Meadow

Clearly Ylva has pulled the stranger from some deep train of thought. Though the mare startles at Ylva's voice, her words are halting, her striking amber gaze drifting into the bush as though to recover the frayed ends of her rumination. Ylva waits patiently, a faint smile touching her lips to soften her expression of concern.

It strikes her in that moment that she could be looking at herself as she had been five years ago, freshly washed up on the islands: lost, scared, alone, and ignorant of the full extent of the situation in which she found herself. Even their coloring is similar, though the stranger's is a deeper, rustier red than Ylva's pale pink, almost cream coat. Ylva does not believe this mare is young, however - in spite of her slight build, Ylva judges her to be of a similar age to herself, if not older.

This makes the mare all the more interesting to Ylva. What could have brought a mare who clearly had some life experience into a situation such as this?

Then the stranger introduces herself. Ofelia. Ylva's smile brightens at the beautiful name, and she graciously nods her head when the mare thanks her. "Of course," she said. "I know what it's like to be a little lost. It’s nice to meet you; I’m Ylva."

She pricks her ears to listen as Ofelia explains that she had come from Atlantis. The name gives Ylva a little jolt, triggering long-buried memories of her short time there. Briefly, the image of Zjeena standing before them all with the lush jungle at her back, listing Liland's crimes and changing the course of Ylva's life forever, flashes in Ylva’s brain with the power and pain of a lightning bolt.

She pushes the uncomfortable memory away with a flick of her cream-and-russet tail, and gives a little nod.

"I was there a short time, yes. A little too humid for me, personally. I've always preferred the northern climates," she says, a smile returning to her lips. "If you don't mind my asking, what brought you to the Crossing? Or, perhaps I could point you in the right direction, if you’re looking for some place in particular?"