be the air we breathe

Ara felt drawn to this stranger, though she hardly knew a thing about her. The two of them seemed to share at least two things in common -- they both were interested in herbs, and they both seemed rather quiet and reserved. Ara was so different than her siblings, who seemed so outgoing and sociable. Instead, this girl was quite withdrawn, though she was very polite and well-spoken. Still, her face was alight with wonder; when she was very little she had met one of her mother's friends, and her children, who were also from Ludicael. But it had been a mere playdate, one that had never occurred again.

She almost felt something akin to relief when Callisto admitted she was not a healer. It wasn't that it would be embarrassing to be have her younger acquaintance demonstrate that her knowledge and skills were superior, but she simply was glad that Callisto seemed to be on an equal plane as herself. "Me too," she replied with a bashful smile.

Her head would tilt as she listened to the girl share her own knowledge. "I have seen mint, but not sage. What is it used for?" How bright her gaze was, brimming with the desire for more information, but knowing it was a bit overbearing to request too much too quickly. "And have you found any around here?" It was difficult at times to not stop herself from gathering everything that looked useful, but she knew some plants were dangerous and others were even lethal; going around trying them all herself would be stupid.