Everyone... A little seed of warmth bloomed in his chest at Ianto's reassurance, the first warmth Jigano had felt in weeks, it felt like. Everyone was working so hard to save the blighted, even the gods. Prayers had been offered, been heard, been _rewarded_ with a chance to save him and those like him, who had fallen victim to the darkness the Voice had spread. He nodded, tilting his head hesitantly into the scratching fingers that knew just where to go.
Thank you, he said quietly, and not just for the promise to plant a Rose for him in Ludo's Woods. Take care of that... that bite, too. Make sure it's clean. I don't think you can get it just from being bitten but... better safe than sorry. He winced away from the reminder that he had sunk his teeth into someone who was only trying to help, but Ianto was being more than gracious about it.
Gods most fortunate, he was going to owe the red fox if this all worked.
When it worked. Faith, slow as he had been to find it on Caido, was something he found strength in now, and he dipped his head in agreement to get some rest. The thought of killing anything else at the moment sickened him, but there might be late-season berries he could find, and nuts among the snow...
I'll do my best, he promised, a hint of weak humor in the echo of Ianto's words. He finally unbent himself from his crouch, shaking all over in a violent, unhappy motion at how ill his skin seemed to fit - the red fox was right, he was gaunt and weak, the blight riding him to the breaking point. How much worse it must be for Ronin and Melita, who had no furred shapes to protect themselves with...
Be careful, he begged Ianto, a final, parting warning before he padded back into the woods, white fur quickly blending with white snow and hiding him from sight.
Thank you, he said quietly, and not just for the promise to plant a Rose for him in Ludo's Woods. Take care of that... that bite, too. Make sure it's clean. I don't think you can get it just from being bitten but... better safe than sorry. He winced away from the reminder that he had sunk his teeth into someone who was only trying to help, but Ianto was being more than gracious about it.
Gods most fortunate, he was going to owe the red fox if this all worked.
When it worked. Faith, slow as he had been to find it on Caido, was something he found strength in now, and he dipped his head in agreement to get some rest. The thought of killing anything else at the moment sickened him, but there might be late-season berries he could find, and nuts among the snow...
I'll do my best, he promised, a hint of weak humor in the echo of Ianto's words. He finally unbent himself from his crouch, shaking all over in a violent, unhappy motion at how ill his skin seemed to fit - the red fox was right, he was gaunt and weak, the blight riding him to the breaking point. How much worse it must be for Ronin and Melita, who had no furred shapes to protect themselves with...
Be careful, he begged Ianto, a final, parting warning before he padded back into the woods, white fur quickly blending with white snow and hiding him from sight.
