When you're right, when you're wrong

@Blackfoot

---

Rain kept on through the night. Where they were was kept dry at the foot of a tree, nestled in their roots where a badger must have carved itself a den sometime ago, and abandoned for whatever reason. It was warm, somewhat, and peaceful despite the swelling and searing main through his ribcage and arm. A grunt left his maw as he shifted to try and get comfortable - already very much aware of what had occurred and where was wounded to what extent.

There was no denying what they had to do unless he wanted to walk with a fucked up leg for the rest of his life.

Despite it, he kept his mouth shut. Not wanting to worry Blackfoot this time around and let them rest for a moment longer before hustling to find a healer that could mend his leg at the very least. The bites on his flank and across his eye would need something to stop the budding infection from spreading - he was strong however and feared little of the consequences for now. His body could fight it off a little longer.

Seeking Blackfoot in the dimly lit early morning light, she was tough to find with such a dark coat. Something he prefers when it was him in the depths of snow, camouflaged... and not a glowing beacon in darkness such as this.

the staff team luvs u

 They'd moved to a den where he could get out of the rain and properly rest where he wouldn't be in the open. A place that was more easily defensible. Despite this fact, Blackfoot still didn't want to risk falling asleep. She wouldn't fail in his defense a second time. No. She would not be caught unaware.

 If only her body would cooperate with her mind.

 She lay at the den entrance, eyes out and on the falling rain. Her good ear tilted forward, the tattered one tilted back towards Rose to make sure that he was okay. That he was still breathing. They needed a healer but it would do no good to search in the rain or if he was too pained to walk anywhere. It was quite the pickle...

 It was also a pickle that she was so tired and sleepy.

 Despite wanting to stay awake, despite fighting it with everything she had... she kept nodding off. Her seafoam eyes would gradually close and her head would fall forward before she would visciously shake her head to wake up. On and on this pattern repeated... until she was unable to wake herself back up and her head slowly began its descent towards the ground...

the staff team luvs u

He couldn't quite relax despite the peaceful surrounding they found themselves in. Though this was not the soft pats of snow hitting the ground he was accustomed to, ones that reminded him of home in the great white north - the rain was a welcomed second best. Despite the weather doing its best to relax the two, it was at the corner of his one-fucking-good eye that he could see Backfoot fighting against rest. How long she was awake for he was unaware. How long was he out for previously? What about now?

She must be exhausted. Already apologetic of his wounds that were majority if not completely his fault, to begin with, she took her stance beside him seriously. Something he was quite confused about as to why. Why would she leave Haldis for a fuck up like him? Was she simply worried about what he would do next? Groaning as he pushed up with his good leg, carrying the other to his chest - he crouched in the den while turning to toss a gaze at Blackfoot who was clearly exhausted.

“Sleep, I will watch now.” He'd attempt to soothe her concerns. If she was worried about them being ambushed, he could at least take over for a little bit.

the staff team luvs u

 It was his groans that brought her back to wakefulness. She lifted her head sharply, giving it a shake and flicking an ear in annoyance at her own physical limitations. Rose tried to relieve her of her duties and she gave a stubborn shake of her head. "Am fine. Rest." He was injured, horribly so. He needed all of the sleep that he could get, she was clearly not fine. In any case, she'd shuffle forward a bit to try to block him from an optimal watching spot, in the hopes that he'd settled back down and go back to sleep.

 He needed to rest, and she would not allow him to hurt himself by not resting enough. She had to keep watch. She just had to. Had to keep him safe...

 She glared at the rain as it fell, hoping that the sheer force of her sleep-deprived frustration would keep her awake.

the staff team luvs u

She refused and even blocked his path from the entrance/exit of their shelter. Even injured he wouldn't be opposed to taking Blackfoot on. They were relatively on the same foot here, her tired, and he injured (at least in his opinion), and frowned. Clearly dissatisfied by this. He was trying to be nice and give her the option to take her turn and rest.

“You'll be no good without sleep.” Sluggish, and possibly making herself ill - he pushed for her to move aside and crept closer to the dark woman. Careful to keep his broken leg elevated and to his chest. Though his movements weren't as fluid as they were once before, it was clear this was not the first time he had one less leg to deal with.

the staff team luvs u

 "You'll be no good if you die." She retorted, turning her head to fix a tired glare on him. He came forward, pushing into her; her hackles rose at the contact. He was larger and it was no competition who would win in such a physical battle... although they were both hurting here so perhaps the results were more up in the air. In all reality, Blackfoot knew he was right... but damn it, she didn't want to admit it nor did she want to give him the satisfaction of moving her. Partially because she wanted to make sure he was okay --even at the expense of herself-- but also because she was so tired that she was picking fights because she was grouchy. She was grouchy because she was tired. It was a vicious little cycle.

 So, rather than let herself be moved, she stubbornly dug her paws in and lowered her head. She lifted her lips in a clear display of annoyance and gave a low growl. I'm not moving. Was what she said without saying it. She didn't want to fight him, she just wanted him to stand down so she could run herself into the dirt with exhaustion keep watch for the both of them.

the staff team luvs u

They were stuck in the middle. Head to head and both of them were unwavering in their beliefs. Though in pain, Rosencrantz was well rested... enough. As well rested as someone could possibly be when trying to sleep with burning pain rushing through them. At least he had a few winks in while Blackfoot had none.

She dug her paws in, offering a non-verbal warning with a flash of teeth. Confident he could take her down with fatigue being her worst enemy, the Paladin moved in to pin the woman down. Taking her by the scruff and though his arm bent unnaturally in the movement, with a teeth grinding pain reminding him of it - he managed to bring Blackfoot down to the ground. Resting himself atop her like a sphynx.

He wouldn't move until she rested. This time, he would watch.

the staff team luvs u

 She was slow, reflexes dulled with her exhaustion so when he moved, she was delayed in her response. Before she even knew what was happening, teeth had grabbed her scruff and before she could even utter a snarl or work to free herself, she was on the ground. There was a heavy weight on top of her, the room spinning with the whirlwind of speed from Rosencrantz's practiced movements.

 There was a part of her that was pleased, impressed, and thrilled at the way he'd subdued her. It felt... satisfying... in a weird way...

 But that part was covered by the sheer amount of rage that she felt for him derailing her task and having the audacity to lay on top of her.

 You fucking CUNT! Get the FUCK off of me! I'll rip your goddamned leg off!" She snarled and practically roared with rage as she tried to throw him off. It was all for not, however, as he was far heavier and far more rested. She tried to shake, to kick, to thrash, but it did nothing. The only thing she managed to do was carve out dirt with her rear paws as they kicked helplessly at the ground underneath her. "I'll rip all your legs off and FEED them to you!" She was beside herself, yelling in a volume quite unlike her usual self as she continued to throw the tantrum of all tantrums. She felt so angry!!, so helpless.... so tired...

 Her thrashing grew weaker and weaker as the adrenaline faded which left her even more exhausted than before. She panted, her kicking finally stopping and her head dropping down to the ground. "You fucking diiiicckk..." She growled halfheartedly as she huffed out a sigh... her eyes just... didn't want to stay open anymore and since she was lying down, she couldn't fight it. She wasn't moving at all now save for her breathing that grew more and more relaxed.

 A few times she'd drift off and wake back up, only to growl a bit in frustration... although it was half-asleep-I'm-annoyed-and-letting-you-know-I'm-still-pissed types of growls before finally she stilled completely and fell into a calm and dreamless sleep.

the staff team luvs u

As sore as he was, it was relatively easy to just grit his teeth and bear it while Blackfoot thrashed around under his weight to try and free herself. The yelling and godawful language was something new for him to witness in the normally level headed and stoic Blackfoot but he could understand how someone with a lack of sleep could become someone completely different, deranged, feral as they fought against the sandman who fluttered around their vision.

Bracing himself he waited patiently. Tattered ears folded back as he watched the rain fall from outside of their shelter and quickly enough Blackfoot was too tired to keep fighting. He'd remain laying atop of her for now, worried if he left she would notice her freedom and take it. Silence fell all around them as the sound of rain against the greenery and stones outside filled the air along with a comforting humidity that cradled them. Every once in a while the peace would be interrupted by Blackfoot's anger that seethed just beneath those closed lids, and soft snoring that came from extreme fatigue.

He doubted that if Sorina and the whole of Haldis thought he was dead, anyone would come for them now. But still, for Blackfoot's comfort, he would remain awake while she slumbered this time. Letting the past few days replay in his mind over and over along with mistakes done prior to this too.

the staff team luvs u