Laughter filled the prison as crimson blood ran down the High Priest's face, dripping onto the cold stone floor. It started normal enough but quickly edged toward maniacal, his sides heaving, clearly short of breath. After a few minutes, Bloodystar wiped some of the blood away from his cheek and flicked it against the wall much like how he had done so earlier when he had struck Lionpride.

"I win!" He exclaimed, his eyes filling with shadows, so much so that the green of his eyes were nothing but ribbons against jet, "Every time you break your own rules, I win. You, a pacifist? What a joke! There is not place for such soft-hearted cats in my SunClan... Guards!"

In seconds a couple of SunClan loyalists appeared in the chambers, both of them evidently having waited just outside of the prison this entire time. Bloodystar wasn't stupid. Going down here alone would be a death wish; he was not as strong as Lionpride and certainly was at a disadvantage two against one.

"Hold him back."

The guards shoved Pollendrone aside and pinned Lionpride against the wall, although he would still have full view of what Bloodystar was about to do. Chuckling, he walked circles around Pollendrone, edging closer and closer to her as he did so, "I had high hopes in you, but it seems Lionpride managed to turn you against me. It's a shame. You were a perfect example of SunClan Warrior before all of this," He unsheathed his claws and, in a flash, raked them against her face same as Lionpride had done to him, "I do hope this doesn't scar. You are quite beautiful. Perhaps if you both eat your dinner this evening, I'll allow Mountainsound to attend to your wounds."

He pulled away for a second, seemingly content, but it was a farce. Bloodystar drew bloody yet again on the opposite side of her face. What Lionpride had done to him had been applied to Pollendrone two-fold.

"I pray that the Sun God takes pity upon your wayward souls and guides you back into his all-consuming light."

She flinched away from his paw as it lifted but couldn't do much in the ways of retreating as he cupped her face, her eyes were dull, she wanted nothing more than for him to just leave but it of course was only wishful thinking. She knew she shouldn't speak again, it would only make the situation worse, not that she even could if she really did want to; the pain she was feeling kept anything's but small cries from leaving her so she simply nodded in defeat. It was the slightest of movements but enough that Bloodystar would hopefully understand she had given up, he had beaten her.

Things had started to get bad in the shadows of the prison, injured and refusing to eat, any cat could see that Pollendrone was struggling, she had started sleeping more than she was awake and her focus had dwindled down to the point that when spoken to she remained silent, only giving the slightest movement like the twitch of an ear to indicate she had heard. It had been a rough time, but it had since passed. Lionpride had given in and began eating, she knew he had done it for her, she could see the worry that fell over him each time he looked her way and so she fell in line and ate as well, ignoring the strange feeling she had started to have after awhile. She was now laying sleepily beside the tom when the weight of his paws wrapping around her caused her eyes to flutter open, she was being pulled into his embrace before she could even register what was happening. The part though that caught her most off guard was what he had called her. Aconite. She turned to face him and bit back a pained gasps as she saw the tears rolling down his cheeks, her voice cuaght in her throat leaving her silent as he nuzzled against her. His warmth was comforting, so much so that any thoughts she had of pulling away melted as she leaned closer to his chest. "L-lionpride?" It was only his name but to her there were so many questions wrapped within it, she wasnt thinking straight.

What should she do, what could she do? Her heart ached at his words, words not meant for her ears but those of the she-cat he had loved first and still loved. The strength of feelings hit her hard, reminded her that she was alone, she had never felt a love so deep and all consuming. She stayed pressed against him, allowing him to pull her even closer still and listened to what he had to say, wondering what Aconite would do or say in return, Pollendrone was not his lost mate but if she could provide even the slightest bit of comfort, anything to ease his aching heart she would give everything she had to see him through this. Her heart beat speed up but she let a sad smile form on her lips, doing the only thing she thought would help. "Oh Lionpride, you have suffered so much and for far too long, it hurts to see you this way. You are so strong and care so much for those around you, I know none of this is your doing but I am proud of you, I am so sorry that I'm not able to protect you from all of this." She had meant to try and comfort him as the she-cat he thought she was, but instead her words were her own, while she could not say she was in love with Lionpride she knew deep down she did care for him, so much that she wanted nothing more than to protect him even if it meant she were left defenseless. She paused for a moment, allowing a silence to fall between them, there was an air of calm surrounding them. "You will always have my forgiveness." She whispered, resting her nose against his, hoping, truly hoping that Aconite would give him forgiveness.

She smiled up at him, her eyes glittering with an unreadable emotion, feeling a sense of happiness through the hurt that had settled in her chest, her pain was unimportant in the face of his. She did not return his words of love, but nodded slightly before nuzzling closer to him.

__________________________

Pollendrone was sleeping deeply for the first time since being imprisoned, her warmth mixed with Lionprides causing a purr to vibrate through her and deepen when she felt the light touch of his paw against her cheek. She was content, still unaware of the exact situation they were currently in or how it may look to someone coming in to witness it. Her breathing changed as she started to wake, the movement beneath her rousing her from sleep, she groaned lightly at the disturbance as Lionpride attempted to move away but it was his voice that finally pulled her back completely into the waking world; her name. She let her eyes flutter open, the memory of their conversation the night before fresh in her mind as she looked down at the tom, still laying over his chest. A wave of embarrassment flooded over her, heat pooling over her face. "S-sorry!" She managed to squeak out the apology as she scrambled away from him, his discomfort visible even in the darkness. "Ah, did you sleep well?" She couldn't bring herself to look directly at him as she spoke.

In one moment, the two cats were in prison, so dark and secluded that they could barely even make our each other's forms. Each cat blinked their eyes and opened them to the brilliant light of the Sun, so intense that even if they had expected it they would be squinting. As their senses adjusted they found themselves at the Ceremony Springs. There was not a cloud in blue sky and all around them was lush vegetation, full of edible berries and sweet-smelling herbs as well as the pitter patter of tiny paws and the occasionally chirp of a wren. Lionpride and Pollendrone would have no hunger or pain, just bliss, the weather was perfect and the venue beautiful for a date.

»»——⍟——««

Pollendrone & Lionpride are in a sort of dream world created by Bloodystar's illusions. The scenery is the same for both cats, but the way they see each other is very different.
Lionpride: Pollendrone looks like and sounds exactly like his deceased mate, Aconite.
Pollendrone: Every time Lionpride says "Aconite" Pollendrone hears her own name.

At first he was to in awe of the scenery to realize who it was standing at his side. The sun felt so nice against his skin, the sweet scent of sunflowers filling his nose. It was such a relief after being stuffed inside of the damp dark prison for so long. However, the voice that reached his ears, snapped his attention away from the scenery onto her. Aconite... how absolutely stunning she looked, the bright sunlight making her fur glimmer like the first golden light as the run rose above the horizon. He couldn't hide it as the smile slowly spread across his face until it had taken over his entire face. He fell into a play bow, his tail high in the air wiggling to and fro "I have" he flicked a paw upwards tapping her gently on the nose "You"

Before she could answer, he had bounced out of her reach. An invitation to give chase

His warm laughter filled the air, as he surged forward and upwards catching her between his front paws and pulling her close as the two of them tumbled down the ceremony hill landing in a patch of sweet smelling herbs. When they came to a stop he was standing over her, looking down into her eyes "I love you Aconite" with no hesitation he lowered his head pulling her into a passionate kiss giving her no time to protest his attentions. His eyes met hers, as he finally lifted his head to touch his nose against hers "Don't ever leave me, my heart can't take it... Let's run away, Just the two of us. We can go where ever you want to go, so long as you are by my side nothing else matters" it was the words he had always wanted to say to her but never had the chance.