She watched with interest as the other mare descended from the even greater elevation, thanking her stars that she hadn’t inherited any fear of heights. Luckily her new companion seemed neither upset at her theatrics or concerned about her presence on the mountaintop, greeting her openly and with concern for her wellbeing after that recent tumble. Brushing it off as gently as possible she could not help inquiring if she was from the Peak. There was a weight behind that question which she had not truly anticipated when it left her lips, trying to drain the tension and eagerness from her taunt muscles. It didn’t help that the flesh of her knee still stung, bits of gravel and dirt still clinging to the flesh that she would need to clean off later perhaps in the chilling water beneath the falls.

At Oswin’s response her heart soars, that she had already found a Vuclan and one who seemed amiable enough to speak with her openly. Not only that but one who seemed to have quite a bit of history within the territory, maybe she would even have known many of the legends she had so often heard told. It opened the door for so much more. She stepped forward eagerly, her eyes shining in the light of the day as it shone over the peaks. “That’s great!” She couldn’t contain her enthusiasm even as the slender woman inquired if she had come here to join them in sisterhood. For a moment she quieted, still partially torn between her love and duty to her father and the yearning for a life she had always desired to live.

Chewing her lip she considered her response even as Oswin introduced herself. She smiled in response, bobbing her head slightly in acknowledgement. “It’s nice ta meet ya, Oswin.” Her accented voice genuine as it reverberated against the rock around them. “I have been dreaming of being a member of the Peak since I was a filly. My Pa used to tell me stories…” Her voice trailed off dreamily, but she remained in the present it was not the time for day dreams. “I am still trying to watch over him, he hasn’t been in his right mind in some time though he seems to be ‘comin round now, but I would give anything to count myself as your Sister.” The sincerity and awe in her words was impossible to miss, to be known as one of those storied Vulcans who so often seemed to make legends with their words and actions.

“Did you know… Black Heart Machine?” The question had been burning on the tip of her tongue, though her tone is almost shy as a sheepish look dances across her broad features. BHM had featured in many of the tales she had so often been told under the muted light of the stars. Oswin said she had been around for quite a long time so it was possible, right? Cricket couldn’t help but hope to meet someone who she had looked up to nearly all her life even if she would never get to meet her in the flesh.