Caesisus speaks boldly to Lyden, and Dixon feels a glimmer of pride at her audacity. However, he sneers at the male's responding words. He knows the Lagoon has a bad reputation, as a whole; but to generalize its individual members? Disgusting, really. "You really think I'd let an innocent mare get hurt when I made a promise to protect 'er?" He growls, his tone bearing a subtle maliciousness to it. "I ain't that kind of man. I keep my promises." Dark tail whips against his hocks in annoyance. Dixon had always been a man of his word, he wasn't about to rescind on that now, and he certainly didn't plan to anytime soon. He found it infuriating how this stallion thought he could judge him so easily.

I need you home now, making friends can wait. Lyden says, and Dixon presses his ears flat against his skull, shuffling between the two. He wishes to tell this man off, to tell him to stick it where the sun don't shine and twist twice for good measure; but he bites his tongue and holds his hateful words, the venom pooling in his mouth as Lyden continues to speak and then turns, disappearing into the Lagoon's thick underbrush. He waits to make sure he is out of sight before turning to Cae.

His dark eyes suddenly fill with an unspoken apology. Obviously, he had not intended for this to happen - neither of them had. But it did, and now everything rested on Cae's shoulders. It was all up to her; would she return to the Forest with Lyden, a pretty young girl confining herself to a boring, unfulfilling life as a herd mare? Or would she stay with him and see what life could really be like - full of adventure and excitement and wonder? Although he knows the logical decision for her is to go back to the Forest, a safe and familiar place, part of him prays that she will see the light.

Turning towards her, Dixon hovers his lips next to Cae's ear, whispering the words so only she can hear - in case Lyden has decided to eavesdrop. "If ya want to stay, you can. You don't have to go with him, Cae." He says. "Remember what I said 'bout you bein' the only one who gets to make decisions for yerself?" He hopes she does; their conversation would come in handy to her in a time like this. "No one can control you, but you. You don't him - or anyone - anythin'." He sighs, shifting his weight uncomfortably, anxiously. "Now, personally, I think you need some time away from the Forest... get yer mind cleared, get yer priorities straight." He pulls back just enough to look her in the eyes, his own dark ones firm and insistent. "Clearly ya got a lot of sorting out to do. But ya can't do it if he's there tellin' ya yer thoughts are wrong... brainwashin' ya." He pulls back, glancing briefly towards Lyden and then at his Lagoon brother. If this all worked out in his favor, he'd have to thank the painted man for his help.