Lend me your hand and we'll conquer them all
_{But lend me your heart and I'll just let you fall}

A slow, leisurely pace. He tries to stay calm on the outside, but it is difficult. He wants to pace frantically back and forth, wear himself thin. He hadn't slept much, driven too close to the edge to gain any rest. Instead he finds himself locked away in his thoughts, hiding the key to escape from himself. He fears that if he takes a step back out into the real world, he might break.

On his mind now was Lakota, dearest Lakota. His heart sighs heavily as he thinks of her, the newly made Cheiftess. He would bow before her just as he had to Ktulu, and he would be as loyal to her just as he was to the Grey. And never would his loyalty falter, not even for a moment. A heavy heave of his chest as the roan flickers to mind, pale lobes laid to rest. Was he just being a fool when he thought they were beginning to become something, despite only exchanging a few words? Do you believe in love at first sight? He murmurs to himself, lost for a moment. Did he? He contemplates, walking along a worn path in a chamber of glowing flora.

He finally tosses aside his mixed feelings, emotions attempting to rebel. He pushes them further, finding himself then admiring the scenery. He noticed that the ground had softened into a comfortable moss, which eased the pressure upon his hooves. His muscles have relaxed, his mind suddenly eased as the calming sound of trickling water finds its way to his ears. Locket leads himself through the grove of trees, glittering leaves to light his path. Luminescent mushrooms shimmer from the corner of his eyes, the dim lighting easing him. Finding a perfect little spot under a tree, he settles down. It felt good to finally rest, long locks falling upon the moss. His lids feel heavy, a large yawn forcing his maw to stretch open wide.

"talk talk talk"

Lend me your hand and we'll conquer them all
_{But lend me your heart and I'll just let you fall}

Sleep had yet to grasp him, so he lay with his eyes closed, listening as the sound of hooves approaches him. A familiar scent finds its way to his nostrils, pale ears twitching, straining to hear her. She whispers to herself, or to Aodaun, about how she had become Chieftess. This was no news to Locket, he had heard her mention it when they fled to the Sanctuary after Ktulu was attacked. Pride swelled in his heart as he thought of Lakota, standing tall and proud before a loyal herd. She mentions love, making his ears prick with a desire to hear more, eyes still shut tight. Locket dares to peeks, seeing Lakota face first in the fur of Aoduan, who dozes between the two.

He smiles gently, raising his head to peer down at her kneeling figure. "You are of worth, Lakota dear," he murmurs, smile having been toned down as his green eyes gaze upon the blue bodice. "And love makes us all weak, does it not?" His tone drops, his heart shuddering memories from its surface. He would not torture himself with the images of Lakota and the Constrictor embracing. No, he would wipe his slate clean, free of these nightmarish thoughts. Instead he focuses on what happens now, trying to resist the urge to comment on how beautiful Lakota appears beneath the faint glow of the leaves. The words drift on the tip of his lips, frustration finding its place within him. He shouldn't go about flirting with a heartbroken woman, especially a women his former Chieftess loves dear.

A gentle huff escapes the pale lips of Locket as he struggles to fight the urges within. He would not tell her how beautiful she appeared beneath the soft lights, how fragile her roan form appeared when bathed in dazzling lights. He swallows hard, tongue twisted into knots as his stomach squirms about, heart thudding loudly against his chestnut breast. There was no hesitation when the moment came, the words simply... were an oops, shall one say. Locket was captured in a trance, mind unable to process what he says. "A beauty beneath pale lights," he murmurs, green eyes sweeping over the Poisoner. "You've tainted my blood, Poisoner." His compliment becoming something of a joke, a tease in his mind. The last sentence is tainted with a playful tone to it, his gruff voice softening as he gazes at the roan and her bear. He swears to himself when he comes to, realizing what he's done. She's likely still in shock from the events of Ktulu, and here he is nearly shouting to her "HEY! LOOK AT THIS! I'M SAYING YOU'RE PRETTY! AKA I LOVE YOU!"

Oh what an idiot he was.

"talk talk talk"
[oh clumsy locket]

Lend me your hand and we'll conquer them all
_{But lend me your heart and I'll just let you fall}

Head bobs gently, weightless as his conscious drifts. Her delicate words echo through his mind, leaving a sting against his temple. So he responds, although it wasn't the best decision on his part. As a response to his words, the maiden turns her head away, ears flicking back. Wondering if she was mad at him, Locket moves closer to her, ears perked in curiosity. He opens his pale lips, but does not speak. He wonders what he has done wrong, what Lakota thinks of him now that he's heard her secrets, the reasons for her pain. "And I'll always be here for you, now ye have an extra shoulder to lean on when times grow tough." He offers a gentle smile, kicking himself for not asking if she was mad at him.

It grew apparent she wasn't when she turns back to him, talking of the many forms of love. Her eyes are hesitant to meet his, his heart skipping beats as lavender finally brushes against bamboo, colors colliding in a moment of silence. "Indeed. The love for family and friends is that which fuels us to charge forth into battle. Romantic love compels us to flee, afraid to die without knowing the full extent of romance." Locket gazes at the damsel, silence befalling the couple. At the moment, his heard is being raised to the heavens, falling from his colorless lips and into the arms of Lakota. He trusted her with the delicate item, already it had suffered enough. Be delicate with it, my love. He whispers to himself, tossing aside his mess of a forelock to see the Poisoner clearer.

His next words draw out an odd noise from her figure, and she buries her face in her bonded's alabaster fur. While she cannot see him, Locket stands, grunting as he rises to stride closer to the mare. He lays beside her, on the side unoccupied by the pale predator. She raises her maw enough to speak clearly, her words making Locket chuckle. He leans in, murmuring as he does so. "I doubt. What I see before me is as real as the earth beneath our hooves." Just for reassurance, he presses his muzzle towards Lakota's neck. He desires the warm skin against his, the tingling sensation that will be left on his skin. Already his hairs are beginning to stand on end, excitement gathering within his breast as he leans in for Lakota. "This is no hallucination." He smiles, trying to keep himself calm as he realizes he can feel the heat radiating from the roan's frame. Their skin was so close, if Locket leaned any closer they could touch, that is if Lakota didn't try to avoid the touch.

"talk talk talk"