Tapat was more familiar with the lands he lived in. He made sure not to cross the borders. Somehow he remembered that he lost his parents. Though, it pained the pale explorer. He loved to discover new things, which was often for the boy with short-term memory loss. But he had a tendency to get lost, and he cared more for his family than this exploring he enjoyed.
Much of the territory still stayed a mystery to him. The pup did feel a bit useless. He would be an adult soon, even though his childish mindset often showed otherwise. Perhaps there was someone in the pack that needed his help, or needed company. Tapat sounded a howl to let the others know he was available for help.
Tapat's call was answered, but not remembered by the boy. When he saw the red woman he thought she just crossed his path, seeing that he had forgotten that he howled for companionship. The soon-to-be adult wagged his tail and let out a yip in greeting. He had frequented himself enough with the red woman's scent that he knew her. Only her name never stuck. She would just be the red woman for him. Tapat knew she was sweet, which he found more important.
"Hi," he greeted. Then it was followed by a pause. "Uuhhh," he spoke out loud. He was clearly trying to remember but clearly, he couldn't. His ears flopped to the side and dipped his head submissively. "I can't remember," he admitted with a light frown. He was a bit disappointed in himself that he kept forgetting. So the youthful pup moved to her for comfort, licking his lips in submission.
Tapat slowly wagged his tail. Right, Hemlock! Still, he would later see her as the red woman again. He felt better because of the nudge. She offered him to join her. Tapat liked that idea. He was fond of helping. He let out an excitable yip in response. "Yeah! I want to help," he spoke with a smile. Tapat was a very friendly natured wolf. He tried to help or comfort when he could.
He shook his head. "I like to help. I want to help the pack now I am big," he assured. Though, he knew he would never be as large as his brother. He didn't mind, only because his brother had always been supportive of him. Currently, Tapat was really searching for his role within this pack.
Tapat listened carefully. He wanted to remember this all because it sounded like it was important for him to know. Caregiver? Counselor? That sounded interesting. He tipped his head a bit and nodded more seriously. "But. How can I do those things if I keep forgetting?,"he asked curiously. Perhaps, Hemlock told him this because he was already doing some caregiving while not even realizing it. "I do like to play!," he spoke in reply when she said that he would need to watch the young ones. But, would he be responsible enough?
Tapat followed her like a shadow, it was what he was good at. He was used to following his brother and parents. He would always be more of a follower than a leader. "Alright!," he agreed. By now he had forgotten the part about the counselor and caregiver. It would need to be repeated often so it would settle in his long-term memory. "How do you know the good plants from the bad ones?," he asked curiously.
I love Hemlock so much! <3
Tapat's eyes beamed when she called him special. His parents also called him that, but then it was just harder to believe because well, they were his parents. They were supposed to say nice things to him. But Hemlock didn't have to. She could be mean to him, he would probably forget it in the end. However, she was the opposite. She was kind and supportive. His tail wagged. "I will try my best!," he assured her, mulling over it in his mind that he was special. He felt special now.
His mind snapped away from it when she started to explain about pups and what needed to be done to help them grow up. Had his parents done these games with him? Tapat forgot they were talking about his own trades and instantly suggested. "I can help with that! I can play!" For the male it didn't ring a bell that they were actually talking about what he could help with. He smiled. "Maybe I should do pupsitting!," he added.
Then Hemlock changed the topic to plants, which he also forgot he asked about. His tail wagged as she explained. Plants sounded too complicated for him. He was more than happy to watch. She approached a plant and told him more about it. "Wow," he sounded impressed. "I didn't know plants could help with feeling bad," he added, still amazed.
<3 <3 <3 you are too sweet
Hemlock thought he could do it. The work would have to be done but he was a determined boy and Hemlock felt like he could attain anything he truly wanted to. She smiled as he said he could play again, giving a reassuring smile. "I think you're right," She mused fondly, after all, Sirius had enjoyed having him around and she hadn't heard anyone complain about him. He had an enthusiasm that was infectious, surely he would succeed at helping keep spirits high. Little did she know how they would need that soon...
Hemlock chuckled when he was surprised by the fact that plants could do so much. "They help with all kinds of things. Sickness, injuries, even to help you get stronger." Hemlock knew plants for memory too, but, she didn't want to get his hopes up on a miracle curl. It wasn't how things worked. She could imagine that it might make things easier for him but she wouldn't ask if he wanted to try them before speaking with his parents - even if he would be joining the adults in mere days in the rankings.
OMG, I would totally be okay with Hemlock secretly giving him plants to help with his memory and boost his confidence haha
Tapat didn't know he was that much appreciated by the other youngsters. They should really tell him one day. Not that he would remember it. Perhaps, it was not needed for Tapat to hear. The younger stepped closer to the plant that Hemlock found. He sniffed it, but to him, it just smelled like a plant. Nothing specific. It was more the work of a professional that could separate the different scents. Like a wine taster being able to taste the difference.
Tapat carefully grabbed the plant and then looked at Hemlock that he was ready to follow her again. The only tough thing about this job was that he couldn't really ask questions if he had any. Still, the pup was very dutiful and would carry out his task if he wouldn't forget. But following the red woman was pretty manageable even for him.
Tapat listened to her calm voice. He liked listening to it and almost zoned out a bit. However, he caught himself when he did and put his best focus back in place. "Owayy!!," he spoke, which sounded muffled with the plants stuck between his teeth. He never really ate plants before but maybe he liked to eat them. He sometimes would eat berries, but only after he let his mommy check it.
Tapat tipped his head at her question. Entertain Sirius? He could do that! He enthusiastically nodded. He loved to help Hemlock. His tail raised a bit up, not out of dominance but out of pride. The young male smiled around the plants in his mouth, automatically following Hemlock.
I'd love a new one, more recent if you'd be up for it? if you wanna archive this with your next, I can start a new one with Hems bringing him some herbs?
Hemlock was pleased with Tapat's energy as ever, how open he was and how eager he was. She smiled and leaned up to press a little kiss between his eyes as he was obviously distracted. He couldn't speak properly with his mouth full and so she took advantage of the moment. "How about we head back after getting a few more then, and we'll see what Sirius has been up to." She said with a little smile as they continued along their way.
They'd gathered a good number of herbs and already Hemlock had a plan for what she'd do to help the boy. With any luck it wouldn't take too much effort to make things better for him - and if anyone deserved it, Tapat did.
Totally I'd love a new thread!! :D
Tapat nodded with all the herbs in his mouth. He liked helping Hemlock as it gave him the feeling he was worth something. He also felt he felt less likely to forget things around her because she told him what to do. His tail was wagging. The pallid boy followed her and did as she was told until they reached Sirius and was allowed to play with him. Over all, it had been an extremely fun day.
- end-