The life of a loner wasn't an easy one. Ronan knew it, had been wandering long enough to have the fact sink into his bones, but it seemed like the world was intent on reminding him of that truth. As if he'd ever forgotten. He wanted to be stoic and unfeeling, it'd make his life a whole lot easier, to be honest- but dios mio.

He'd found the mangled remains of some dog, skinny from winter, ripped open with her insides all strewn out. The culprit hadn't gone far, returned just in time to catch Ronan in the process of trying to bury...whoever she had been, once. Felt like he had to make the grave deep so coyotes and vultures wouldn't get to her, let her have some peace. But he'd been distracted, emotional, and the tiger had taken full advantage of that. Ronan barely even had time to respond, he was damn lucky the cat hadn't ripped his wing off. But it was close, felt close, with all the bleeding.

He exhaled sharply, had thought cleaning the wound with salt water might help it heal faster- but it hurt. The water stained red, making his nose wrinkle at the sight, he really had no idea what he was doing- for all he knew he was just making it worse.

Ellara moved through the cypress trees with a grace that belied the wild beauty of the Sea's Plain. The briny air filled her lungs, each breath a reminder of the sea's ever-present embrace. The cypress roots tangled with the sand, creating a delicate dance of life at the edge of the tides. Low tide was her favorite, revealing the hidden treasures and snacks washed up from the depths.

Today, however, her focus was not on the bounty of the sea but on the wounded figure before her. Ronan, his form towering and powerful, stood with wings dark and ominous, marred by blood. The red water lapped at his ankles, mingling with the seafoam in a grotesque ballet.

Ellara's heart ached at the sight. Her soft, warm presence was a stark contrast to the violence etched into Ronan's body. Her pink eyes, vivid against her latte-pink and coffee-brown fur, locked onto the wound with an intensity that spoke of her healer's instinct.

She approached him with deliberate slowness, each step measured to avoid startling him. "Hello?" Her voice was gentle, carrying the melody of the sea breeze, "you must let me help."

Crouching by his side, she inspected the wound, if he would allow her, with the practiced eye of a healer. The salt water had cleaned it, but the edges were ragged, and the bleeding persistent. She knew the sea's touch could be both healing and harmful. Her delicate paws began to trace the wound, and she could already feel the heat of infection starting to set in.

[ 1/3 Healed a wound or ailment, or prescribed a treatment ]

Ellara "Ella" Praetor

CODE BY SIN

Ronan's ears flitted back as a sharp jolt of frustration ripped right through him, because he'd been snuck up on again. With the way things were, the life he'd led, her offer to help-more like insistence-was naturally met with suspicion and an urge to tell her to stuff it. She was a sweet thing, colours all soft and muted, nothing sharp about her and yet she was just so intent on helping. Didn't ask, no fluttering eyelashes or attempts to butter him up- just stated it like a fact: she'd help him whether he liked it or not.

His muzzle wrinkled as she approached, but he did not snap even if the urge was there, he simply watched her- only flinching when her paw traced the wound, where the connection tissue between his wing and leg had been torn. A wave rolled in, flecks of water reached his shoulder as he stood there, a tiredness to his posture he usually at least attempted to hide.

"What will it cost me?" Because even if she was kind, he knew nothing in this world was for free. Nothing worth having at least.

Ellara's gentle gaze met Ronan's suspicious eyes, and a soft smile played on her lips, warm like the sun breaking through morning fog. The sea's whispering breeze ruffled her latte-pink and coffee-brown fur, blending her presence seamlessly with the natural beauty of the Sea's Plain. The cypress trees seemed to lean in, their gnarled branches creating a cocoon around them.

Ronan's question hung in the air, a challenge laced with the bitterness of experience. Ellara's eyes sparkled with a playful glint, her pink eyes vivid against her gentle hues. "What will it cost you?" she mused aloud, her voice a melody woven from the sea's song and the rustling leaves. "Perhaps your name, or a promise to savor the next sunrise with a lighter heart."

She moved with purpose, her paws carrying her gracefully over the sand as she searched for the necessary herbs. The beach at low tide revealed a bounty of treasures, and Ellara's practiced eyes quickly spotted what she needed. Sea lavender for its antiseptic properties, bladderwrack to reduce inflammation, and a touch of kelp to soothe the wound. She gathered the herbs, her movements fluid and sure, a dance of care and precision.

As she returned to Ronan's side, she began to chew the leaves, mixing them with a bit of seawater to create a poultice. Her eyes flicked up to meet his as she worked, her gaze steady and reassuring. "But truly," she continued, her tone softening to a whisper, "I ask for nothing in return."

Ellara leaned in closer, her breath warm against his fur as she applied the poultice. "The joy of helping another, of easing their pain, is enough for me," she said, her voice like the gentle lapping of waves against the shore. Her touch was feather-light as she spread the poultice over the torn tissue between his wing and leg. The mixture of herbs and seawater worked together, their combined properties designed to cleanse, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. Ellara wrapped the wound with soft seaweed, securing the poultice in place with practiced ease.

"Forgive my manners," she said with a gentle smile. "I am Ellara Praetor, a healer by nature and calling. It's in my heart to help, and today, that means helping you."

[ 2/3 Healed a wound or ailment, or prescribed a treatment ]

Ellara "Ella" Praetor

CODE BY SIN

His name? He could do that, but the whole sunrise thing with a lighter heart made him scoff, blatant and quite rude too. Her optimism was painful, stung more than her touch as she examined the wound, only to draw away in search of whatever herbs she'd decided she needed. Watching her from the corner of his eye, she returned to insist she didn't really need anything- that this was an act of kindness and nothing more. It made him bitter- he didn't want to be, but he knew this attitude of hers would get her hurt one day, that she'd let the wrong wolf in and...He gritted his teeth, shoulders hunching, shoulder blade extended, his posture almost feline.

He looked away to the ocean as he worked, knowing the softness in her expression would just rub him entirely the wrong way. Ronan didn't enjoy being mean, he took no pleasure in hurting others, wouldn't stand by and just let it happen either. Whatever she was smearing against his leg stung and he found himself baring his teeth, lips curling as he growled, but made a pointed effort to settle, his ear flicking dismissively.


"Ronan. You should be more careful Ellara. Lot of sick fucks in these parts."

Ellara's smile remained warm and unyielding despite Ronan's bitterness and harsh words. Her touch continued its gentle work, ensuring the poultice was firmly in place, her eyes meeting his only briefly, respecting his need for space.

"Thank you, Ronan," she said softly, her voice a soothing balm against the sharpness of his tone. Her eyes flickered with an inner strength, a resolve that went beyond mere optimism. "It's not about ignoring the dangers, but facing them with heart."

She stood back slightly, giving him room to breathe, her gaze now focused on the horizon where the sea met the sky. She glanced back at him, her expression earnest and unwavering. "And as for the sick individuals you mentioned, I've learned to navigate their shadows with care. Helping others, even in the smallest ways, is even enough to defeat their shadows sometimes. I won't ask you to change your perspective, Ronan. But know that my kindness isn't a weakness—it's my strength because it allows me to connect with others. Suspicion only brings isolation." She laughed lightly and quietly, looking up to him with her pink gaze.

"All done." She declared, taking another step away from him to give him more room to inspect her work if he so desired. "You should clean the wound with fresh water twice a day, and if you can find sea lavender or bladderwrack, chew them into a poultice and apply it to the wound. Rest as much as you can, and avoid any strenuous activities until it heals. Do you have a healer with you, wherever you call home? This is a serious wound."

[ 3/3 Healed a wound or ailment, or prescribed a treatment ]

Ellara "Ella" Praetor

CODE BY SIN