Summer has returned to the lands of Auster and, with the markedly warmer weather comes the approach of the Hallows bonfire festival. Fern busies herself laying out a large pelt on the grass under one of the wisteria trees in a secluded section of the castle’s gardens while she thinks back to this time one year before. She and Rudyard were just beginning to explore their relationship on a deeper level and, after she had spent so much time alone, the gray woman had finally found her home. A warm smile is on her lips as she carefully lays out several different herbs, a stack of small squares of cloth, and several thin leather strips.

Once everything is arranged, Fern tips her head back and sings a loving call for her shy daughter, Meadow. Meadow is the quietest and most sensitive of her all her children and that is why the gray woman has chosen this spot, away from the bustle of the castle activity, to work on crafting something special for the bonfire. Meadow has shown an interest in the healing arts and, ever on the lookout for an opportunity to cultivate her children’s’ interests, she had approached Gwyn in search of some herbs.

With her call finished, the woman lowers her head, scanning over the items once more as she remembers the names of the herbs and what they do while she waits for her daughter to appear.


"Fern Carpathius"

Meadow had tucked herself away in the library once more, exploring the books and playing in the dusty corners. Over and over again, she'd re-arrange them to her liking. Each time different, each with a different system. No one seemed to notice, or seemed to mind, and for that she was grateful. There was so much hustle in the castle, and there could be so much noise. At least here it was cool and quiet, and she liked the sound that her paws made against the rough hewn floors. They were less traveled, and lacked the same worn-smooth nature of many of the other halls. Her refuge, her sanctuary. And then there was the call. It was her mother, calling out from somewhere outdoors. Carefully, the girl removed herself from the books, and padded in Fern's direction. Out one of the side doors of the castle, and to the source, her steps careful over the lush grounds. Reminding herself to look natural, look happy, an approximation of a smile spread on her face. It was a soft sort of look, at least. Her gaze was drawn by the spread of herbs, carefully looking them over, assessing. What did she have planned? Whatever it was, the child had already taken to investigating the materials at hand.

Fern calls for her sweet, quiet child, hoping to give Meadow some one on one time while also showing her some things with herbs. The pup arrives with a smile that does not seem quite right which she gives to her mother and the woman gives a gentle chuckle as Meadow is immediately drawn to the herbs. Softly, careful to keep her tones light and even, she says, “Hello Meadow. Want to help me make some herbal satchels to hand out at the bonfire festival?” Her blue eyes try to look over her daughter, making sure that she is physically okay when she can steal some glances without the pup noticing.

Meadow is special and Fern loves her daughter with all her heart but she also worries incessantly about her. It has become apparent that the girl prefers books over wolves and being alone instead of in crowds. Some wolves may try to whip that out of a child but the gray woman chooses to embrace it and work to make her daughter more comfortable. Gently, lovingly, Fern calls Meadow’s attention to her as she says, “My sweet girl. You never have to smile at me if you do not feel it. I love you so much and I know that you love me. You do not have to smile for me to know that.” A tender, heartfelt smile is on her lips as she tries to make her daughter comfortable.


"Fern Carpathius"

Meadow moves to join her mother, hovering close to her side. All of the herbs spread before them looked lovely. She lowered her muzzle to them, sniffing each in an attempt to identify what each was. Her forehead drew crinkled as she thought each through. Some sachets for the festival... right, the festival. Looking up at Fern she nodded once. That would be alright. They could make them together. Fern's reassurance garnered a gentle sigh of relief from the child. She pressed her forehead into the soft spot where Fern's leg and chest met, a grateful sort of thing. Meadow was a bit more at ease as she investigated the herbs laid out, taking particular interest in each. The bonfire festival loomed in the back of her mind uncomfortably, unsure why exactly she had to go in the first place. Well, one thing at a time. There were herbs to be had. "Speech"

Fern softly chuckles as Meadow joins her, hovering near her side while looking at the assembled herbs. As she speaks, her daughter looks up at her to nod her understanding at the prospect of making herbal satchels. A gentle sigh escapes her daughter and she tenderly wraps her leg around her quiet daughter when the girl presses her head into her chest. Softly, she hums a sound of joy, of her happiness at having Meadow, and of all the deep feelings she has for her daughter. Once the girl backs away, Fern, keeping her tone soft and gentle, lays out the plan, “Okay, we are going to take one of the small squares of cloth to begin.”

Pulling a square of cloth toward her, Fern then reaches for a pile of lavender petals, grapping one between her toes. Lifting it up for her daughter to see, she says, “This is lavender. The scent is very calming. Personally, I love lavender.” A smile is on her lips as she lifts the petal to her nose, inhaling the scent that lingers on it. Giving a soft sigh, Fern then offers the petal for Meadow to smell and, when the girl leans in, the gray woman attempts to tickle her nose with it. A warm smile is on her lips as she withdraws the tickling petal, saying, “Put a few of these in the middle of the cloth. Like this.”

Placing the one petal in the middle, Fern quickly adds a few more to the mix. Watching her daughter, Fern nods in approval before moving on to the next step, “This is chamomile. Also, a calming herb. Many healers like to make tea with the petals.” She lifts a small, white flower, offering it up for Meadow to smell before placing it in her cloth while saying, “We only need one or two in each satchel.” Again, she watches her daughter, offering encouragement while she works. Once they both have chamomile in their clothes, the gray woman then grabs a larger, purplish flower, offering it to her daughter as she says, “This is echinacea. It can be eaten but we just want it for its lovely scent today.”

A soft chuckle spills past her lips as, once Meadow smells it, Fern then adds it to her satchel. Once it is placed on the cloth, she then gathers the corners of the cloth, shifting them inward while twisting it until the cloth forms a small, round herbal satchel. As she works, she explains the mechanics to her daughter before grabbing a strip of thin leather and tying off the pack. Once it is complete, the woman lays it to the side and looks at her daughter, asking, “So, what do you think? Ready to make more of them?” Eyes sparkle with happiness as she waits for her daughter’s answer before grabbing another square of cloth to begin the process all over again.


"Fern Carpathius"

Meadow leans in to sniff the flower deeply, giggling as her mother tickles at her nose. She reaches up to lick the woman's cheek, a soft show of silliness from the small girl. If lavender was mom's favorite, then maybe it would be her favorite too. It seemed to have a nice, calming sort of smell. Very nice, actually. Meadow reached to put a few petals on top of the ones that Fern had just laid down, before adding them to her own square of cloth as well. How lovely. The little white flower smelled nicely as well, though she wasn't quite as fond of it as she was the lavender. Meadow nodded, placing one gently amongst the lavender petals. It could be eaten, though it smelled just as floral as all the rest. She tilted her head softly to one side, then the other as she considered. Why were some of them edible and some of them not? And if they were for making tea, could they be eaten outright too? Hm. There was so much to consider, and the child did as she bundled each sachet together. After the first is done, Fern asks if she's ready. Meadow gave a thoughtful nod, still struggling with the very mechanics of tying the little bundle together. It was a lot to manage for small, clumsy paws, but she was doing her best. That, and the lovely smell of the herbs was good company.