Heartleaf Creek I'm in the shadow of the sun

RE: Clover, you accidentally skid into a tree after slipping on some ice. Late morning, AW for anyone in the area, but please let @Sharlee post first <3

She had been out for a stroll, content to just wander around the woods, for once not on the lookout for herbs. It was unusual for her, but she wanted just a few hours to clear her mind, as there would be lots of preparing to do when the snow fell in droves, and then stayed without melting away. Clover briskly trotted, tail waving happily behind her as she let the gentle breeze fluff her thick coat, enjoying the feel of it on her face. It was not too cold yet, but as an arctic wolf she was designed for this colder weather, and so quite enjoyed it.

The thin coating of snow on the ground was enough that none of the greenery was visible, but she could still feel it beneath her paws as she moved, and the occasional step unearthed a clump of grass or dirt. She had been so unfocused on her surroundings, that when she suddenly felt a back leg slip on something smooth, she balked, scrambling somewhat frantically to try and regain her balance. After a few wobbly moments, her front legs slipped out from under her and she went skidding into the side of a tree with a loud oof.

Ouch, that hurt.

(This post was last modified: Jan 04, 2022, 04:11 AM by Clover.)

The tawny Valle was out for a walk without any real destination in mind. Really it was the way she was rewarding herself for the very plump rabbit she'd caught for the cache earlier. She was rather proud of it too. Since she'd done her part for the pack so we'll Sharlee thought a little relaxation time was in order. There wasn't much of that in the winter since there were plenty of mouths to feed in the pack.

She hadn't been expecting to run into anyone. Surely she was alone out in that part of the woods. How wrong she was which she found out when she caught sight of Clover only a second before the healer went sliding into a tree. For a moment the Valle girl was a little stuck by what she'd just seen. Somehow she'd been brought out of it and hurried to her friend. "Clover, are you okay? Do you need me to get you anything?" She burst out once she was at her friend's side. She wanted to help anyway she could. Even going so far as to start checking the woman over.

Clover lay there for a few moments, squinting at the bark of the tree she now currently was laying next to, a soft groan leaving her maw. That hadn't been very fun. She heard someone call out her name, and a bunch of other words that took her a bit more than a few moments to comprehend. "Uhh yea, yea I'm okay." She rolled onto her other side so she was no longer facing the tree, and squinted up at the larger form of Sharlee. "Slipped on a patch of slippery ice that I didn't see." A soft chuckle left her maw, which quickly turned into a soft hiss of pain when she moved her shoulder in the beginning of an attempt to stand up.

A soft grumbled moan passed her lips then, and she gently rolled herself onto her stomach, wincing at the pain that radiated up her shoulder. "It'd be easier if we just went to my medicinal den, rather than you going there and back to fetch something." Clover was sure that Sharlee would be able to fetch the correct herb, but as she'd have to make her way there eventually, she figured it would be easier to just skip the first part and head straight there herself.

She flexed her right front paw, tensing the muscles along her leg and up to her shoulder, wincing again. At least it was just her shoulder and not the whole leg, but she could already feel a dull ache starting up where she had hit the tree with her shoulder. "Just give me a few moments to settle myself." There was a bit of a ringing in her ears, and she guessed she had also hit her head, but she wasn't seeing double yet, and other than needing to squint a little from the harsh daylight she could see just fine. Clover quickly tensed and relaxed the rest of her body one set of muscles at a time, and was happy to report that the rest of her body was fine. One sore shoulder would be easy enough to deal with.

"Mind helping me up?" She asked Sharlee, getting ready to lift herself up onto all fours. It'd be a lot easier if she could use her friend's body to leverage herself up, and the size difference between them would make that an easy feat to accomplish as she was sure her friend could probably easily lift her up.

Sharlee was really worried about her friend. The tumble had been bad enough but then Cloverdale hit the tree pretty hard which was why she didn't waste anytime getting to the healer. "I'm not sure I'm convinced," she stated when Clover told her she was fine. The Valle girl immediately started looking the healer over. She might not know a lot about healing but she would know a wound if she saw it. "I saw you slip and then...well you hit this tree pretty hard." Sharlee's concern only heightened when she heard the hiss pass across Clovers lips, she so badly wanted to say told you so but felt it would be in bad taste to do so.

The question was what to do next. Luckily Clover had a good idea. "I think that's best too besides I'm not really comfortable leaving you alone like this." Sharlee didn't know if the healer had hit her head but she was clearly in no condition to be left alone. Anything could happen and honestly Sharlee didn't want to see that happen to Clover. Besides the other woman knew exactly what she needed and where it was in the den. So it was best for them to travel there together. Then Sharlee could get her settled and help her with the treatment she needed.

Through all of this Sharlee had remained standing but when Clover asked for a moment she sat back on her haunches. "Take the time you need. I'm right here and will be ready to help when you need it." She didn't mind waiting until the healer was ready to move. While she waited she watched Clover and also kept a look out for any of those dangers she was worried about. Thankfully nothing had come by the time she was asked for help to get up."I don't mind at all," she said before quickly moving to the side she felt wasn't the injured one. After seeing Clover wince and hiss after moving the other shoulder. She put herself in a position that the healer could use for support in getting to her feet. "We'll take it as slow as you like," she told, "And if you need to rest tell me. We can't have you tiring out too much before we get there." All of her attention was focused on Clover and helping her to get up and moving.

When Eros arrived on the scene, he saw his Aunt Shar helping Mama Clo up from the ground. The latter appeared pained, winches crossing her dial every now and then. He was not yet observant enough to notice that she favored a leg over the other three, and therefor utterly unsure as to what was wrong much less what had happened.

Concern was etched deeply throughout his features as he approached the two women with the intention of helping. He took Clover's other side, ready to assist in the same way that his blood relative was.

"What happened, Ma?"

Archer was, predictably, with Eros. He'd heard their voices and silently followed his brother when they turned their way and found Aunt Sharlee helping Clover to her feet. The darker Valle boy paused even while Eros approached them to help support the other mother. It was strange for him to see their healer being the one in need of assistance; usually she was running around taking care of everyone else.

He could see the way she favored one leg and the way it clearly worried his aunt. He remembered the pain of his own shoulder injury after their encounter with an elk a couple months prior, and the way Clover had helped him. He paced forward. Rather than stuffing himself alongside her like the other two, Archer thought it best to give them a little space. "How can I help?" he asked instead, moving to stand in front of Clover so she could see him without having to twist around too much.

Archer is very haggard and thin; it is obvious he is not doing well.

"Mmm, did I?" She said in an attempt at a teasing tone, the ache in her shoulder a good indication that the tree had definitely won the altercation between them. Sharlee was a perfect example of a healer's assistant, offering help, but also knowing when to sit back and watch, and Clover was very thankful for that. She was a good friend, always had been since the day they first met. "I'll be sure to let you know," she said with a firm nod of her head, knowing that it was important she take her time in getting to the medicine den.

She gingerly used her sore shoulder to get her front legs properly under her, and then pushing all her weight against Sharlee, she slowly stood up to all fours, more leaning against her friend than standing on her own feet. In the time it took her to stand up Eros had suddenly appeared on her other side, and Archer was now standing in front of her. Now when had they gotten there?

"Just took a bit of a tumble and fell into the tree, think I may have landed on my shoulder. But don't worry boys, it's not too bad," she said reassuringly, not wanting them to worry. Of course she hadn't yet properly diagnosed her own injury, but as she could at least put some weight on her sore leg, even if it did hurt, that meant nothing was broken, or at least not too badly. Archer asked her how he could help, and she took a moment to think. With Sharlee and Eros helping her walk, she wouldn't need more assistance there, but he could be helpful in making sure there weren't any more hidden patches of ice they could slip on while they helped her to her den.

"If you could walk ahead and test the ground for any more patches of ice, that'd be very helpful." Clover gave him a warm smile as she took a step forward, allowing the two wolves to either side to keep her upright, but so far it seemed she was able to hold steady. She then took a step forward with her sore leg, and other than another wince, with the help of Eros' support she was able to stay upright and not crumble to the ground. That was a good sign. "My den is straight that way," she said with a motion of her muzzle to point directly behind Archer so he'd know where to lead them to as they slowly made their way there.

Sharlee did smile at Clovers teasing tone, "I'm afraid so," she returned in the same tone. She was soon in position to be where Clover might need her to get to her feet. When she felt the healer starting to put her weight on her she braced herself so they both didn't end up on the ground. "Good, I know I'm not a full fledged healer but I don't think its a good idea to stress the injury too much right now." It had only just happened so it only made sense to Sharlee that it could get worse if Clover wasn't careful.

The two boys Eros and Archer arrived as she was helping Clover to her feet. Eros was the first to speak asking what happened. The healer was the first to answer. Sharlee then added a little more reassurance for them, "Don't worry you two. A couple days rest and Clover will be good as new," she said with a smile.

Archer spoke next wanting to know how he could help. Again Clover had an idea for that. A very good idea in her opinion. The last thing they needed was for them both to slip. Sharlee also had an idea, "Eros, why don't you help your brother by clearing away any branches or rocks that could cause a problem as we head for the medical den?" That would keep them both busy amd helping too. Clover shared the direction of her medical den. "If you're ready then we can move," she stated ready to head in the direction her friend had indicated.

Eros' tail picked up a few inches and wagged when Archer not only appeared, but offered to help too. It promptly fell limp once more when Clover filled them in. Took a tumble? Into a tree? Well that sounded awful. And her shoulder? That was practically her neck. Both women assured them this was alright, but he was nowhere near as certain. The peach-eyed pre-teen whimpered sympathetically.

Archer was told to watch for ice, and Eros was tasked with other obstacles. He didn't want to leave Clover's side however, especially given how heavily she was leaning on him; she needed him! The Valle could do both, and would - he watched closely for anything that threatened his second mother's balance, and promptly whapped it out from infront of her as they walked without leaving her side.

(This post was last modified: Jan 09, 2022, 07:03 AM by Eros.)

Archer Valle

Clover and Sharlee were both quick to assure them that Clover was okay and would heal quickly. Archer nodded; that was good. They couldn't have their healer down, and he was at least a little glad to know his siblings' ma wasn't hurt too bad. He didn't interact with them much but they were his family. He was also glad Sharlee was there to help and Clover would be able to assess her own injuries; she'd only taught him about two herbs to eat to help with sickness. He didn't know anything about other healing methods. Thank the stars for other adults.

His assignment given, Archer nodded again in affirmation and began walking the direction indicated, swiping his paw over firm ground and sometimes stamping to make sure it wasn't too slippery. They were walking a little differently than he was, and they were a wider line, so he zig-zagged in areas that looked like they might be slicker. He found one place that was a little more slide-y than he'd like and he glanced back. "Watch out right here," he warned, patting his paw to indicate the ground. He zig-zagged forward a short distance, until the ground felt more stable. "It's better here," he reported, then waited to keep an eye on them. He was ready to jump in and help if any of them lost their footing.

Archer is very haggard and thin; it is obvious he is not doing well.