She had managed to evade Bourbon for the afternoon by requesting that he joined Sirius on patrol to get better acquainted with the pack lands. Luce was growing fond of the collie, but his constant presence had her feeling almost self-conscious. There was much to be done before the winter truly fell upon them, and she sought a quiet afternoon of gathering herbs to clear her mind. The rocky soil here was the ideal climate for some rarer herbs: wolfsbane, salvia, and other exotic herbs could be found sprouting in small clumps. Lavender grew thickly around the cave's gaping maw before it dipped fully underground. The purple plants reached eagerly towards the sunlight. Her companion, Feverfew, was gathering alongside her. Luce and the raccoon had a nearly wordless cooperation that she found extremely comforting. The albino raccoon trundled along behind her, sizing up grasses and herbs as she went. There was a chill to the autumn air but no frost yet. Lucretia was greatful that, although fall had come quickly, winter seemed to be on its regular schedule. The birth and ensuing puppies had occupied so much of her time that she was painfully behind her own typical gathering and restocking schedule. With new puppies swarming in Ashen, particularly Belle's children with their strange mutations (what unforeseen complications could arise from that?), she could use all of the herbs she could get her paws on. "lucretia mutters..."

The land below was different than what the chocolate-colored male was really used to. There seemed to be a large hole within the earth, a different spot of land than anything Seker had seen in his two years of life. Despite his little run in with danger before; this seemed to be a unique place to explore, but, there was the off chance he could get himself hurt. Well, after nearly losing his voice and his life before, what was there really to lose for the male?

His sister seemed to vanish without a trace, possibly leaving her young children behind. Though he felt bad for the young children, it was not his place to say considering they still had family around to protect them if worse came to worse. However, his thoughts soon subsided when he came across someone whom he hadn't recognized. Her alabaster frame and dark accents were something to behold to the male as he raised an eyebrow with interest. With the way that she was moving, it seemed she was gathering herbs or something as he made a slow and careful descent downwards.

"Need any help?" The male rasped. Despite his vocal cords being ok, they seemed a bit damaged considering he had to talk rather quieter and carefully even though his wound was scabbed over; he'd never really fully recover his clear voice, forever to be raspy whenever he dare talk to someone.

Lucretia turned at the sound of a sudden voice. Feverfew, engrossed in her own gathering, hadn't alerted her. She gave the raccoon a testy stare, although she supposed they didn't make the best guard creatures. Few was hardly intimidating. The raccoon grumbled and turned away, plucking up some more lavender as she did. Channeling her royal Klein blood, Luce dipped her head to the stranger and gave him a coy smile. "are you offering, stranger?" she asked, raising a brow. She wasn't used to help freely given (besides Bourbon's eagerness to serve). Life had taught her that there was little you could expect without paying some price in return. "are you experienced with herbs?" Not every wolf was experienced, but if he could take direction, then they'd get along just fine. "lucretia mutters..."

It's a... bunch of bugs!

If the wolves pay attention to the soil near the herbs, they will notice that earthworms readily crawl to the surface. Though usually deeper underground this time of year, the wriggly worms nearly coat the ground anywhere there's shade. Other insects climb the plants' stalks and hide in the leaves and flora. It would be near impossible to grasp an herb by its base without picking up a few critters.