Spotted Eagle Mountain To the outside, the dead leaves laid on the lawn

Pre-sickness Taki would have ignored his invitation on principle alone. She had always been stubborn to a fault, especially when it came to those she believed had wronged her in some way. But now, after he had found her and rushed to her aid, no questions asked—she could no sooner refuse the comfort than she could stop herself from wringing every last bit of moisture from the moss just minutes before; she didn't care about anything else that had happened between them, not then. It was a slow, painful process, but she eventually settled against him, slowly relaxing as the pain from her sores faded once more.

She met his gaze as easily as her heavy eyes would allow. As for speaking, she couldn't right now even if she wanted to, so Mahler's gentle instruction was easy to follow. When he continued, she rested her head on the spot where their forelegs touched, a relieved sigh leaving her chest. She was glad he had found her too, even if she might not feel the same once she was more herself again. 

His promise comforted her further, and she found that she wasn't even the slightest bit irritated by it—she was only grateful. Because she was not ready to die yet, and she knew just how close she had been to the end. Her eyes drifted closed within seconds, exhaustion finally forcing her into unconsciousness once more.