Need a Little Ray of Sunshine

She felt a tad bit flustered when he smiled at her. Why, she wasn't sure. Perhaps she was just afraid that he might find a reason to look down on her, but so far he had been patient and welcoming, and he didn't seem at all irritated to be giving her a lesson. He seemed passionate about it, and perhaps in his own way eager to share his knowledge. As he suggested she return in the Spring to see the plants in bloom, she nodded again. It was a good idea, she loved to see things with her own eyes, and it would give her a good excuse to go exploring on her own again. "I'd love to see them next season," she said, tail waving thoughtfully as she followed his gaze along the edge of the water. Then he thanked her for offering to assist him, and the small smile she held grew just a little. "Y-you're welcome," she replied softly, "Really, I don't mind."

Actually, it was kind of fun. She hadn't really spent a lot of time with other wolves her age, nor had she spent any time learning in this way. She'd been sick for a long time while growing up, and after that, she mostly spent time on her own or with her parents. It was nice to do something different for once, and she was glad she'd gotten this chance to explore far beyond her own pack. Besides enjoying herself, she'd actually go home knowing much more than when she'd left. She'd even managed to make an acquaintance, and she surely wouldn't mind meeting Paladin again after this.

Sterling followed the boy, pausing when he did and following his gaze silently, trailing after him again as he moved toward a bend in the lake's shore. She padded over to his side so that she could see the roots he'd spotted, and then dipped her paws into the cold water just as he was. The frigid temperature forced a startled squeak past her jaws as she drew up a forepaw towards her chest and a shiver ran through her bones. However, despite her reaction, she wasn't going to chicken out and leave when she'd said she would help him. She placed the forepaw back into the water and stood her ground, planting her nails into the mud, following his lead and focusing on his technique. She copied him to the best of her ability, although it was difficult to tell as the mud began to churn and she lost sight of his paws.

When she finally pulled up a root, it wasn't in as great of shape as the roots Paladin had carefully dug up, but it wasn't ruined, either. She placed it onto the hide he'd left open just away from the water.
Then she looked back to him, and he asked her if there were other plants she'd like to learn about.
She tilted her head, emerald gaze casting to the water and other roots waiting to be dug up, then to Paladin once more. She wasn't sure what sort of plants she would be interested in learning about.
"This was pretty interesting," she began, tail flicking to and fro, "I think I would like to learn more... but I wouldn't be sure where to start. You seem to know a lot. What did you start with?" She wondered where a healer began in their training, and if the specialized training he'd received from the Nomads was different than the healers of other packs. She hoped he would tell her - after all, she wouldn't mind having an excuse to stick around for a bit.