Romina was too young to truly distinguish between the two, but his unsure countenance was not pleasing. Romina's ears were not quite equine, but she knew their language, still an equine at heart. But there are more important things to focus on. Like shelter, for instance, which the nameless man mentions.

"It's cooler in our home, up north. It's called the Basin. Mama is Lady, and Kiada's mom is the head Thief." Her antlers erupted into colorful opalescent fire as pride surged through her breast at the statuses of their mothers, the emotion sweeping the flames into being between her ears until she got control of it once more. "We don't even know your names though, that's impolite." A pointed, blunt statement. Romina knew the purpose of tact and playing nice, but it seemed to have no place here. She'd rather know what the colorful woman wanted to do, if she would like to be escorted to the Basin or if she and Kiada could go back to their exploring.

"I'm Romina. What are your names?" The cervine girl paused appropriately to let Kiada introduce herself as well before casting her orange gaze to the ghost stallion, clearly asking both he and the intricately-marked mare what their titles were.