Larksong Grotto Remember to remember me

Just as Reek began to scrub away at the mottled blood streaking his flank with several careful lashes of his tongue, his attention was turned elsewhere. He turned his blood-streaked head to see Tavi calling to him across the water. The concern underlying in her voice struck Reek confused: in fact, a lot of things did. Like the way she had stuck around to comfort him at his lowest moment -- how she had slept beside him and only left when necessity dictated only shortly after expressing her desire to leave.

She still wanted to leave.

Reek didn't know what to think nor did he know what to feel. The sadness of the previous night had not left him yet. He was still faced with a crippling sense of loss. All Reek knew was he could not lose her, and if he did, he could not keep fighting.

Trailing through the water, leaving behind a red streaking cloud in place of crystal blue as he limped, Reek clumsily drew himself on to the shore. He settled in beside Tavi and murmured, "I had to wash." Of all his troubles, the last of which Reek wanted to face was infection. "I can't reach my face though." The damage to his face had been the worst, and it still needed to be thoroughly cleaned.