Emberwood swerve to the side, been driving all night

He stays glued to @Taikon's side through the night, falling into an uneasy sleep that doesn't seem to last for very long. His dreams are plagued by Daighre's face, his red eyes so like Alessia's, the slashing claws —
He startles awake with a soft yip, cringing further into pale fur as if trying to evade attack. Consciousness returns to him in stilted stages, first in the realization that he is safe, and then that he is tucked against a complete stranger. It isn't the first time, but that doesn't make it any less strange to wake up to. For a moment he considers tearing himself away, putting distance between them and asserting exactly what their places are (Zephyr is, of course, far too good for this). But he likes the warmth — and from what little he can remember of last night, this man saved him. So he relaxes into the touch, sighing softly and wondering when he'll be forced to give up the warm comfort of it.

Cella was beside him. She breathed calmly. Lightly. She had that way of sleeping that was softer than even the deepest sleep. Her chest moved up and down slowly, regular, and her breath was sweet.
Taikon startled awake. Cella — no, not Cella. Someone. They shifted beside him and made a sound like what she had sounded like. He thought. The dreaming world and the real world blended, and Taikon lost sight of what he thought was reality. The woman beside him, the one that Takiyok had been so disappointed of, melted into his touch. A small smile came to him as he lifted his head. He didn't look at her. Instead, he spoke while his paws were crossed, tilting his head toward her. How are you feeling?

Better is the first word that comes to mind, when he hears the question, but it isn't quite accurate. Sore, He says, finding that closer to the truth. That familiar dull ache is sitting in his chest now, and coiled tightly around his head. But comfortable. And... I can think a little more. It still hurts. He swallows, then adds, I don't remember much about last night. Or... before that. But I know you're safe, and that's what matters right now. He keeps that part to himself.

Immediately, Taikon noticed her voice had changed. It was as though she was.. different. He didn't know why. He glanced toward her, and finally, stood up to stretch himself fully. He did so as she spoke, saying she remembered little from the evening before.
As Taikon was bending down, pushing his bum to the sky, he breathed and answered her. You were in a pretty sorry state, he said, going on, but my friend felt pretty..
He paused. For a moment, he stopped his stretch and turned back toward the woman. I want to help get you back to wherever you came from, on the other side of the mountain. We're heading that way anyway, he said simply. It really did seem like the logical way of things.

Whatever connection he'd thought he'd felt last night seems muted now, dulled in the light of day. Or maybe he'd simply imagined it. He suddenly feels cold when the other stands up, shivering slightly as he forces his own legs to prop up beneath him. They still feel weak, but he's able to keep his balance. Thank you, He says quietly after the man finishes speaking, assuming he'd given the information somewhere in the haze of the night. His tone softens slightly with the next words, tinged with a warmth that seems so real he almost believes it himself. All he feels is cold right now, but the need to make this stranger like him drives a friendlier approach than he might usually take (and if he's being completely honest with himself, he wants him). But — what about your friend? Is there a problem?

She felt harsher. Stranger. No longer was this the damsel girl he had met on a cold, weird night in the woods. She stood slowly, weakly, but far more confident. He waited for her elbows to fold under her weight, but no such event happened. She stayed on all four feet confidently.
The woman asked about Takiyok, about what was wrong. Taikon moved closer to her, partly selfishly. He liked to be near her. They were only inches apart. He lowered his head. We're a bit on the run. There are people who would love to see us dead, Taikon explained. He felt fine giving such information to a woman he had potentially rescued, and also to someone who could potentially act as a guide. We're trying to get west, to cross the mountains. She.. she doesn't really trust anyone. Taikon didn't either. He didn't trust this girl. Especially not now that she was walking and talking more properly.

The pale wolf moves closer again, and Zephyr's pulse jumps slightly, speeding up. He shifts to lean closer, and that does it. The movement rocks his already-tense head just enough to set his ears ringing and the world spinning, and he falls against the man for a second time. Thankfully, he can't remember the first time, or he'd die on the spot. Sorry, It comes out barely above a whisper as he corrects himself, and then he continues as if it hadn't happened, still close enough to feel their fur mingling. I... can understand that. The world isn't very trustworthy, in my experience. The opposite, really. His gaze settles on the man, and this time he offers real warmth, just for a few moments. But you are. Then he glances away, and continues. I can help. I know the fastest way across the mountains — and my pack can offer food and protection, maybe an escort further west. My co-leader will handle it, if I can't when we get there. It's clear from the strain in his voice that the conversation is an effort. He can feel his thoughts blurring at the edges, bleeding and fading out like watercolor. Keeping them reigned in is a struggle.

She jumped. She fell into him. He breathed, long, slow, holding her there unintentionally. It's okay, Taikon speaks softly, inhaling the scent of her from beneath the blood and disaster, unable to restrain himself from doing so. She smelled vaguely of woodland, or leaf litter, and cedar needles.
The look she gave him caused him once again to lose words. It was as though he was home, as though nothing else in the world could possibly matter but that strange, icy stare.
She went on, telling him he was trustworthy. He nodded. He was. She knew the way. Amazing. That's.. just what we need, he spoke slowly, finding it almost impossible that he had even run into her. Finally, he shook his head, remembering that in fact he did not know her at all. He thought briefly of Takiyok, wondering if she was okay out there. I'm Taikon, he said, and as the prince always did, he stepped back and knelt down low. The prince of nothing bowed to her, as though she was Queen of all the world.

They're too close — not in an uncomfortable way, but in a way that muddles his thoughts more than he'd like, loosens his tenuous grasp on lucidity. Lightning heat jolts through his head, a sharp pain not unlike what he'd felt yesterday before he —
Ugh.
He can't think about that. Suddenly he can't think anything more than repeats of what he has already voiced, endless duplicates of words still floating in the air around him. His thoughts echo slowly, a coin flipping end over end in the dark, until he registers the introduction. Taikon. It doesn't sound like a name at first, or even a word — it sounds like gibberish. Taikon, He repeats, gaze finding the male again to study him without truly seeing. That's his name, stupid, he tells himself, and then realizes he ought to give his own. I'm Zephyr.

Zephyr, he parroted, sampling the sounds. Her name was beautiful. It suited her well as a label, and he smiled coolly as he spoke it. Even though she claimed to be feeling better, she still seemed like a mess. Her head and chest were still crusted with dried blood.
Taikon sat back down, sighing, thinking of Takiyok. My companion.. he said, wondering if she hadn't just left already. I don't know if she's coming back. He frowned, staring at the dirt and the leaf litter. He knew that taking care of Zephr was likely to hinder their speed, but now that he knew that the silver-furred woman knew the fastest way there, he felt good. He didn't want Takiyok to leave him. He worried about what would happen if she went off on her own. He might never see her again.
Had such a risk been worth bringing back a woman in desperate need of their help? He couldn't imagine flushing such a friendship down the toilet for a stranger, but Taki was being unreasonable.

Hearing Taikon say his name sends another small flutter through him, though he tries to ignore it. There's definitely something between them, he thinks idly, struggling to hold on to the thought for a moment before it slips away. Taikon's next words pull his attention away, and he remembers he still has more to focus on today. He can't give up on thinking entirely yet. I'll talk to her, He promises without hesitation. Alone. If she really doesn't want me around, then — I'll find my own way home. His own voice sounds faraway to him, as if in a dream. It's a miracle he's even coherent, really. He doesn't feel it — but somehow, he is.

Takiyok would not be swayed easily, especially not by a stranger. Taikon hoped that the tactic would help, that Takiyok might see some damn sense. He let out another sigh, licking his lips thoughtfully, wondering if he had done the right thing. He had never seen Takiyok angry with him. Until now, she had been reserving most of that for Mahler. Having it directed back to him felt rather frightening. He couldn't even be mad at her. She was scared. He was too.
Okay, he said, even though the thought of her wandering around the wilderness on her own with injuries like that wrenched his heart. Taikon offered a small smile, looking back up at her. He wanted to groom her filthy fur and make sure her wounds were clean, but he held back this temptation. Your wounds... have they been cleaned? He asked it tenderly.

The agreement is expected, but the question that follows is not. He hasn't stopped to think about that yet — most of them are out of his reach anyway. He glances down briefly, thinking he ought to try to clean the ones that he can reach. Instead, his gaze finds Taikon again. No. I didn't think about that, Another glance down, then back up, indecisive. The question seems to be leading somewhere — but does he want it to go there? As it turns out, the answer is that he doesn't want to touch the reminders of whatever his mind is struggling to keep locked away. I can't really reach most of it. He continues innocently, unwilling to make the suggestion outright, not when he's too foggy to know where the conversation might lead from there. It's easier to lead from the rear right now, to allow things to unfold and react accordingly.

Some of her wounds were caked over and dirty. It was hard to tell what was dirt and what was old blood. He frowned slightly, watching as she took inventory of her own state in what seemed to be the first time since receiving them. Watching her, Taikon could tell that occasionally, her head was hurting her.
Taikon nodded slowly, knowing very well that she wouldn't be able to reach much of what was on her chest. He swallowed. Takiyok was certainly awake by then. If one of them didn't go and get her, he was worried she would just.. leave. Zephyr didn't seem comfortable enough with him yet for him to feel okay offering to clean her. Perhaps that would come later. We can take care of that later, he said, gazing calmly. He knew it was necessary that this be done, but he had no interest in putting a virtual stranger into an uncomfortable position. At least, not more than she already was. Are you... sure you want to talk to her alone? Takiyok.. It was true that Takiyok was a close friend, but he worried what she might do while she was pissed off. Zephyr seemed remarkably coherent, but Taikon knew that head injuries could cause people to fall in and out of it.

And that's why he isn't making suggestions right now. He'd forgotten about Taikon's companion, occupied as he is with the handsome man. He nods without hesitation in response to the question, taking in a slow breath. It'll be alright, He reassures Taikon, offering a hint of a smile. I'm actually not used to everyone being as nice as you. I can handle it. This time he doesn't wait for a response. Instead he turns to find Takiyok, determined to make her acknowledge him this time.

As nice as him? Taikon blinked, huffing out a soft, noiseless laugh. He had never really thought of himself as a "nice guy," but he supposed it made sense if one went with the whole "nice guys finish last" garbage — not that he actually believed any of that. However, in this case Zephyr was right. Takiyok was not going to be as nice to her as he was, for a few good reasons. He nodded as she turned away and took off, trailing along Taki's path from the night before. He sighed heavily. He hoped, for Zephyr's sake, that she would be able to change Taki's mind.