ORIGIN

Khloros hesitated, a sudden feeling of lonely loss sweeping over him. He lifted his narrow neck and thin head to peer back toward Polaris. Booker was around--somewhere--and Khloros wanted to find him. Wanted to ensure that he was safe.

But--and here he looked back down at Louie--the fox had saved their lives*, and Khloros felt absolutely obligated to ensure he got home safely. Or, rather, he wouldn't have felt right, at all, leaving him in this state: barely able to walk, or even stand.

"I'll come with you," he answered softly. "You have to get home alive. ...Where is your home?"

The foal eyed the fox again, once more wondering if he could carry him, but what Louie had said about probably falling off was likely right. Still, he drew close, there just in case the fox stumbled or in case he wanted to give it another go.

Other than that, he just waited, waiting to see where they were going next.

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BRING OUT YOUR DEAD

Not turning down his half-hearted offer, the fox almost wanted to tear the plague horse in half where he stood. With his heart beat erratic, he grew extremely furious at the foal but said nothing as he continued to grit his teeth. Did he have ANY idea who he was. What he was getting himself into? Obviously not and instead of chasing him off he merely stuck with it and just pushed forwards, "Whatever. I live in Monoceros on the platforms. There are a few of us. Don't stick your nose where it's not supposed to be and you'll be fine."

With him stepping closer, Louie wanted to push him away but didn't and instead did allow himself to once more lean against the skinny insect like leg as they clambered off towards his home. Always gathering the stinking herbivores, but there was something off about this particular beast and he was intrigued to see it in action. Not entirely sure of the magic it carried, he assumed the best and let himself create images and thoughts of the destruction that MM could reap. They were going to be controllers of the bacterial world, nothing would stand before them without dying from neglect and disease. It would be glorious, and it would be his realm.

-exit Louie-

Khloros kept alongside Louie, moving slowly and supporting him gently. He was a little surprised at the fox's snappish reply, but he chalked it up to pain and weariness, which Louie certainly had right now and in spades.

Silently sympathetic, the foal just carried along, one step at a time, close enough to ensure that Louie would not fall.

No, he didn't have any idea what he was getting into. If someone had flown down right then and there, had shown him the truth within Louie's heart--had shown him that Louie's intent hadn't been to save the young, trapped gembounds of Polaris but to slaughter them... If someone had shown him that the fox's desires were for power and ferocity, and not for helping others in the slightest, as Khloros believed... Well.

Another Gembound might well attack Louie. Try to kill him. Khloros? He was young, yet. Maybe in time--maybe even soon. But for now, even if he had known the truth, he would only have been hurt, and retreated to lick these emotional wounds.

But the fox was a cunning liar, and a clever manipulator, and Khloros never suspected a thing. Hell, maybe Louie's anger stemmed not from his power-hunger, but from guilt, from a hidden innate goodness buried deep down.

All Khloros knew was that Louie was a friend, and that he needed him. In time, the foal would return to look for Booker--but for now, he watched the fox's every step, leaning down to help where needed, keeping his pace in time with Louie's faltering steps.

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BRING OUT YOUR DEAD