Humming split the air in an entirely pleasant way, filling it with little melodies and soft laughter when they didn't completely flow. These little notes of music came from the throat of a palomino mare, long lion tail flickering and dragging in the snow as the wings tipping it fluttered contently. Athena had ventured once again from the borders of the Dragon's Throat, comfortable with the distance between her desert homeland and the Threshold. Life was getting harder in her home, where temperatures- already devastatingly cold during the warmer seasons- dropped frighteningly at night. Yet Athena, whom hated the cold, could not on this day bring herself to spite it. The mare was much too joyous on this evening to care that her poor plants were freezing. They would return next season, as they always had and always would.

Snow drifts wouldn't impede her progress although she could truthfully say she had no idea what she was doing. Many creatures came to the Threshold to look for a home. Athena desired company, as she almost always did. A kind smile always made a good day even better. And what better place to look for company than the Threshold, where almost every hoof passed through at some point? And so that was what had drawn the flea bitten palomino to the forested place, flicking her long tail and prancing whenever it suited her. Though she lingered towards the southern edge- even she knew that peace did not last- ready to flee back to the Throat at the shortest distance, she had no true path at that moment. "I wonder where all the curious little ones are..." she mused. It was always endearing to her to see the unsure newbies searching for a home in Helovia.

Hazel eyes crinkled as the mare smiled. She was no filly, the eyes on her form were noticed and taken in stride. Athena wasn't blind to her surroundings. Waiting instead for the unknown creature to step forth from the shadows cast by withering trees. Shuffle of snow signaled the approach that the wingless pegasi had been waiting for. Turning with a welcoming smile and warm eyes, tail swaying and brushing the top of the snow as the little wings beat happily. Soft laughter escaping as the fae stepped into her line of sight, notin that the doll had wings. Athena didn't regret being born wingless, she was quite content with all four hooves neatly and firmly on the ground she had never parted from.

it was true that the snow killed off everything, but Athena's meeting with Andash had stopped her from brooding about in it. Yes, she loathed the snowy season, but she could no less control the weather as she could control the color of her eyes. "I'm inclined to agree, dear. They kill off my plants, and divest us of food. But it's brought us both here today, hasn't it?" Smiling with a pleasant twinkle in her orbs. Letting the mare decide whether or not she wished to venture closer.

Athena smiled, amused by her enthusiastic bobbing agreement. She was hardly a woman herself in years yet she felt so much older mentally.Humming contemplatively as she too eyed the trees. "It's a give and take I suppose. Some winters the plants win- others, the trees do." Laughing softly at her curiosity. It was obvious with how many scents clung to her coat that she as part of the Throat. Everywhere she went people knew that. Nodding to appease the girl's interest. "Actually yes, I am. I'm a proud member of the Dragon's Throat."

After she admitted to chasing a bird around and missing what she searched for, Athena smiled and readjusted her mane with a flick of her head. Leonine tail swaying comfortably, little wings beating slowly. "They come on occasion to recruit members. However with Frostfall being so harsh, and the past battle, many are needed far more at home than wandering about." At least that was her assumption on the matter. The newly named Aryel introduced herself and Athena tilted her head quizzically. "You're correct I have never heard of such a place. I am Athena."

Calm, mildly amused hazel eyes watched as talk of battle swayed Aryel into curiosity. She was not old, but she couldn't help a fond smile. Did battle truly warrant such excitement in those who had not experienced it? Then again, the femme did not know Aryel or what she had been through. Who knew if she had been through war? "Ah, a curious tale for a curious lass. The Throat was, and remains, allies to the Qian. This band, along with our forces, swept through the territory of The Edge, and took it over. Exiling the previous inhabitants to the Frostbreath Steppe." It was the truth, all summed up into a very short explanation. Athena did not participate in the fighting. She was inclined to heal, and therefore could not speak of horrific battles or the blood spilt. She only knew of the one they had lost, and though she had not known him she had mourned his passing.

Aryel's eyes were alight with an energy Athena understood, but one she didn't revel in or use anymore. How was it she felt so old? She was hardly approaching her fourth summer! Perhaps it was her inclination to medicine. It matured nearly every nurse and doctor Athena had come across, giving them a calm sort of understanding. Had she already been given this gift, despite only knowing natural maladies and how to fix them? Without magic, all she had was her knowledge of the various plants around her. Athena mentally reminded herself to visit the veins. In time, she told herself. "And you? What is it you wish to do, young Aryel? To be a warrior? A medic? A scholar? Entertain me, I have nothing but time." Smiling fondly at her and resting a hind leg patiently.

Aryel's curiosity was well recieved and anticipated by the Nokota mare. After all who wouldn't be intrigued by the challenges of the past? Athena heard many stories in the Throat and was pleased that she could inform Aryel on the things she wished to know about. Clicking her tongue thoughtfully at her question. "Is there ever a definite cause for war? Dislike, broken alliances, racism, differences of view, territory. It is always a combination of things."

Thought came over Aryel's face at Athena's question. Nodding thoughtfully at her answer. "That is a proud and difficult task. I wish luck upon you when you can ascend to such a position. I'm afraid I'll never be one to seek excitement," laughing softly at herself. "I do enjoy roaming about, but healing has always been my calling. It seems to temper even the wildest of minds." She had never regretted wanting to heal and doubted she ever would.

Athena's words seemed to convince something in Aryel. Athena prided herself on her calm way with words, and was pleased to see she had explained it in such a short fashion. Lengthy details had no meaning to her. There were storytellers for that, horses that could make you feel as if you were on the battlefield yourself. Athena enjoyed succumbing to these fake visions, but she preferred the short logical version as opposed to the fluff filled one. Aryel took her thanks in stride, which Athena found rather promising. Not one to gloat, and certainly not arrogant. Aryel would do very well wherever she ended up.

Her interest had Athena smiling and nodding. "Yes I am. I use herbs, as of now. However I have an appointment with the Gods, hopefully before Birdsong. There are plenty of births in that season. I would be extremely grateful for their gift of healing, but as of now I am only an expert in natural remedies." Either way she wasn't arrogant, and was grateful for what she had. It was why she rarely if ever fell sick, and for short periods of time at that. Healthy as a horse was a rather ironic idiom in this situation, but it was the truth.