little shadow's bed and breakfast

Every time Eris paused the boy could feel himself growing more lethargic, though he couldn’t refuse the respite. Their going was much more difficult than he could have first imagined. The pain had really begun to set in, radiating from the deep gashes and out into his shoulders and rib cage. Walking was difficult, and he used Eris more with this trip than he had on their first movement. He swayed uncertainly as she left him once more, his mind making circles as he fought to stay upright. As long as they didn’t encounter another danger.. Ox was far from in the right shape to defend himself again.

He was quiet, and lost a lot of the earlier fight he had given the girl. He was starting to stiffen up, and again his legs had been coated in his own blood. He didn’t know if it was the loss of said ichor or the sedative properties of the plant she had fed him. Ox didn’t hesitate to stumble forward as she bid him, were he more lucid he might have feared slipping down the hill. Eris even made an awkward descent as he just tried not to aggravate his chest too much.

The sound of water made his sagging ears perk, he couldn’t see much in the darkness and the moonlight was all but blocked in the gully. He imagined this was likely how his little shadow saw most days. For a moment he debated about submerging himself in the stream. His blood was sticky in his fur and the cool of the water tempted him. Deciding against it ultimately he would gingerly let himself to the mossy floor. Eris mentioned a snack, but with the blood loss and the herbs he had no appetite at all to speak of.

He shifted himself so he could lay on his back, his chest facing the sky as he tucked his limbs to the side. ”But for now, we should both rest. By the way, what's a coconut?” He felt her warmth as she curled her small black form next to his. He sighed heavily, allowing the effects of the plant to take him and his pain off with it.

”It’s kind of a fruit, off a palm tree.” He mumbled, there weren’t many plants he knew but there were a few trees he had committed to memory. His mother and Deimos had taken him a great many places, though he wasn’t a huge fan of the frond bearing trees. He leaned into her, unwilling to admit that he enjoyed her closeness and affection. He didn’t expect his lips to come so loose. ”You can scoot closer,” He whispered as he tilted his rusted features towards her. ”I’m feeling a bit chilled.” It wasn’t a lie but it was a cover-up for his earlier words. He couldn’t even admit to himself the real reason he’d said them. He was beginning to like the chipper little healer.