While Hemlock did know of the young girl she hadn't made a point to seek her out. Partially, it was awkward to try and assume the whys of her world when Hemlock was so caught up in her own. It made her selfish, but, she had always been that way truthfully. It was worse now that her stomach was growing steadily and so was her gait. She was becoming more awkward and uncomfortable, her movements less refined (not that hers ever had been, but, she'd had a certain grace.) Hemlock was making a slow path through the Strath with a bundle of herbs she'd gathered to take to the cache. She paused, breathing deeply through her nostrils, as she felt a little volley of kicks from deep in her abdomen. 

She chuckled, although she was still terrified and a little awestruck. To think that this was her life - that this was hers - it was a little overwhelming. She would make due though, she was determined to do so. She resumed her slow walk through the territory, unknowingly putting her right into the path of the young woman who had sought to find her. 

When the younger female approached her Hemlock slowed her already tedious steps, for a moment unsure if the girl wants to talk to her or just carry on her day. It wouldn't have offended her either way, but, when she was addressed it was with a few questions and Hemlock smiled around the bundle of herbs before she set them down at her feet. Among the foliage was a few different types, her preparations trying not only to make her ready for labor and birth but also to take time to prepare the pack for winter. "I am," Hemlock offered with a proper smile now that her mouth wasn't full, before she looked from the young girl down to the herbs at her feet. "I am a healer and these are herbs that are good for different things," She explained. 

"I am guessing you are Seri," She had learned the girl's name although she didn't know a true thing about her - only those basic details. "I apologize for it taking so long to meet you." She could claim her heat, her marriage, Sirius vanishing, her pregnancy; any number of things for the delay on doing her duty but honestly it was more being selfish than anything else. Hemlock simply hadn't taken the time she properly should have and now she felt the guilt that came from that. "Have you settled well?" She asked, a hopeful note to her voice - if not maybe they could work on changing that, as delayed as it was.

 

Hemlock didn't mind the questions, her tail giving a couple gentle wags. She was always eager to share information with others, and, it had been a great while since she had an apprentice. While she explained what she was doing to Tapat she didn't expect him to retain it all - and that was completely fine by her - but she knew that it wouldn't end up being a passion of his. Tapat was more whimsical, and in turn, she feared if he did try medicine on his own it might be worse. He could easily confuse some of the similar looking remedies for poisons. "These will be for when I give birth - to help with the pain, and make sure that I and the babies are strong." She said evenly. "And to keep us from getting sick." She didn't want to endure another episode like with Sirius, that any of her children might be so weak and so disrupted - she truly hoped to avoid it. 

Hemlock watched the younger female for a moment, almost studying her. It was true that Hemlock had been busy in many ways but it didn't mean that she wanted to ignore the youth either. "It can be lonely in a new place," Hemlock hummed out, given that Seri had none of her own family and no doubt would miss them. If not for Arturo, Lotte, Tapat, and the children, Hemlock would have no one either - she wasn't familiar with Reek or Jhala other than knowing of their existence in her pack. "I can understand those feelings, when I first came here I left my family and tribe. My mother and siblings are still there." And as much as she would desperately want to be near her brothers and sister again she had come to terms with never seeing Awenasa again.

 

Hemlock chuckled at the girls enthusiastic notion, giving a little nod. "How about I show you some you could take?" She offered, rather than promise that she could gather them for Seri. She didn't know how much longer she could truly make the same progress she needed after all. Soon she'd need to settle down and find an appropriate den of her own - and that would no doubt need to be done while she still had the energy to do so. "We can find ones for you, and you can always ask me if you need help." Hemlock promised. 

She was quiet as the girl let her emotions out, the sensation of Seri's raw pain different than what Hemlock had endured. Being alone for so long - she understood the solitude. That much she could get. It was different, certainly, to be abandoned by your family. She moved closer to gently nudge the girl's chin, giving a breathy sigh. "I am sorry they did that, Seri." Hemlock said quietly. "You will be very strong for it - as much as it hurts now." Of that the healer was absolutely sure. 

 

What Hemlock had with her was more geared towards someone approaching their whelping, she wasn't exactly quick to toss them to a younger puppy. She also was eager to take her out and show her the progress that could be made. They could find some simple, easy to identify plants and that way Hemlock could guide her if need be in the future. While that was a nice thing to think of, Hemlock's brow knotted with concern as the girl clearly struggled with the concept of keeping it together - and it wasn't necessary, Hemlock felt, but she understood. The red wolf didn't like to let others see her breakdown. 

In an instant she saw Roarke somewhere, not the pale girl in front of her, and it was enough to nearly take her breath away. What if he had felt the same - that he was in another pack trying to be strong and trying to hold it all together with whatever scrambles of hope he had left. "It is not," She promised, her own voice thick with emotion. " - You are too young to hold that burden, that guilt. Your parents would be glad to know you were safe and sound." She could not promise that Seri would ever see her parents or Aunt again - all she could truly do was try and support the girl until that day came, if it ever did.

It took a bit but Seri did calm down, Hemlock not wanting to crowd her during the process. She offered the girl a small smile, nodding as she was thanked - although she didn't exactly know why, she hadn't done anything special. "Any time you need to talk, please let me know." She said after a moment, giving the girl a gentle smile. She wasn't so sure she'd done anything properly - but then she was going to handle things as easily as she could. 

"When you feel up to it, would you like to take a walk and look for some herbs?"  Maybe that would be a good distraction for her and it would give them a chance to talk more. She knew nothing about the girl beyond the superficial things after all, and maybe she could find out about her interests that way. 

 

Hemlock could understand after such an emotional day that the girl had enough. She gave a nod, giving a soft sigh as she glanced around. "There is no rush," She assured her, although who knew how much longer she'd actually have to be out and about before she was driven to not only settle in her whelping den but not leave it. She didn't know if she would want to settle early or try and stay out as long as she could. "We can meet up again as soon as you feel ready, Seri." She said soothingly - it had been a lot to take in, after all. 

Hemlock assured her that there was no rush and that she could come back to her when ever she was ready. It did sound fun searching for specific plants, as well as learning what kinds of things each one could do. Being so young Seri hadn't decided on a specialty yet, but she had been keeping an open mind to all the different things each wolf in the pack did. For now she simply wanted to rest and collect herself before going off on any further adventuring or searching.

"Ok, I'll come find you then." she stated before slowly walking for to find a place to lay down. Hemlock had been really nice and even though this outing had been emotional and sad she was glad that she was about to meet another one of the members of the pack, especially one so nice.