Wolf RPG

Ruenna found @Aquene at the medicine den. After making certain that Qiao and Malila were not around, she made her request in a hushed voice. 

"I was hoping we could speak alone, inside the den?" It would be clear that the Matrona was feeling apprehensive. There was a sort of buzzing energy about her-- not agitated exactly, but certainly not her usual calm, collected mien.

"Aquene, I feel an energy inside me, like a.. stirring. I think it's my heat, but I'm not positive." Ruenna would meet Aquene's gaze with a doubtful expression. "I don't think I've ever had a true heat, before. Or if I have, it was years ago.." It was a difficult admission for her. Ruenna felt that her own heat had been muted in previous years compared to what other women seemed to experience. She was not sure why, but perhaps it had something to do with the nearby presence of strong female leadership. When there were other females around that were more dominant, Ruenna's body seemed to respond to that.

Recovering from her spar with Towhee, Aquene had chosen a quiet day. She had sent out Malila in search of more prairie crocus. It was proving invaluable for the soreness that often came with the strict training regiments of Mereo but she was running lower than she would like on the plant. The other woman, Qiao, had been around too but Aquene had kept many of her trades close to the chest. She had not yet had the chance to discuss with the Lady Ruenna what her role was there… but there was just this creeping sense of dread to share any information with her because of where she came from: Akashingo. She did not know everything, clearly, but she knew enough to set her on edge.
 
The Matrona herself arrived, the hushed tones causing her eyes to widen before she nodded, guiding the Lady towards the back of the den where Aquene often tucked away for her rest. “Of course, anything you need.” The others were not present and that was all that mattered to her. She frowned as she started to listen. It certainly sounded like the startings of a heat. Aquene had only experienced it once, and hers were typically mild at best due to the dominant energy of her mother being around… but the symptoms fit, especially for a leading lady of grace and poise.
 
“It is not as uncommon as you might think, Ruenna.” She assured her softly when she insisted that she had never had a true heat. “Many women suppress their heat without realizing it… what you describe, it does sound like the beginning of the cycle. That stirring will grow into more of an itch that you desperately will want to scratch.” There was no better way to word that, truly. “Some women suppress due to biological reasons, but if you are starting to feel it now, then it is unlikely the cause… others due to pack laws that might dictate only alphas may conceive or the presence of dominant women around them that subconsciously intimidate them out of the season.” In her home, it had been the latter. Despite all of the wives being healers, very few conceived due to the domineering nature of the Ravyne family. The question fell from her lips. “Are you looking to conceive this season? If so… I can put together a tincture to aid if you are worried… sometimes the first heat after suppression can struggle with conception.”

Ruenna was so relieved to hear Aquene reassuring words. Minute by minute, as Aquene talked Ruenna's anxiety lifted visibly from her bearing. Ultimately, she was left looking ten pounds lighter, smiling and swinging her tail when Aquene concluded. 

"Yes, I am," she answered Aquene's question about her intentions to conceive, so relieved that she didn't even have it in her to feel embarrassed about the intimate question. Aquene then offered to a tincture to assist in this goal, and Ruenna dipped her muzzle in assent. "Please, that would be most appreciated." This was exactly what she had hoped for when she sought out Aquene, and she was glad that she would not have to fumble over her words as she tried to explain what she wanted. Aquene just knew, and Ruenna was so grateful for that. 

Would Aquene draw up the tincture now, or would she need time to collect more materials? Ruenna wasn't sure how much longer she had before the party was in full swing, so to speak. 

"There's one more thing, but it's on a related note. My back.." Ruenna trailed off a bit awkwardly, wondering if Aquene could again divine what she was thinking without her having to embarrass herself by speaking aloud. Ruenna had not yet come to Aquene about her back pain because of her strong conviction that the pack's budding stores of medical supplies should go entirely to the soldiers. ..But this was a little different. Not to be crude, but when it came down to it, the future of Ruenna's family-- and even the pack, maybe-- rested squarely upon whether Ruenna would be able to bear the weight of a wolf on her back for the time it took for nature to run its course.

Aquene watched as the tension faded out of the woman and she relaxed. Aquene was glad that she could relieve some of her worries when it came to her ability to reproduce. Heat affected many females differently, but there were patterns that could be followed based on social dynamics and it was something that Aquene’s mother had drilled into her the one breeding season that they had both been alive for. It had been a fascinating subject for her to learn about, even if in the end she had focused more on medical treatment than midwifery.
 
She nodded when the woman accepted her offer. “I will need the rest of the day, possibly the morning tomorrow as well to gather some more materials I haven’t kept stocked… but I can get it to you by lunch tomorrow.” Aquene was confident she’d be able to find the supplies. “There will be one part of the package that you’ll want to see me for daily until the conception takes place.” It was the best way that she could word the activities that both the Matrona and Imperator would have to do in order to bring a family to live.
 
Finally, Ruenna asked about her back and relief flooded over Aquene in that moment. “Yes, I’ve had a treatment plan drawn up for awhile now, but I was waiting for you to come see me for it.” She admitted, relieved that the Matrona was finally coming to her for some help. “The Akashingo wolf… Qiao, she came to me asking about my treatment plan for you… I told her what it was and might have alluded to you already starting it… she unnerves me a little, as if everything we discuss is some kind of test of my skills... she hadn't even introduced herself, simply barged in demanding to know how I was treating your pain.” It reminded her much of her first meeting with Ruenna, but in a different way… and she couldn’t quite place her feelings. “I have long term and short term treatments in mind to help manage the pain more… it’ll possibly help with your limp too.” She didn’t want to get her hopes up too much, but Aquene was confident in her own skills. “A few of the plants I won’t be able to get until after the thawing but there are things I can do now, especially for what you will be doing soon.”

"Thank you," Ruenna spoke. Her gratitude fell like small repayment for the effort that would be required of Aquene, and if any part of this regimen was to thank for a positive outcome for Ruenna's future family, then there was no way that Ruenna would ever be able to repay Aquene back in equal measure. Of course, that would not stop her from trying. 

Aquene went on to describe a plan for therapy and pain management that was not alike what the Vitales had completed with her in the year after the accident. Ruenna simply listened, overwhelmed by the gratitude she felt for Aquene. In regards to Qiao, she gave this advice: 

"Qiao is certainly reporting to the Pharaoh of Akashingo, but I do not think that her desire to help is artificial. You are welcome to discuss the treatment of my disability with her. Akashingo is already aware of my limitations." 

If such a discussion posed an opportunity to forge a connection where none exited previously, far be in for Rue to stand in the way of that. 

"I already have a hydrotherapy routine, but since I am unable to swim in the winter, the stiffness becomes much worse as the cold months progress. Anything you could suggest would be appreciated, as long as it keeps me clear-headed." Ruenna had fallen prey to false hope before, after discovering that a "miracle pain relief treatment" left her foggy and sluggish.

The thank you fell and Aquene could not help but dismiss it. “The pleasure is all mine.” She offered back. Ruenna had offered her a home, a use for her talents after she had been on her own for so long. The least she could do was everything in her power to assist with the woman’s pain. In her mind, there was no debt for the Matrona to pay, but a debt for Aquene herself to pay.
 
She assured that the Akashingo wolf did wish to help and she nodded. “I discussed the plan with her and she did seem to approve.” She stated with a lack of detail further. Qiao had been nice to speak with, however she was still hesitant to trust her. “Admittedly I’ve always been cautious when it comes to other healers. I have a particular system set up for myself and while I love help, other healers about just reminds me of how stressed I can get with other paws in the mix.” It was something she was working on, a hint of a lightness in her tone before she chuckled at herself. “I will make sure to include her on future discussions. I know much, but this is new terrain for me. There might be plants that grow here that did not grow in my homeland.” She could do some learning herself.
 
Hydrotherapy. Aquene hummed with another nod. “Resistance therapy in general is good for it. It helps to strengthen the muscles and takes pressure off the spine and limbs.” She agreed as she discussed it. “Even training by pushing a smaller rock around might do the trick in the winter months, pushing against it with your limbs in order to move forward. It’s not as effective, but could pass in the winter months until it is warm enough to swim. I also have a poultice that can help with the stiffness. If any day you need it, all you need to do is see me for it. Thankfully the plants involved in it thrive stubbornly throughout most of the winter so the stock for it is usually fine.”

Aquene considered herself a solo act? This was news to Ruenna, although Aquene's preference certainly lended itself to her placement here at Mereo. One well-trained medic was plenty for their purposes, and more than that was unnecessary excess. 

"What if the other healer was one you trained yourself?" Ruenna asked, thinking of Malila. 

Aquene dictated her thought process out loud, which seemed to be her habit. The Matrona nodded, a surprised to hear that pushing a boulder could offer the same benefits as hydrotherapy. She would never have dreamed to think such a thing. 

"That is.. hmm," she mused thoughtfully. "..Well then. I'll see if Germanicus can procure a rock for me. Perhaps we'll place it beside his boulder." Ruenna raised a brow in good humor. No doubt Aquene had heard of the Imperator's dreaded boulder out at the Punishment Ground. She thought that it was possible that if they could find a way to laugh at it, it might remove some of the location's grimness. It soured Ruenna's stomach that such a place existed in the bounds of her home, but that was Germanicus's business.

Perhaps her habits made her a bit of a control freak, but it worked for her occupation. He found helpful paws helpful but there was a statement about too many cooks in the kitchen that could also ring true. The question fell and she nodded. “I have no issues with other healers, especially ones I trained. Wolves I train or who were trained with me have the same system as me.” It was something she had learned from her mother… she was just particular. “It’s not that anyone else was wrong… just different from how I do things.” She had found that from a lot of healers, though not all.
 
She could not help but smile at the suggestion, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. “It might scare the soldiers into behaving a little better, to think the Imperator might punish his own wife with boulder as well.” She recalled how awful Kallik had felt after his punishment. “Maybe close to the tablinum might be better though, so I can monitor and you are nearby in case soreness manifests.” It was a common issue, though the soreness was a sign of improvement, it did not mean that it had to be felt.

Other medics weren't wrong, just different. "I understand," Ruenna reassured her. "It can be difficult to walk in lock-step with another." She knew this well enough from all that was required of her and Germanicus in the running of Mereo. They had both gained much, but not without making some compromises along the way. 

Aquene joined in the joking, and Ruenna burst into giggles as Aquene noted the frankly hilarious conclusion that the soldiers would draw. Rue's giggles were possibly not very Matrona-like, but she was feeling so light and relieved that she didn't particularly care. She was only human (figuratively speaking). 

All joking aside, Aquene made a good suggestion. Ruenna's laughter died now, and she nodded in agreement. "The tablinum, then." A pause, and finally, "Well.. thank you, Aquene. You've eased my mind considerably. I'll stop in around noon tomorrow for the medicine." With a grateful nod, she made to depart. 

Her steps would be considerably lighter as she made her way back to her suite, her nerves humming with anticipation for the coming events.