Emberwood i'm thinking of changing my name, thinking of wrecking a home

Once he's collected himself enough, he sets off to find @Takiyok, making sure to tell @Taikon that he wants to speak to her alone. He doesn't explain himself just yet, but he wants her to acknowledge him. He wants to force her to see his worth, what he has to offer. And one way or another, he will. He follows her trail slowly, mindful of his wounds but more mobile than he'd been the night before. Sleep has done wonders for him; he can't help overthinking his lost hours, wondering how long it had been since he'd last slept. But that's a thought for later. The woman's trail is getting fresher, and he needs to hold himself together for this conversation.

The time alone had not quieted her anger like she had hoped; it only gave her more time to stew and for her mind to come up with paranoid ideas and ways she could have handled things differently. If she was not already so attached to Taikon and concerned with finding them a safe place for the winter, she might have just left while patrolling the edge of the camp. She thought about it a few times—how easy it would be to just keep walking and disappear; she could figure it out on her own, but he already had some kind of hold on her, and that was exactly what she had been afraid of. All she kept thinking about was how he had told her he respected her and was loyal to her. And even though she was pissed, she was loyal to him too, and she wouldn't just abandon him. Her loyalty was not given freely, unfortunately, and she felt responsible for him. Now she wasn't sure what to do. She was not happy with this situation, and she knew she was stuck in it regardless.

But she seemed to stumble on a bit of luck early in the morning when she found a good rock for perching. It was sad that she considered that luck, but that was the reality of it. She leaped atop it and settled down to keep an eye on things. If anyone was going to tear into her friend, it was going to be her. For a few quiet moments, she almost felt like she was back in Sagtannet, enjoying a quiet, worry-free morning, but then scent of the stranger floated by on the breeze, and her illusion was shattered. Her eyes flew open, and she watched the woman come closer. She looked down on her with obvious question in her gaze—what do you want?

The pale woman meets his approach with silence, gaze cold and questioning. It's a language he can understand, at least. I'm here to talk, He starts, in his typical colorless tone, not impolite but not warm. His words are somewhat halting, betraying his true state, but he manages to focus enough to reach his typical sharpness of mind for the moment. To see if we can reach an understanding. If you're going to oppose my presence the whole time, I'll make my own way. I've done it before. But I think sticking together could benefit both of us. And he means every word of it, even with the way his gaze still stutters as it shifts. He will leave if the woman truly wants it; he isn't interested in dealing with her hostility, even for the blessing that is Taikon, even if it truly means his death. He's survived worse.

She was speaking her language at least. Out here, without a pack, it was survival of the fittest—they had to chose paths that offered them the most in return, and they couldn't make stupid decisions. She thought Taikon understood this; he had been on his own before. If he was willing to take in any injured stray that wandered up to him, how had he survived so long unless by sheer luck. She was not one to leave her life up to luck, though, she rarely had any that was good. 

She was intrigued regardless, although she wasn't sure what she could offer them. They offered her safety, food, a way home. Sure she could go off on her own, but her odds were better with them. So then what could this injured stranger have to offer them in return. She studied the woman's face. All right, she finally said. I'm listening. How can you being here benefit us? They were on the run, it was the beginning of winter, they needed to get through the mountains without running into the saints—how could she be anything but a hindrance in all of those situations?

The woman shows some hint of reason, and Zephyr finds hope in it. If she's willing to listen to what he can offer, then surely she possesses enough logic to see what she can gain from it. I can guide you through the mountains quickly, He starts, the first and most important leg of their journey. But that isn't all he can offer. I know someone is after you. Once we've passed the mountains, my pack can give you food and protection for as long as you need, and an escort further west. And likely anything else you can think of — I'm sure my co-leader will be grateful to see me alive. He swallows, blinks hard, eyes going unfocused for a moment. Fuck. He needs more sleep. He pulls himself back together, forcefully this time. I won't slow you down much. I've traveled through worse.

Her disbelief showed plainly on her face as the woman claimed to be able to take them through the mountains. She could barely walk last night, and although she looked better today, Taki could tell she was dead on her feet. A wound like that took its toll—she had enough of them herself to know that beyond a doubt. 

Just as plainly as her disbelief had shown, so did her irritation to learn that not only had Taikon brought more hardship on them, but he had also informed her of things that they shouldn't be offering up to wolves they did not trust. And now that very wolf was using it as a bargaining chip. 

One thing did pique her interest, though—he mentioned a co-leader. You lead a pack? she asked, skeptical once more as she continued. And this pack will just give us resources at the beginning of winter? Of course, it was a nice promise, but how could she be sure this stranger would stay true to her word. How do I know you will not just ditch us the second it is convenient for you? she asked. Or that you are not leading us into a trap? There was no way she could trust this woman completely.

He nods to her first question, allowing her to finish before he starts to speak. The questions she poses are valid, but they don't concern him overly much. She's already listening to him, already following his logic to some extent, and he's certain he can bring this to a favorable conclusion. Because you'll be watching me, He offers, continuing. You'll watch to see if I'm a liability, if my intentions are false — if I'll betray you or abandon you. And if you see a hint of it, you'll drive me off, or kill me. It's what I would do, and I don't hold it against you. A slight pause, barely a breath. I'm not asking for trust. I'm not likely to give it, either. But I don't have any reason to lie to either of you — Taikon likely saved my life. No stranger has ever done that for me before. I wouldn't just throw that away. A rare spark of emotion in his voice, a flash of it in silver eyes, intense but gone quickly. And then he lets out a breath, white-hot fire searing through his skull again. His thoughts fall away from him for a moment — but thankfully, he's already at the end of what he'd planned to say.

She was right about one thing: Taki would be watching her like a hawk. She learned early in life that she couldn't take others at their word; she trusted only actions, and it would be no different for this woman, even if she owed Taikon her life. 

She stood and gracefully hopped down from her perch, her gaze studying the stranger as she landed in front of her. She raised an eyebrow. You are correct, she said stiffly. I will be watching you. Taikon may be willing to risk his life to save you, but I am not—do not forget that. My loyalty to him is the only reason I do not just leave you two to figure things out on your own. She turned from the woman and began heading back to camp, stopping after a few steps to look over her shoulder. And I hope you are prepared to keep your promise not to slow us down; we can't afford to lose anymore time. 

She turned and trotted off then, assuming the stranger would follow closely behind.

He only nods in response, following swiftly, silent. It seems they both know exactly where they stand with one another, for now.