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The night had chased Onni toward the great pyre of the Dragon's Throat, the holy flames which stretched for miles upward, illuminating the majority of the land. The shaman found that the flickering lights of the fire, along with their warmth, were soothing to her soul, reassuring her that the God of the Sun would return. This night would end. She would not have to fear the shadows which lurk in the darkness, awaiting the chance to tear you to pieces.

Her journey home had been long, even if she had been in the nearby Heart. The only thing that had made the long trek bearable was the awkward, yet kind presence of Kahlua, a sister of the World's Edge. The pair had gotten off on the wrong hoof, but through the grace of an apology and the warmth in each of their hearts, Onni would gamble to say they were at least beginning a friendship. After all, in such times as these, you become closer to others much faster, for situations require a lot more support than you would normally need.

Now, she stood rather relaxed in the light of the fire, back to the flames, pale eyes scouring over the crimson sands of her home before drifting back to her companion, Lyhty. A hoof cocked and wings resting easily on her back, Onni watches the little bird hop and drop his beak, sifting the sand for small insects before picking up his head to glance back at her, a cheerful little trill spilling from his lungs. The shaman smiles. The little bird had been a godsend for her in this new world, where she had none of her old support and friends. Long had she missed the company of her mentor, the friendship of Moth, and the easy patience of Virva. Maybe some day, she would find souls to share her heart with much like she had in Isilme.

For now, she was alone with Lyhty the small little finch.
Until the hoof beats of a stranger reach her ears.

He was heavily built, a tad shorter than her, with large, feathered wings. His mood was calm, from what she could read at this distance, but his steps were uncertain, as if he were searching for something in this land. Onni did not recognize his face, but there were plenty in this realm she had not yet met. If they did not attend meetings, she likely would not recognize them unless they were apt to be wounded - the soldiers, for instance, she could all name.

Letting out a friendly nicker, Onni calls out to this stranger, pale face bright. She begins to step out of her passive posture, walking steadily in his direction before attempt to sidle up beside him. "Hello," she says with a warm smile. "I am Onni. Is there something you are looking for?"

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My company seems willing to join my side, continuing his downtrodded pace but turning more in my direction. This small gesture brings a small illumination of a smile to my lips. I feel at once the joys of a potential friend once more, despite my initial intentions being to help him find whatever it was he had lost.

The formality of a bow is not something I am used to, however, and I fear that my eyes widen slightly in surprise as he takes to a strange position. I attempt to push the waves of uncertainty and questioning off of my pale mask, replacing the same gentle fire of welcoming. Despite being born the daughter of a leader, I have never and would likely never consider myself a lady demanding respectful gestures. I am not my mother, as we all know. Kri is an individual who garners the respect of all around her, while I simply try to avoid their scrutiny. Still, I should be polite to those who freely offer such respect, anyway.

I bow my head in response to him, not quite certain of my ability to kneel as gracefully as him. I have very little practice in the region of curtsies, after all. I chuckle slightly at the thought of being called a lady, amusement racing across my face as I we walk side by side. He seems to be troubled by my question all the more so, which I find to be surprising. Was he not looking for something? I let my sky eyes drift off his face, hoping to relieve some of the tension he is feeling, while Lyhty coos him a strange, small lullaby.

My ears flicker over in his direction as he speaks, a silent offering of my attention despite my eyes which remain face forward. I could understand perfectly his need for comfort in the darkness, for I myself faced demons that loomed in the shadows of my memory. Night. A terrifying time for me, having survived many horrors in the absence of the sun. "I have not seen Avalon," I say honestly, giving him an apologetic look. "However, I believe the Gods have vanished, for I feel no magic in my blood."

A smile greets him, perhaps unexpectedly after that last statement. "I know the Sun will return, though. He loves his children. We must remain brave until then."