[Rainbowfox Ari]

It didn't take long for him to respond - although it was weaker than was strictly expected. He opened his mouth, and gasped in a half-liquid draw of air after about a minute of resuscitation efforts. His lungs realized that it was partially water and not oxygen he was taking in, and he rolled over onto one side to retch up what he'd swallowed. Not much came up, since he hadn't eaten in the last... well... In a while. It took about six or seven minutes for his stomach and lungs to be satisfied that no more scorching poison would be entering his system, but after that was taken care of, he simply had no strength left to do anything but rest his head on his arm, and wheeze harshly as his body got used to being technically alive again.

As well as nearly-drowning, he'd swallowed a great deal of the toxic water, and didn't look so good. Paler than he normally would have been, with a bit of a grayish tint to the skin, as well as flushed and shaking. His guts were not happy, but the more pressing issue was that his lungs were also unhappy. He continued to cough long after he'd finished heaving up what water he could get out of his stomach - deep, painful-sounding coughs that wracked his entire small frame. Blood dripped from his mouth after a few of these coughs, making it clear that whatever else had been done to him in that river had caused some internal damage.

When he had enough strength in him to lift his head again, he sought out his rescuer, making a concentrated attempt to locate just one of her among the myriad of swirling female images. That idea was quickly falling flat, however, since his vision was starting to cave in on itself. Blackness took the edges first, and quickly worked their way inward. Before he completely lost what he'd gained {albeit briefly}, he cracked a half-hearted attempt at a sheepish smile, and mouthed the words that it hurt his throat too much to say out loud just now: 'Thanks'.

After which, he slumped again, head on his arm, entire body relaxing into unconsciousness. Not surprising. But he was breathing, for whatever else might be wrong with him, so it was a start.