ooc: dated back to autumn to replace a thread

Auster, though still chilly, was proving more hospitable than Boreas so Rœkia opted to linger there for the remainder of the season. After that they'd need to make another decision. It would be winter in Auster and summer in Boreas and with the way the weather had been lately there was no telling which would be the better deal. She walked along the creek to where they had a small fire going. Today's lesson was going to be on meadowsweet. Rœkia called Lukina over so the lesson could begin. "Ok, today we're going to make meadowsweet tea. Meadowsweet is useful for wolves suffering from colds and the flu. It can bring down fevers and help ease body aches. Go ahead and get your things out." They'd made tea before, would Lukina remember what was needed?

Lukina trotted after Rœkia, her little legs scurrying after her taller cousin. They soon arrived at a pretty little stream. The flowing water had managed to remain unfrozen and there were a number of green plants growing along it. The weather was cool but so far she hadn't seen any snow. Rœkia soon arrived back at the campsite and instructed Lukina to get out her things. She nodded and grabbed her hide bundle off the travois, setting up her bowls and antler. Once that was done she surveyed the plants before turning back to her cousin, eager to begin the search.

Rœkia looked over the items that Lukina had set out and nodded approvingly. "Ok, now we need to find and gather some meadowsweet. Do you remember the dried herb I showed you? Look for it along meadows and moist banks. It might still be in bloom since its early fall. Look for clumps of small white flowers and a sweet scent on the breeze." When she felt sure that Lukina understood her she took off, stalking along the edge of the creek. The flowing water was running swift and clear and though it was cold out there was no sign of snow yet, thankfully. They'd have to capitalize on their luck while they had it.

Lukina focused on traveling along the creek, skirting around the edges of the cattails as she sought for the plant called meadowsweet. She'd seen the dried form of it before but not the living plant. From the dried specimen she had some idea of what the smell would be like and she scented the wind while keeping her eyes open for signs of the meadowsweet plant. She wasn't sure how long she'd been walking when she spied a plant growing near the cattails. It had soft, fernlike foliage and clumps of delicate white flowers. She padded over to it and caught the delicate, almond-like scent of meadowsweet. Tail wagging she called out to Rœkia. "I found it!"

Rœkia scoured the shore, scanning the plants as she looked for signs of meadowsweet. So far it seemed like most of what she was finding was cattails. She gazed about and just as she turned the bend she heard Lukina call out that she'd found some. At first Rœkia was skeptical but as she spied the plant her little cousin was staring at she became more certain it was correct. "Well, well, so you actually found it. Ok, what we want is the root. Help me with digging." It was a shame to have to dig up the plant but it was what it was. Typically the root was harvested in July and since it was autumn a few of the flower clumps were already forming seeds giving the plant a chance at continuing life. Rœkia got to work digging.

Lukina grinned, her tail wagging as Rœkia arrived and confirmed that she had in fact found meadowsweet. She listened as her cousin spoke, surprised to learn they'd be gathering the root and not the flowers or the leaves. The last time they'd done a lesson on meadowsweet they'd used flowers and the leaves but not the root and she squinted at the dirt and frowned. She didn't like to do much digging, especially in moist, muddy earth. Her retractable claws got gunky and she hated the feeling but this was a sacrifice she'd have to make. Lukina got to digging and between her work and Rœkia's they soon freed the plant from the earth.