It was around noon when the young female emerged once again from the large den that Pearl had shared with her. Aria had spent most of the morning viewing the territory, as she usually did, and scavenging for plants. Perhaps that sounds a bit strange, but the female planned to begin to stock up on healing necessities as she had seen her mentor do in her old pack. So far she'd found some lavender grown around a large tree (hidden from the winter storms in the forest but allowed a decent amount of sunlight to grow), some dandelions growing recklessly under some raised tree roots, and, most recently, she'd managed to acquire a small amount of Celandine. She was quite proud of her collection. 

She stored them in the back of the den for now, and would cover them as soon as she found something to cover it with. She hoped that Pearl wouldn't mind, and would perhaps even be thankful to have some herbs close by. 

Aria was well aware of the lack of herbs available to her during the winter, and was a little worried about keeping her stocks filled. Perhaps she would attempt to grow it in the den... if that was even possible. But she also knew she may have to run it by her den mate, first. 

For now, she wished to break and sunbath a bit, even with the cold temperatures outside. She lay outside the den on a nearby boulder, keeping her ears perked for anyone or anything that may come near.

 

The day was silent. No one was making a racket by crunching through the snow and no noisy birds were around cluttering the quiet with their song. It was a shame that it was so soon interupped, as the young girl was almost being lulled to sleep. Aria's head shot up suddenly as  she heard the choking coughs. She looked around, trying to find who was making such a noise. 

Through the trees Aria caught sight of the grayish body of Danre, her Beta. She leapt from the rock, leaping down and trotting over, woofing as she came to alert him of her approach. Her head was lowered, a little worried for him, but she was prepared to help him if he'd let her. "Dante," she barked, somewhat quietly. "Are you choking, or are you sick?" She asked. The female was a bit unaware of what he was doing, perhaps he was literally just choking on something, something she wasn't quite sure how to handle. But if he was simply suffering from an irritated throat and was having a coughing fit, or perhaps was just out of breath, Aria knew she was fully capable of handling it.

 

When Aria finished, she was pleased that he hadn't truly reacted to the prods. She expected a bit of wincing at the harder ones, but nothing extreme. He seemed to only be having a sore throat, and perhaps something stuck inside irritating, but for that she would have no known way of telling; if that were the case she'd tell him to head to Blue Willow. 

I do, actually. And I have a bit of it in my den, she dipped her head, tail wagging in a slight pride. It doesn't seem that you're sick, she added, then turning and beckoning him to follow. Which is good, just means your throat is sore- but you told me that earlier, she added the last part to let him know that he was right, whether or not he truly cared about being right. She only checked to make sure, if any sicknesses were exposed her their new pack would soon be overtaken, and she refused to let that happen.

When they arrived to her den(which wasn't but a 30 second walk anyway), she ducked in and grabbed some lavender and Celandine. She chewed them, a strange taste creating a strange face, and spat them onto a flat rock that she had picked up. She hadn't had any leaves to wrap them in, so he'd just have to lick them up- hopefully he wouldn't mind. She emerged with the stone in her teeth, setting it at his feet. It's lavender and Celandine, she informed him, Just lick it up, it tastes like shit, but it should help, she chuckled a little, watching him curiously. I don't have any, but I bet Blue Willow would have some honey, that would help the most, she woofed, smiling at him.

The white female nodded, frowning a little as she watched him eat it. She inwardly wondered if it would help at all. She knew what the herbs did and she knew that they would probably do something but it was all she had the best assumption she could make right now. 

She shook out her fur as she thought, listening to him respond. She was pleased to hear that he would go visit Blue Willow, as the women was far more educated and stocked when it came to herbs. However, her ears perked as Dante brought up an interesting point. Despite her rich jealously of the litter, Aria had forgotten all about the pups. She dipped her head, respecting the males idea and deciding it was probably for the best. She didn't believe he was sick, but she also knew that it was still a possibility. 

Aria's ears flicked back for a moment before she nodded again. "I think that's smart," she woofed, turning and looking around. She glanced to the direction of where she remembered traveling, the warm scent of newborns entering her mind as she thought about it. Not only could she learn something new, but she could find pups! The thought sent excited chills through her body, and the girls tail wagged happily. "I can go ahead and leave now? There is still plenty of daylight," she offered, smiling.

The white girl smiled, her ears perking. She dipped her head respectfully to him, glancing in the direction to where she remembered Blue Willow's den being. "I will seek you out once I get what I need from her," she woofed, her eyes narrowing on the landscape. "It's really no problem," she added, another smile falling across her muzzle. "Perhaps I'll learn something while I'm there." Aria winked playfully to the Beta, and without another word, dipped her head, and set out to find @Blue Willow.