Ellara winced as the pain in her shoulder intensified, but Atreyu's support was a welcome comfort. "Thank you," she murmured, lying down as directed. The wound throbbed, but she trusted Atreyu completely.

When Atreyu explained her plan with the army ants, Ellara nodded, bracing herself. "Do what you need to," she said through gritted teeth.

As the first ant's jaws pinched her skin, Ellara clenched her teeth, enduring the sharp sting. She could feel each ant’s bite as Atreyu worked quickly and efficiently. Despite the pain, Ellara remained still, knowing this would help her heal. Occassionally, she would glance to Atreyu and give her a smile if their eyes met, wanting to reassure her that she was fine. "You have done this before?"

Ellara "Ella" Praetor

CODE BY SIN

It wasn't long ago that her mother had begun to teach her about medicines and useful items for healers. These ants were nothing more than a field dressing, but it was better than nothing. The bleeding began to slow down, and the edges of the wounds were snugly pulled together by the strong jaws of the ants, though it would leave a nasty scar. As she worked, Atreyu would occasionally look up and meet Ellara's eyes to give her a smile, letting her know everything was going to be fine. "I will admit, I have never done it on a wolf...or a living creature. My mother let me practice on pig skin before..."

Atreyu gave a small laugh, realizing she probably just made Ellara very nervous. "Last one." She said, lifting the ant and putting it in place. Now they would just have to keep it clean and hope that there was no way infection could set in. "You'll have to keep your weight off that shoulder until this heals up a bit, to ensure everything repairs normally. It's going to be a good scar though!" Atreyu felt a sudden pang in her heart, missing her mother and tears sprang into her eyes. Her right ear twitched, pain and burning finally settling in. "I think it's your turn." Bringing up a paw to lightly touch the burning wound on her ear, Atreyu pulled away with blood on her paw. Yes, she would need the help next.

2/3 Healed a wound or ailment, or prescribed a treatment - Ellara (Shoulder wound)
"Talk." || Think || 'Hear.'

code by bird, art by alo

Ellara winced with each pinch of the ants' jaws, the pain sharp, but Atreyu's occasional reassuring smiles kept her grounded. She focused on those moments, drawing strength from her friend's calm presence. "You're doing great," she managed to say, her voice tight with pain but filled with gratitude.

Atreyu's admission about practicing on pig skin made Ellara chuckle despite herself. "First time for everything, right?" she said, trying to keep her tone light.

When Atreyu placed the last ant, Ellara let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you, Atreyu. I’ll take good care of it." She could see the concern in her friend's eyes, mingled with the pain from her own wound. "Now, let’s take care of you."

Carefully, Ellara shifted to examine Atreyu’s ear. The cut was deep, and blood still trickled from the wound. She gathered some clean water from the nearby river and herbs from her satchel, her movements precise despite the throbbing in her shoulder. "This might sting a bit," she warned gently, using the water to clean the wound.

Ellara worked quickly, her focus entirely on Atreyu. She used a piece of sheepskin cloth to press against the wound, helping to stem the bleeding. "Hold this in place for a moment," she instructed, looking into Atreyu's holographic eyes with a reassuring smile. "You were so brave. Just a little longer, and we’ll both be on the mend."

[ 1/3 Healed a wound or ailment, or prescribed a treatment ]

Atreyu shared the small moment of laughter with her friend, her admission seeming a bit silly given the circumstances. The practice had indeed come in handy, though, as Ellara's wound was sealed and the would-be sutures seemed secure. Atreyu looked over her work, cleaning up the blood with a bit of cloth from her bag. The wound would scar, but it didn't look so horrible now, not with all of the ants holding the flesh together. Atreyu felt a sudden pang of regret that she could not sew, but perhaps one day she could learn, for moments like these. Satisfied that none of the ant heads would come loose from their positions, Atreyu gave her friend a reassuring smile. "That's gonna leave a scar, but it'll look really tough!" The optimism in her voice was a palpable thing, and infectious.

Now, it was her turn. She could feel the piece of her ear bleeding, though by now the blood had begun to slow. She supposed a bit of quid-pro-quo was owed, however much she didn't like the idea of being the patient. When the sheepskin first made contact, a white-hot lance of pain stung its way straight through her head to her spine and she had to force herself to be still enough that Ellara could work on her. It was all she could do to stay still, holding the sheepskin as instructed and met the reassuring gaze of her friend. Steeling herself for what was next, Atreyu held the cloth with some pressure against her ear, almost pinching the wound between sheathed claws. "You were also very brave, I'm proud of you." Atreyu's proud smile mirrored her words, and she made sure to position her head so that her friend could work on her ear better. "Excuse my language, but, we are going to look so bad ass." The teenager shined through her in that moment, and Atreyu felt a bit of pride in both of them, Bigs and the owls, as well.

3/3 Healed a wound or ailment, or prescribed a treatment - Ellara (Shoulder wound)
"Talk." || Think || 'Hear.'

code by bird, art by alo

Ellara smiled at Atreyu's attempt to lighten the mood, her heart warmed by the optimism. "Oh yes, these will be 'bad ass' scars, indeed. Scars to be proud of," she agreed, giggling with her friend. Ellara wasn't a teenager anymore, but it wasn't that long ago that she was! The bond between them was growing stronger with each moment, but Ellara was still focused on taking care of Atreyu.

She reached into her satchel with her teeth and pulled out a small bundle of herbs: yarrow, plantain leaves, and marshmallow root, their earthy scent filling the air. Carefully, she chewed them up and then crushed them between her paws on one of the stone plates Atreyu had found, releasing their antiseptic properties as she worked them. "This might sting a bit," she warned softly, dabbing the herbs with tender paws on to Atreyu's ear. The herbs would help disinfect the wound and prevent infection, ensuring a clean healing process.

With the poultice applied, Ellara moved to the river, her steps steady despite the pain in her shoulder. She rinsed the blood-stained cloth in the cool water, watching as the crimson hue faded away. After, she began to shake it in the air, freeing it from most of the water it held and attempting her best to dry it out.

[ 2/3 Healed a wound or ailment, or prescribed a treatment ]

"Ellara"

Atreyu let her laughter fade into a wince as Ellara went to work on her sensitive, burning ear. She could almost feel that she was missing a piece of it, by the way it burned. "Is it bad?" She asked, hoping she still had most of her ear. Right now it felt as though the entire thing had been torn away instead of just a cougar tooth sized piece. Atreyu knew she had been lucky, but she wondered how lucky. The herbs did just as she said they would, her already burning ear was now set ablaze all over. Atreyu had never been a particularly good patient, she was much better at making sure others were healed.

This time, she controlled herself, deciding to breathe through the pain rather than fight it. Tilting her head for Ellara to better reach her aching ear, Atreyu tried her best not to cry out and draw attention to them. Kiska knew she couldn't afford any further close calls. Bigs was extremely lucky, having avoided the claws and teeth of the big cat successfully, he was such a trooper. "I think the spirits were on our side that time." She said with a laugh despite the pain her ear was giving her, both to Bigs and Ellara, trying to make light of the once-dire situation. There had been no fear in the moment, but she saw how close to death they had come. She saw also that they had overcome it. They made a pretty good team, at least, Atreyu thought so.

"Talk." || Think || 'Hear.'

code by bird, art by alo

Ellara's heart went out to Atreyu as she saw her friend wince in pain, but she admired the strength and resolve Atreyu displayed. "It's not too bad," she reassured her gently, her voice soothing. "Just a small piece is missing, but it's going to heal well. You'll still have that beautiful ear just with a bit of character now!" She giggled, trying to keep the mood light.

Once the herbs were fully applied, Ellara picked up the now-dry cloth. With careful precision, she began to wrap it around Atreyu's ear, ensuring the bandage was snug but not too tight. The cloth would help protect the wound and keep the herbs in place, aiding in the healing process.

As she worked, Ellara felt a deep sense of connection with her patient when she mentions spirits. "We were definitely lucky, she agreed, her tone filled with warmth. "And I do believe we make a great team." She smiled to Bigs, her way of letting him know she meant him, too.

Ellara secured the bandage, giving it one final check before stepping back to admire the work. "There we go. Just take it easy, and we'll both be back to full strength soon." She smiled at Atreyu, admiring her friend. They'd only met yesterday yet it felt like they'd known each other for so much longer. "These scars are going to show everybody how tough we are." She grinned.

[ 3/3 Healed a wound or ailment, or prescribed a treatment ]

"Ellara"

As the bandage was applied, Atreyu gave a light curse under her breath. Her ear stung and throbbed, but the pain was beginning to alleviate slowly with the help of the herbs. Thankful that her friend was with her, Atreyu let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding once the bandage was applied fully. Character indeed, Atreyu couldn't wait for her wound to heal. She could only imagine how painful the wound on Ellara's shoulder must be, especially with the crude sutures she had placed. Ellara concurred about their luck, pointing out that they made a good team. Bigs beamed at the thought, his smile wide and happy. 'We did good.' Said the little dog, shaking the tension from his frame, his little mohawk flying everywhere.

"I think we make a pretty good team too." Smiling at Ellara as she checked over the bandages once more, Atreyu looked over to the limp body of the cougar. Gears began to turn in that pretty pink spotted head, holographic eyes shimmering with ideas. It was wasteful to simply leave the cat laying there, sure it would become food for something, but that hide was so beautiful. "You know what else would make us look tough...a cougar skin to trade. We could split what we get from it." It wasn't a bad suggestion, the cat had attacked them, perhaps this was their chance to capitalize on the situation. Bigs looked between the wolves and the owls, then to the cat. 'Someone would pay a pretty penny for a cougar skin. But what if we made something from it first?' The naked dog had a point, but crafting would take a long while. Atreyu had nothing but time, however.

"Talk." || Think || 'Hear.'

code by bird, art by alo

Ellara's eyes followed Atreyu's gaze to the cougar's lifeless body, and she nodded in agreement. "A cougar skin could definitely add to our tough image," she said with a small smile, appreciating the practicality of Atreyu's idea. "And you're right, Bigs - crafting something from it could be even more valuable."

As she thought of the possibilities, an idea struck her. "We could use some of the cougar's sinew for stitching wounds. It's strong and durable, perfect for emergencies when we need to close a cut quickly. And the claws.. we could turn those into tools for digging herbs or even for defensive purposes."

Ellara's eyes brightened at the thought of the plan that was forming. "Yes, let's harvest the sinew and claws. We can make some useful items for healing or fighting, and then trade the rest. That way, we honor the animal by using as much of it as possible."

"Right, let's get to it then," she said as she reached for her ivory blade. The blade, though simple in appearance, was sharp and reliable - perfect for the task at hand.

Carefully, she approached the cougar's lifeless form, positioning herself near one of its legs. With a practiced precision, she made a clean incision down the leg, the ivory blade slicing through the fur and muscle with ease. The sinew revealed itself, strong and fibrous, just as she had expected.

Working methodically, Ella extracted the sinew, careful not to damage it as she began pulling it free of muscle. Once she had enough of the sinew, she moved on to the claws. With the same careful attention, she sliced around the base of each claw, removing them cleanly.

As she worked, Ellara felt a sense of satisfaction. They were not only securing valuable resources but also paying respect to the animal by making use of what it had to offer.

[ 1/3 Crafted an item related to healing (Sutures) ]
[ 1/3 Crafted an item related to fighting (Claw Spiked Collar) ]

"Ellara"

There was satisfaction in Ellara's approval of her plans for the cat, even offering her knowledge about what to harvest and create! Atreyu loved watching her friend's mind work over the feline's anatomy and deciding what to use from where. With her tail waving behind her, the spotted dire wolf brought out her galaxy hawksbill blade and began to cut the skin from the cat. She was careful not to cut it too thin, taking the hide and then hanging it up from a tree for now. It was a shame this wasn't a deer, predator meat was too rich in vitamin A to eat. It could actually cause more harm than good, but there were plenty of other uses for the feline foe. As Ellara worked to harvest sinew, Atreyu helped where she could, washing the blood from them and hanging them up to dry.

There was plenty of the stuff for both of them to craft sutures out of it, the dead cat not minding one bit that they did so. Atreyu wasn't sure if cats had spirits or not, perhaps she would have to ask one someday, but if they did, this one would probably be happy its body wasn't going to waste. As Ellara moved to the claws, Atreyu fetched the skin and cut a clean leather strip from it. "We could turn this into a collar." She said, smiling with pride in both of them. Bigs watched the women work, wondering if he should try to help or not, though he figured he was better at guarding breakfast. He sat and ate his portion of unfinished fish, smirking to himself while the girls did the work.

1/3 Crafted an item related to healing - sutures
1/3 Crafted an item related to fighting - claw spiked collar

"Talk." || Think || 'Hear.'

code by bird, art by alo

Ellara appreciated Atreyu's enthusiasm as they worked together to make the most out of the cougar's remains. After carefully extracting the sinew, she began preparing it for drying. "This sinew will need to dry thoroughly, but once it is, we will be able to coil it and use it," she explained, hanging the sinew in a shaded spot of air to dry. The process would take time, but the result would be durable and strong threads for emergency stitching.

When Atreyu mentioned the collar, Ellara's eyes lit up. "That's a fantastic idea!" she said, her voice filled with admiration. She carefully laid out the leather strip Atreyu had cut, preparing for treatment. "We can use this collar to secure the claws, creating a cat claw collar - then maybe we can trade it at the market?"

Ellara worked methodically, rubbing the leather with a mixture of water and plant extracts she had in her satchel to soften and preserve it. "This will be a powerful piece, something to remind us of what happened today. Well, other than our bad ass scars," she giggled.

[ 2/3 Crafted an item related to healing (Sutures) ]
[ 2/3 Crafted an item related to fighting (Claw Spiked Collar) ]

"Ellara"

Atreyu gladly strung her own pieces of sinew up next to Ellara's. humming happily as she worked. Sure, the cougar could have killed them, but thanks to team work they were alive and well. Using the cougar's remains to make the most out of their experience seemed like it was the right thing to do. "I need to learn how to sew flesh back together. My family always used the ants for sutures, but sinew seems like it would work better. Probably easier to take out as well." The ants, once clamped onto the skin, were often hard to remove once the wound was healed. Atreyu had never had a wound grievous enough to use them on herself, but she knew how to remove them.

Turning their attention to the leather strip she had cut, Atreyu smiled as Ellara said it would be a powerful testament to their fight with the cougar. The spotted dire woman was inclined to agree, "I think you should keep it, I already have a collar and I think it would be a bad ass reminder. It would look good on you." Atreyu began to cut another piece of the hide to match the one Ellara now worked on, though she plucked the fur from this one. It would be the inside of the collar, for comfort and to cover up the backs of the claws once they were in. She then began to treat the skin just as Ellara treated her piece, watching the stormy pink woman work, completely mystified and mirroring her motions to a tee. "You mean how my awesome cooking made critters come out of the woodwork?" Atreyu asked with a laugh, pointing out that her owls had also been drawn in by the dish she had made for breakfast. "So much attention for a little bit of fish." She mused with a wide grin on her face.

2/3 Crafted an item related to healing - sutures
2/3 Crafted an item related to fighting - claw spiked collar
"Talk." || Think || 'Hear.'

code by bird, art by alo

Ella giggled at Atreyu's comment about the attention their breakfast had drawn. "Your cooking is just that good," she teased. As she glanced around, her eyes landed on the two Barred Owls perched nearby, happily feasting on her salmon piece that Atreyu had given her. She burst into laughter, the sound warm and light. "Well, looks like I don't even get to eat breakfast today! The owls made sure of that."

Despire the lost meal, Ellara didn't mind. She had gained two powerful companions. The morning had turned into something much more meaningful. She focused back on the collar, carefully attaching the claws to the leather strip Atreyu had prepared. "This collar will be a reminder of how we turned a dangerous situation into something powerful," she said, her voice filled with pride as she finished crafting the piece. With the sinew drying, the last step was to treat it. She pulled two plantains from her satchel, nudging one toward Atreyu with her nose. She carefully began to chew a small portion of it so that it would begin to release its natural juices. "This will make the sutures more durable, able to be bent for stitching," she explained, ensuring the fibers were thoroughly coated.

Once the sinew was treated, she took a step back, confident in their work that they would make excellent sutures when ready.

[ 3/3 Crafted an item related to healing (Sutures) ]
[ 3/3 Crafted an item related to fighting (Claw Spiked Collar) ]

"Ellara"

Atreyu smiled at the compliment her friend gave, giving a little chuckle as she looked over to see the owls eating Ellara's fish. Shaking her head, she watched as Bigs joined the owls, finally getting over his fear of the large birds. "I am glad someone gets to eat it, my nerves are still shaken." Watching as Ellara took out the plantains and scooted one over to her, Atreyu mimicked Ellara's motions with it. She then copied her friend's motions, curing the sinew and allowing it to be pliable once it was dry. Smiling as they worked, Atreyu was reminded of a time when her mother and her would do things like this. They had indeed created something powerful.

Atreyu smirked then, "You know, we could use some of this sinew as thread to hold the collar together. Completely Cougar we can call it." She laughed at her own idea, smiling brightly at her friend. "I really think you should keep it. We could almost match with our spiky collars." She returned her attention to the sinew at her paws, making sure to treat each piece before hanging them back up to finish. The piece of cougar leather she gave to Ellara for the rest of the collar.

"Atreyu Morningstar"

CODE BY SIN

3/3 Crafted an item related to healing - sutures
3/3 Crafted an item related to fighting - claw spiked collar

OOC: Sorry it's so short, my computer is dying.

Ella couldn't help but smile at Atreyu's suggestion. "Completely cougar - now that's a name with some bite!" she said with a laugh, appreciating the creativity. As she carefully worked the sinew into the collar, an idea struck her.

"You know," she began thoughtfully, "there is something else we could use from this forest. Have you ever heard of Ghost Pipe Mushrooms? They're rare, but they have incredible pain-relieving properties. After everything we've been through today, it might be good to find some. We could use them to help with the pain while we heal."

Ellara finished securing the sinew into the collar, ensuring it was sturdy. "Why don't we take a short break and see if we can find some nearby? They usually grow in shady, damp areas, close to decaying matter. If we're lucky, we might find a small patch. Just a few can make a pretty potent tincture."

She looked to Atreyu, her eyes bright with the prospect of another useful find. "It would be the perfect final touch to our day." With that, Ellara rose to a stand, wincing slightly from the lingering pain in her shoulder, but determined to continue their resourceful efforts.

[ 1/3 Collected an herb (Ghost Pipe Mushroom) ]

"Ellara"

Atreyu smiled and gave a small laugh as Ellara praised the name of their creation. It was good to have someone she could be close to after all this time. Her siblings and pack mates may be lost, but the kinship she felt with Ellara was nearly unmatched. She had one she was close to at home, and all of her heart hoped that he had made it too. Black ears perked up as she listened to Ellara's idea about mushrooms. "Oh, that's a perfect idea. No doubt we could use some pain relief. If we have any extra we could capitalize on it somewhere, I'm sure." Atreyu gave a wide smile and moved to help support Ellara as she stood.

Her wounded ear flicked and she grimaced as it throbbed beneath the bandages. Yes, it would be a good idea to find these mushrooms. She had heard of them before, but she had never seen them. Her mother was only just beginning to teach her. When she had her own roof again, pups would start the gentler training as soon as they could walk and talk and see. She didn't want their future to be as unprepared as she had been. Blinking, Atreyu returned her attention to the task at hand. "What do the mushrooms look like? I've heard of them, but never actually seen one." She asked, before looking around to see if she could guess. With a name like that, they should be easy to spot.

"Atreyu Morningstar"
1/3 collected an herb - Ghost pipe mushroom

CODE BY SIN

The rosewood fae appreciated Atreyu's support as they prepared to search for the mushrooms. "They are pretty unique," Ellara began, her voice calm and informative. "Ghost Pipe Mushrooms are white and translucent, almost like they are glowing. They don't have the same membranes as most mushrooms, so they look a lot different, almost ghostly, hence the name!"

She led the way toward a shadier area of the forest, her owls perching from tree to tree up above. She scanned the forest ground for any signs of the elusive fungi. "They usually grow in clusters near decaying plant matter, where it is nice and damp. Once we find them, we can gently harvest the stems. We'll need to dry them in a dark place to preserve the medicinal properties. They are excellent for pain relief but we also need to be careful, they are potent."

As they walked, Ellara kept her gaze low, searching the forest floor with a practiced eye. "Let's see if we can find any nearby. This forest is perfect, they have to be here!"

[ 2/3 Collected an Herb (Ghost Pipe Mushroom) ]

"Speech" - Thoughts

CODE BY SIN

Atreyu listened carefully as Ellara explained the mushrooms' appearance. They seemed as though they would be easy to find, and as the rosewood woman led the way, Atreyu followed. She kept those pretty eyes peeled for anything that looked like they might be the mushrooms in question. Bigs came along to help them mushroom hunt as well, looking inside hollow logs and under the brush of the forest around them. There were plenty of good places for the fungi to grow in the old growth of the cedar forest, and Atreyu kept a sharp eye on the ground around the bottoms of decaying trees and logs.

Her eyes landed on the white stalks of some mushrooms, looking over to Ellara and calling to her softly, "Are these what we are looking for?" She said, pointing to the ghostly mushrooms at the base of a dead cedar tree. Bigs came up behind her, looking at the almost pipe-like fungus. 'It looks like what she described to me.' He said, looking over to Ellara for confirmation, then up to the owls overhead. He was only six inches tall, and while he was beginning to trust he wouldn't become an easy meal for the pair, he was still a bit nervous about their presence.

"Atreyu Morningstar"
2/3 collected an herb - Ghost pipe mushroom

CODE BY SIN

The rosewood fae smiled warmly as she spotted Atreyu and Bigs near the base of a dead cedar tree. The soft, ghostly white of the mushrooms was unmistakable. "Yes! That's them," she confirmed, her voice filled with quiet excitement. The sight of the delicate Ghost Pipe Mushrooms nestled among the decaying wood filled her with a sense of accomplishment. They had found them!

Carefully, Ellara approached, laying out what was left of her sheepskip cloth on the ground. She crouched beside the mushrooms, her movements gentle and precise. "These are perfect for harvesting," she murmured, appreciating the rare find. With tender paws, she plucked one of the mushrooms, its translucent stalk cool to the touch, and placed it delicately on the sheepskin cloth.

"We'll only take what we need," she explained softly, moving back so that Atreyu and Bigs could collect some next. "These will help us, and they're a gift from the forest. Let's treat them with respect, and always leave one! Ellara smiled at Atreyu, grateful for her in that moment. She was an amazing friend, and great with her eyes, too!

[ 3/3 Collected an herb (Ghost Pipe Mushroom) ]

"Speech" - Thoughts

CODE BY SIN

Atreyu smiled as Ellara confirmed that the mushroom-looking tubes were what she was looking for. Watching how careful her friend was with the fungi, Atreyu made to be just as careful when it was her turn to harvest them. Using one of her feline-like claws, Atreyu cut the pieces she needed and left the rest to continue growing. Bigs watched the two of them, absolutely mystified by the almost glowing mushrooms. 'No way those are mushrooms. They don't even look the part.' He said, making Atreyu nearly drop one as she giggled. She recovered without damaging the small tube-shaped fungus, thankfully, and set it down gently on a cloth from her bag.

She had learned a lot from today, and she could feel her mind working as she wondered how they would use these mushrooms. Did they simply eat them, or would they boil them into a tea? "So, how do we make this work for us? Do we have to dry them out first or anything?" Atreyu smiled at Ellara, thankful for her presence in her life. She was a good friend and a great teacher, Atreyu had found herself learning a lot from her friend, including how to make better sutures. Maybe she could teach her how to sew stitches as well! Maybe once her shoulder got better, Atreyu would seek her out for lessons, she didn't want to stress the ants just yet.

"Atreyu Morningstar"
3/3 Collected an herb - Ghost pipe mushrooms

CODE BY SIN