Bellisma

Her heart did a little flip in her chest at Hé's kind words, calling her a queen when she was certain she was anything but. Still, her lips quirked into the tiniest smile, and orbs shifted to find his face. She still walked at a slight angle, chest closer to him than rump, but Bellisma was beginning to sense he truly was not like the other stallions she had been exposed to. "You are very kind. Thank you, for that," she said airily, melody getting caught and carried away by the breeze shortly thereafter. At his reassurance of duties, the mare did something quite rare indeed: she walked straight, side falling parallel to Hé's. Her entire form softened fractionally, from her top line to the flick of her hooves just before they struck earth. Was it possible she had truly left her prison behind? She was beginning to think so.

Despite Hé's reassurance, Bellisma still ducked her head at the first equine's entrance. She winced at the words, but steeled herself with her new friend's encouragement and lifted green eyes, ever so gradually, until they rested on the white face of the other mare. Despite the ensuing panic, Bellisma forced herself to hold this Paradox's gaze, far more confidence in the gesture than she actually felt. Hé started the introduction for her - which she was grateful for - but stopped before giving her name, which meant she needed to buck up and give it herself. With a sigh that was far more obvious than she would have liked, the golden mare's lips parted. "Bellisma," she offered with a nod, as if the motion was needed. She was so new to this - this whole interacting thing - that she didn't know what exactly was expected. Paradox, with her beautiful mask, probably thought she was completely strange; but still Bellisma looked up (barely) at her.

Or she did until a far more fantastical creature approached, flanked by two beasts she had never before laid eyes on. What exactly was this place? "I-.. I have," she stammered to this new arrival, blinking partially in self-reprimand. Be brave, she urged herself, though she could already feel the tension weaving its way back through her muscles. "Oh, you-..." The words came out before she could stop them, and her gaze dropped to the desiccated grass once more. This was the leader Hé had informed her of. Was there a proper way to greet him? Hastily, she dipped her head before flicking emerald eyes back up to his face, stealing quick glaces at his companions. "It is a pleasure to meet you all. T-thank you.. for welcoming me into your home," she offered sincerely, though her gaze swung briefly to Paradox as she spoke. Bellisma did not think that mare was all too pleased with her company, but something about the way she carried herself gave the impression that perhaps she wasn't too fond of anyone's company.

Thankfully, Hé again paid her a compliment - that, to anyone else probably sounded like any other sentence but to Bellisma felt like the greatest gift she could be given - and that quirk of lips crossed her features once more. She appreciated him greatly, and felt herself warming toward him significantly, though doing so also caused a pang of anxiety to wrap around her chest. This could still all be a trap to gain her trust, but at some point she needed to accept that possibility and start to live anyway. Now was as good a time as any to begin.

"Hé tells me there are duties I may fulfill here?" she questioned Ashamin. Rules of survival: make yourself useful. Perhaps if she started with this, the herd would see her as a valuable asset rather than expendable.