“Look,” Lonicera’s voice was almost a whisper, as if the poorly disguised pit might hear her if she spoke too loudly, “Brings back memories.” She bumped her flank against Charentais’, affectionate now in a way she had not bee on their first date.

---

They weren’t quite foals, in fact Loni would be quick to correct anyone who dare call her a filly, and yet the pair of them seemed engulfed by the dungeon’s entrance. “Have you been before?” she asked, head held high in a way that was playing at regality than the mare she would become as Charen nodded that he had. She tried to not let her disappointment show on her face, “Well then,” she said eyes sparkling, “If we get lost, you’ll be to blame.”

He laughed, a sound that twinkled like sunshine, and she felt her heart skip a beat as he responded with a confident smile, “We won’t.”

She wanted to hate him for that, but there was no bite as she joined in with her own laugh, “We’ll see. Now you’re a gentleman, aren’t you? Ladies first.”

---

“It’s beautiful,” she gasped, unable to keep the awe from her voice as the world bloomed around them in a way she had never imagined. They had said the dungeon’s first floor was lusher than any forest, but Loni had never believed them. Though she was enraptured she turned towards her escort, “And don’t say it’s as beautiful as I am.”

She expected him to be put out, either in play or in truth, but he just smiled that same dazzling smile, “Since you’ve asked,” he said with a soft shrug, “It does not compare.”

Loni made a show of rolling her eyes, as if his charm had no effect on her, even as she felt her skin tingle with warmth. “Uhuh,” she huffed, moving further into the cavern.

---

The lush carpet of green had given way to a rocky floor, and Loni found herself missing where they had been. A flash of green caught the corner of her eye, and she nickered in delight, making her over to see what new life they had found.

“Lonicera!” Charen called, and Loni went to snap that she knew what she was doing, as the ground gave way beneath her.

Her hooves scrambled for purchase, but they found none as panic began to weave itself throughout her chest, squeezing the air out of her lungs. Sharp, horrible spikes grinned up at her, and for a horrible moment she wondered if this was the end.

Her first dive, witnessed by a beautiful man who as nearly a stranger, and her life was over.

She felt a force collide with her, and suddenly she was in a tangle of limbs of orange and blues and she could not comprehend how her blood had spilled in such a beautiful sunset.

It was only the panting of someone else’s breath in her ear that told her she had not died after all.

They sat in silence for a moment, the only sound her beating heart, until she found her way back to her feet.

“From now on,” she said, embarrassed and grateful, “Perhaps it’s best if you lead.”