The Ridge seemed remarkably full of life for a land that seemed to consist mostly of rocks. Half the time Compass was staring up a cliff or down one, marveling at the plants that so stubbornly reached out of the faces, and the other half she was weighing the option of trying to squeeze through this ravine against the option of just climbing up and around it. She was never bored, to say the least, and actually had a bit of fun trying to climb her way to the top of all these ridges and hills instead of using the paths.

Despite the abundance of rocky surfaces, the land was stubbornly and thickly infested with vegetation. Compass was almost constantly covered in burrs, and little twigs were never absent from her thick tail and mane. Sometimes burrs got knotted in the roots of her mane, making strands of black hair stick out in all directions. Compass didn't mind terribly, as she was too busy enjoying the warm autumn instead of shivering back on the Crossing with only strangers for company.

Still, the Ridge herd had yet to disprove the title of 'stranger.' Compass knew Kasabian a little, Pilar even less, and there was one other mare for whom Compass hadn't even a name. At least the Ridge wasn't full of these half-strangers, but still, Compass didn't really like wondering every day whether she should avoid someone or go and meet them.

Well, she'd avoided them up until now, so maybe she should meet them and get it over with. They wouldn't be bad, of course; in fact, Compass was sure they'd all be lovely company, but she couldn't seem to excite herself with the idea of making friends. The idea was acceptable, nothing more. She told herself she'd like them once she got to know them, and yet she still managed to avoid them without even really thinking about it.

Maybe she'd start with Kasabian, then. She had to start somewhere, and she already knew Kasabian was friendly. She'd get around to everyone else eventually.

Contrary to her plans, when Compass found Kasabian, he was already with everyone else. Compass shrugged internally, figuring this actually made things a bit easier, despite the unexpected buzz of nerves in her stomach. She approached the group of horses, reaching first for Kasabian to exchange familiar breaths with him before she turned to the other two mares.

"Hello," she said simply, casting the trio a friendly smile. She had just caught Pilar's comment on the other mare's height, and tried not to crane her neck too blatantly as she peered up at Marlena. Not only was the pale mare very tall, but Compass was also very small; she had to crane her neck to look at just about anybody.