::ooc: This is set almost directly before the invasion for plot and IC purposes, s3ilver, as Sparrow and I already discussed this. Hope it isn't a problem!::

Though in their play they are oblivious, it is not entirely the fault of their lowered defenses when others arrive and they are unaware. The heat is nearly stagnant outside of the Grove, and there is still little breeze despite the graciously cool atmosphere, of which is rich with grass and forestry that cloys in the senses and hides quite well most scents. Was that why it was a paradise for secret lovers, because even after their direct departure their scents would be muddled enough to be indistinguishable? Whatever the reason, the two were completely unaware of the bloodless mare in the shadows, unmindful of the fact that their most private, sanctified moment was being bared to a woman they hardly knew. Perhaps it was for the best that they did not know, for the two rolled and laughed with the chorus of delight that nobody was ever meant to hear. Lakota was aristocratic and cold, didn't allow even her closest companions to see her in such a state. If she ever was discovered, she'd likely be mortified. Or hide it with anger, as she did most emotions.

At last they rolled to a slow, Lakota's lean body drawn out along the crushed grass, the aroma flowing freely as its blades were crumpled. Aodaun gave one last tired pounced and ended up on her stomach, making her breath huff out in a laugh. Deep, liquid brown eyes stared back at her, the faintest tint of purple in their depths, as if their intertwined souls had changed a part of him. Lakota smiled at him when the fluffy body wiggled tiredly across her stomach to her shoulders, giving a soft whine as he showered her with love and gratitude for bringing him to the Grove. Lakota was the sort to be eternally aware of how everybody else felt, and always went out of her way to make it happen, though almost always in secret, and only to those who managed to gain her respect or love. Ao's head fell to her neck, and for a while they just stared at each other, locked in a mental embrace that had a soft smile on Lakota's face. Aodaun was the only soul to completely understand her since arriving in Helovia, and he brought out the softness that was so hard to find within herself. "I love you," she said quietly, though it was nothing close to a whisper, for she still believed they were alone. Aodaun didn't quite grasp spoken language, but the same half-whine, half-growl met her words.

Peace was shattered by the approach of something in the undergrowth, though whoever it was had been sufficiently quiet until they actually broke through the direct barrier of the woods around the bonded pair. It wasn't too surprising, really, for he stood beneath the boughs of a long-limbed tree. Both bodies jumped and moved like magnets, Aodaun instantly moving to stand in front of Lakota, hackles up like a cat and growling protectively. Naught but a cub, it was likely more amusing than threatening, but the real threat stood behind him. Recognition didn't set in before instinct, and so she reacted on the latter. Long limbs rolled her to her feet as fast as she could without risking harm or embarrassment, ears pinned and stance wide and ready. The soft timbre of the voice that spoke made her freeze rather visibly, slanted eyes quickly widening into a dumbfounded, owlish expression that revealed too much of her surprise. Feeling rather embarrassed at her own fighting instincts, she corrected her stance and let her listeners flick back up to pay attention to the smooth velvet of his voice. Aodaun looked between them, confused by the sudden change in her emotions. Whining he flopped down onto his belly, deciding Thayne was not a threat. He normally would go chasing around the stallion's legs, but Lakota's romp had thoroughly tired him out. Said mare's embarrassment was like a flaring beacon, one she tried unsuccessfully to hide. Normally she would be unapologetic for her behavior, but Thayne was a kind soul, one she would feel terrible to hurt. It was like staring into the face of a newborn, she was helpless against his chivalrous nature. Saving him from the harsh, naive words of another female in the meadows without a second thought, he'd left her with a rather good impression of him.

His words flustered her slightly, though not too obviously. Why would he be pleased to see her? She certainly wasn't much, especially not with the temper she'd shown that first time they'd met, and the wreck of emotions she became at the end of the confrontation. To her, showing that much was a weakness, and so assumed he would think the same. However she couldn't be cruel to such blatant benevolence, and so a smile tugged at her own lips. It was part unsure, part shy at having been caught by him- once again- at a weak moment. "I have been well, thank you. It is nice to see you again, Thayne," she replied, tone polite but with a lingering honesty behind it, a subtle warmth that betrayed the fact that she really did like his character. Much like Ktulu, he had quickly won her favor. Aodaun finally got the energy back that he'd so desired, though it wasn't hard at his age, and went zipping between Thayne's legs like he'd wanted. Kota did nothing to call him back, both doubting Thayne would mind and not wanting to reprimand him after seeing such joy on his face. "I...I apologize that you caught me at such a time, it's not very respectable or flattering," she found herself saying. It was only polite, after all, for he surely found her some sort of vagrant for playing in the grass like a two month old filly. Even so, she was more pleasant in demeanor with him than she usually was with those she hadn't known long, and again she found herself comparing him to the likes of her Grey family, who had grown into her heart so quickly with their admirable qualities.