Battle had ravished her home, and she had no idea where anybody was anymore. She had gone out to try and find Xanthos, whom she'd heard was from the Edge, and when she returned to look for Bale and Romani, everything had changed. The Grey had taken over the Foothills, but Nayati was desperate to find anybody she knew. Wide carmine irises darted around nervously, whimpers falling steadily from her muzzle. Was Romani still here? Was she looking for her too? How many members had stayed after the invasion? Was there anybody even left?! Every sound in the night made her jump and cry, remembering when she had met Resplendence in the similar darkness. Everything was suddenly terrifying, no longer the familiarity of the Foothills that she remembered. Moonlight danced, everything turning eery and wrong. This wasn't the home she remembered, the one Svetlana had taken her to long ago when she was naught but a babe bleeding out in the snow. Panic gripped her chest so hard she feared she may collapse into another panic attack, but she willed herself not to succumb. If she did, she would be prone and helpless for as long as her attack continued. So instead she fled as fast as she could, thin little legs flying recklessly across the green carpet illuminated before her. Flowers sprung in her wake, their colors ranging drastically with her emotions, many of them dark purples and reds.

The tears didn't come until she reached the cave where she had last seen Bale and found him gone. She stumbled on her own albino locks, which had grown substantially since she had last seen the gentle colt. Silver lines tracked down her cheeks and she cried in agony, whinnying pained melodies into the air when she could not find the soul that could offer her comfort. Even her anger at Romani could not keep her from wanting the woman there, for she was so scared she doubted her legs could keep her standing much longer. Wheeling around she stumbled out of the cave, crying her pretty rose eyes dry. Again she ran, thin chest aching and burning, weak lungs protesting and foretelling collapse. Winter months already took their toll on her weakness, but running was not a past time she should participate in.

It was likely not the smartest idea to be making such a racket when all her old leaders and members were still likely gone, but Nayati wasn't thinking very clearly at that point. All she knew was that her home had been taken, nobody she knew remained, and she couldn't find anybody at all. The darkness was terrifying, a phobia she wouldn't rid herself of for many years. Even the flowers that bloomed comfortingly in her mane and tail couldn't calm her as she ran headlong through the forests, sobbing so hard she could barely see. Where was everybody? Why didn't they come and help her?

"Roma! Roma! Bale!" At last her voice, previously clogged by fear, seemed to break through and work. Mindlessly she repeated those two names, searching for any physical body. Had everybody left? Had there truly been no invasion? Was the Foothills now just a herd full of ghosts? But...no. There was a small dot in the distance, a glowing splotch of white beneath the rising moon. Even if her chest burned too much to go on, she pushed her legs harder. Somebody was there! There was somebody else! Legs trembled and ached as she darted up the hill, breath coming in fierce wheezes. Imagine her surprise when, nearly collapsing with how long and how far she'd run, it wasn't some nameless face that greeted her. Whimpering, she fell to her own knees beside the familiar colt, tears slipping down her face no longer because of her fear, but because of the state he was in. "Bale..." her own voice croaked from her tears and she moved close to him, needing his touch to feel okay again. He seemed so run down, so hurt, and it made her cry all the harder, repeating his name in a choked voice. But he needed help, and she couldn't do it, so she lifted her coal maw and cried out as loud as she could with her raw throat. Again and again, demanding attention and help from anybody who could give it. Beside them, the flowers bloomed once more, surrounding the two small bodies like a bed of comforting magic. Once she could sing no more she lowered her head, wrapping her tiny body around the larger one she so adored. He had promised to always protect her, but it was now her duty to make sure to do the same. Small as she may be, she kept herself twined around him, offering support and protection through her own body. Surely somebody had to be out there who could help him?

::ooc- ALLIE!! <3 You're back! Hope you don't mind Nayati popping in, she has nowhere else to go

Balé lay there motionless for a while. He couldn't understand what was happening, perhaps because he was so drained but maybe because his mind wouldn't let him understand. His limp body lay in the grass as another horse came up to him. Merely observing these events, he couldn't interact. And, as is true with observation, he couldn't make sense of the events, only witnessed them. Even though he might have been even slightly aware of what was happening he still couldn't make sense of it all.

His mind was in a fog. For a while yet to come nothing would make sense to the unfortunate colt. All that he had known in his short time here had changed and was still changing at an unimaginable pace. The foothills were no longer the same place it seemed. Everything seemed much darker now...somehow more bleak. Hard to describe but easy to feel, the morale here was now so low. Just being here left one in a feeling of despair.

The horse came up to him, racing to get there in time, but in time for what? When she approached she was like a ghost. He could barely see her shape and his eyes wouldn't focus on where she was. She was everywhere around her, moving too fast for him to focus on her. As if he was but a fixture in time and everything else was moving forward around him. He was an unchanging point with the world revolving around him.

For those brief few seconds his mind was working again, albeit only inside of his head, but it was short lived. Body sinking into the ground and eyes rolling back into his head, Balé had no energy left. His crumpled body entered into stupor, unable to do anything.

Sweet Nayati, now much larger than before, stood over him crying tears of sorrow for the colt she knew not so long ago. She was no longer a tiny filly, but more of a beautiful mare. Her spotted coat still the same as before but her disposition was more able...she cared for herself now. Flowers bloomed around her dainty white frame, encompassing both of them. The blossoms didn't reflect her mood or the situation in the slightest. Tears fell from her bent head onto the petals, and then were gently relayed to the ground. Dear Nayati's body heaved in silence; she seemed close to desperation.

From a distance a horse and large brown animal meandered close to them. The horse seemed less sure, taking a stance further back. Whatever the brown figure was, walked up to the two horses now laying on the ground. Slowly it closed the distance between them. The horse, seeming drawn to the figure, walked behind it. It didn't do so with an entirely happy heart either.

The horse, a beautiful mare, was dark with a very light mane and tail and white markings on her legs. But most noticeably about her was, without a doubt, her crimson eyes and long white horn with a matching crimson tip.

The animal that was now only a short distance away from them was quite obviously a bear. The fluffy counterpart of the horse walked until he was next to the two horses. Balé was in no position to make any sort of movement, or even respond, but Nayati made no move either. She was in much too much pain to do anything about this benign animal.

Behind the bear the horse approached. Head held high, she spoke. "You two are not supposed to be here. Winter is fast approaching. You'll likely..." She paused here, trying to find the right words for the two foals, "find it a difficult time to be along. You are welcome to use the Foothills as sanctuary." Then her look darted to the three when she saw that something was off with one of the foals. "What's wrong with him?"

[:DDD Of course I don't mind! I love Nayati! Haha, so I looked on your page, can I call you Brit? XD Poor little Balé. I thought you had left too so it took me a while to come back. But I'm back now! And you're welcome to use that picture I made of the two of them on her page or whatever you'd like. :3
And for Ktulu, does this mean that Balé is accepted back into the foothills?]


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Soft eyes found hers, but they were far away as if in a dream. Despite her own body burning and aching, Nayati could summon no concern for herself. Every piece of her worry was directed to the sweet, gentle soul that lay prone in the sea of flowers that had been summoned around them. How long she lay there, she didn't know, but his silence scared her. Would yet another of her beloved friends meet the heavens so early in life? Nayati's tears slowed, pain in her heart aching far more than any of her body could possibly protest. Who else did she truly have? Romani was clearly nowhere to be found, as this grove was rather familiar to her. Even cries of distress had not brought her running, and in her heart Nayati knew she no longer resided in the Foothills.

Bale was all she had left.

In her soft, quieting cries she heard the approach of another. Small as it was, she assumed it to be a foal, only for her ruby irises to land upon the furry form of what was clearly a bear. Unsurprised, remembering Romani's companion, Nayati lifted her crown slowly to stare at it with tear-hazed eyes. No longer did they fall, too tired and concerned over Bale to continue the wracking sobs. The companion approached, intelligence gleaming in dark chocolate orbs. Perhaps even care? Concern? Having no bond with him, Nayati was clueless in that scenario, but his kindness and slow approach soothed her jumpy system. Soft grunt came her way, crown tilting in an adorable fashion. Though her nod was barely seen he came forth regardless, wrapping himself around them like a blanket of fur and warmth. Gently she brushed her coal muzzle against his ear, snuffling. It was her attempt at a thank you, sincerity shining in her gaze. Alert as ever with how nervy she could be, Nayati's eyes flicked to the mare that approached long before her words touched the pricked icy auds on her crown.

Terse greeting did nothing to dissuade Nayati, and briefly she fondly thought of Insanity. Remembering those old mannerisms she stood on legs that shook with the exhaustion and pain she felt in them. Even so she raised her head high, not exactly proud but respectful enough to attempt to look the woman in her eyes. Short as she was, and would always remain, Nayati could not manage it. Wasn't it the thought that counted though? "I...I know, ma'am." Submission was surprisingly absent in her tone, but acceptance was. Nayati knew with the change in leadership they were no longer a part of the Foothills, and the leader- for that was what Nayati assumed her to be- had the right to chase them out, foals or otherwise. Before she could stand her ground enough to say she would not leave Bale, the woman was gruffly extending an offer for them to stay for the winter. It was clearly not an offer for a home, and Nayati knew that. She had grown much in the near full two seasons she had been alone, and the age in her eyes did not match the one stamped into her body. "You have my thanks, and his as well. I...well neither of us have families any longer, and I am not sure he can survive without me, or the other way around." Rose eyes softened as her gaze turned to him. Nayati had learned how to live on her own, but she would never leave Bale's side even if it meant death. She would welcome it with open arms if it meant leaving by his side. "You do not have to worry over us, I will care for him until Frostfall is over. Thank you, ma'am, you are kind to us where you have no need." Nayati hadn't spoken to another being in so long, and yet her vocabulary was nearly flawless. No longer did she believe in kindness simply for someone's age. Encounters with Mother, Lupus, and others had kept her from being fooled by such childish things. When the subtle hint of possible aid touched her, however, her eyes snapped back to Ktulu. Was it aid? Or was she trying to sense weakness? If she believed Bale to be ill, would she cast him out for fear of contagion?

Tiny legs moved her closer to Bale in a protective manner she had no control over, not even realizing she had done it. Wary intelligence lay in her depths, unhidden. What did she care if the mare kicked them both out? Nayati could care for herself and Bale, even if they had to try and survive in the Wilds. "He seems exhausted, I don't think he can move for the moment. Do you have a healer who can possibly help him?" In her state her blossoms appeared at a faster rate, slowly extending towards the snowy legs of the vixen standing away from them. "My name is Nayati. May I ask yours? I would like to know the name of the person who has extended their home to me, so I may remember it and pay you back when I have something to offer." Nayati didn't want to be in her debt, she knew the look in Ktulu's eyes and was wary of it. Jackal had not had that look, but she had seen it before. This mare had seen much bloodshed, gone through trials Nayati had not and hopefully wouldn't considering her own backstory. She didn't want Bale, perfect sweet Bale, to be exposed to that.

Briefly she wondered when it was that she had grown up and stopped being the stuttering filly she had once been. When it was that she had stopped becoming the shy shadow behind legs of adults, and started becoming the protector.

::ooc- Of course you can call me Brit ^^ and I will definitely use that image, it is so precious! <3