[ listen, he's still Worried about that mark and what it implies... if it's something that needs to be extracted by force, if it even can be. chronic overthinker that he is, he keeps his attention steady. even-keeled, with his hound drawing figure eights around his feet.

a breath, and he concedes. ]

...There's always strength in numbers. Especially in a place like this. [ don't let his calmness fool you; he's soft somewhere under all that seriousness. he tips his head, trying to gauge if she's exhibiting any actual signs of pain above discomfort. ] You should make it a habit to travel with other people.

[ says... the teenager who was walking alone. ok.jpg. but here he goes, starting to walk down the trail that they're forbidden from U-turning on. ]