Secret Woodlands I didn't ask for this

Aideen Smoke

The young healer was happy to see her patient respond favorably to the idea of medicine, she would like to give the huntress something to sooth both her cough and the other symptoms. She seemed however less approving of the proposal of eating something, though Aideen could hear her stomach rumble. Her refusal made the smaller girl's eyes narrow; Why not..? Iopah gave an explanation, bringing attention to her earlier mishap; Oh... Aideen shrank under the older woman's strict gaze, her own ears falling back; "Ah, I see..."

There was a moment of tense silence, the slender lass looking awkwardly at the ground. Then she looked back up, eyes once more narrowed in thought; "Hm..." She understood why Iopah wouldn't dare eating, put she was hesitant to administer any herbs on an empty stomach. After a moment she spoke, ears once more pointing cautiously forwards; "Drink then..?" She suggested, there were several puddles close by from the last rain, and water would be better than nothing; "If you could drink, just a bit, I'll go get the herbs?" It wasn't far to the biggest store, and she knew that they had several useful herbs there.

Nodding to herself, she got up, too caught up in her plans of treatment to wait for Iopah's agreement to her deal. Trotting of into the woods, she followed the scent markings to find the cash, still turning over options in her head; she had several herbs in mind, and she knew there was both Skunkbush and Yellow Rattle in the stores. Quickly picking out the plants she hurried to cover up the store and head back; Maybe if I could find some Wild Ginger... The plant was rather common around the ticket, and she had barely decided on picking some up before she found a cluster. Smiling excitedly, she quickly dug up some root and brought it back along with the other plants. She hoped her patient had elected to drink some while she was gone.

Word Count: 332

Dawnthieves.de, Kiwiaa-Stock @ DA & ShawnaMac @ DA

Iopah could see the thought process as Aideen interpreted her pantomime. As Aideen looked from the cold pile to the ground, Iopah watched the movements closely, curving an ear to listen as well. She leaned back with a muffled sigh when she was sure Aideen understood her refusal. Aideen looked back up and Iopah could see a decision forming and she tilted her head in an unabashed attempt to weasel it out of her. The suggestion was ever so hopeful, and Iopah was glad to be able to agree to this, at least. She had been drinking on and off, venturing out whenever she thought her throat and chest would be able to manage it. Even if water came back up, it was no loss. She had not objections, and had started to nod in answer when the healer started to hurry away, to collect herbs presumably. Iopah gave her disappearing form a puzzled look.

She too turned from her den. Briefly she considered trying to go to the spring just over a mile. The water was certainly clearer than the puddles she'd been drinking from. It was too far, though, and she reluctantly trudged to the closest water source. Maybe whatever plants Aideen brought back could wash the taste of the forest floor out of her mouth. She didn't spend long there before turning back, and slowing making her way back to her den.

She was exhausted now, in the past few days she'd slept very little, and without Aideen here keep her attention, her lids began drifting shut. Sluggishly she licked the last bit of water from her muzzle and closed her eyes to wait for the healer to return.
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Yay! This is the 10th reply, so we can wrap up where ever it 'looks' right.

Ooc: Weeeeh :D I was hoping we could get it up to 15 posts so Aideen can get LP for practicing the pack role of healing, but we'll see how it goes ^^ ?

Aideen Smoke

She returned to the clearing, medicine tightly clutched between her teeth. At first glance, Iopah didn't seem to have moved, but a tracker's keen eye could see that the grass was newly disturbed, and as the smaller wolfess moved closer, she smelled water mixed in with the huntress' scent; Good, she drank. Aideen might not be a hunter - should she ever find herself competing with the pale woman, she would surly fall short - but she had enough training to see this, and it pleased her, a tiny smile curling the corners of her mouth.

Slowing down as she walked up to the older wolf, the orange girl noticed her closed eyes, and glanced at the sky; How long has she been up now..? Sicknesses always ate away at your energy, and often rest was the best treatment. Aideen stopped in front of Iopah, this time at a proper, polite distance and put down the herbs, then glanced up at the other dame, voice low as she said: "I see you had a drink." Her appreciation clear in the soft warmth of her words. She looked the plants over once more, then lifted her head and glanced back in direction of the deer, which still lay untouched between the trees. Her stomach rumbled lowly.

When she looked back to her patient, her brows were wrinkled. She looked down at the plants by her feet, pondered for a second, mouth puckered in thought, then pushed forwards a small brown shall that rattled lightly as it rolled through the grass; the seed pot of a Yellow Rattle plant. "Eat some of the seeds in this, it will help your cough." Her voice was more businesslike now, though still warm, and she send Iopah a small smile, but her forehead was still wrinkled in concern. Her paw went back to the pile of medicaments before her, resting on the piece of Skunkbush bark, but she was hesitant. After a little while she looked back up at the sand colored lady, gaze suddenly strict; "I Would like to give you something more, to help you sleep easier and get better quickly..." She began, voice first tentative, but growing firmer as she continued; "But I won't medicate you more on an empty stomach." Her copper eyes were piercing when they sought to meet the other's shortly. She shifted her paw to the newly dug up ginger; "If you would chew a bit of this," She pushed the root forwards, almost, challengingly; "It could help keep the food in you..?" Her voice landed somewhere between pleading and commanding as she ended, looking at Iopah questioningly.

If it had been solely up to herself, Aideen would've dragged the other wolf over to the deer carcass and forced her to eat; she understood Iopah's concerns, but where the hunter's mind was focused on nothing going to waste, the young healer was more concerned about the health of her patient, and she would gladly sacrifice some food in exchange for the amount of nutrients Iopah's body could get out of it before it, possibly, came back up. But the light pelted woman was not a pup, and Aideen couldn't force her to do anything; 'Compromising and coaxing is an essential part of healing' She quoted one of her lessons to herself. All she could do was make a strong suggestion, and leave it up to Iopah to decide whether to follow it or not.

Word Count: 576

Dawnthieves.de, Kiwiaa-Stock @ DA & ShawnaMac @ DA

Sure, we can stretch it out. I had to do this little ginger scene with Io. Too funny.
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Her eyes were still closed when Aideen returned. "I see you had a drink." Iopah's ears twitched. They flicked about independently of her resting body, as if they were the only part of her to detect Aideen's return. They focused in the direction of her soft approach and Iopah's eyes finally opened. Curiously, warily, she regarded the plants then looked up to Aideen. Silently she watched the healer glance from the plants, to the forest, to her, and then back to the plants, trying to follow her train of thought. She could only guess as to what decision Aideen was making.

She looked down at the proffered bit of plant, listening to the instructions. After a second of consideration -How do you get the seeds out?- she brought her pale foot down on it to break it open and then delicately lipped them up one by one. As she did this her gaze kept lifting to Aideen. She had seen the hesitation and couldn't help but notice the remaining plants at her feet. The healer had another request.

And there was a catch to this one: She was expected to eat. She growled softly at the suggestion, not at Aideen- not any longer- and jerked her gaze to the forest where Aideen had glanced earlier. Presumably the meal lay in that direction. For a long moment she considered refusing. Her posture nearly stated her refusal, but, as she fumed in the direction of the forest, her left ear curved back to the healer. She understands what she is asking for. I have to trust her. But Iopah didn't like the plan and showed her displeasure by her brief glances and narrowed eyes. She felt like she had been tricked.

She turned her attention to the ginger root. A plant fragment even more unassuming than the tasteless rattle plant seed had been. Resignedly she crunched it between her teeth. The pungent ginger was nothing like the seeds earlier, and she immediately spat the fiery root onto the ground before giving Aideen a dirty look. She spent a second with her burning tongue hanging out then unexpectedly picked it up with her teeth and immediately swallowed it without further chewing. She pushed herself to her feet, ready to clear the taste of ginger from her mouth. With a trace of uncertainty she moved in the direction of the carcass. It was unnerving to not be able to smell it. If it wasn't for Aideen she wasn't sure it would have been noticed at all. But there it was. She sniffed over it vainly then started to eat. Her stomach welcomed the food and she had to pace herself, remembering that she would likely see it again. Finished, she sat and looked at Aideen expectantly.

Ooc: This is WAY too late, I'm sorry :c - LOVED the ginger bit though, Aideen feels so bad xD

Aideen Smoke

It was clear that Iopah was less than pleased with the situation; Understandably... Her facial expression landed somewhere between exhaustion and aversion when she looked back at the orange girl, and Aideen tried to give an air of professional encouragement. As the pale woman crushed open the seed pod, bowing down to pick out the medicine, her every fiber echoing her wariness, the younger wolfess curled her tail over her paws, smiling lightly; a warm, encouraging expression; she hoped.

Then it came to the proposal, and seeing the glare in the huntress' golden eyes, Aideen felt sure she would refuse, in fact, she was already breathing in for another go at trying to convince the other, when their gazes met; the narrow-eyed glower effectively cutting off the young healer before she had even begun. Well, I guess that's it. I can't force her... The reddish girl sighed to herself, but then Iopah gave in, reaching for the lump of wild ginger. Stiff movements and continuous glares clearly communicated her opposition, but she did it, and Aideen couldn't keep the tip of her tail from wagging, though she managed to swallow a cheerful, approving comment; once again she had to remind herself that Iopah was not a pup, but a grown wolf, and above her in rank. But the training medic felt elated to see a patient comply, and her chest swelled.

The joy was short-lived though, as Iopah had barely started processing the root with her teeth before she spat it back unto the grass. A reprimanding scowl began growing on Aideen's face, but paled when met by the other's accusatory glare, leaving the fox-like female with a strange expression of raised, furrowed brows over slightly shameful eyes; I should have warned her about the ginger..! The strong taste could be quite a shock, its bitterness a far cry from the sweetness of blood; but Aideen had been so focused on coaxing her patient into taking the medicine, that she'd forgotten about the down side; I guess I hoped the cold would block it out...

They sat in silence then, while Iopah gasped and the healer wondered what to say, but soon the sick dame showed her dedication and picked the chomped ginger root back up, swallowing it dutifully. Aideen admired her for that, and when their eye met again, the reddish girl looked back with a sheepish expression, raising her shoulders apologetically; I'm sorry... Without further ado, the cream pelted woman lifted herself up, and Aideen quickly picked up her last remidy and hurried after her, walking beside her to lead her to the dead deer. She was halfway dancing over the forest floor, tail lifted to an almost vertical position behind her, ears perked, but she tried her hardest to keep down her elation, after all, Iopah's sickness was nothing to celebrate, even if the chance to use her knowledge in praxis was gratifying.

Aideen watched for awhile while her patient ate, her well-grown hunger evident as she tore at the meat; though she took care to pace herself. The smaller fae then allowed herself to tear a few pieces from the carcass as well, swallowing them down with great satisfaction; I had become rather hungry myself! She noted while licking blood from her cream-white muzzle. Meanwhile, Iopah had finished and was looking expectantly at her, clearly waiting for her next instructions. Aideen quickly finished her cleaning and picked up the sliver of tough bark she had brought with her; the skin of the Skunkbush. Walking over to the other lady, she carefully dropped the medicine before her paws and took a few steps back, clearing her throat lightly. She looked up at Iopah then, parting her jowls; "Now chew this..." She smiled shakily and bended on ear sideways, glancing awkwardly at her paws; "It's not as bitter as the ginger, I promise! ...Just, a bit dry." She gave another apologetic nod, hoping she could be forgiven for the mishap; "This should help the remaining symptoms..." She offered, explaining the bark. It would be the last of her remedies, and after that Iopah could be left alone to rest, and her body should be able to handle the illness on its own; She might only need some more to dull the cough, if even that... The tri-colored lass pondered, speculating on rather to go and get some more now, so Iopah would have it whenever needed.

Word Count: 737

Dawnthieves.de, Kiwiaa-Stock @ DA & ShawnaMac @ DA

no need to apologize... i'm the queen of late posts!
and it's pretty late here, but i think the next reply will make 15?
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The piece of skunkbush laid at her feet while Iopah gazed down unimpressed. She made no move to take it. Regarding it as something that needed dirt scraped over it instead of contact with her. Her ears flicked back, listening impassively to the instructions. They pressed down against her skull in displeasure at her next task. Something she needed to chew... again. Great. And this was something she couldn't just swallow down in one go like she had ended up doing with the ginger. The art of healing was just as mysterious as before, but there was no awe anymore.

Still ignoring the skunkbush she made to lift her head. Turning her gaze from the abhorent plant to the healer. She had no intention of touching her tongue to it without reassurance. Aideen must have predicted her trepidation for she was quick to inform her of it's lack of taste. A ginger perfumed breath of air was snorted in Aideen's direction. She wanted to hold her gaze. Express her irritation and draw out the apology from the younger woman. Most of all she didn't want to eat anymore plants. But she was too tired to do any of that. It took too much energy. Drawn by gravity and weighed by exhaustion her dropped down to the skunkbush. The temptation of the end was too much. A tentative sniff, much more cautious this time. There were no further herbs in reserved. Nothing to smell, eat, or chew. She could sleep then, after this one task. Fine.

Her mouth gently closed around the slice of bark. Teeth barely pressing against the brittle husk, her tongue darted out to test it. Dry and musky, Iopah's nose wrinkled and her teeth finished closing around it. She hesitated a moment, glancing at Aideen. There was no question Iopah was going back to her den. Would Aideen follow and monitor her... or... what? It was too much to consider, sleep was pulling her down again. As she turned and shuffled back her tail swayed to and fro behind. A tail wag from a normally reserved wolf. Aideen may have followed or not, Iopah didn't notice. Slipping her worn body into her den sleep immediately began to claim her.

Ooc: Yup, we should be there now! :D Thanks for the thread, it was much fun!!

Aideen Smoke

The reddish girl watched nervously as her patient regarded the bark piece with all signs of aversion, ears bended shamefully back. Iopah clearly didn't trust the plant, let alone the healer who had brought it. When she looked up, Aideen looked back with an utterly sheepish expression, ready to offer more apologies and assurances, but the cream colored wolfess didn't need them; or at least didn't have the energy to demand them. With a snort that filled Aideen's snout with the odor of her breath, Iopah lowered her head to pick up the Skunkbush piece, treating it as tentatively as if she feared it might explode between her teeth; Which she might... After the ginger incident she wouldn't have been surprised if the sick wolf had refused any more treatment.

So she was so happy her tail began wagging when Iopah bit down on the bark, slowly mashing it between her teeth. Aideen smiled softly, showing her appreciation. Then the huntress turned and started walking back to her den, tail swaying lightly; was it wagging or simply oscillating from the movement of her hips? The fox pelted fae chose to think the first, shaking her head lightly as her smile grew. Iopah could finally rest, sure to recover from her cold. Aideen stood slowly, looking as the pale wolf disappeared into her den to sleep, then turning to walk in the opposite direction.

"Sleep tight." The young healer murmured, deciding to go fetch some more Yellow Rattle and leave it outside the den-opening for whenever Iopah woke up, should she need it.

Word Count: 262

Dawnthieves.de, Kiwiaa-Stock @ DA & ShawnaMac @ DA