Antler Ring Renewed Hope

@Larkspur

There was still some winter left but lately Emrys had been getting anxious to go looking for the plants he would need to restock their stores. It wasn't just that though, he missed it. After spending the winter trying to provide for the pack he needed some time to do what he loved. After having grown up around the plants and learning from his mother about them they were more of a comfort for him and helped him to forget the things that were bothering him for a little while. Also with the temperature a little warmer than it had been he thought it would be a nice day to go scouting out the places he knew the plants to grow. However, he knew he wouldn't find anything there just yet but like the previous winter he didn't think it would hurt to go and look.

It was mid morning by the time he had been able to get away from the den with things that needed taking care of in the infirmary as well as trying to do a little hunting. Then he set off North towards the lowland, perhaps he might even have the chance to run into Lorcan and tell him the news. The last time he'd seen the agouti man had been before he'd made his decision. He did miss his friend but he thought he might call on him once spring arrived if he didn't see him before. The trek to the lowlands went a little smoother than last time which was a nice surprise for the healer. He stopped for a few moments in the fjord and then continued to the lowlands which looked much different in winter. As he traveled a little further he saw an interesting sight on a small hill that he hadn't seen in his last visit. Going over to investigate he saw the shapes of antlers which he approached reaching out with his nose to sniff them.

(This post was last modified: Jan 28, 2017, 08:04 PM by Emrys.)

His own mother had been a healer, but Larkspur had always been too busy trying to out-do his own brother to listen to what she tried to teach him. He caught bits and pieces, knowing more about plants that he and some of his family were named after than the ones that were actually helpful. Even now he didn't find anything particularly interesting in the healing properties of plants. He couldn't fathom why anyone would think differently. Still, there were all sorts of wolves that did, and he couldn't deny that they were helpful in some situations.


Plants were definitely not why Larkspur had left the safety (was it safe? He didn't think it felt right calling his pack safe just yet) of the Monadnock. Lark had felt detached from himself, he felt... different, and not in a particularly good way. So he sought isolation instead of help, despite that doing so always seemed to backfire on him. Case and point: he was very happily chewing on the new stash of antlers he'd just found and someone was sniffing around like they owned the place (he didn't either, but he'd been here first).

Instantly protective of his chew toy, Lark loudly and angrily barked at the intruder. 

It was rather peculiar the way the antlers were arranged causing Emrys to wonder why he hadn't seen them before. As he looked around though he noticed that he hadn't been to this part of the lowlands. This, aside from the antlers was an exciting discovery for the healer as he wondered what plants might be there he could use. It was also interesting how white the antlers were though he supposed that it made sense being out in the sun. With it being winter though it was hard to tell what plants grew in the area but it was certainly something he would have to check out later. Emrys made a note to make another journey to this part of the lowlands later, maybe even talk with Lorcan about plants that might grow in the area. The white healer would know since he lived on the area.

Being cautious as usual he approached the closest antlers to him wanting to check them out further. He wondered why they were collected there? Was it something the deer did themselves or maybe another animal? Emrys didn't know but he was curious about how it had occurred. As he was sniffing one of the antlers a loud bark sounded. He hadn't noticed anyone else in the area so it caused the healer to jump a little as he looked. Not too far away he found another white wolf chewing on one of the antlers, “Hello,” he greeted, “Sorry didn't see you there. Was just wondering about these antlers,” he stated not sure if he was stepping into this wolf's territory or not since he hadn't come across any markers and the fact this wolf carried the same scent as Lorcan and Craw.

(This post was last modified: Jan 28, 2017, 08:59 PM by Emrys.)

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He didn't get the type of reaction he had expected. Larkspur had expected something like a yelp, or maybe even something more negative like the wolf barking back. Instead, he got nothing but a small little jump, which left the white man a little bit discombobulated. He looked at the blue eyed boy with a confused expression, though stood tall and with his tail raised as Lark curiously inspected the white boy. He glanced at the antlers, which looked like nothing spectacular to him. He could only imagine some idiot left them there, or someone was bored enough to make a big pile and leave it.


Larkspur snorted. "Seems a little bit pointless to worry over something you can't get the answers to," keeping a watchful eye on the white boy, he settled back down to the antler he had been chewing on and went back to work on it. "Whoever left this here must have been an idiot to leave such good antlers to waste," but his peaceful chew had been ruined, and now Lark didn't find much satisfaction in chewing in front of company. "What are you doing here, anyways? Aren't you a little bit far from home," Lark was guessing, but the wolf didn't exactly smell familiar.

It had been a little bit of a surprise to be barked at by the other since he hadn't seen him or scented upon his arrival. However, he learned a long time ago to expect wolves to pop up anywhere. As a wandering loner and even now he'd run into his fair share of loners and pack wolves alike. It had not taken him long to notice this stranger was from the same pack as his friend and the alpha who had visited the notch. That fact made sense to him considering their location. Emrys didn't however know the exact location of Lorcan’s pack but with his new status he figured he would probably know soon enough.

The healer watched as the Monadnock wolf rose to his feet pushing the antlers aside. As he spoke Emrys studied him a little more as he listened taking his point of view into consideration. “You do have a point,” he agreed, “But I would like to think someone has the answer.” It was just a matter of who to ask for that answer. However, this stranger could be right and this was just something that happened. “Perhaps they left them here just so we could have them for chewing?” It was far fetched but it was a nice thought anyway, Emrys himself had considered taking one for himself. Then there was the typical question of what he was doing there. “I was scouting out places for plants I might need. It's a little early but doesn't hurt to look I figure but yes a little far.” He didn't need to ask about the man's reason for being there since they were in the lowlands.

(This post was last modified: Jan 28, 2017, 09:49 PM by Emrys.)

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He dismissed that someone left the antlers for others. "Only idiots leave valuable resources for others like that," or kind-hearted wolves, which Lark thought to be in the same sort of category. He wondered where the white wolf found that childish positivity. Larkspur had always been more of a realist, and even then more on the negative side. It was stupid to ask questions you couldn't possibly find the answer to, and pointless to dwell on it for even a second. Lark didn't have the hopeful curiosity that he'd had when he was a baby, though somehow found wolves that were not children still with it. Was something wrong with him, or had he just aged differently?


That seemed like a silly question. Larkspur was positive there was something particularly wrong with him, but also doubted his lack of a positive outlook had anything to do with it.

"It's never too early to look for plants," Lark had thought that it was common knowledge. "Too early to look with your eyes, but use your nose and do a little bit of digging and usually you can find what you need. At least until it warms up," even he knew that. Not from helping healers on their search, but because he'd had to do a good amount of digging to find a ginger plant to aid in his acceptance to the Monadnock.

A young deer has been separated from the rest of its herd. Hunt Opportunity

It was clear to Emrys this wolf that he had met was rather jaded in his opinions, that didn't bother the healer. To each his own, he usually took the wolves he met as they were because he didn't know what their lives had been like. “That's one way to look at it though I suppose it would depend on what one thought valuable.” For instance this wolf considered the antlers valuable while Emrys didn't consider them so. Plants were what he considered to be valuable as that was what he'd been taught. Emrys also didn't think it hurt always be looking for answers to questions whether there was one or not. It was always important to keep learning new things as he always did with his plants.

The truth was at this point there was no telling why the antlers were there and he could be looking the rest of his life for answers to why they were there. For now his curiosity about them had diminished thanks to the fellow in front of him and he let the conversation lead to what he was doing there.

His first statement after answering the man's questions gave him new hope for the man. “I can appreciate that,”he said with a smile, “Most would think I'm crazy for going out looking with so much snow on the ground,” which was why he'd answered the way he had, “But I agree with you. There are signs they are there you just have to know where and how to look.” It was what his mother had taught him and for a moment he became thoughtful. It was one of the last lessons she had taught him before she passed.

(This post was last modified: Jan 29, 2017, 12:04 AM by Emrys.)

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It was safe to say that Larkspur enjoyed a good chew more than he enjoyed most things. There was nothing quite as relaxing as letting his mind go numb as he mindlessly scraped his teeth on something hard. Antlers and bones were his top choice, followed by sticks, he liked a spicy ginger root when he could get his paws on one, and if he was desperate, he chewed on himself. Because of that, antlers were very valuable to the man, who felt like he needed that quality alone time. So Lark didn't care about where the antlers had come from, or why they were there. Instead, he was just thankful he'd found such a good stash.


"I don't think it's crazy to be prepared," though he wasn't quite sure what the boy might find under the snow. "Means you're a productive member of your pack." At least he wasn't being like himself, which was sort of going out of his way to be useless in his new home. Maybe he'd go catch a rabbit or two before he headed back, just to make sure that no one tried to call him lazy.

Larkspur went to working one of the antlers loose. The last time he'd found a good pair of antlers, he'd been forced to give it up to his new pack in order to be welcome. This set was for him.

While speaking with the man the thought of bringing one of the antlers back for Jynx did occur to him. He thought it would be a nice gift however he didn't want to start any trouble with the man considering he was a Monadnock wolf. With the greeting he had received he thought it best to take whatever antlers he might want at a different time. As for the man and his understanding of why he was out searching for herbs while there was still snow on the ground was appreciated. It was something he had always done so that later when the snow melted he wouldn't have to waste the time. He would already know where they grew and now that he lived in the notch and had more responsibilities he needed to save time where he could.

Emrys nodded at his statement, “Especially as a healer when you don't know when there will be an emergency. It's best to always have what you need.” Which was another reason he needed to be able to collect some of those herbs as soon as possible. “I do what I can but winter makes it a little more difficult to be productive for the pack.“ With the snow he couldn't collect herbs and food had been hard to find which left patrolling as the only thing he really been productive with lately. It didn't leave him feeling very confident about the job he had been doing for the pack.

When the man went back to chewing on the antlers Emrys moved to search the area for any signs of medical plants in the area. He stopped, his gaze going to the man, “You wouldn't by chance know of any herbs or other plants that might grow in the area would you?” Why not ask a wolf who lived on the area, he might know and he might not. It didn't hurt to ask.

(This post was last modified: Jan 29, 2017, 03:29 PM by Emrys.)

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