The mere sound of her mothers voice calmed her, settling the tightness in her chest that came and went. The longer her mind settled on a memory the harder it became to breathe, and as the white wolfess spoke Mati could feel it relax. Mati always felt safe beside Onus, even more so after the courage and strength he had shown, but the calm and comfort her mother gave was something different. She could be wrapped in the voice and presence as if a heavy blanket, her mind and body at ease.
The girl couldn't help but look down as her mother touched the ripped scarf that Onus had given her. She knew it would hurt, but did not expect the sting that rang through her body as they were pealed away. She clenched her teeth at the feeling, but tried to keep her face even. The bottle her mother held burned her nose as she opened it to the air; tears welled in her eyes as she smelled it as if Mati knew exactly how bad it would hurt. It burned as if she placed fire against the open cuts, making her flinch at each application.
No words came from her tightly sewn teeth, but she was suddenly fully awake and aware of what was happening. No longer did she feel the fatigue that the loss of blood had given. As her mother's fingers worked lightly against her torn skin she didn’t complain, at least not with her voice. The thoughts were written on her face, though she was grateful that it was her mother that would tend to the wounds instead of a stranger, or no one at all. Eyes closed, she leaned her head against the couch’s cushion and prayed for it to end. |