Riding aloft the gentle breath of a crisp Orangemoon morning, Africa swept in great declining circles above the mottled brown canopy of Helovia’s Threshold. She had personally appointed herself the responsibility of finding quality candidates for her homeland, or those perhaps who were lost, broken and without hope. The rim of black flight feathers ripped as she descended, her carriage graceful and rehearsed. She mostly utilised a slim glade in the western fringe to land- it was further from the main clutter of horses travelling throughout the wood. Shrouded in a coat of caution, her eyes skimmed the exposed section, to her relief not finding any other beings to hinder her arrival. Steady hooves gripped the supple loam with ease, and after only a couple of collective strides the dapple grey mare ceased her movement.

A worthy nervousness gripped her soul, constant apprehension while the threat from the north remained. She was selective these days, waiting and observing from the thicket before approaching any stranger. Her manner was naturally casual, her open expression easily masking the tentative stroke of her eyes through the area surrounding. Africa carried herself towards the nearby tree line before slipping forward, to conceal herself beneath the ruffling leaves above.

The sunlight that filtered down through the patchy canopy spread in a cosy blanket across her wind-blown hide; it was thin still despite the fridgid shift of season, thickened only for comfort within her warm desert home. A distant crack, followed by the crashing thud of shedding wood echoed from further down the valley's forest behind her. Africa’s ears tipped forward as she turned not intrigued by the latter however, instead by the sudden drum of startled hooves. The sound grew nearer, and she searched the shady undergrowth for the galloping horse- curious, if anything.

A mare, whose bay-brown coat was frosted with snowy white came barrelling through the trees towards Africa, who in turn opened her wings a little and danced elegantly, clear of her path. Amused, a smile pulled the corners of her mouth and she snorted softly in greeting when the stranger finally slowed. Without hesitation she slipped forward to meet the appaloosa, comforted for the most part that she was adorned with lovely white wings which automatically united them against the sickening wave of racism intoxicating Helovia. “Hello there... She soothed, noting a lather of sweat across her company’s heaving barrel- Africa presumed she had indeed been frightened before the bolt. “What frightened you?” Her eyes watched kindly, offering what comfort they could.