Neverwinter Forest Songs and Forests

@Luhtar Rough pastures 

Kinusi found herself pushing a path winding and wild through the forest. Nose pressed to tree and loam. Ears ran along mossy trunks. Blue eyes alight.

She found herself unfolding from the darkest set shadows of neverwinter to land paws akimbo in the meadow. Deer and caribou moved among the small area with nary a fear.

Kinusi stared wide eyed and smiled. Her voice lifting in song yet again. 

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
I messed up tonight, I lost another fight
Lost to myself, but I'll just start again
I keep falling down, I keep on hitting the ground
I always get up now, see what's next
Birds don't just fly, they fall down and get up
Nobody learns without gettin' it wrong
I won't give up, no, I won't give in
'Til I reach the end, and then I'll start again
No, I won't leave, I wanna try everything
I wanna try even though I could fail
I won't give up, no, I won't give in
'Til I reach the end, and then I'll start again
No, I won't leave, I wanna try everything
I wanna try even though I could fail
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Try everything
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Try everything
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Try everything
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Look how far you've come, you filled your heart with love
Baby, you've done enough, take a deep breath
Don't beat yourself up, no need to run so fast
Sometimes we come last, but we did our best
I won't give up, no, I won't give in
'Til I reach the end, and then I'll start again
No, I won't leave, I wanna try everything
I wanna try even though I could fail
I won't give up, no, I won't give in
'Til I reach the end, and then I'll start again
No, I won't leave, I wanna try everything
I wanna try even though I could fail
I'll keep on making those new mistakes
I'll keep on making them every day
Those new mistakes
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Try everything
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Try everything
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Try everything
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Try everything

The songbird danced in place. Body finding a rhythm for its words. The animals startled but then began to forage again.

try everything by Shakira

Luhtar’s ears twitched. The breeze carried her scent, and beneath the chorus of strange melody and sweet breath of meadow, he caught the telltale notes of Forneskja. She was one of theirs. He didn’t know her name, but he knew the scent that marked her as pack.

He shifted his weight off his sore side, wincing faintly. Still healing. Still tender. He tried to ignore the stiffness in his flank as he stepped closer, not too close to alarm her or the grazing herd, but enough that she’d see him clearly.

“Hello. You part of us, yes?” A slow dip of his head indicated the packlands behind him. He inhaled, confirming the familiarity of her scent. It settled a cautious warmth beneath his ribs.

“You sing like no fear. Deer… caribou,” he rumbled, glancing toward the creatures still foraging with a wary eye. “They not spook. Your song soothe.” He smiled.

“I Luhtar."

The sound of paws came towards her now. But they were slow. Purposeful. As if each step was calculated. She shifted to stare the way of the sound.

She blinked. She knew this one. And bitter distaste filled her mouth. But. He didn't seem to recognize her. Perhaps this was good. But when he learned her name. Or she spoke. Perhaps. She hoped he would be kinder now. And she would try.

But before she could introduce herself. She watched him wince. A furrow in her brow. She moved to better see his side. Oh a puncture a large one. And it looked painful.

I am now.

Well Luhtar, I'm kinusi. Did someone look at that wound you got there. I'm a bit of a healer. I can try and help ya out if you need it.

She looked out to the prey. Yea it's cause I don't mean em any harm right now. Not that I could take one of those beasts myself anyway.

Luhtar’s ears flicked at the sound of her voice—gentle, concerned even. He had expected questions, not kindness. Especially after that flash of something in her eyes. But she did not attack his pride. Instead, she offered help. He shifted his weight, teeth set in a grimace as a pulse of pain radiated from the puncture wound. The memory of tooth and horn swirled in his mind, but he pushed it aside.

“Nice to meet Kinusi,” he said, rolling her name awkwardly on his tongue. He angled himself so she could see the wound more clearly. “Many look at,” he admitted with a stiff shrug, wincing as it pulled at tender flesh. “But did not want bother others today. Busy times. But if you can help, I not refuse.”

He lowered his head a fraction, a silent gesture of thanks. He knew the cost of pride. Letting a wound fester would do him no favors and do Forneskja no good. “I strong,” he said gruffly, as though stating a known fact, “but wound still hurt. You have herbs? I trust your paws.”

At her comment about the deer and caribou, he managed a faint, lopsided grin. “They sense peace in your voice. Maybe you sing them calm.” He half-huffed, half-chuckled at his own poor attempt at humor, looking at her sidelong.

Kinusi was insufferable on a good day. Downright annoying on a bad. But she also knew how to control herself, not doing so was just usually more fun. But a man was wounded pretty severely by the looks. So she'd be doing her best to take care of him.

She blinked as he spoke and realized she really may have misjudged him the first day she met him. It seemed Common was his second language. So frankly speaking he may not have known how to greet her in their first meeting. Her heart thawed a little at that.

I can help. Let's get a gander at you here tough stuff.

Kinusi chuckled and raised a brow. I can see that. You got muscles for days. Could snap me like a twig. But sometimes that's worse. Cause you ain't got the fat to help ease some of that pain. Cause everything is pulled all tight and your sinew and tendons are right at the top.

She bent her head and allowed her wrap to fall to the ground. Gripped the branch that held the claw bored holes shut and pulled it free. The skin unwrapped and herbs were revealed.

First let's get this cleaned with some water. I think I heard a river nearby. One sec.

It took her a little longer than planned. She should have just licked it. But if it were infected she chanced getting sick herself.

She began the arduous task of cleaning the wound. Luckily it had scabbed over clean. There was no smell and no discharge.

I have some rosemary here. Not what I'd like to use for infection. But it will work. Let's pack this baby up and wrap it with some cobwebs. Now you gotta keep this clean. You can eat some of that rosemary too. Help the pain. But not a lot.

She moved a small portion towards him to eat. Surprisingly it also tastes good on meat it's weird.


Kini laughed. Well here I'll try it on you.

While she worked on his wound. She sang softly.

Lying in my bed, I hear the clock tick and think of you
Caught up in circles
Confusion is nothing new
Flashback, warm nights
Almost left behind
Suitcase of memories
Time after
Sometimes you picture me
I'm walking too far ahead
You're calling to me, I can't hear
What you've said
Then you say, "go slow"
And I fall behind
The second hand unwinds
If you're lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall, I will catch you, I'll be waiting
Time after time
If you're lost, you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall, I will catch you, I will be waiting
Time after time

partial song,time after time by cyndi lauper. Also This thread tells you how she made her pouch for realism sake

Luhtar let a low rumble of appreciation slip from his throat as Kinusi worked, careful not to shift or tense too much under her hands. He was unused to such patience aimed at him—and far less accustomed to having it sung over. He gave a gruff huff of laughter at her comments about snapping her like a twig. “I not do that,” he mumbled, the faint curl of humor touching his lips. “But… I see what you mean. Wound bite harder on muscle.”

When she pressed the rosemary against his flank, he hissed softly but held still, trusting her small, deft paws. “Feels… not so bad.” He chuffed a quieter sound, grateful.

At the mention of eating the herb, he raised a brow, then leaned forward to lick the sprig. “Tastes… strong. If help pain, I eat.” Another quiet huff. “Maybe try on deer next time,” he added, tongue flicking wryly at the taste. He said nothing as she continued to sing, the strange lull of her voice weaving around him. It steadied him more than he’d like to admit. Finally, when she finished tending the wound, he lifted his gaze to hers, genuinely appreciative.

“You… thank you, Kinusi,” he murmured, voice low. “I not expect… singing… or care. But is good.” A small, earnest smile flickered across his muzzle, quickly hidden behind a self-conscious dip of his head. “I keep it clean, promise. And if you need something, call me.”

Kinusi felt warm at his appreciative sound. It was nice to show she could be useful for more than a pretty voice and snark. Maybe there was something to this whole medical thing. Her dad didn't usually steer her wrong.

Kinusi nodded a bit sadly. We will have to watch that muscle. If it gets stiff or feels strange you have to come find me. And you should rest it as often as you can. If the horn tore it or anything like that. We'll it could have permanent damage if you're not careful.

Kinusi chuckled. Yea it's a milder astringent. I would rather have yarrow or something stronger. But it will do.

Kinusi laughed. Yea it is a versatile and strong herb. And it's flavor lingers.

You're welcome tough stuff. I am not usually needy. I only crave good company and pretty songs. Though I would not say no to you showing me your favorite place sometime. This forest is awesome, but a bit like a maze.

“Rest leg,” he repeated, more to himself than her, as if committing the advice to memory.

“If stiff, I find you.” He smiles, large head nodding as if confirming it with himself. “You know herbs good. Strong healer. I trust you.” A compliment that came bluntly, followed by the wagging of his tail upon the ground and tongue slightly lolling from his mouth.

He tilted his head slightly, considering. “Show place? Hm.” His gaze drifted to the trees surrounding them, the shadows blending into the evergreens and dappling the snow-covered grounds. “Forest big, many places… but I know few. Quiet, peaceful.”

His tail taps the ground thoughtfully before he perks up, eyeballing the girl. “I show you good spot, you sing song. Deal?”