put the pieces back together

She was losing more blood than Tate was comfortable with. While not a healer, his mother was, and he'd seen more than his fair share of injuries. The boy picked up his pace, moving as quickly as he could without jostling her too much. "The castle, yeh. Don't think 's much farther," he spoke softly, trying to keep her awake and talking. Trying, and hoping that it would be enough. "Don't thank me yet," he chuckled ever so quietly. Trying to make a joke but... well, even Tate feels like it's a bit flat.

"We're here, I let 'em know." He affirms to the girl, continuing to walk. From somewhere far off, he can hear footsteps. Someone was coming to meet them, someone was coming to see to her. Relief washed over Tate, and he hurried to meet the man half way. Whimpering a bit as the black and blue man took Bramble from his shoulders, feeling the shift of pressure on his own aching body. Though he considered turning tail and heading back to have his own mother fix up his wounds, Tate knows it's unwise for a laundry list of reasons. There was also a tug in his chest, and the koi boy finds himself unwilling to leave Bramble in such a state.

He picked up his pace, following the man towards the castle with a slightly slower lope of his own. Panting by the time they made it to the doors, the adrenaline beginning to fade from his system. The pain in his head became more intense, throbbing, and he found himself wiping the blood from his eyes. The wound on his shoulder had just about crusted over, but the searing, stinking pain was beginning to come to life in his system. "Bear, big one. Wasn't acting right... 's dead now." Tate's gaze came to rest on the stranger before him. Bramble's dad, if the way he acted was any indication. At least the bear was dead now, but it was still something to be concerned about. The predators hadn't been acting right, and Tate didn't know what to make of it. He's still trying to catch his breath.

"Potato"