Ravensblood Forest wet skin and dry bones

He froze as someone called his name, tension claiming all the muscles in his body— against the cold, against the fact that someone here knew his name. He had been careful not to speak it; or perhaps had been so delirious with hunger that he had been beyond such conventions. His mind struggled to sort out what this information could mean, and when no answers were forthcoming, the thin and ragged male turned to face whoever it was that addressed him.

He recognized her as soon as his grey eyes fell across his body, and he winced— that had been a lifetime ago, and the memories of that time were painful in their pleasantness. He hadn't been blessed with much luck then, either, but he at least hadn't been the piteous creature he was now. For a moment, he considered killing her— out of shame, this time, more than hunger— but another option dawned on him. She could, perhaps, be his salvation.

Although it stirred an anger deep within him, Dapper put on his best show. He whined pathetically, then questioned shakily— "Nova? Is that you?"— his performance enhanced by the cold air against his wet fur.