When Emet-Selch starts to move, Howl stops in his tracks to watch. The lack of any reaction — any at all — is not a good sign, and now that he's drawn closer, he can clearly see the toll that the sickness has taken on his friend's body. This really is quite bad.

"Emet-Selch!" Howl calls out, trying again, as he continues toward him with more hurried steps. The least he can do is follow him to make sure nothing happens, even if he fails to make a dent in the disease. Upon reaching Emet-Selch's side, he matches his pace and leans in to the space in front of him to show off the same wide smile.

"Aren't you going to say hello, you cranky old codger?" Howl asks pointedly. But as he does... a trickle of the other's mental state reaches the edges of Howl's mind. Emptiness. It's far too familiar, something he'd only just shaken off himself. He has to be careful.