Silvertip Mountain Complications

She was supposed to be making caches for herbs, but how? The plants were already dying from the cold of fall, and winter would kill off the rest. Worry creased the space between her eyebrows, stress making her stomach feel nauseous. What was she going to do? Ryuu didn't want to fail her first mission. She didn't want to disappoint her Alpha or her pack. With a sigh, she stuffed her nose in the dying foliage in hopes to sniff out the lavender plant that Fitz had used on her neck wound. She wasn't exactly sure where the plant grew around here, but she was determined to find something of use.

Pushing through a bush, she shook a couple of leaves loose from her coat. Looking about the clearing she had walked into, she spotted a white plant near the base of a tree. Ears perked in curiosity, she wondered what it was. Could it be a plant with healing properties? Maybe, but how could she test it? Fitz had mentioned finding injured animals or wolves, but where was she going to stumble across that? Again she sighed. This would be a hard task. But she may as well start somewhere, so stepping forward she broke the stem of the plant at the ground and went in search of someone to use it on.

Steady was settling in nicely in his new home. He enjoyed exploring the territory, knowing it would be useful information to know the layout intimately if there were intruders that he needed to cut off. This morning, he had been trying to descend a new part of the mountain, and had slipped, resulting in a long, though shallow, gash on his back left thigh. It didn't impede his use of the limb much, though it did hurt somewhat. The bleeding had at least stopped now, too.

Since his little slid, he had stuck to more flat, sure-footed ground, at least for right now. While out and about, he caught her scent just before she came into view. He chuffed to get her attention, hoping he could meet her since he hadn't yet. "On a mission?" he asked, noting the flower between her jaws. He didn't want to interrupt if she was on her way to do something.

Thank you for replying :D

Jumping at a sudden sound, Ryuu spotted a black wolf. He asked her if she was on a mission. "Oh, um... yes... k-kind of?" She replied in turn around the plant in her jaws. "It's just that uh, Fitz... had wanted me to... um... make some herb caches..." She wondered briefly if the wolf was friend or foe, but his scent indicated that he was one of Silvertips wolves. She was sure she had met all the wolves of Silvertip, so she assumed that this one must be new."But I, uh ... don't really know anything about herbs yet..." Her voice trailed off nervously, her eyes focusing on a spot just past the wolf so as not to make eye contact with him. She hated how shy and nervous she was. It wasn't like this wolf was going to harm her. But she was also embarrassed that she didn't know anything about herbs when Fitz had asked her to fill the caches. 

Internally she sighed at her lack of knowledge, but she knew that it wasn't her fault. She had no one to teach her properly. Fitz helped somewhat and she was grateful for that, but it wasn't all she needed. Ryuu remembered him saying once that the pack may be able to help her. "Do you happen to know ... anything about herbs?" Being as new as she was to herbs and healing, she missed the fact that this wolf had a wound on his side. "I'm not... exactly sure what this plant does..." she placed it on the ground, starring at it worriedly. As a last thought she said, "Oh and I'm ... uh... Ryuu..."

Happy to!

It seemed the female was on a mission to create some herb caches. Unfortunately, she confessed, she didn't know anything about herbs. Steady wondered why FitzDutiful would send her on a mission she was incapable of seeing through. Or, did his brother know that? When asked if he knew anything about herbs, Steady regretfully shook his head with a frown. "No, I'm sorry, I don't," he replied. He wished he could help, but he was at a lose as to how.

He looked down at the plant she had placed before her. She, nor he, knew what it did. "I know back home some plants were better used when eaten, others when made into a paste and put on the wound. But, I'm not sure about this," he said. He hadn't really paid attention when their healer would do their work- now he regretted taking them for granted. "Is there anyone else in the pack who might know about plants?" he asked. He could call for them if there was.

His smiled when she introduced herself. He had completely forgotten to. "Nice to meet you, Ryuu. I'm Steady, FitzDutiful's brother, and June and Mason's Uncle." He didn't name drop because his brother happened to be the Alpha of the pack. He just like to let pack members know how he was related to others here.

His aching thigh brought his attention back to it. For the moment, it was just an annoyance, but then he looked at the plant. "I have a cut on my thigh... If we can find someone who can tell us how to use this plant, I'd be happy to be your patient," he offered. It was the best he could do.

Disappointment colored her shy features at the wolf's inability to help, but she would just have to find another that may know. This whole healing thing may have been a challenge way over her head. "That's.... that's all right," she told him dejectedly, but then smiled slightly. "I can figure this out." Honestly she had little to no faith in herself. But Ryuu didn't want this wolf to think she was even more useless than she already was. 

He was able to offer up some advice that some plants were best used when eaten, and others when made into a paste and placed on wounds. Ryuu thought about that for a moment, wondering if she should have someone eat it or if she should chew it up and place it on a wound. If the thing was poisonous that could prove to be a problem, so she shied away from having anyone eat it until she gained more information which then the wolf asked if anyone else in the pack knew about plants. "Um... well... I'm not sure?" She scuffed a paw. "I guess I could ask.... b-but ... we don't have any healers.... so ... I mean... tha-that's why I offered to learn the trade...." Because she wanted to help. Because she didn't want to be useless, and the pack needed a healer.

When she offered her name, the male told her that he was called Steady and that he was Fitz's brother. Her creamy ears perked up with interest for a brief moment before falling against her scalp. Now she felt even more embarrassed. Ryuu picked up her plant, thinking that it would be best not to bother Steady with her meager issues. He probably had better things to do than help a dumb wolf like herself.

Before she could turn to leave, Steady mentioned that he had a cut on his thigh. Now she felt even worse. How could she not have noticed? "Are you in pain?" She mumbled around the plant again. "Wait." Here was one opportunity to try a plant. Chewing it up and placing on his wound wouldn't be deadly.... right? Fear halted her movements, but she shook it off. Ryuu had to try something. Perking her ears up,  she began to chew up the plant with determination. Once the white mystery plant in question was a nasty pulp in her mouth, Ryuu made a move to place it on Steady's wound, but waited for him to indicate that he was all right with it. She could only hope that it wasn't a dangerous plant. Imagine if her fist mission ended up killing Fitz's brother - that would be just her luck too.

She explained that since the pack didn't have a healer yet, it was difficult to ask other for information that they probably wouldn't have. He thought for a moment, before coming up with an idea, "What about other packs? If we have any allies, you could visit their pack and learn from their healer," he said, a little excitedly. "I could go with you, if you're not comfortable going by yourself," he added. It could be daunting to go to another pack of wolves you didn't know, and his protectiveness came out, offering to be her escort.

She asked if he was in pain, and he shrugged. "It does hurt, though it doesn't affect the use of my leg," he said. He wanted to be honest, but he didn't like letting anyone know he hurt. He watched as she chewed up the plant. When she looked at him, he realized she wanted permission to put it on him. Figuring it would help, he laid down on his side, wounded leg up so that she had full access to it.

Ryuu had listened to what the male suggested as she chewed up the plant, she would have to give her response to him after she placed the nasty tasting plant on his wound or spit it out if he didn't want it. But to her surprise and happiness, steady laid down and offered his wounded leg to her. She quickly spit the pasty plant onto the leg and gently nosed it into place before slowly spreading it across the wound. She wasn't sure if she would get an immediate result or none at all, but she hoped for something.

With her deed done she replied to his earlier comments while stepping back to give him some room. "I-I'm not exactly comfortable... at all w-with going to see other packs...." she admitted sadly. "I-if a fight broke out... I wouldn't be able to... um... fight..." Ryuu was embarrassed to admit such cowardice, but she had to let Steady know. "I-I would be willing to go if you came but I do-don't want to be the reason you get hurt." She felt quite bad about herself even thinking of the possibility that he would get badly injured because she couldn't do anything to help. But she couldn't learn everything she needed to for the pack if she stayed within the territory. She may eventually be able to learn a few things, but Ryuu doubted that the small bits of information she could gather from experimenting with herbs would do too much good.

Ryuu spread the paste onto his wound with her nose. "You're very gentle," he complimented her. "You think we should let it dry on there and see what happens?" he asked. If he got up now, it might just fall off because of gravity. If it dried, it might stay in place long enough to help.

She confessed she was nervous about going to see other packs- for herself and for him. "You don't have to worry about me. I can protect myself, and you for that matter. It isn't like we're just going into another pack's territory without their permission. We go to their boundaries, howl for them, ask if it's possible to learn from their healer, and if not, we simply leave." It was all very cut and dry for Steady, and he didn't quite understand Ryuu's anxiety about it. But, I won't pressure you to go. Just keep in mind I'll gladly come along with you," he added.

Sorry for the wait!

Steady complimented her on how gentle she was when placing the paste on his wound and suggested that they wait for the paste to dry. She only nodded in agreement, feeling bashful of his compliment. Ryuu hoped that the paste would dry quickly, she didn't want him to be stuck lying down for too long. She was afraid that he would be mad at her if he had to. 

When the male told her that he was capable enough to protect them both, she felt admiration for the male at his confidence in his own strength but also envious. She pushed away the envy, allowing the admiration to taint her ice blue gaze. Steady went on to explain that they weren't going onto another pack's territory, but to the boundaries to ask for a healer. She knew as much, but did not say so. What worried her were the pack wolves who were very overprotective of their territory, to include the areas near their boarders. Ryuu also did not speak up to admit her worries, believing that she had admitted her cowardice too much to this wolf already.

When he concluded his explanation by stating that he would not pressure her to go and that he would be glad to go, Ryuu scuffed a paw and finally spoke, "Could I have some time to think about it?" She felt glad that he did not reject her because of her cowardice. It was a great fear for her, to be rejected by someone because of her lack of confidence even though she rejected herself time and time again. "Th-thank you by the way..." she said softly to Steady. "You have no idea... how much your words... mean to me..." Ryuu looked up and gave him a genuinely happy smile then and if she was able to shed tears of joy then she would have. To hear that someone would be glad to join her despite her problems, meant everything to her and patched one of the many cracks in her confidence.

No problem! :-)

While Steady did have patrols to do, he was patient as he waited for the paste to dry. After all, a lame wolf would be of no use to the pack, and if this worked, he would be back to tip top shape in no time. Plus, it was a good learning experience for Ryuu, even if it didn't work. She would be able to cross this particular technique off her list, and try to use the plant in another way.

She seemed shy as she asked for time to think about his proposal. He nodded, Absolutely! he said with a smile. I don't want to pressure you into something you're not comfortable with. Just keep me in mind if you decide you'd like to go, he added. He wanted to make sure she had every opportunity to learn her trade.

His ears perked as she thanked him, sure that he had no idea how much his words meant to her. Maybe that was true, but he was beginning to see. You're very welcome, Ryuu, he said softly. In an effort to lighten the mood, he smiled. So, when I'm not being your patient, we could hang out, if you wanted, he offered. He was asking to be friends, wondering if she would be too shy to accept. He had a feeling she didn't make friends very often.

Steady seemed happy to wait for her to think about his proposal for a little bit before making a decision. Ryuu was beginning to feel more comfortable around him and a little less shy. He was easy to talk to and extremely friendly. She liked that he wasn't hostile towards her what so ever and seemed okay with her shy nature. He explained that he didn't want her to feel pressured to go and to keep him in mind if she decided to. "O-Of course!" She exclaimed with a wag of her tail. "I'm not sure anyone else would like to come.... and you are the first to have offered.... I wouldn't want to let you down." But that was only partially true. Chaska came to mind. He probably would have taken up the offer as well. Giving Steady a quick glance over, she wasn't sure Chaska would be as strong as this male though. Ryuu felt she would be safer with Steady. But she felt bad thinking that way. It wasn't fair to Chaska who had helped her remove the black thing that had been around her neck. 

When she had thanked him, Steady welcomed her and offered them to hang out when he wasn't being her patient. Ryuu hadn't expected that. She was stunned for a moment. "Oh-uh... um..." She turned her gaze from him, her ears warm. "I would ... like that." It was the first time anyone had said they wanted to hang out with her. Maybe she would finally get a close friend in the pack. She considered Chaska a friend, but she didn't see him often and so she didn't consider them to be very close. 

She didn't want to seem too eager, but she wanted to ask Steady if he wouldn't mind looking for more herbs with her in a few days. Her eyes turned to her front paws as she gathered her courage to ask. "Would you..." she bit her lip slightly, wondering if maybe he had something in mind that he wanted to do too. "Could we.. meet up again in a-a few days?" There she said it. Ryuu took a breath, her gaze rising to land on Steady's shoulder.  She wanted to see his reaction, but she also didn't want to if he rejected her.

Steady shook his head, No, no, you wouldn't let me down! We'd do it for you, anyways. he pointed out. It's not like a pass/fail thing, he assured her. He felt like he kinda sounded like he was trying to convince her to go, but he was really just trying to convince her it wouldn't be a problem. If she decided not to go, he didn't want it to be because she was scared of letting him down.

His tail thumped at her question, Sure, we can hang out! I'm always out and about, just howl for me, he said with a smile. He wondered if she really would, considering how shy she seemed. He hoped, so, though.

Looking down at his leg, he noticed the paste was hardened. Hey, look, it's stiff, he said, before looking back to her. Any idea what we should do now?

As it has been almost 7 weeks since my reply, and I've tried to PM you to discuss this thread, I'm going to go ahead and edit in a conclusion and archive this thread. I hope this is okay.

Steady would take whatever advice Ryuu offered for his wound. After all, even though she was in training, she still knew more than he when it came to healing. He hoped this paste would help. When Ryuu was finished with him, Steady stood, bidding her farewell until their next meeting. He walked off, a little limp in his step due to the stiff paste on his leg.