King Elk Forest don't pretend

It might've been a bit cruel of Niamh to do something she should've known would have made the sour boy become even more sombre. He certainly had some spice in him, though, and it was only when she saw him grimace and flick his tongue against his wounded lips that she realized he could have been choosing silence because it pained him to speak. She softened, and turned to reach and nuzzle the top of his head if he didn't pull away. 

He gave her a name, and for a moment she was quiet. "Rasalas, eh?" She asked, and cracked a smile. "That's a star, innit? From Leo, the lion," She said. Leo was one of the few constellations  she could pick out, as it could be found easily with reference to Ursa Major. "Suits you." She continued moving, deciding she might have to change her tehcniques a bit- build the kid up, rather than teasing him. And while she wanted more answers from him, he didn't seem comfortable with speaking. "My pack's called the Firebirds. We got a healer named Eljay, an' he'll fix you up, make it so your mouth don't hurt anymore." She said. "An' my mate, Phox- he knows all about the stars," She said. Hopefully, the boy wouldn't mind her filling the silence with details, preparing him for what things would be like once they reached the copse.