Far from the comfort that we've known

There was a little apprehension behind her steps as she strayed from her makeshift home in the west, but Karine's restlessness always seemed to overcome whatever else tried to hold her back, and she never fought it when it did. It had been what kept her alive so far--carried her from a doomed life, led her to save her family from one, and eventually helped her escape an abrupt end. She'd come to trust it like she trusted her keen eyes and unfailing ears, and today was no different as her senses greedily drank in these new surroundings that made up the lake.

And almost just as quickly as she'd arrived before it, she discovered she wasn't alone. The fallen priestess slowed to a halt and scanned the area through a furrowed brow, ears swiveling about in response to strings of words and different voices floating through the air. She'd half-expected a small band of wolves to pass her by, but instead what--rather, who--she found was much more curious. Not only was he tiny, even tinier than other recent friends of hers, but he sprouted wings and carried with him several small companions, each of whom she took in before her gaze fixated on the stranger for good.

His form wasn't one that was entirely foreign to her. She'd seen wolves of virtually every color of the rainbow by now--and a glowing horse with a horn sprouting from its skull. Still, the wings were nonetheless something new to add to her checklist. Karine pondered for a moment the words he exchanged with his company before deciding it was worth engaging, continuing forward for a few steps in hopes of making her presence better known. "Pardon me," she greeted politely. "Might I be able to assist you? I'm working to replenish my stores as well. My name is Karine."

"