The meeting a few days prior was a disaster for her. She'd been shaking like a leaf from the built up anxiety, and not just because of the tension and hostility, but her brother was there! She'd yet to talk to him since she was both shocked and upset that he came out of nowhere and hadn't tried to find her. In fact, she didn't even know he had been back until the meeting, which brought her to be upset with her uncle too. He knew but didn't tell her...she was hurt. Sighing, she climbed her way across the rocks that dotted the plains, and while she didn't have to worry about snakes, she preferred to keep above them just in case. She didn't know anymore about healing and herbs since Starling had been scarce, and the thought of that made her feel even more alone. Of course, the light drizzle didn't do anything to help either. "I feel so...useless and lost..." She whispered to herself before stopping on one of the large boulders. "SPEAK"

Starling hadn't been doing too well. He was so tired all the time, and he had to force himself to even go looking for plants. Plants! He had never had to force himself to do anything with healing before. It had been his lifeblood, his everything. If there was anything that he could do with such ease it was this. But lately...he didn't much want too. He went out, travelled aimlessly, and had to remind himself to find something for his stores. He had to make time to sort through his collection and toss the bad plants. And lately, it was getting worse. The colder it got, the worse he felt. The flowers were beginning to wilt, and he was beginning to sigh more and more. He felt so anxious, too. His heart constantly raced, and he always felt like someone was sitting on his chest. Every time he returned home, he felt that insessent feeling within him that it was wrong. He had let everyone down so much and so often that just stepping foot on the lands was wrong. He didn't deserve it. But he had a job to do, he needed to teach Quake, and he couldn't let her down. Even though he already had. So, that morning he tried to perk himself up as much as possible, before he ventured out to find her. He needed to teach her everything he knew, if that was the last thing he did. Maybe then Abaven could have the healer Starling had always longed to be. It didn't take long for him to find the young girl, and he smiled sadly when he noticed the tell tale signs of stress clinging to her body. He knew it well, because she was just like him in almost every way. He could read the shakiness in her expression, and he knew he had to do something for her. So he took a deep breath and jumped onto the rocks, moving towards her. "H-hello." He said softly, breathing softly. "We h-have s-so much to do. A-are you ready?" He tried to give her his best smile, hoping that his eyes shone with the happiness he wanted to show. "W-we need to m-make up some time, a-afterall." "Burn Baby Burn" || "Bruciare Bambino Bruciare"

The girl lost herself in her haunting thoughts, debating if she should go find her uncle or look for Starling. Crimson gaze rested on her paws for a moment, and during her absent minded staring, a soft voice made her jump from surprise. "Starling! Y-you scared me!" She stood as she listened to him, ears perked at his words and excitement worked its way into her gaze. "Oh yes! I am ready to learn!" Her tail wagged, and in her excitement at seeing him and his wanting to start their lessons, her stutter would not be present for the moment. The sadness in his eyes was almost missed, the girl frowning for a moment. "Is s-something wrong?"