Droplets of green blood form a meandering trail across rose-tinted sands. Above, the approaching dawn tints the sky cobalt, and lightening.
"Nepeta?" calls a worried voice.
"Here!" Nepeta calls as loud as she can, but she is weak, and her voice already hoarse from shouting.
Gentle arms lift her, and carry her out of the blazing sun's reach.
Nepeta's mind is hazy from sleeplessness and blood loss, and she feels her eyes drifting shut.
"Please do not sleep," Kanaya's voice tells her. "Equius informed me you had failed to contact him after setting out to visit me. Nepeta, what happened?"
"Cholerbear..." Nepeta mumbles. She fought it off, of course, but not before it got a few hits in.
"Dear goodness," Kanaya says calmly. "I see. Nepeta, please attempt to remain awake. I am afraid this may be painful."
Nepeta groans, and Kanaya is not sure whether she has understood.
"Nepeta," she repeats. "Do you trust me?"
Nepeta blinks her eyes open, for a moment completely lucid. "Of course."
"Thank you." Kanaya readies a needle, sterilising over a flame. "Then believe me when I say this: you are going to be alright."
Sweeps later, Nepeta leaps out of a wall vent towards her injured friend.
"Kanaya!" The girl in question seems dazed and unfocussed, and there is blood around her mouth.
"What are you...?" she asks.
"Kanaya, things are dangerous out here!" Nepeta chides her. "Equius told me I ought to hide, but I'm following him. Come on!"
"You're right..." Kanaya seems to return to herself. "Some of our friends have become murderous. You should stay here, where it is safe. I will go and discover –"
"No!" Nepeta tells her. "You're hurt! I'm not letting you go anywhere without me."
"Ah," Kanaya smiles. "Perhaps we should both stay here. But..."
Nepeta hugs her, and holds on tight. Somewhere in the distance, an echoing honk sounds.
"Do you trust me?" Nepeta asks her friend. Kanaya nods. "Then stay with me. Please."
In answer, Kanaya leans down and kisses her, gently. Nepeta returns the kiss more fiercely, tasting blood and pain and regret. They hold each other close, and the honking draws closer.