Waking to the stillness of the caverns would have been a confusing thing to any other wolf. The smooth water-worn stone held the broken girl carefully. She did not feel her wounds. Part of this was due to her severed spine, but most of Dawa's mental swimming had been abated by the chewing of herbs. She stirred weakly within the dark, her claws kicking against the rock. The scrambling scratching sounds made her wake up, and with fluttering lids Dawa reacted as if she had sight all along. When darkness greeted her she huffed softly and sank with her head to her extended limbs; above her, the earth moaned.

The suggestion of geranium by the old shaman was one Tenzin had come to greatly appreciate. He moved now, slowly, toward the caverns where he knew Dawa to be resting. The Dragon had seemed to be gone at the moment and the monk took this time to go in search of the charge he had abandoned. He had promised Yonten to look after Dawa always, but had he failed? Would Dawa be afraid of his company now that she had been lost within the snow and rock?

He hovered outside momentarily before dipping into the rock that sheltered her. He made his approach loud enough and saw her lift her head in the shadows. He stopped some distance from her and hung his head in shame, though she would not see it. "Dawa," he whispered, searching her milky eyes, "do you think less of me?" Truly he was not bothered by such things, right? As a monk, he had standards for himself that were higher than others; but he could not bear the weight of her distrust should she harbor any ill feelings for him now.

Dawa had shifted and he had the urge to race to her side, to help her, but he could not move that fast anymore. She answered him and it pained him to hear her whine so. He took note of her crooked spine and frowned at her immobility. When she fell flat, he dislodged himself from his held back state and approached her slowly, laying so that his muzzle would be next to hers though he dare not touch her. To feel the subtle warmth that eased from her was the best thing he had felt in a long time.

"You know I could never think less of you," he said softly, letting his body curl into a broken state. "How has the Dragon been treating you? Who looks after you?" If Tenzin could hunt for her and care for her, he would; but he could barely muster the strength to do so for himself. He'd easily let himself starve for her wealth, but he did not have the ability to even try right now. The Dragon had certainly done a number on him. He was feeling rather light-headed and wondered when such symptoms would go away soon. Tenzin was not here to seek her medical advice, however; "It's good to be with you," he said tiredly with a heavy, worn out sigh.