Swiftcurrent Creek I don't read the newspaper because they all have ugly print

backdated to around the 20th

After leaving behind the weird debacle at the border, Akavir had gathered the carcass of the porcupine—albeit, leaving behind the meat and organs for their unruly guests—and decided to go see @Arlette.

He didn’t like to admit it—but the one quill he had in his cheek even though pulled by the stranger still stung, and he could feel the swell of it beneath his eye.

Coming upon the den site, the man chuffed a greeting, hoping she would be around. “Arlette,” he crooned, a smirk pulling at his lips. “I hurt my money maker. Help?”

Arlette was quick to look up when she heard someone approach the site. She was with the pups, who were all too busy to even notice the one that approached. She smiled when she saw Akavir, he had a smile on his face as well. However his face looked slightly different. The healer pushed herself to her feet. Oh no, how will we survive now?, she gasped as she noticed the swelling.

She stepped closer. What happened? She wondered what he had done to make it swell, it was of importance. If it was blunt impact she couldn't do much, if it was something of an infection there would be different methods needed.

Bemusement laced his lips as she humored him—his eyes gleaming as they cast upon her. “Arric is just going to have to step up and try to lure in the joiners now,” he shrugged, as if there could possibly be no other way around it. “Hopefully they can get past that smug smirk of his.”

Joking—and yet he secretly hoped Arric would hear about this, even though he wasn’t here to witness his best friend run him over with the proverbial bus.

“Porcupine quill. Just one—got a pretty lady to remove it and give it a kiss at the borders before she drilled me with some questions. She wasn’t nearly as gentle as you,” he batted his eyes at her with the last comment.

“But I wanted to make sure it won’t mess up my eye.” He paused, tilting his muzzle to her so she could better investigate it. "Figured I'd bring some porcupine quills to the gathering in a few weeks time. We should have things to gift and trade."

The pale woman smirked. I will make sure to let him know, but I speak from experience that it is rather a slow burn when it comes to him, she teased with a big grin. Honestly, she never expected to find love here when she joined. She rather liked that it happened.

Arlette stepped closer, shedding the humorous side and putting on her medical mask on. The pale lady winced and then nudged him with her nose to bring his giant head lower for her to inspect. Her red eyes took in the swelling. His eye did not seem injured and looked normal. I wasn't aware you were into gentle touches, she couldn't help but tease him. Is this pretty lady joining us?

The thing is with porcupine quills is that they often roll into something dead or nasty to make their quills have extra effect aka infection, she explained. I think the most likely course of progress is that it will keep on swelling. It might make your eye shut temporarily with the swelling. Hopefully it will be gone within a few days, perhaps a week. Worst case scenario it becomes an abscess, she explained. But I will monitor it for you, she assured him.

She looked around and then realized she hadn't have any of her supplies. I want you to chew on burdock root daily, she spoke. Drink more water than normal, it will be good for you to flush out potential infection. Do you know which one is burdock root? Otherwise we can go and fetch it.

It was like Arlette handed him a gift on a silver platter—telling him she believed Arric was more of a slow burn. He could spin this to his use one day—already he could feel the twitch of his lips in amusement at the jokes he was already compiling—

—all to keep his best friend on his toes.

He laughed as Arlette asked if she would be joining them—recalling the disdainful look not only from her, her boy, but the withering glare Etienne cast upon her as well. “Hard no,” he guessed, but gave her a roguish wink. “I got a kiss out of it, though.”

A huge stretch—but such was life.

What instantly sobered him though was the knowledge of just how nasty porcupine quills were—they rolled in feces?

“I have poo in my face, then?”

Fucking figured.

Arlette chuckled at the male, of course he got a kiss out of it. If you want kisses and cuddles I might be able to arrange something with Arric, she teased him. She knew it wasn't the same but it was just fun to jest him at times. Plus, she knew the two men were close.

The healer smiled. Possibly she hummed with a wagging tail. Maybe it won't get infected but just to be sure I do want you to take the burdock root and drink more water, she repeated to him. It could also be that it won't be infected and then soon the swelling will go down, she assured him.

But could you imagine all the ladies you would pull with a swollen eye?, she grinned. You would have a constant wink. At that she did have to giggle.

“Are you always so willing to share, Arlette?” A wolfish grin given—his eyes drifting over her. “Looks like we’re both learning something new about each other today.”

Worse, though—the glee she gave at the idea that he had been smacked by a poo-rolling quill pig and was probably diseased.

And would be giving the ladies at the group hunt unsolicited puffy-eyed winks.

And then she giggled—the audacity.

“It’s not as fun when you’re teasing me instead of your mate,” he decided then, leaning back until she was done inspecting it. “Burdock root and water, got it,” he confirmed, before rolling his shoulders—a light crack giving way from him.

Age. It sucked.

“Anything in particular you want me to bestow upon these ladies of other packs other than my clearly charming company? Are we in need of anything?”

Arlette had to think about that one for a brief moment. Normally I wouldn't but I think with you I have no option but to allow it, she hummed. They were close friends and she would feel like a bad mate if Akavir needed hugs to not allow that. Guess you are special, she told him, like he needed to have that confirmed.

Arlette had to chuckle at his words. Sometimes we all need to be teased a little, you know to keep us grounded. Arlette was glad that he got the message and didn't think that he would have much trouble from it. In his case, she hoped that he wouldn't be constantly winking at the ladies.

Not really, I am not picky. Whatever they have spare. Though perhaps, we are a little low on marigold, she admitted. She could use more of that, but it withered away so quickly if not dried in the sun.

fade here or one more reply from you? <3

“Marigold, huh?” A pause—a smirk, despite the ache it stirred in his face from the movement. “Anything for you.”

With that, he stood up swiftly—shoulders rolling back in a quick stretch, before he leaned forward, nudging the she-wolf to the cheek gently in gratitude. “Thanks for always patching me up,” he offered, beginning to pull away from her now. “I’m leaving with Etienne and the girls in a few days… so we’re rounding up stuff we’ll be offering to other packs,” he reminded her—already beginning to make his way back to what he had been doing before—preparing.

There was always much to do.

Yes <3

Arlette shot him a charming smile. Thank you, gallant sir, she hummed happily. I won't count on it too much, she assured him. It was hard to comeby especially since it was starting to go out of season. I love patching you up, she hummed. Though she didn't love him getting injured, she did like the time spend and teasing him. Perfect, we have enough reeds so you could always bring those as an offering, she stated. The fluff was excellent for stopping wounds.

Good luck, Arric and I will keep an eye on things while you are away. With that she let him go, he was a busy man, especially in this time.

- fin -