The trek back from the Threshold had been boring to say the least. I had seen the same walk, the same conversation, and the same questions one too many times but I was hoping for a miracle when it came to Crven. I was hoping more than anything that she was as different as the bareness of her neck. The summer sun was warm upon my face and it was quiet enough for me to hear my own heartbeat before I decided to break the silence. We had walked on in relative quiet for the mere simplicity of it and I had no problem doing so but I knew that this mare was owed due explanation of the place she was about to call home. Maybe then, the conversation would flow a little more naturally, even if I didn’t care much for the mundane. “I do hope you’ll find comfort in the Edge; it is a land of beauty after all and full of opportunity for newcomers like yourself.” For a moment I let my words hang in the air as if allowing her time to picture such a place. I wasn’t sure what kinds of things she would desire to know so I allowed a bit more time before diving into the specifics.

The soft pounding of our hooves began to sync into a perfect rhythm and if I hadn’t been so self-aware of the mare by my side, I probably would have started counting the beat out of mere obligation. I was glad for the soft fluttering of birdsong as we weaved in and out of the shadows cast upon the forest floor from the thick canopy above. It was a beautiful place, The Threshold, but it was nothing in comparison to the Edge and its fine mists. They cooled my skin in the summer and cast a pale luminescent glow in the winter; had I ever believed them to be a nuisance? I couldn’t recall such a time, so perhaps they were just as relaxing to everyone else as they were to me then.

“If there is anything you’d like to discuss before arriving, I would be more than happy to indulge you Miss Crven.” Once again the words hung before her, all seriousness and curiosity in spite of the new smile that parted my lips. My warm gaze was upon her now and while I was curious enough to ask about her lack of mane, I knew better than to offend a mare upon meeting them- I would definitely be testing my sanity if I did. They had a way of making one feel guilty in spite of their innocence so I could only imagine dealing with the reaction I would get after such a simple question (of course, it was simple enough to me anyhow). Biting my tongue, I moved along, eager for her to see the Edge… this place was just too damn wonderful for anyone to turn down.

I was glad that she had come.

Crven paused before me to turn heated eyes upon my own. There was a sense of guilt lurking low beneath the icy surface of her gaze and it made me stop. Whatever I’d said had obviously been taken offensively and I had not meant it as such, but rather a mere statement that I was not in fact the only creature in this herd with unique attributes. Her lips begin to curl in a scowl and I start to smile as I see her outburst coming. But before she can catch my amusement at her saucy display, I decide to tuck my face into my chest in order to hide whatever traces of humor she might find there. In fact, I stay this way until she has quieted and there is not much else for her to do other than simply stare at me. I do not wish to upset her because it was never my intent… yet, as I’ve mentioned many times before, mares have a way of taking things the wrong way.

When I glance up at her, I take a moment to look upon her hairless neck and then nod slowly. I had heard everything that she had to say and I wanted nothing more than to soothe her, but I needed her to take a moment to cool before I went into the flames hoping to come back a hero. In fact, I took a moment to merely gaze upon her and let the weight of it sink in before a quirky smile began to part my lips. “My dear, I have made no such mention about making you anything other than another part of my family. But I must point out that I do not call my wings malformations because they do not hinder who I am or what I do. I believe that everyone comes into this life a “black sheep” if you will, because each and everyone one of us has a set of problems or attributes that make us different.”

I pause for a moment in hopes of catching her within my gaze. Everything that I have said is true in my heart and for this I do not feel pity for the red-tailed mare. She would have to learn that appearances did not make the horse no matter what they happened to be. This herd was about acceptance, trials, errors, and learning to live amongst one another. I did not feel that I had thought wrong of the mare’s strength and only hoped that she would be able to grow and change under the guidance of the Edge. “I do not believe that you have thought wrong of me Crven because I intend to support you in whatever endeavors you have in mind. I am not as callous as you think…” With that, I move closer to her, my face drawn closed and my head down low; I intend to let her see all that interests her and as I open my mangled wings before her, I hope that she can find clarity in my confidence.

Thor