Yes, @Aquene would know what to do! Even amidst his panic and exhaustion, the thought brought Leo some comfort, his erratic breathing calming a bit. But his mind was still racing, trying to collect all the things he needed to tell Nori before she left; Nash need’s to know! But what exactly? He couldn’t keep it all straight, much to worn out to compose a proper message for his leader.

Meanwhile, Nori seemed eager to get going, far too calm and her reassurance for the paranoid boy to feel any relief. But then she shifted, seeming to wince a little as she licked her shoulder; She’s hurt too…! It was an odd realization, something that hadn’t even crossed his own mind until now and he felt bad for not noticing. All this time he’d only been thinking about himself and how she could help him, never pausing to consider her side.

“O-of course,” he rushed to answer, teeth starting to chatter from pure exhaustion; “T-take all the t-time you need! Will… You be okay?” It sounded ridiculous, even to his own ears, asking about her when he was on the verge of passing out himself, but he wasn’t about to ignore her injuries, no matter how minor in comparison; Maybe we should both stay here… The thought was disheartening, but he would never ask her to risk herself for his sake; Better we both wait then… Someone else would come, surely!

Thoughts ”Speech”

Again, she was quick to reassure, and this time Leo couldn’t help but narrow his eyes a little, trying to judge if she was being honest. “You’re sure?” he asked, though between chattering teeth and overall exhaustion, the real concern was hardly discernible in his voice.

And as she laid down, Leo’s own eyelids grew heavy, her yawn infectious though he tried to suppress his, afraid of the pain it might cause. He had been halfway asleep the whole time they’d talked and so he expected unconsciousness to come easily, but his mind was still reeling. The image of the ghost, bloodied and broken, yet still creeping towards him with an evil grin on his face, was so clear in his mind, he had to force his eyes back open, just to make sure he was still safe.

Nori too had opened her eyes back up, their gazes meeting in the low light. Was he imagining the pain in their honey depths? Or perhaps she too was haunted by something keeping her awake. Her voice did sound a little hoarse, though that could just be exhaustion too, and Leo forced the thought from his mind to focus on her question; I’m sure it’s all in my head… She did look tired, that was for sure, and the wounded guardian was quick to answer back: “Yeah, I’m good I…” A thin smile returned to his face, weak but genuine as he added: “Nothing a little nap won’t fix.”

Thoughts ”Speech”

A few days, huh? His own wounds were a few days old by now, but that didn’t make them any less severe. Still, she sounded very certain, and he was out of energy to question it; What do I know anyway? He was no shaman or medic; Just a useless guardian…

But he didn’t even have the strength to disparage himself, his thoughts moving as if through thick honey, and his whole body heavy as a rock. His eyes were drifting shut again when the laughter bubbled from her lips, wrapping around him like a warm embrace, calming his frayed nerves.

Golden eye slit back open to look at her, his own smile growing brighter at her words. “Someone brilliant, I’m sure,” he answered in a mumble, amusement evident in his voice even if he couldn’t muster a proper laugh; And pretty… He added silently, the last thought before sleep finally enveloped him completely – a pleasant darkness without monsters or ghosts.

Thoughts ”Speech”