She was about to turn a year old. The itch to go out and see the world beyond the maze was growing with each day. Farther and farther, Rheum would travel without her uncle or siblings to see different areas of Auster. Knowing every corner and crevice of the maze was just not enough for her anymore! There were so many other different terrains to experience that she finally set off. Away from the maze and the bay, away from her family and pack mates, to see the big wide world around her. Rheum had promised her parents that she would stick around Auster for a while in case she was in need of help before making her way to Boreas. She would bring back different plants and herbs to her mother for inspection to help grow her knowledge of healing.

This time, the plum and magenta girl would set off north toward the Bifrost. Passing through several different types of forests from dragon's blood to cedar to oak and now as she looked up to the canopy, maple. Large leaves spread out, casting a magical filter of light onto the worn grassy path beneath her paws. While the pungent scent of the Hallows infiltrated her nostrils, she couldn't resist exploring the grove. For some reason or another, this area surrounding the castle had been cast into a bubble of autumn; which had already passed for Auster. Even as she glanced around, she could see the remnants of snow that had only been there days prior. All of it was fascinating as her lips parted slightly letting out a quiet sound of awe. How did anyone not want to spend forever here?

Would it eventually pass? Rheum thought to herself as she continued down a path toward the center of the grove. Once she was used to the smell of the Hallows wolves, her nose would twitch and tingle at the perfumey scent of herbs and the sweet twinge of ripe berries. Her bright yellow gaze would pass around and as she looked, she noticed there was more than just blackberries here. Blueberries, elderberries, salmonberries, raspberries, so many for her to recognize. As she continued to assess with her nose lowering closer to the surrounding shrubs, she noticed wood anemone, trout lily, wild geranium, aster, ferns of all different types, and even some wild ginger. Of course, there was plenty more, but it was nearly overwhelming for her. How was she going to catalog all of this to report back to her mum with this much in abundance?

Maybe she would pick just one. But which one? Standing in the middle of the grove, her chin slightly turned downward, her ears flickered back and forth. She watched the surrounding woodland thrive in front of her eyes. Squirrels, rabbits, ferrets, and foxes scattered from bush to tree limb. Dashing in and out of holes and burrows, she even spied a few frogs and butterflies flitting and jumping. Growing still, she tried to be as quiet as possible so the nature that enveloped her wouldn't notice her presence. It was as if they knew she meant no harm. It was too bad that she wanted to explore the world and see what was out there or she might have contemplated requesting to stay within the Hallows for a bit of time so she could do some research.

Minutes passed as she watched the scenery around her before deciding to go find that one plant she would take back for a quick trip home. Taking a slow pace down the path that wound her deeper into the grove, it was not long until she noticed a rather abundant plant that she didn't quite recognize. Her brow knitted together as she approached the vibrant green plant with big leaves. Inspecting it, Rheum noticed it kind of looked that one plant she and Fuji had brought home that had gotten them into trouble... Taking a deep sniff of it, Rheum recognized the scent as mintier than the skunky stench of Cannabis. Why had her mum not introduced her to this one before?

Getting closer, Rheum stuck her tongue out to lick one of the leaves. It was fuzzy to the touch and very minty! Making a squinting face as she lurched backward, she gave her head a shake. "Well, that wasn't my best idea," she mumbled to herself before taking another whiff. Looking at it, she noticed the stem had bushy little growths on it that were slightly purple in color. Were these its flower? Lilting her head to the side as she took a better look at the plant, quite enjoying the scent and calming effect it seemed to have. "I wonder what it's called," Rheum whispered, her lips pursing for a moment. As a minute or so passed and there were no adverse reactions to her licking the leaf, the young girl reached out gingerly with her teeth to break off a good-sized bushel. Ensuring the piece she grabbed had plenty of leaves and flower buds on it, she stepped back and placed it delicately in the pouch hanging off her shoulder.

"Time to get this back to mum," her smile grew as she started back down the path toward the southern borders of the grove.

/Exit Rheum unless stopped

first solo herb-collecting & exploration under 1 year

Wide, pale blue eyes watch with quiet interest as the plum and red pup wanders through the berry grove. Andy stays down wind, stealthily tracking the trespasser with silent intrigue. She doesn’t seem to mean any harm so the Fatalis pup allows them to explore while keeping a close eye on them to make sure that nothing bad happens. The purple pup watches as they lick a leaf and a smile appears at the face they make, a paw moving to the purple girl’s mouth to stifle the giggle that bubbles up.

Andy becomes their shadow, moving with them while staying hidden in the shadows and underbrush. Head tilts as the unknown girl talks to herself, curious at what the plant she found is called too. The wolf grabs a bushel of the plant and turns to leave and the hiding purple pup’s heart thunders in her chest. She is going to walk right by where the sneaky girl is hiding. Sucking in a breath, Andromeda makes a, perhaps unwise, decision and steps out into the light.

Pale blue eyes look up to the older girl and she softly says, “Whatca doing?” There is no anger or accusations in her tone, just the curiosity of one pup trying to understand what another pup is doing. High above the pair, Marshall, her father’s winged companion, circles back to the castle to tell the adults what the crazy purple pup is doing. On the forest floor, Andy swallows in a suddenly thick throat and tries to offer a warm smile but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

Caught up in her own thoughts about how proud mum was going to be, Rheum was oblivious to the very sneaky girl hiding in the brush. An adult probably would have noticed the rustle of leaves attempting to hold as still as possible. Still quite naive, Rheum hadn't thought much of her trespassing on another pack's lands. She really had only wanted to experience and explore this magical autumn surrounding the grove. It was much different here than near her own homelands. Did they know how unfair it was?

Believing she would make her way out of the grove without interruption, the plum and fuschia girl was surprised when the younger purple pup stepped out from behind the bush. A gasp escapes her lips as her mouth opens and drops the motherwort to the ground. Both ears flick back as her yellow eyes look over the pup. Wasn't she a tad young to be out here alone? Rheum's brow furrows slightly as she frowns. Quite thankful it wasn't an angry adult, Rheum tries to smile.

"I was jus' lookin' for some herbs," Rheum replies in her own soft vocals. "Y'see, where I live, we don' have all this cool stuff," she lifts a paw to gesture the expanse of the magical autumn bubble. What she did notice was that while this girl did smell sort of like the Hallows, she didn't have a full Hallows pack scent either. Confused, Rheum let her head tilt gently to the side. "What're you doin'?" She asks, more curiously than accusing.

R H E U M

Andy feels heat rushing to her cheeks as the plum and fuchsia pup lets out a gasp at her sudden appearance. Ears flatten against her skull in embarrassment and a sheepish, apologetic look settles over her young features. The stranger drops the herbs in her mouth and the purple girl takes a small step forward, ready to offer the pup help, if she needs it. This unknown pup is nice and a soft smile appears as Andromeda listens to the girl’s words. A gentle chuckle bubbles out as the question is turned back to her and the sneaky pup shuffles her paws.

Pale blue eyes look around them as Andy once again speaks, her tones still soft as she says, “I’m exploring. See, I’m visiting with my family.” Looking back to the girl, the purple pup offers a small shrug and lopsided grin as she says, “I’m Andy. Say… if you don’t have all these cool plants then why don’t you want to take more than that?” Lavender paw juts out to gesture at the meager amount the other girl had plucked, curious as to why the stranger hasn’t gathered more if they don’t have them. Head tilts slightly as she offers a questioning look, a warm smile still on her lips as she talks to the older pup.


"Andromeda Fatalis"