Asgeira thought that the day's weather was absolutely delightful. The clouds overhead was dark and heavy with the promise of rain, and it was unusually warm for as far north as she was. The greenery around her was lush and verdant, practically a cornucopia of possibility for healers such as herself. Ylva clung to her shoulders, face tucked into Aggie's mane to escape the ever-present wind. "What should we look for today?" Asgeira had taken them to the northern highlands after the heavy rains and flooding of spring, but the warmth and resulting verdancy had kept them there longer than she had planned for. Neither were complaining, of course. It had been a pleasant surprise. Aggie turned her snout into the wind and smiled as it tugged at her ears and the fur of her cheeks. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. The wind was too strong to determine much, mangling the sharp scent of many different herbs into one strong gust, but it energized her nonetheless. "How about we look for something interesting on the other side of this crater, where hopefully the wind will be just a bit less boisterous?" Ylva's muffled voice was barely audible over the roaring in her ears, but Aggie got the gist and laughed. "Alright, alright." Hmph. Spoil sport. The dusk-colored fae turned and began to cross the wide valley, bound for the the far rim instead. A light rain began to fall around them, making the scent of the plants even sharper yet. Ylva grumbled her distaste but Aggie herself had no qualms. She actually found the rain quite nice, so long as lightning did not come along with it. She kept her eyes out for anything unusual as she made her crossing, seeing as her ears were nigh useless with the wind and pattering rain drowning out all other sounds, and muddling with the scents of the world as well. She allowed her thoughts to wander, listening with her mind instead of her ears for the whispers of the trees and stones which surrounded them, a dreamy smile plastered on her face. "Talk" "You" Think

OOC: Herb gathering for healing points!! I'm down to look for anything, preferably using the gathering system! <3

Lydia wasn't quite sure how she ended up back in Boreas. Her feet just seemed to take her wherever they pleased and as the years wore on her fears had lessened. The Abraxas were fading into a distant memory. She maneuvered through the moss laden trees, pleased at the warm weather despite the light rain. The air had a feeling of calm to it and it was a wonderful day for a stroll to clear her mind. However, she had a more important task to focus on. Summer was well underway and in no time autumn would begin to claim the herbs she needed for her stores. Today's task would be a challenging one. She was on the hunt for Wolfsbane but hoped she might also find some other useful herbs along the way. The wind picked up as she entered the gorge but she steeled herself and continued. Lydia was determined to get her stores in order. Now… to find Wolfsbane she would need to look- Lydia froze as she realized she was not alone. A young femme with a strange creature was making her way through the canyon. She seemed vaguely familiar but Lydia could not place her. She didn't seem terribly threatening and perhaps she was on the hunt for herbs as well? If not then perhaps she was an explorer. "Hello there, out enjoying the rain?" She shifted her pack on her shoulders, grateful for the waxy coating that would help keep her herbs dry. "Talk" "You" Think

Aggie believed it was not possible to be unhappy in a light rain. If she was being truthful, mist was probably her favorite, but this would have to be second. Or, maybe it was third she she very much liked the last moments of cool dawn before sun rises and swells into a sweltering summer day. Of course she was looking forward to crisp days in autumn too... When the aspen trees would turn golden and chatter to one another in the chill breeze! Fine, so she couldn't pick. "Ylva, which do you suppose is best the-" "Hello there!" Aggie stopped in her tracks, head craning to the side to see a little bit farther down the rocky slope. A dark she-wolf was approaching from farther below, and Aggie could see some sort of contrivance strapped to her back. Aggie's tail lifted and she smiled. "Very much so! It is, to some degree, some sort of my favorite weather in fact!" She cocked her head. Was this older wolf familiar? Hmm. She couldn't tell, but she seemed friendly enough so that was fine by her. The red panda atop her shoulders propped herself up and peered over Asgeira's speckled head. "That thing there, atop your back. What is it?" Aggie tsked at the forward approach her companion had taken but oh well. It was out in the open now, (and she would admit to being curious herself.) The rain stirred up all manner of earthy scents, making it difficult to know more about it than what she could see. The material was damp and therefore somewhat discolored, but she saw raindrops running off as if it were a duck's feather. "This is Ylva," Aggie introduced, "I'm sure she doesn't mean to pry. And I'm Aggie! Care to walk? We're trying to make good on all of the bounty this summer before the cold months steal it away again." It was bound to happen sooner or later anyways, so there was no sense in wasting time right. Aggie turned and began to slowly continue her way down into the basin of crater-like gorge. The dark forests which grew there promised shade and damp, fertile soil. Certainly a good place to search for herbs and the like. As the trees grew thicker and denser away from the gorge's cliff edges, the raindrops seemed to fall less frequently but in far bigger drops. The forest was peaceful and near silent, other than the constant pattering on the leaves, the rain and their presence having driven most other creatures into hiding for the time. "D'you know your way around plants, by any chance?" "Talk" "You" Think

Lydia came to a stop as the woman turned to look at her and happily answered her question. What a charming young woman! Lydia started moving again so she could catch up. She was surprised to hear that this rainy weather was the woman's favorite. That wasn't a common response. Lydia liked the weather alright but it certainly was not her favorite. She'd take a nice cool evening any day with clear skies except for clouds on the horizon. She loved the way sunlight would play against clouds when it rose and set. The unusual animal that was with the young woman spoke up and asked about her knapsack. The creature was named Ylva and the young woman was Aggie. Lydia quickly nodded her head. "That's quite alright. I would love to walk with you. I take it you're a healer as well?" She couldn't imagine what else the woman needed to gather in summer unless it was a specific animal that hibernated during the winter. Aggie turned to continue and Lydia followed. As the woman asked her about plants she nodded and remembered Ylva's question. "Yes, I'm a healer and to answer Ylva's earlier question this contraption on my back is my knapsack. I use it to carry my herbs. It keeps them dry and since I travel long distances it means I can bring more back to my storage dens. What about you? You said you had bounty to gather this summer?" "Talk" "You" Think

Lydia walked alongside her as they pressed deeper into the land. As soon as she explained the pack she carried, Asgeira decided that she needed one for herself. How useful! She could hardly imagine being able to carry a plethora of herbs with her wherever she went. She could only cary so many in her mouth at once, after all, and there were plenty she wouldn't want to hold on to for a time just due to their potency anyways. "Yes, I heal what I can! I'm fascinated by the way herbs can cure or cause so many ailments, but I'll be the first to admit my knowledge is limited." She shrugged. Ylva had taught her what she could, but there were a number of herbs here that both of them were simply unfamiliar with. Aggie hoped for a day that she would know them all by name, but the day had not come yet. "I'll need to get a pack for myself, I think," Aggie mused out loud, continuing on. "We're just hoping to find something we recognize, something worth trading to any of the number of wanders roaming around these lands. If you're on a mission of your own though, we'd be happy to lend you some aid." She jostled her shoulders, prompting Ylva to give the darker fae an unconvincing smile. In truth, the small panda didn't really care either way. Aggie hoped privately that this woman, who was obviously older and more experienced than herself, would be able to impart some knowledge, even if it was done so accidentally. It seemed rude to ask so she would have to make due with careful observations, at least until she knew whether or not the other shewolf would suffer her endless questions... They had driven off more than one stranger in the past, after all. "Consider us four extra eyes, just point us in the direction you want us to look!" Aggie chirped, happy to be spending her day in unexpected yet entirely welcome company. This was turning out better than she could have ever hoped for! "Talk" "You" Think

Lydia admired the greenery around them and the moss clinging to the landscape. Soon winter would descend upon the north and all would be covered in snow. She smiled at Asgeira. "I'd be more than happy to share what knowledge I have. Perhaps we can learn from each other?" It had been awhile since she'd had anyone to discuss herbs with. Well, it had been awhile since she'd had anyone to discuss anything with. All the same she was appreciative of the company and hoping she could form a friendship with the younger woman. "The pack is incredibly useful. You can find them in places where there are human ruins, like the deadman's scrap." Her ears perked at the mention of trading. "Trading? I'd be curious to hear more about your exploits. As for me it's much the same. I'm hoping to find whatever I can that's useful, though my ultimate goal is to find some wolfsbane." She knew it would be difficult to find such a rare herb but she might as well try and surely while she was looking she could find other plants that would be useful. "Feel free to keep your eyes peeled for wherever you feel you need to look. Wolfsbane will grow on the slopes. Are you familiar with it's appearance?" "Talk" "You" Think

Aggie listened intently as Lydia described her pack. Knowing that it was a relic of human activity made much more sense, and the blue-and-tan shewolf found herself intrigued. Well, of course she wanted one for herself! Finding one, however, didn't seem like it would be easy. She filed that away for future consideration. Aggie was glad to hear that Lydia was as intrigued by the concept of trading as Aggie was, or at least she seemed to be keen on it to some degree. That was good enough! "Oh, it's nothing spectacular or anything. Just sort of an added layer of... well, I can't say security, because most of the time we get into sticky spots trying to find the stuff anyways." Aggie laughed, but Ylva only shook her head. 'Sticky' was too mild a term, in her mind. "But if the hunting is bad in winter and I can offer a pack some elderberry to help their sick in return for a good meal, well." She tapered off with a half smile and shrugged. Now, Wolfsbane was a plat Aggie was very familiar with. Ylva specialty was poisons, so it was one of the first herbs the red panda had taken time to show her. "Sure am," Aggie grinned, though she couldn't help but wonder what the older fae had in mind for it. She knew it as a poison, but little else. "Can't help but ask though, why are you looking for it?" Asgeira knew that it would put the stomach in knots first, and eventually it would stop a heart. A very useful plant in certain situations, but this kind shewolf didn't really seem the sort to run around poisoning others. Or maybe she was just really good at first impressions... Who could know? Either way, Aggie was very excited for the rest of their afternoon. "Talk" "You" Think

Lydia nodded, she could understand the benefit of trade. She very much approved of the idea and saw it as a way for wolves of different strengths to help each other. Her gifts were more in herbs than hunting and so trading herbs for food made sense, especially as she was a loner and relied heavily on scavenging. Lydia could definitely say she missed the heartier meals one received in a pack. Lydia felt the heat rise to her cheeks at Asgeira's question about the Wolfsbane. She hadn't even registered the fact that it was a deadly poison and the fact that she was searching for it could be misconstrued as suspicious behavior. "In small doses Wolfsbane is very useful as a sedative and for pain relief. It can also help with fevers which will be useful as we move into colder weather." Lydia continued on her way when a flash of yellow caught her attention. She diverted her coarse and soon noticed a lovely plant with slender spikes full of yellow flowers. She grinned as she trotted over to the cluster of plants which rose a few feet high. "Well, I wasn't looking for Agrimony specifically but since we're here do you mind if I gather some quick?" "Talk" "You" Think

The older woman seemed a bit affected by Aggie's question, causing the dusky woman to swallow an unruly chuckle. Oops! She hadn't meant to imply anything, but Lydia was quick to explain herself anyways. Aggie felt her brows creep steadily upwards as the darker shewolf delved into a surprising host of uses for a plant she herself had recently considered poison and little more. "Really? Huh. I only ever knew it would cause harm. If you say so!" She wasn't about to question the her judgement at any rate. If she wanted to bother with it, that was her business! Aggie was more than happy to help, even if she would remain leery until she saw these new curative aspects played out before her. Somewhat lost in her thoughts, she came up short when Lydia suddenly changed course. Aggie stumbled a pace before swiveling to follow. Something had obviously caught her eye, and she peered over the darker pelt before her to see what they were headed to. A column of yellow flowers met her. Ah! This one she was familiar with. Lydia seemed pleased to find it as well, asking if she minded stopping for a bit. "Not a bit. I better snag some myself." Loners were bound to get an unsettled gut from time to time, eating questionable things. Agrimony always had value. She laughed quietly, then asked, "To be clear, I know it will help with the gut and bowels. You're not about to tell me it's also a poison, are you?" She laughed again, and practically felt the red panda on her shoulders roll her eyes. Ylva then scamped down to the ground, and began sniffing around the base of the plant. Aggie watched Ylva quickly rip away two stalks, leaves and all, before trundling back towards her. With her bundle held in one small arm, she leaped back to her place on Aggie's shoulders. "Do you need any more? There might be others around here, or we can carry on. This is all I'd better take, though." She was always wary about overharvesting a place and ruining it for the next time she was in the area. What they'd gathered would be enough for the time being! And summer was not gone yet, which means they would have time to seek out more if need be. She was content to let Lydia take the lead here, realizing that this shewolf was well learned in her herbs, and she would do well to stick close and take notes, if she would allow it. "Talk" "You" Think

Lydia set herself to digging at the soil around the base of the agrimony plant, loosing it up enough so that she could pull up the entire plant. Gently, she seized the stalk in her jaws and by wiggling her head back and forth she carefully pulled it up, extracting the whole plant and much of the root. Shrugging her pack off her shoulders she slipped the plant inside. It was something she could dry later. Licking her lips to get rid of the taste as she considered Aggie's question. "I suppose really anything could be a poison in the wrong dosage. Agrimony's really only dangerous to pregnant and nursing mothers as far as I know." Lydia set her mind to task to as she pulled up a few more plants and then satisfied with what she had she turned back to Aggie. "I think that's all I need." They began to walk on again and Lydia once again focused her attention on the elusive wolfsbane. She kept her eyes peeled and soon was rewarded as she saw the hardy plant with it's dark green stem and glossy leaves. The beautiful blue flowers were lovely to look at. "Aggie, over here! I found some." Now the real trick would be in gathering it. "Talk" "You" Think

Lydia seemed to seriously consider Aggie's teasing question, but the dusky shewolf was not about to complain. She would be grateful for any amount of knowledge the older woman was willing to depart. She had heard before that agrimony could cause complications, but it was a good confirmation to hear it from another source as well. Asgeira grinned. "I'll keep that in mind." Both women were content with what they had gathered, and with Ylva back up on her shoulders they set out a bit further. It was a nice change of pace, traveling if only briefly with a likeminded wolf. There were plenty of rogues and travelers in these parts, but it was rare enough that Aggie came across healers. Or at least, healers willing to risk uncovering rare surprises in the company of others. Lydia seemed only to appreciate her company, and so Aggie returned the favor. In fact, it wasn't long until the older woman was calling out. "Aggie, over here! I found some." The younger shewolf approached at a trot, and found Lydia before a small cluster of glossy green leaves. Luckily, poisons and toxins were a specialty of Ylva's. The pair had gathered a fair share of dangerous herbs in their travels, and most of Aggie's prior knowledge stemmed from from those ventures. The red panda quickly bounded down from her shoulders. "The root holds the most toxins, so be careful of that. That fancy sack of yours ought to help, I'm sure." She gave Aggie a meaningful look, then turned and began plucking large leaves off of a nearby cluster of salal. The leaves were thick and leathery, and she poked small holes near their tip with her claw. Waddling back, she wrapped the leaf around one flowering stalk and tugged. Ylva laid the plant on the ground and fiddled with the leaf until she was able to poke the stem through the hole she had made before. Looking rather pleased with herself she looked up at Aggie and smirked. The younger wolf grinned and said, "Perfect." She turned and looked to Lydia. "We don't need much more than this, I don't think. But we're more than happy to help grab what you need too?" Aggie assumed that Lydia had her own preferred method of doing things, and as much as she'd love to observe she would feel like a jerk if they didn't at least offer. Wolfsbane was a nasty herb to run amuck of, and Aggie didn't want to risk getting it anywhere near her mouth or paws. Ylva had taught her that while there wasn't any worry if it came into contact with her fur, but its harmful components can be absorbed through her skin. So she would leave the offer open, but it seemed silly that Lydia might come all the way out looking for something without a good method to gather it on her own. Aggie sat and waited while Ylva worked to wrap a few more salal leaves around her bundle for extra handholds. For now she had been using a temporary den to store her things, but finding a pack like Lydia's sure would make relocating a hell of a lot easier... But that was a project for later. "Talk" "You" Think

Lydia moved gingerly around the plant, mentally deciding on a strategy. She nodded at Ylva's warning. "That's probably just as well. The root is best collected in autumn. I think the blossoms and leaves will do just fine for me for now." She felt a slight tinge of jealousy at Aggie's companion and her dexterous little paws. She wondered if perhaps she might be able to befriend a companion with such useful capabilities. She offered her help and Lydia considered it for a moment but shook her head. She didn't want to impose and she had her own methods. Fishing around in her bag she gently pulled out a sharpened stick. Deftly she began to messily remove leaves and blossoms from the plant before carefully maneuvering them into an empty compartment in her back. She didn't want to contaminate the rest of her supply. It was slow work and she felt rather bad to make Aggie and her companion wait but she also didn't want to risk the other's companion more than necessary. Besides, she only needed a tiny amount. Pleased, she left the stick. "Ok, I think I'm all set. I really should be heading back now but it was nice to meet you. I hope we run into each other again." -exit- "Talk" "You" Think