Taph would follow them anywhere.

Into danger, into death, into Hello Kitty land, anywhere. Where they go, he goes. The air smells of gunpowder from the tripmines on his sash and something sweet like cinnamon that always clings to his feathers.

He's not very trusting, so his constant presence is a surprise. To be fair, they hired him a while ago, and in this realm he doesn't exactly work for them anymore..?? The wooden planks of the cabin floor creak under his bird-like orange feet as he shifts uncomfortably, golden-tipped wings twitching with nervous energy.

Well, not like he can do his job, which was exploding unused buildings. Now his bombs are more for protection than demolition, though the pink star in his halo still glows with the same intensity as the fuses on his explosives.

Once he appeared here, he obviously got overwhelmed, laying on the ground as if he wanted to sink into the wooden cabin. The rough texture of the floorboards pressed into his palms as panic threatened to consume him, especially since he died to... He can't even finish the thought before the memory of their face breaks through the terror.

But once he saw them, he excitedly stood up and ran into their arms, embracing them tightly as his wings wrapped around them like a protective cocoon. The warmth of their body against his and the steady beat of their heart against his chest chased away the shadows that had threatened to swallow him whole.

He never left their side after that day. He persuaded them to let him sleep in their room (he refuses to leave), his wings often hanging over the edge of the bed. He's always at their side during rounds, the faint jingle of his bomb sash a constant companion. He lingers in the kitchen when they make their coffee, the bitter aroma mixing with the faint scent of his feathers.

During a round, the killer is 1x1x1x1. A ruthless one, a creation of hatred and a being full of pure malice. The very air seems to chill when they're near, and the metallic tang of blood hangs heavy in the atmosphere.

With their two swords, they can tear someone to shreds. Which they actively try...

Taph loses sight of them for a few seconds, since he was checking on his traps because one tripwire fell apart. The forest floor is soft under his feet as he runs frantically, making panicked chirping sounds that escape despite his efforts to stay quiet. His eyes widen when he rounds a corner and finds them huddled against a wall, breathing heavily and covered in blood that soaks into their clothing and drips onto the ground.

He hurries over, the leaves crunching under his feet, and sees they've been badly wounded, gashes all over - mainly their back and arm. The coppery smell of their blood mixes with the earthy scent of the forest around them.

He reaches into his robe, pulling out a dirty white box. A medkit. His hands tremble as he sits down next to them, the grass tickling the back of his legs as he prepares to use it. He gestures with one hand in a makeshift signing motion, trying to calm them despite his own racing heart and the way his halo pulses with bright pink light.