Bramblepoint You're next, sir, becomes a cruel taunt to you

Too long <3

He was surprised at how hard the travel back was hitting him. It felt like he could hardly keep himself moving sometimes, as though whatever energy bank he'd had wouldn't refill in spite of the rest he took along the way. He was aware of his condition, but still expected more from his feeble body than what it was perhaps willing to give. And forcing travel on himself this soon...Had probably not been the best plan. Freedom had a cost, it seemed. 

He snapped lazily at a fly that buzzed around his muzzle, perhaps interested in the moisture at the corner of his eyes. He resented the fact that it thought it could make a meal out of him, though he shouldn't have been surprised. He watched it buzz away, and found his interest caught by movement as the foliage stirred. He sniffed the air in time to scent her a moment before she appeared, padding toward him from some distance away. His ears switched back for a moment, unsure what to make of the situation, but there was a clear, amicable tone to her voice. 

Then again, he'd been fooled before. 

He sat up with a bit of a lurch, perhaps the first sign he was a bit anxious about being approached by a stranger...But he didn't want to be caught laying down if he had to make a run for it. He avoided direct eye contact, but had noticed at first glance that her face, one side of it at least, was scarred. Not necessarily a good sign, he thought. He licked his lips, gulped and tried to speak. 

"Nah, --- good," He squeaked, his voice dry and hoarse. He lowered his head and tilted it away a bit, a sign of obvious deference. Still, he kept her in the corner of his eye, just in case she made any sudden movements toward him.