Coconut Grove Your anger is frightening the sand

She made to refill the water dish, begging him not to go even as she departed. Peregrine huffed a laugh. He didn't think he could go anywhere in this state. It wasn't that he wanted to run off on her anyway. He just didn't want to go to Donnelaith, even if it would be good to see Lasher. He needed to get home. He had a family to care for and feed, even if he was in the worst possible state for any of that. He could not, would not, abandon them, nor leave them wondering where on earth he had gone or what had happened to him.

When Deirdre returned, Peregrine let his legs buckle and sank down to drink. This time, he managed to get nearly as much of the water into his mouth as on the surrounding sand. He felt it slide down his throat and hit his belly. He sighed and messily smacked his lips, then paused, waiting. It was almost as if the fluid restored the lubrication of his muscles and nerves, allowing them to operate again. He still wasn't anywhere near maximum capacity as far as functioning went, yet with each second that ticked past, he saw and felt slight improvement.

This time, when he tried to speak, Peregrine managed, "Deeeeer." He smiled crookedly in relief, his mouth still feeling very weird but at least partially operational. "Thhhhh... ksssss."