Grouse Thicket thou bleeding piece of earth

He coughed, the water spilling from his maw as he slowly began to regain consciousness, eyes widening ever so slowly, pulling himself out from the dark that threatened to engulf him, and the red tainted memories that almost caused him his life in first place. He locked them behind a mental room in his mind and brought himself back into the present, still coughing. When Nico looked up, he saw Aeronwyn, and then he saw Shalon and his heart clenched in misery. He'd thought to delay this until much later, but it appeared that he wouldn't have much of a choice now. "Hey, guys," he managed before collapsing into a fit of coughs once more.

When he had began to regain consciousness, he had managed to catch the last of Shalon's words and now, the corner of his lip quirked up in a half-hearted attempt to smile. "I think," he said softly, coughing halfway, his eyes watering with tears before blinking them away. "I think....you'll find that...she has just as much right to be here...as..." he swallowed, then smiled, closing his eyes as he did so, "you, Shalon." he finished wearily, the simple effort to speak taking the toll on him. However, he still opened his eyes to observe their reactions, wondering when the inevitable question would be asked.