I was a stark contrast against the darkness plaguing this land. A newcomer, I was unaware of the recent turmoil that had plunged the residents of Helovia into darkness. Fortunately for me, the stars were shining bright and clear in the pitch sky, delivering a gentle wave of comfort to wash over me. I had never fared well in the blackest of nights, so counted myself lucky to be in their presence as I entered this brand new world. For once, things seemed to be looking up for me, until I noticed the strangest medley of lights in the distance.

Beneath me, my feet froze to the cold ground and my body grew rigid. Were those trees... glowing?

The pulsating trees, eerie in their unnatural glow, were absolutely terrifying. I must have stood there for what seemed like forever, simply watching them all dim, flicker, and light again, all on their own times. Never in my days had I seen such a display, though as I stood, nothing seemed to change all too much... The blues of the trees were calming, but the red casted a glowering threat that had me reeling away, dissuading me from taking a single step further into this uncharted land. Surely if I stepped into the confines of this lit forest, something would get me, and it would bring to me my demise.

But if I didn't go on, then what else was there? Somewhere behind me, the ones I had once thought family were baring their crimson-stained teeth, daring me to come back so that they could tear me apart. Of course, not all of them had turned their backs on me, but there were plenty who were more than happy to end me where I stood if I did not move on.

So with a deep inhale that expanded my barrel to its limits, I lifted my feet and carried onward into this new world that I might come to call home, no matter how absolutely petrified I really was. As long as I avoided the crimson hued trees, I would surely be fine until the sun rose.

"blather blather blather"

[ooc - Anyone is welcome to join and do whatever, but I would like him to be in the Asylum. :3]

Up ahead, there was the unmistakable sound of movement. The strange scenery laid out before me was enough to send my hearts into leaps and bound, thudding noisily against the walls of my chest. Below me, my feet had come to a stand still and my body had grown rigid, prepared to bolt at a moment's notice. Against the dim light, my eyes grew wide as I tried to place the location of the perptraitor, though I had little luck given the thick canopy that the many trees produced overhead. The eerie glow of the foliage didn't help either, playing tricks on my eyes as they worked through shades of blue, green and red.

Words were emitted from the darkness then, two that were given in simplistic greeting. Though there was no hint of threat behind the feminine voice, I nearly wheeled around and booked it out of the forest, but somehow I managed to get by taking only a few steps sideways. On any other day, especially when the sun was up and the trees weren't glowing, I might have kept myself steeled and unmoving in the presence of this stranger. Due to the circumstances, though, I didn't know what to expect. For all I knew, the one talking to me was some deceptive, messed up creature with three heads, ready to lunge out at me and take me down.

But maybe I was just being over-dramatic, as always.

Just yards away from me stood a mare, whose scent I rightfully didn't recognize. From what I could tell, she was a rich brown in color, her mane, tail, legs and muzzle nearly matching the darkness that had taken hold of the land on this night. Her head was held lower than my own was in a display of inferiority, though I wasn't completely sure why. Even with her head dropped, she still stood considerably taller than I, wider, too, surely more than capable of taking me down. But unless my earlier sentiments about her being some deceptive, three-headed monster were correct, then her voice lent me the smallest sliver of comfort knowing that she wasn't here to bring me any harm.

"H-Hello," I finally stammered in response, shifting uncomfortably where I stood, unsure how to handle the situation I had been presented with. What was I supposed to say? It was strange enough for me to be looking at somebody of my own species, rather than the bloody fanged creatures whom had raised me from foalhood. Any time that I had seen another equine, they were either running for their lives, or dead.

Sucking in a deep breath, I stamped a hoof roughly into the snowy ground, more in annoyance to myself than the bay standing before me. I had always wanted to befriend those of my own species, but never had I been given a chance, and I found myself, dare I say it, afraid to converse with them. "What... What is your name? I'm Merrikh. What is this place and why are the trees doing that?" I asked, casting a quick glance to the perplexing foliage before returning my icy gaze to the mare, lest she suddenly launch her attack.

"blather blather blather"