Caedes approached Aurelia's den with purpose, his steps deliberate as he navigated through the increasingly familiar territory of the Polar Sound. In his possession, he carried a small bundle wrapped in a bit of damp cloth, the contents carefully secured within. As he drew nearer to Aurelia's healer den, the comforting scent of medicinal herbs mingled with the crisp northern air, guided him to his destination.

Upon reaching the entrance to the den, Caedes paused for a moment, taking in the scent of the entryway to ensure his cousin was not present. It wouldn’t do if Sephiran thought anything was amiss here. Not with his favorite pet. Though Caedes would not be one to stand accused, nor be cowed from doing what he likes – if it was within reason. The soft glow of candlelight spilled from within, casting warm shadows against the frost-covered ground. With an indifferent expression, he again thudded his tail softly against the wall, announcing himself. He had an offering for her, a gift.

"speaking"

The flickering glow of candlelight danced across the walls of Aurelia's healer den, casting shadows that swayed in rhythmic patterns. The air was thick with the scent of medicinal herbs, their potent aroma mingling with the crisp freshness of the Polar Sound. Aurelia sat at her worktable, surrounded by jars of dried herbs, vials of tinctures, and various other tools of her trade. Incense burned thick in the air, filling the space with its fragrant smoke and adding to the tranquil ambiance of the den.

As she worked, meticulously measuring out ingredients and blending them together, Aurelia's mind was focused and calm. The task at hand required her full attention, and she welcomed the opportunity to lose herself in the soothing rhythm of her work. Despite the chill in the air outside, the den was warm and inviting, a sanctuary of her own personal design in the midst of the chilly landscape.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps outside caught Aurelia's attention. With a furrowed brow, she glanced towards the entrance, wondering who could be approaching her. The thud of a familiar tail against the wall confirmed her suspicions - it was Caedes. A Saxe nothing quite like the others. With a soft sigh, Aurelia set aside her work and rose to her paws as she was greeted by the sight of Caedes standing there, a small bundle in his possession. Despite her intrigue at his presence, she offered him a light grin, her eyes curious. "Caedes," she offered a simple greeting, her voice gentle, but even all the same. “Can I help you with something?”

"Aurelia Veratti"

Caedes stepped into the warm confines of Aurelia's den, the familiar scent of medicinal herbs washing over him like a comforting embrace. He made a mental note that perhaps his own den could use some more personal touches… but that wasn’t something he had ever really done before.

As Aurelia set aside her work and rose to greet him, Caedes offered her a nod of acknowledgment, his expression calm and composed. "Aurelia," The dire brute greeted, his voice a low rumble. "A gift," He continued, extending the small bundle towards her, placing it down gently and pushing it towards her. "It's nothing extravagant, just a thanks for your lesson. I have been working on practical uses for weapons dipped in sedatives since then." His words were measured, revealing his intentions with cold factual words, but there was a warmth enough in his gaze to show his sincerity as he watched her reaction. The bundle itself was composed of a few different toxic herbs, all rarer to find than others.

"speaking"

Aurelia's gaze shifted from Caedes' face to the bundle he had pushed towards her. A sense of anticipation filled her as she leaned forward, her keen gaze studying the generous offering before her. With delicate care, she lifted a paw and gently unwrapped the cloth, revealing an assortment of toxic herbs. As her breath caught in recognition, she couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement - each one of these plants were rare and potent, highly sought after by those who knew them for their uses. She cast a grateful glance towards him, her eyes shimmering in the soft light. "Caedes," she started, her voice warm but still holding firm. "This is more than just a humble gift. These are all so hard to find." Her remark held genuine appreciation, as she leaned away, recovering the bundle with care.

As she realigned her attention, his later statement registered. “You’ll have to let me know how successful your application is.” She would have never attempted using a sedative in conjuncture with a weapon. It honestly left her questioning how effective it would be in that specific context.

"Aurelia Veratti"

Caedes observed Aurelia's reaction with a sense of satisfaction, his stoic expression softening imperceptibly as she carefully unwrapped the bundle he had presented to her. He noted the anticipation in her gaze, the subtle shift in her demeanor as she examined the herbs before her. It seemed he had chosen well in his gift. Her words of gratitude brought a faint curve to his lips, a rare ghost of warmth in his otherwise impassive countenance. “No thanks are needed. This was meant to be my own thanks, remember?” He replied, his voice a deep rumble that bounced around in the cozy confines of her den.

As she recovered the bundle with care, Caedes inclined his head in acknowledgment of her not-quite-request. “I will.” He assured her, his tone matter-of-factly. “I intend to test it thoroughly. So far, it seems that the effectiveness of the sedative-coated weapon depends on the depth and length of the wound inflicted, taking into account the target's weight. The crucial aspect seems to lie in doing this dynamically — in the heat of the moment, while also considering the differing rates of sedation onset within various body parts.” The scarred brute regarded her head-on, his emeralds gleaming with an obsessive edge. A product of his interest in the topic. “The closer the injury is to the heart, the quicker the sedation takes effect. I believe a weapons master would excel in mastering this technique over time. It certainly requires considerable practice, if nothing else.” The prospect of the experiment yielding favorable results would be quite the reward for him too.

"speaking"