an icebound wonder
12-19-2015, 11:50 AM
Harmony rarely wandered far from pack lands, particularly in the winter. She felt the cold more keenly than she rightly should at her age, pained with stiffened joints, and she tired easily in the best of times. But she'd begun to grow concerned about some of her brother's children, and sitting in the pack lands doing nothing had begun to feel stifling. The silence in the pack lands was oppressive. She had to get out and think.
She didn't go terribly far, but the change in scene sufficed to relax her, and she settled into the well of a young tree, staring contemplatively at a crystalline ice droplet that had formed on one of the tree's delicate lower branches. Thinking.
Few in Abaven seemed interested in participating or furthering themselves. The yearlings who had appeared at her behest some time ago had often seemed greatly put-upon, as though meeting with their packmates was a great inconvenience rather than an opportunity. It saddened her to see, and a delicate sliver of resolve hardened within her. She would do whatever was within her power to pull her brother's pack back from the scattered reaches of solitude and reforge them into a cohesive whole. How? She was a healer, not a leader. But there were leaders among them if they chose to step forward - she could encourage them, guide them, into fulfilling their own potential. She had not put herself forward to reclaim her old title as Tagovor when she'd returned to Abaven, thinking that surely someone more suited to the position had stepped forward to fill it. She'd thought surely Starling would find himself suited to it when he came of age... but his self doubts poisoned his leadership and he'd fallen apart under the responsibility when his father had appointed him to lead the healers during the siege. She wanted to give her nephew the chance to prove himself once again, or for Sparrow to mature and settle into the role of healer... but in the meantime there was no one to lead them, and no one in a role to guide them in their journey. If only Rhythm had not stayed in Imperium! Her family needed her.
She sighed softly, her breath causing the ice droplet to quiver upon the branch. She did not like where her thoughts led her, even now. Of course Rhythm should be free to follow her heart. It was selfish of Harmony to have even considered otherwise. And if she had not stayed, Rhys and Rhyme would never have been born - she would not wish them away for the world. Instead of wishing for what was or what could have been, she should concentrate on honing her own skills, on proving herself and perhaps claim the position until one of the younger healers proved capable.
A soft sound caught her attention, and Harmony pricked her ears, head turning to seek what had caused it.
She didn't go terribly far, but the change in scene sufficed to relax her, and she settled into the well of a young tree, staring contemplatively at a crystalline ice droplet that had formed on one of the tree's delicate lower branches. Thinking.
Few in Abaven seemed interested in participating or furthering themselves. The yearlings who had appeared at her behest some time ago had often seemed greatly put-upon, as though meeting with their packmates was a great inconvenience rather than an opportunity. It saddened her to see, and a delicate sliver of resolve hardened within her. She would do whatever was within her power to pull her brother's pack back from the scattered reaches of solitude and reforge them into a cohesive whole. How? She was a healer, not a leader. But there were leaders among them if they chose to step forward - she could encourage them, guide them, into fulfilling their own potential. She had not put herself forward to reclaim her old title as Tagovor when she'd returned to Abaven, thinking that surely someone more suited to the position had stepped forward to fill it. She'd thought surely Starling would find himself suited to it when he came of age... but his self doubts poisoned his leadership and he'd fallen apart under the responsibility when his father had appointed him to lead the healers during the siege. She wanted to give her nephew the chance to prove himself once again, or for Sparrow to mature and settle into the role of healer... but in the meantime there was no one to lead them, and no one in a role to guide them in their journey. If only Rhythm had not stayed in Imperium! Her family needed her.
She sighed softly, her breath causing the ice droplet to quiver upon the branch. She did not like where her thoughts led her, even now. Of course Rhythm should be free to follow her heart. It was selfish of Harmony to have even considered otherwise. And if she had not stayed, Rhys and Rhyme would never have been born - she would not wish them away for the world. Instead of wishing for what was or what could have been, she should concentrate on honing her own skills, on proving herself and perhaps claim the position until one of the younger healers proved capable.
A soft sound caught her attention, and Harmony pricked her ears, head turning to seek what had caused it.
12-19-2015, 12:15 PM
At some point Integra's sour mood had given away to begrudging acceptance and apathy. As always when she felt she could not handle life's problems she dove into her work and found herself once again wandering in search of herbs. It was different this time, not being accompanied by Birna and while she was enjoying this taste, this reminder of her freedom, she found herself suddenly missing the behemoth's presence. Well… it was probably for the best. Birna was busy and not fond of being dragged all over creation in search of plants. Her thoughts drifted lightly to Vana as she wondered how the other girls studies were going…. Maybe Integra could find something really cool she could take back to Evangeline and they could swap knowledge. She wasn't quite sure why, whether it was a small competitive streak or something more complex, she wanted to impress the other girl. Integra navigated carefully through a young forest growing the East. She was aware she was near Abaven lands and she was almost tempted to march right into the territory to bother them. After all, the Abaven healers didn't seem to have much of a problem waltzing into Imperium without so much as a howl at the border. She knew that was because they were special to Rhythm but it still irritated the girl. Favoritism in general just got under her skin no mater how natural it might be. Nose to the ground Integra willed herself out of her own mind. More and more her thoughts were twisting in on them selves and binding her like a prison. She needed to focus on the outside world. Now…. to hunt. A frost-covered twig snapped beneath her paw just as she looked up to spy a smaller woman nestled in the well of a young tree. |
12-19-2015, 12:33 PM
For a moment she caught the eyes of the young wolf as their gazes met, and she thought she saw something... shadowed, haunted in the girl's eyes. But the moment passed with nothing more than a chill and Harmony blinked away the strange feeling as though brushing away a spider's web. It was probably just her own troubled thoughts coloring her perceptions. The girl was of an age with Bass' children... Regardless of what she did or didn't see, it was a welcome distraction for Harmony, and she slipped out of her resting place politely. As she did she extended her other senses, noting the scent of Imperium that clung to her.
"Good morning," she offered with a soft smile. Their packs were ostensably allies, but the alliance was tied entirely to Rhythm's relationship with the other pack's alpha - he had struck her as a dangerous man despite his feelings for her sister, and dangerous men had a habit of attracting other dangerous people. Imperium's eager participation in Bass' war, and the damage they had wrought, had not dispelled her uneasiness with them. She was guarded, wary, of the other pack, but she sought to hide it beneath friendliness. Even though the girl smelled of herbs in the manner almost universal to practicing healers, still Harmony remained wary.
"I'm Harmony, a healer in Abaven. Am I correct in assuming you hold a similar rank in Imperium?" she added with a curious tilt to her head. Did Imperium even have a rank for healers, or were they just another layer of warriors in the militaristic pack?
"Good morning," she offered with a soft smile. Their packs were ostensably allies, but the alliance was tied entirely to Rhythm's relationship with the other pack's alpha - he had struck her as a dangerous man despite his feelings for her sister, and dangerous men had a habit of attracting other dangerous people. Imperium's eager participation in Bass' war, and the damage they had wrought, had not dispelled her uneasiness with them. She was guarded, wary, of the other pack, but she sought to hide it beneath friendliness. Even though the girl smelled of herbs in the manner almost universal to practicing healers, still Harmony remained wary.
"I'm Harmony, a healer in Abaven. Am I correct in assuming you hold a similar rank in Imperium?" she added with a curious tilt to her head. Did Imperium even have a rank for healers, or were they just another layer of warriors in the militaristic pack?
12-19-2015, 12:52 PM
Integra's gaze would lock with the strangers bi-colored eyes and they'd stare at each other for a moment before the woman would greet her. She would dip her own head in greeting her nose analyzing the woman's scent and pin-pointing her as one of Abaven's wolves. That wasn't surprising so close to their homeland but she did find it rather ironic that of all the wolves she'd manage to run into it would be one from Abaven. The stranger introduced herself as Harmony a healer of Abaven confirming what Integra's nose had informed her. Well… at least she hadn't seen this one traipsing through Imperium's packlands without asking and Integra had to admit she was curious if the Abaven healer's were really as good as the rumors would make her believe. Imperium was strapped for healers, there was no doubt about that, but she was learning and so was Vana and she wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. Of course… if this woman was worth her salt. Integra would allow herself to relax a bit and once again she nodded. "Yes, I'm Integra Armada a Medica, or healer, of Imperium. Are you out herb gathering?" She tried to make small talk, uncertain how much she should tell and how much she should listen. "I thought I might hunt for some wintergreen here… I don't suppose you know where any might grow in this location?" It wouldn't hurt to ask a local Wintergreen was a rare herb but it was one she felt might impress her friend and so she was keeping an eye out for it though she'd gather more common herbs she came across as well such as juniper. |
12-19-2015, 01:23 PM
The girl offered her own name and rank back, and added a question. A test, or a genuine question? Perhaps Harmony was just being paranoid simply because of the pack this Integra belonged to. Either way, there was no reason to not answer. Wintergreen? Harmony considered. "Wintergreen grows most often under pine forests, and I recall that this forest was burned down when I was young. The ash in the soil will have made the soil not very good for plants like wintergreen. But it was once a pine forest so perhaps if we search hard we will find a patch in the shade beneath the trees." She glanced off into the forest thoughtfully, not even noticing that she had volunteered herself to assist the younger healer. She'd needed a distraction, and she'd needed to hone her skills, so this opportunity was star-sent. "Juniper might be a better choice in this soil. Perhaps we shall keep our eyes open for both?" She nearly asked if the other healer knew the uses of juniper, but hesitated for fear of offending her. She did not know the extent of the girl's knowledge, and to assume that she knew more and better than Integra would be arrogant and rude. Instead she added delicately, "I myself could use more juniper in my caches. With the season bronchitis is more common, after all, and my joints get inflamed quite often, and I would not want to run low."
12-19-2015, 01:48 PM
Integra watched the womans face with interest, the slight hesitation. Now, now what was this? Withholding information from an ally? She grinned but said nothing opting to wait patiently for an answer. The woman would begin to answer and Integra would be patient until she finished. She was surprised the ash was still a problem here. "Oh it doesn't have to be this particular terra. I haven't gotten to explore much of the East, if you know of a better forest to look through I am all ears but I thought asking a local might save me the trouble of combing a significant portion of Alacritis." This was true she really hadn't explored that much of the East, only the territories that once belonged to Ebony and even those had been quick visits near the borders. Integra nodded and chuckled to herself. "As it happens Juniper was one of the herbs I'm keeping an eye out for. I'm looking to gather some of the berries." She'd planned to chew off a few branches to carry back for fear she'd accidentally swallow all the berries on the trip. "Oh? You use it for your joints? I don't suppose you'd be interested in swapping a bit of knowledge? I've heard of it being used for such purposes but no one has ever explained or showed me how." Integra was relaxing a bit, it was clear this other woman knew what she was talking about and the prospect of gaining knew knowledge was exciting to her. "I'm more of a battle medic actually, I'm looking to use it for wounds but I like to help in other areas." It was an odder user for juniper but a reasonably effective one. Integra hesitated to say to much about the lack of active healers in Imperium. She didn't want to give away any weakness. |