Pearl slowly pulls her arm away, grimacing at the smear of red now adorning it. She drags the back of her hand over her mouth, and it comes away bloodied. Her eyes flicker across its surface for a moment, conflicted, before she caves in to the urge and covers it with her mouth to lick it clean. Then, with a bow of her head, Pearl runs her tongue down to the inside of her elbow, where she stops to suck the smeared drops of blood off her skin.

Such a shameful sight, but by this point-- does it matter?

She's a bit slow in responding, breaking her mouth away a couple seconds later with a soft, wet pop. She doesn't try to lie. Even if she wanted to reassure the woman, it'd be difficult after this little display.

"Um," Pearl begins weakly, wiping the back of her hand on her dirty jeans. "It's... better."

Her eyes drop to her lap and linger there for a moment, before flittering up to look at the woman's face. It's the first time tonight she's able to see her clearly, and despite her striking features and sturdy build, she looks every bit the trembling wreck Pearl feels.

But then, wouldn't anyone, being subjected to something like this?

That gut-wrenching guilt immediately resurfaces in Pearl, strong enough to drown out any leftover pangs of hunger at the blood that stains the woman's clothes and skin. But she looks down again still.

"... You saved me."