d'Artagnan was fuming. What was this thing stuck to his head?! He looked like Rudolph in a foul mood. Gone were his precious horns made of glass, not as sturdy but the shade had adapted to them and knew exactly how to utilize them to their best ability. Antlers, however, were bigger and uncomfortable. They interfered with his line of sight and were generally a distraction, he also didn't have a clue how to use them. Instead he moved along, pacing around the lake with a look of burning annoyance, growling in anger everytime he saw his reflection. What curse was this?! What had he done to earn such a humiliating punishment. Tail flicked in abrupt movements as he stomped around.

"Unicorns!"

d'Artagnan's receptors swung to the shout, head adjusting with antlers in tow. The voice was faint on the breeze and rang with distant familiarity to which the shade dismissed. Any voice could seem familiar on a small wind. The merlot Doctor moved off to answer the call, moving carefully like a predator scenting it's prey. Their land was sheltered and hidden, yet it seemed easily penetrable with these frequent visitors, an odd peculiarity and one d'Artagnan wanted to change. It was after a few minutes of walking, listening and scenting that the red boy finally fell upon who had called them. A bare head and a pigeon. What idiocy. The equine was easily recognisable, the mare had healed their injured after the invasion. Tor was it? The Doctor never was brilliant with names, it required actually listening. The other d'Art did not know nor could he care less. They were on dangerous territory. "Oh look, our periodic healer has come to visit us."

Fools. They know we don't accept outsiders so why do they still come?! The fact always confused the brute. Why tempt fate, it's not like many would willingly want to venture deep into the snows. Even to find this little gem of land. It just wasn't worth the risk. d'Artagnan put it down to lack of intuition, they were mice in the eyes of an owl. "What do you want here?"

His voice was brusque, so little he cared even in a situation when it might be best to. Begrudgingly he wished Psyche was here to deal with matters like these, he was too arrogant to deal with these cases. Diplomacy never came easy, that was where Kou came in. She filled the qualities he lacked in and completed him in every way possible. Her gentle voice and calculating mind held his madness in check in turn stopping him from making mistakes. The shade on the other hand, was better suited to matters of murder and the delicate ways of killing or maiming. Kou could set up his enemies so he could finish them off. A tag team to fear if any ever caught wind. A family also, Aviya and Mesec. A filly with eyes to kill and a demi-god of untold power. Their legacy continued.

h e l l can't handle all of us

Quite an audience had assembled, but not as many of the Aurora Basin as she would have liked. She mutely regarded Tor, as she arrived on scene only moments after Phae. This was no time for introductions - for that would make The Grey seem disbanded and haphazard. But this must be the Healer - of this, Phae had no doubt. Her intuition was solidified as Tor called out for the Unicorns of this land. The first to answer this call, was not at all what Phae had expected of the Nightshade that she had heard so much about. No indeed, for this creature had two awkward antlers stemming from his brow, and a nose so red it almost looked infected, were it not for the odd glow it seem to have. Absently, Phae's mind wondered if it was not the same meddling magic which caused her normally tawny wings to become pure white, and a glistening halo to appear above her ears. Whatever it was, it certainly detracted from the seriousness of the situation.

...our periodic healer has come to visit us - These words were spoken to Tor. Phae's ears flickered uncertainly; Wasn't Tor on their side? What was she doing running around healing everyone? Without some pain in the world, the Grey's services would not be needed. Still, she knew little of Tor or her history, and forced herself to hold her judgement, for the time being.

Next to join the gathering were Aviya and Rafe; two more members of The Grey that she was ignorant of. However, by the line which was quickly being formed between us and them, Phae quickly picked out those who she believed to be on her side, however antagonist Rafe might seem. He spoke in a deep voice, pointing out the Basin's lack of leadership and short comings when it came to keeping their herd in check, and safe. Phae nodded as these words were spoken, looking pointedly at d'Artagnan, hoping these words were making an impact, and not simply falling on racist-ears.

Another pegasi had arrived, though said nothing. Phae furrowed her brow slightly, unsure of his place in The Grey, but again, said nothing to this affect, and let none of it show on her face. Her momentary confusion was broken quickly by the appearance of another Basin member. Her heart caught quickly in her chest as she recognized the red-haired mare instantly: Faelene. Friend to Tolio, and complicated love of Leander - both of whom she had had highly emotional interactions with. Tolio's had left a mark upon her heart, while Leander had only left her wings bloody. She had desperately wanted to speak to Faelene, to talk with her separately about The Grey, and the place that she and Tolio might have...but this was not the place. For a moment, despair etched her features as her mind unravelled different scenario's in which the choices that the two groups made now, negatively impacted the bond between Phae and Tolio. Biting her lip hard enough to draw blood in order to mask this pain, she sharply turned towards the dark mare, regarding her with a jaded and guarded green gaze. "There are many acceptable forms of payment: Herbs, amulets, crafted items..." Phae did not mention the few other alternatives, such as an alliance or shelter. Surely no alliance would be struck between the racist group, and The Grey; Now represented by 1 equine, 3 pegasi, and only 1 unicorn; and with BirdSong arriving, the Deep Forest suited them just fine. "However, with the resourcefulness your herd has demonstrated, i'm sure we can come to an understanding."

Phae's eyes glittered dangerously as she considered the delicate arts that the Grey had at their disposal. They could move faster than a herd; move un-noticed. They were not restrained by the young and the old, as the Aurora Basin was already beginning to be. They had no sick, nor any weak within their midst. They could provide results. Surely the Aurora Basin could see that, and view a possible partnership with the Grey as a business venture, rather than an alliance?

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though it all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

d'Artagnan watched on. His annoyance gaining new levels as each member of this idiotic group turned up. Did they really need to send so many? It worried him that they were found so easily when the land was so ineptly concealed. He allowed a nod, just one, to the unicorn who followed them, Rafe. His pelt the same colour as his own and horns so magnificently curved up the top of his head. Maybe he did play for the wrong side and it was regretful, but he was still kin and warranted d'Artagnan's recognition and greeting. The others received nothing but cold stares and disapproving scowls. They were like hounds yapping to their masters bidding, the latter to be nowhere in sight. Typical.

The Nightshade allowed Faelene to take control and spent most of his concentration keeping his anger in check. The sight of so many impure leaving a taste of blood in his mouth as some spoke and others remained silent. Curling red lips and a devilish swing of the head had the Mender's eyes on Phaedra, distaste plain and clear. A flash of blue glinted though tangled mane it had been harshly tied in, an amulet from the Moon found in the snowy wastes. d'Artagnan had no intention of giving it up, nor did he have any herbs to give them. Why would he keep herbs when he could simply turn back the wheels of time and erase the pain to a memory. So foolish was this offering, if he had to the Nightshade would travel to the land of hot sand himself and take back Psyche.

Tor was next after, furthering her comrade's promises and even having the guts to turn on him. To ask of his knowledge. d'Artagnan snorted. Idiot girl was all he thought as teeth shone through drawn back mouth. "What a merry conversation that would be" voice lacing with sarcasm and hidden intent. Surely she knew, the red boy wouldn't utter a word of his knowledge to her, the Doctor would slit her throat quicker.

h e l l can't handle all of us