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Atlas felt her hooves grazing the tree tops, as she pretending to gallop over them, her large wings splayed wide and keeping her just above the canopy. There was something about flying with someone that made her feel the least lonely person in the world--like she was almost invincible. She especially loved flying with Pyrr. They always seemed to naturally float together, as if he knew exactly what she would do next, and she him. Words were needless, as they soared on. The tree line was ending--they had flown quite a distance, but she caught a glimpse of shining gold just beyond. Curiosity grasping her firmly, she continued flying, now with purpose towards the edge of the tree tops. What was past them?

It appeared to be a field of grasses and flowers, all that looked quite delicious. She wondered if there was water near, too. There must be somewhere, to have such a lush amount of greenery. Tilting her wings, she began to descend, not really checking to see if Pyrr followed. She was certain he would--especially in territory she was not familiar with.

He really just out to move on, Ausdauer told himself as he contemplated the forest for what felt like the millionth time. It was pretty much the same as it always had been: dark, dour, and depressing, reaching out with a million grasping branches for his hair, his tail, and his wings. Once, on a very foolish whim, he had forced himself to try traveling through the forest; it had been a horrible disaster that had nearly resulted in the loss of his headwings. It had certainly done nothing for his temper.

Since the beautiful moment when he'd stepped back out into the open meadowlands, he'd regarded the forest with nothing but suspicion. However, in spite of that suspicion, he'd remained in the region, with the dark of the forest always visible on the horizon. And why was that? Because he just liked to torture himself?

Ausdauer snorted at the very idea. He, torture himself on purpose? Though none would be better at the job than he, he have to want that; it was only with desire that came the drive, the perseverance, that was his greatest asset!

But his thoughts were abruptly broken as first one shadow, then another, passed overhead. Frowning curiously, Ausdauer stepped forward out of the shade of the forest into the brightness of the meadow, watching with increasing interest as the mare and stallion belonging to the shadows descended into the meadow and alighted a short hop away. Well, this could be nice; company! "Watch out for the thistles; they'll just about stab straight through your lips if you're not careful."

Pyrrhus looked up as well when he heard a stranger's voice call out to them. It startled him a bit; he should've been more aware. He drew himself up as straight and tall as he could so he would look as imposing as possible and took a step closer to Atlas. His stance clearly read protector. If this strange stallion made so much as one wrong move toward his sister, Pyrrhus would go on the offensive. He seemed harmless enough, but one could never be too sure.

Thristles. He couldn't help it, that made him laugh. He glanced sideways at his sister and tried not to grin too wide at her and offend her. "Thistles, Atlas. They are prickly flowers. They'll hurt if you eat them."

Turning back to the stallion, Pyrrhus bowed his head politely, but continued to keep his guard up. "Well, hello. Thank you for the sound advice."

Atlas went to inspect the "thistle" more closely, her eyebrows knitted up. "I've never seen one of those. Why would you eat it? It clearly has thorns." She looked up to the angeni, a small smile playing on her maw as she straightened up, nodding politely. "I'm Atlas. Its pleasure to meet you Ausdauer. Your meadow is beautiful." She spun a circle to see it all again. "We live just through the trees, some ways." She nodded the direction Pyrr and her had come, before swooping down and picking a flower that was gold and oddly shaped. She placed it in Pyrr's hair smiling wide. "Handsome, brother."

Why would you eat a thistle, indeed? A very good question, one that would do Ausdauer little credit in the answering ! Gently tapping Pyrrhus' extended wing with his own, Aus completed the little greeting ritual with a chuckle. "Likewise, Pyrrhus and Atlas, though I can't say this is my meadow. But I have been here for a few weeks, so I suppose that gives me seniority, of the three of us."

Smiling, he withdrew his wing and settled all four of his wings down on his back, regarding the little sibling tableau with interaction. His first guess had been right; they WERE brother and sister! "Nice look, Pyrrhus; some of us fail when it comes to wearing flowers, but obviously you have a lot of practice. Though I think you'd have done better putting it in your own hair, Atlas," he said with a teasing grin, "Seeing how your brother already has a few hair ornaments, and you have none. None I see, anyway," he corrected with a chuckle.

"And as for the whole thistle thing...you'd be surprised what you can miss when you're grazing while your mind is elsewhere," Ausdauer said with a shrug.

A lot of practice? Now that was an understatement. Atlas was forever doing things like that to him, whether it be putting things in his mane, braiding his tail, or just in general irritating him. It made him wish at times that they had another sister for her to spend time with. But then again, another sister could just be twice the trouble, and he certainly didn't want that.

"Ah, thanks," he murmured, his cheeks heating a bit; though his own embarrassment did go away when Atlas placed a flower in Ausdauer's hair as well. "It suits you as well," he couldn't help but grin.

Atlas smiled even more wide at his words. "Yes, you should have! I can be quite fun, can't I, Pyrr? Especially when meeting new people!" She nudged his shoulder with hers, a mischievous look in her eyes. Her poor, poor brother. She giggled, remembering once she had convinced twin's that Pyrr was trying to sell her for a dowry. Not that they had cared much; very strange individuals, they were... but Pyrr had difficulty forgiving her so quickly for that one.

She eyes brightened at his mention of travel. She felt a draw to see the world, but couldn't bare leaving behind her family for any length of time. There was most certainly a time when she was determined to leave the nest as soon as she was old enough, but that had changed at some point along the way. "Ooh, where have you been?"