Wilder had not stopped moving since his orders had been given. With a few pack members still unaccounted for, he would continue to comb the woods. Looping back around to check the old tree and quarantine caves to ensure they hadn’t received the call late, he was left with dismay when the missing wolves still never turned up. And though his bird was in constant contact with the Warlord, flying back and forth to deliver the news, there was one thing he was leaving out.

His own symptoms.

For now, they were mild. Fatigue, a wet cough, running nose, blurry vision. He could manage even if he was hardly eating. If he stayed away from those that weren’t presenting symptoms, they would be safe. If he continued to search for those missing, he would eventually find them alive. Yes, alive.

So caught up in his stressed state, he nearly runs past Yara and Vesper as they depart along the border. His paws skid to a stop, ducking behind a tree to avoid being seen by the Warlord’s helper. Vermillion eyes watch as Vesper turns away with samples slung around her shoulders. Could he risk it? Would it be good enough to just see that she was doing okay? He hadn’t dared request to know how she was doing. Their… whatever it was was still so new? Confusing? She was a Songbird after all…

“Vesper,” Wilder calls out hoarsely, stepping out from behind the tree. With Yara out of speaking distance, he stands along the border, toeing the line between risking it all.

She nodded her head to Yara and moved to depart. Giving a slight shudder as she stepped away from the quarantine zone. She had no desire to linger here any longer than she had to! But a few steps into her escape she heard a hoarse voice. She tried to dismiss it, hurrying the next two steps before she slowed. That had sounded like.. But no, surely not… unable to help herself she turned and saw Wilder stepping from behind a tree.

His hoarse voice could be from stress. That was likely it. “Wilder.” SHe said, struggling for something to say. The samples felt heavier against her back, for their importance and their danger. “Are you… is everyone okay?” she changed what she was about to say.


"Vesper"

He shifts his weight back and forth where he stands. As much as he wants to move closer to her, he can't risk it. Just being able to see her, well and alive, sends a wave of relief through his body. It's visible on his expression and how he exhales when she turns to look at him. The way she says his name makes his heart squeeze and he gives her a half-hearted smile and a nod of his head.

"Y-yes, everyone," he turns his head away to muffle a cough into his shoulder before turning back. "Everyone, minus Mortis and a few others, are doing just fine," Wilder attempts to smile wider, but his lips are dry and cracked. The irritation is enough to send his smile back to nothing. "How is everyone in the Col?" He asks, paw lifting momentarily before remembering he can't go closer to her.

"Wilder & Vesper"

Vesper frowned when Wilder turned towards her. She could read something in his expression, something that shouldn't be there. He should be worried about his own skin, the fool. Surely he hadn’t wasted thoughts on her? But the prospect sends… something through her. Something that mingled with her own worry, and the fear of the samples she carried

Mortis. That was the wolf Oleander had asked her to look out for when she grabbed the samples. Her healer's dad. She knew she should latch onto that and ask for more details, but his cough distracted her. Dammit, Oleander needed to get working on that cure. To do that, he needed the samples she held.

“Everyones… stressed. I guess. Oleander has been tasked with finding a cure.”


"Wilder & Vesper"

His ears perk up when she mentions that Oleander was tasked with finding a cure. That was... possible? He stares at her for a moment, wide eyed and in disbelief. "Can he really find a cure?" Wilder whispers, his eyes moving over Vesper to search for any signs. If they sent her out here for samples, surely that meant she was okay. Right? They wouldn't send a sick wolf to do their bidding... Or would they? She was still only a slave after all.

He stifles another cough and takes a step back. "I-," there's hesitation, eyes still never leaving her. "I hope he finds one soon," Wilder's voice is quiet, his expression revealing far more about his feelings than what he says. He worries for her, for the pack, that if there's no cure... What will happen to him?

"I'm glad we crossed paths. I-," another pause, his eyes quickly glancing down at his paws as he draws in a breath. "You need to go, don't you?" Wilder questions when he can finally bring his gaze back up to Vesper. He doesn't want her to go. He wants her with him so he can keep her safe, but knows that's not possible.

"Wilder & Vesper"

She gave a cautious shrug. Healing was voodoo to her, and all she knew was he did weird things with herbs. But the Warlord, and Oleander himself, seemed to think it was possible. She shifted her weight, unhappy with the weight of expectation, emotions, and overall worry that they both were experiencing.

“I… should.” she agreed, Oleander was no doubt sitting at his desk, waiting for these herbs to study. There was a countdown over this pack. How many would get sick? Would there still be enough wolves to hunt, fight, and patrol? To keep the pack running? Not questions she had ever cared about before. A flicker of something crossed her feature. Worry, perhaps. “Stay strong, Wilder. Someones gotta teach me to fight when all this is over.” a flicker of a smile, as if that was all she cared about.


"Wilder & Vesper"

His eyes register the look that crosses her face, but his brain quite place it. Vesper? Worried? About him? The idea was strange, but also inviting. Knowing that someone cared about him was almost relieving. Like he wasn't totally alone in all of this.

Her words bring a smile to his lips, a short laugh that is replaced by a cough. A stark reminder that he really can't go any closer to her. "Just for you, I'll make sure to survive," Wilder winks, teasing her, but also in a sense, he's being serious. Just because she was still a Songbird didn't mean that he couldn't care for her, couldn't be her friend.

There's still hesitation though. He doesn't want to leave. Doesn't want to miss out on seeing her, but she did have all that stuff to return. Wilder sighs, his head hanging lower. "Stay safe. If you go, I won't have anyone to annoy me anymore," he doesn't try to hide the smile as he takes a few steps backward. If he didn't leave now, he might do something stupid.

"Wilder & Vesper"