Musical laughter and playful gestures filled the area, as dragon's sung and danced amidst the flurry of wings, limbs and tails. Fajira spouted flames and soon her spirit friends copied, and the realm was filled with the activity of dragons and equine, performing that which could be considered an ancient ritual; they were, in their own way, celebrating the bond that held them together. Not just the bond of dragon and equine, but also the friendship, the kinship that existed between the dragon-belle and the stallion. Amaris did not know, nor understand fully, what Lace felt for her, nor even what she felt for him - it simply was what it was, a friend of her family, someone she wanted to look up to, to admire, to follow.

And it was easy to do so, when he so effortlessly plucked her out of her quiet mood and into something far more alive, more playful, more spirited. The girl, usually so quiet and reserved when thrust into situations she was unsure of, embraced the activity energetically, unafraid to let herself be seen for the cherubic, delightful child that she truly was - that she had to allow herself to be. It was so easy to fall into the quiet, observant persona, something she had practised so that she could be like her mother - and the girl was like her mother, in more ways that just her desire to hide her emotions, to learn more about others before giving away too much about herself - what Amaris did not realise, is that she needn't practise any of things to be like her mother.

DragonHeart, the title came to the golden lass from one of the spirits that danced with her, and she smiled all the broader for it. Was her mother not defined by the heart that directed her thoughts and actions? Was she not loved for that? Remembered for that? The realisation hit Amaris mid-stride, though her step did not falter, rather, it became all the more lively and enthusiastic, more daring as she attempted to lay a mark upon the silver-and-gold steed's hide, squealing indignantly as his own teeth scraped against her scaly haunches.

Then he stopped.

It was abrupt, sudden, and the dragon-girl couldn't help pause her steps too, sides expanding and contracting with the effort of catching one's breath in the aftermath of such activity. Her tiara tilted, much a confused puppy's, innocence causing her to press her curious stare upon the stallion. The boldness of the dragon within her caused her to step forth, to press her muzzle against his warm neck, to tug at his silver mane with her gilded lips. The dragons around her paused in their flight too, curious as to the happenings that interrupted their play. Why does he stop? Amaris' melodic thoughts questioned her spirit companions, who simply crooned softly in response, unable to pinpoint the cause of the steed's actions, simply knowing they should be sympathetic regardless.

"Lace?" The girl asked, softly, the word filled with the genuine concern she held for him. Tread with care, one of the spirits softly instructed to her, and she flicked an ear back to the glowing dragon, unsure of exactly what to do.

"There's no need to be jealous of my butt, Lace. I'm happy to help you make your own just as large." The words were spoken with sincerity, and should the steed look at the belle's own façade, he would see the deadpan seriousness of her expression. It wouldn't last though, not more than a few seconds, for it would soften with the glow of amusement, still tinged by concern, but with a hope that she was able to pull him from his troubled thoughts just as he had done to her not minutes before.