Alexander is drawn back in by the sound of her voice. His mind stabilizing with every passing second. It didn't take long for him to feel almost embarrassed for the state he'd been in when she found him. Unable to think, move or breathe properly. There had been a panic in his veins that had left him paralyzed. The memories of his deeds flashed before his eyes, wondering idly if the Mother would forsake him now. If his soul was condemned.

Once more @Tansy draws him back to reality with the soft, southern lilt of her voice. Such a unique manner of talking. An ear flicks softly, remaining quiet for awhile as his massive form moves toward the shore. Water cascades off him and sloshes up wildly with the sudden movement. His mane had become untied from it's usual braid and framed his face fully, not revealing just how long it was until his feet touched the earth and water swiveled in large twirls down both his body and the thick tresses of hair as they dragged on the ground.

"I just...I am just tired. My body, it all hurts." But it was better than feeling nothing. Than being swept in the anger that had nearly blackened his mind. Breathing heavy, Alexander doesn't waste time before collapsing to the ground.

On a usual day he would be more mindful of being clean. Neat. It was apart of his image, after all. For now, he was wet, his mane a mess surrounding him like a blanket of white. Blue eyes cast up toward Tansy, the smallest of smiles touching his lips, "Pretty brave, coming to my rescue." He murmurs before heaving a slow, deep breath and letting it out in a drawn out, ragged huff.

Tansy let him lead back to the shore, hoping he was strong enough to make it himself still. She knew she wouldn’t be able to lift him even from the shallows it his legs gave way, and for a brief second of concern she scans the shadowy grasses for signs of others - a face to call on should he need further help. There are none, the savannah quiet and slumbering. It is a great relief when @Alexander ♔ makes it of his own power, settling onto sandy shore and soil.

She pads out after him, her own mess of knotted locks and curls streaming water. It is heavy, and she partially regretted the dip - it would take many, many hours for it to dry, let alone get back into a presentable state. She mourns the flowers and decorate herb sprigs lost to the pool.

Tansy was the meddling sort, but she did at least have tact. She didn’t want to push him back into whatever dark turmoil he had obviously been struggling with when she had found him. Perhaps it is a little cruel of her to even ask.

It is a relief, again, to see that smile and hear his slower, heavy breaths. She hoped he would only continue calming. “Brave?” she titters, thinking - If only you knew, and a shrug lifts her tawny shoulders. She isn’t about to tell him she thinks him harmless (for never again would Tansy assume that of anyone) but the belle does consider him for a moment.

A smile twitches her own maw. “Now, now. I ain’t helpin out of the goodness of my heart. You’ll owe me, you know.” she reminds - her voice was full of humour- but she was speaking truth. Tansy pauses for a moment, the weight of her waterlogged fur weighing on her neck. “Mm- Pardon me one moment.” And she steps aside to shake out the worst of it, heedless of her appearance.

art by hush ✶ code by hinter

It isn't lost on him that her hair has become a mess because of him. Weighed down heavily by the water. The pretty flowers adorning the locks had fallen out, or been destroyed while she moved to bathe him. There is a hint of guilt that flickers in his gaze as the beast studies her. @Tansy repeats the word he spoke and all he could do was simply nod. She barely knew him, this whole thing could have been a trick to get her closer, yet some part of her, even if very small - had trusted him. A stranger.

Inhaling a slow, ragged breath again, forepaws attempting to stretch out to soothe the aching muscles. It was clear now, the cuts along his front legs and his face, especially along his muzzle. The exposure to the air began to cause them to sting, resulting in his nose and muzzle wrinkling briefly. The sound of her voice distracts him once more and Alexander is grateful for it. Licking his lips, those blue eyes cast a sidelong glance to the woman as she moves to rid herself of some of the excess moisture.

He did owe her.

"Would a home, and someone fixing your hair be sufficient enough a price?" Alexander muses softly, his voice a warm, albeit husky murmur now. He was incredibly tired, every inch of him seeming to shut down with every passing moment. The panic, the fear - that anger that had kept him going was not ebbing slowly out of him like a gentle river.

Droplets fly, as do any remaining petals left in her tresses and Tansy settles only once she feels drier. She would of course, need to attend further to this mess once she had the time, but for now Alexander’s injuries were her priority. She finishes her shake, and drops to a neat sit. The eyes of an experienced healer dart across the slashes and punctures upon his legs, his face, his muzzle. They would need to be treated properly with cleansing herbs, especially if they had been made with claws. They were ones she did not have at this moment.

She is… surprised to hear him offer shelter. “The place you mentioned when we met by the falls?” she queries with a twitch of her ear, curiosity disguising the hesitation that roiled within her. It would be the first group she would ever consider joining beyond the place of her birth.

“A generous offer.” she concludes politely, smile curving her muzzle. She knew immediately that allowing another to assist her with her mane would be near impossible. But he did not need to know that in his state, and so she gracefully humoured the idea. “Very well, I accept. I don’t believe a rogues life befits me.”

Finally, Tansy would settle to sit on the sand, feeling she could detect a weariness in his voice, in his form. “Rest, if you need,” encouragement upon soft words, “I'll keep watch.”

@Alexander ♔

art by hush ✶ code by hinter

Alexander was drifting slowly into a slumber that griped him deeply - down to his weary soul. A shuddering sigh escapes, but he remains awake to answer her questions. "Yes, it is beautiful..." He could only hoped she loved it as much as he did.

There was a strange, magical beauty in the halls of the Hollowed out mountain. One those who resided in the pride saw as well. A generous offer. Polite, gentle - something he was beginning to associate her with. Had he been more energetic, his enthusiasm would have shown more thoroughly, but for now he lets out a low rumbling laugh before smiling, "Tansy..." Alexander breaths softly, blue eyes fluttering closed.

Body relaxed and melted against the earth, the Mother's embrace sweeping around him. "Thank you..." Without thinking about it much, his head shifts to the side in her direction, his nose ever so slightly touching the closest paw available, then the beast promptly passes out.

/exit via sleep

Tansy doesn’t settle quickly, remaining seated as tidily as she could on the sand and damp soil, listening to the sounds of the savannah. It was only sensible for her to keep watch. Beasts would surely be drawn to the scent of blood, and she did not want Alexander to be caught off-guard by a roving hyena pack looking for opportunity. But for now it was quiet, peaceful.

She smiles at his gratitude, giving a soft hum of acknowledgement. But from there she spoke no further, teal eyes watchful and ears pricked to their surroundings. She hadn’t been expecting the reach of his nose, cold against the toes of her forepaw and Tansy pulls away as discreetly as she could, tucking both paws to her belly. She presses them hard into the dirt, fighting the discomfort, weathering the nauseous chills. But she would not disturb him, nor break her promise of keeping guard.

/exit Tansy via keeping watch

art by hush ✶ code by hinter