Notch and Vail made their way towards the massive maple that grew near the rapids. She anted to go out and find some colder weather herbs with Tana. She was making incredible progress and seemed to be leaving her companions behind much more than when they had first met. Vail would want to help the woman with a little lesson today too. The dainty woman picked her way through Abaven’s lands, her den was sort of centrally located, she knew being closer to the heart helped ease some of Shaye’s anxieties. Notch beat his wings irritably, he was never a huge fan of the morning. Vail ignored him and continued on, hopeful that Tana might be here by the tree.

-starts in Abaven-

-set after the Thyme thread- She had been happily spending her nights at the tree and couldn't keep from smiling anytime she heard Rhyme pass by or come home. Their night together had confirmed that he at least felt something for her. It made her happy to know that, and she had considered alot of things about him. She knew since he was an alpha she had to share him, his time and love were going to always be Abavens no matter what, but she was okay with that. She was busy finishing a few batches of cider when the sound of paws much lighter than Rhyme's or Shaye's sounded. She perked her ears and inhaled for the scents on the wind, the tang of herbs told her almost all she needed to know. She sat up from her laying position, her lips curving into a smile, not that the other would see it. She already knew her own scent had changed that night with Rhyme, though it was only that of both her and Rhyme now. As far as she knew that was. "V-Vail!" she was excited in her voice. speech action

Vail bounced along easily, even as Tana’s voice called out to her. There was an excitement there, and Vail could tell how much growing the woman had done. Abaven seemed more than great for her, helping her blossom into the wolf she was supposed to be. Vail couldn’t see the smaller she wolf’s scars or disabilities well, she hadn’t even been told her story, but she knew she had been through and lost a lot. She was glad to be her friend. Her own nerves about the wedding were tamped down as she stopped close to where Tana stood. "Good morning, Tana." Vail offered cordially, curious about Tana’s chipper mood. "You seem rather jovial this morning." He she been looking for it she might have noticed the change in Tana through scent, but she was more focused on their plans for the day. "I wondered if you might join me in gathering herbs or a little lesson outside the territory?" Solor had agreed to appear with them, just to keep himself and Rhyme from worrying. ""

Vail came close offering her own greeting to Tana. To which she recieved a warm smile. Having rhyme about and being with him made the small healer more secure and happier.so much had happened since last she spoke with Vail, but as Vail continued on it appeared this was more than just a social call. She wanted to venture beyond the territory and go gather herbs from the sound of it. "O-okay, b-but we s-should f-find Rhyme a-and take a w-warrior w-with us." she had after all promised him she wouldn't be going outside the borders without him or a warrior again. Especially after the last time she didn't want to upset him again, though the consequences of doing so had been enjoyable to both of them. She shook the thought from her head and stood. Alma was quick to join her and cling to her nape, while basil was slower and he took his place in the direction he had last seen Rhyme heading, ready to lead the blind women towards him.

Vail shouldn’t have been surprised when the younger woman mentioned alerting her cousin before venturing out. The rose touched she wolf didn’t hesitate to assure Tana he was well aware. "He already gave me his blessing," She knew Solor wouldn’t be too far away from her, and Rhyme had Solitude out for a more solo mission. He would appear above them every so often as they went. Vail turned the direction of where Notch wished to lead them. "We wont be gone long anyway." She mentioned as she started towards the border. Her tail flicked absentmindedly behind her as her pretty paws carried her further. It was good to get out once in a while, and despite the cold and wintery weather she enjoyed it. ""

Vail was quick to assure her Rhyme was well aware and she nodded, not that either woman would of seen a gesture such as that. She stood fully and gave a stretch before she moved to follow the sounds of Vail. "What he-herbs w-will we be l-looking f-for? J-juniper b-berries?" it was easier to find things when she knew what she was supposed to be smelling for. She wasn't fast by any means but she did her best to walk beside Vail. Her fur gently brushed vails in a sort of way to keep from veering off track or something. Basil dashed to catch up to her and Vail before he took to leading the way and weaving in and out of the trees and leaving a scent trail the girls could easily follow.

After reassuring Tana Rhyme knew where they would be the other woman followed along easily enough. The alabaster and rose owl that accompanied Vail clicked restlessly in the branches above as he led his master through the maze that was Abaven. Of course by now Vail didn't need much help getting around inside the territory it was outside where they were headed she had most trouble. Tana's companion Basil would be much help too as he laid down a scent trail that was as easy to follow as Notch's clicks.

"Juniper, and I'd like to gather some poplar or cottonwood buds. They're resin content is higher during the cold weather. They act as an antiseptic and the salicylic acid is good for pain relief." She offered the smaller woman as they walked together. Not knowing if she had ever gathered the plant before. "Do you ever put juniper berries in your wine?" she asked curiously. "Have you ever heard of mead?" she heard of someone putting juniper berries in their mead.. Vilod was the name if she remembered right.

As they walked Vail explained to her what they would be looking for and why. Tana easily took note of it. Poplar and cottonwood buds were for pain relief and were better collected in the colder weather. It was easier to remember things if she repeated them a few times in her head. That was what she did. 


Then Vail asked if she had ever put the berries in her alchohol and tana shook her head. "N-no. I j-just have u-used it f-for my c-colds in t-the p-past."

Vail continued on towards the crypt, the evergreen trees were so ripe for the gathering. The Juniper berries were starting to ripen and the buds of the poplars hadn’t yet started putting out pinecones. Vail felt eager to gather some winter plants, though everything was more vibrannt and alive in the warmer months there was no rest for a healer. There were always new specimens to gather. She enjoyed talking to Tana about her craft as well, the woman was receptive to her knowledge and added in her own understandings. Though she didn’t know how to make mead. Not that Vail had ever done so herself, but she’d heard of the process. "Instead of over-ripe fruit, you use honey." She mentioned, knowing very little of the yeast that actually made the alcohol from sugar. ""