it has come to pass...

The scenery had not changed much. Except it was now summer and everything was greener and warmer. It had only been just the previous season she too had walked upon these very floors, covered with moss. There was something soothing about the Threshold; she had come to realize, only on her second visit back. She couldn’t be sure what had encouraged a trip to the forest, but maybe a longing to see if she could relive those few hours with Osiris and Boltar. The wolf horse had quickly found a place with her, but it had been awhile since their paths had crossed. She was beginning to wonder if she would ever see him again.

The sun was high in the sky, but it too was growing weary with the ever-growing day before her. Sighing, she let her silent and lithe movements carry her through the forest, weaving in and out of tall trees, both skinny and fat. The chatter of the critters wasn’t as active as it once had been earlier, as the forest was preparing for the night it seemed. It was quite rare for NADIRA to bed down for the night, for fear of her own dreams. Maybe that was why she took so well to wandering.

The silence of another near by was what ceased her movement mid stride. Delicate ears twitched atop her brow as she waited and listened. Shunning the light that harmed her senses, she let blackness surround her as her visionaries were closed. Letting the aura, the scent of the other linger, drape over her like the sunlight on a sunrise, she felt pulled in the direction of a mare. A pegasi if she should stand corrected on this. It was the ever slight shuffling of wings that had provoked such an assumption.

Letting her glacier spheres readjust to the light of day, she adjusted her direction in the path of a companion. It wasn’t long before she depicted a black mare with leathery wings heading towards her. With the sun’s beaming rays, splitting through the forest canopy, NADIRA would almost appear as a ghost or spirits of sorts. Her milky hide glistening under the streams of light as she moved lightly over the forest floor. Blood set orbs were not hard to pick out among the black mare’s features and NADIRA thought of Ophelia and Paladin.

She waited patiently for the other mare to acknowledge seeing her before she attempted to speak. Not wanting to scare or frighten her. That was not in the milky unicorn’s nature to do so.

“Welcome. I am NADIRA. Have you traveled far? You look a bit jaded m’dear.”

By now, the unicorn mare had done away with being cautious of her mannerisms and behavior. She knew she was well off the beaten path as far as what appeared to be of “normal” characters around Helovia. She was one of few last of her kind. Of ancient ways and a calm demeanor to boot.

“I can offer a place of rest for your weary bones. A place I rest on occasion myself.”

It was a kind gesture. One of which she was not quite certain the mare might take with apprehension. Still, a place of rest was a place of rest. It did not mean you had to call it home. Though NADIRA was beginning to grow a tad bit fond of the Foothills. Only time would tell. She hadn’t quite settled down, as curiosity was an overwhelming state of mind for her at the current moment in her life.

She watched the tall ebony winged horse with a gentle and kind gaze. Wondering how she had stumbled upon these lands. NADIRA always loved a story.

it has come to pass...

NADIRA couldn’t blame the ebony mare for holding back and acting like she had everything under control. She still felt that way about herself and there was not a single soul who really knew who she was. So who was she? The sea fair unicorn was a lost soul trying to find her way through life. Or that was how it felt, anyway. A sigh escaped her lips and she eyed the mare, knowing full well she was being stubborn. But she would not push things. She had no reason to push this mare; it was not in her character or personality to do so.

“That is your choice. And you are welcome.”

She was a terrible liar, but she wouldn’t let on. It had been her life long skill to pick apart others. To understand how they thought and to predict what their next plan of attack was. She knew appearances would say otherwise to what many thought of her. But she was a book that you did not want to judge by its cover. Small packages carry big surprises. But her agenda was never to hurt anyone. She was a nature lover, and so maybe that was why others saw that side of her. She was good at hiding things, just don’t talk about it, and you are good. Find another hobby to override what your skills and what you know, and you are all good.

“May I at least have a name to put to a face?”

NADIRA’s melodic tunes mixed with the critters chatter. The sun wasn’t going to wait on them to decide what they were going to do for the night. It didn’t matter to the unicorn mare; she didn’t plan on dreaming that night. A blank stare overcame the pegasi mare and NADIRA wondered what she was thinking, or arguing with herself over. She knew, because it often happened to her. She waited patiently for the other to speak.

it has come to pass...

NADIRA’s visual on the mare’s posture was welcoming, as she witnessed a little relaxation in those tense muscles. She wasn’t sure how long it would last, but she would take it, pleased at least with the fact that she wasn’t quite making this mare too nervous. It was a confusing concept to the white unicorn, having that affect of making one nervous. If anything, it should be she who was nervous around others. But this new land was such a culture shock to her that she had found herself quite at ease with the scenery and atmosphere. With her own troubles behind her now, she could for once focus on being happy. But there was something that still tugged at her insides.

The hesitation to answer such a simple question, only spoke of a trust issue. NADIRA did not push for an answer. If this mare felt she could not trust her, then she could not hold it against the pegasi. But after a few moments, the silenced seemed to be a little too much and the black winged mare let her name slip from her maw. Chemical. What a peculiar name to be given, she thought. But a name was a name, and maybe the name was a perfect fit for her.

“Well, Chemical, I am glad to put a face to a name.”

It wasn’t exactly a response one would think about making, but she couldn’t exactly say it was a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, that would be worse. She was just about to inquire where the mare palnned to bed down for the night, when the same question crossed her lips. How odd. Maybe she finally decided it was best to be somewhere besides the forest to rest. In her own opinion, she did have to agree with the mare. Though this place was beautiful, at night, who knew of the dangers it spoke of.

A brief explanation, huh? This should be interesting, NADIRA pondered. Seeing as our leader was missing and members of the herd were disappearing and fast. She had no idea, as she didn’t know how this world worked, exactly. So she had to come up with the truth and leave out the bad, seeing as a place to rest is exactly what this mare would receive, but for how long? The winds had shifted lately and there was something not quite right.

Glacier orbs glanced over the mare nonchalantly, not letting her thoughts be easily read. Her ears swiveled slightly as the sounds from the critters were somewhat amusing.

“The Foothills, is where I reside, casually. The mountains provide for scenery and protection from the north. There is a river that flows inland from the sea and it is quite green. With plenty of private spots to keep your privacy.”

She wondered if Chemical would truly follow her back. NADIRA knew she wasn’t pleasantly ecstatic about describing the Foothills, but her heart hadn’t settled enough to call it home. It was truly and remarkably gorgeous. She had no problem admitting that. And the company that still resided there was very warm and welcoming. So it really wasn’t that bad.

“If you wish, Chemical, I could show you the way before darkness consumes the forest.”

It was a long shot, but she wouldn’t know unless she asked.