Sunbeam Lair Playing with Plants

@Asterr

  The little ember used her sharp vision to locate plants around, but not with much luck. She had found some death-caps, but those wouldn't be useful. She peed by them to warn others not to eat them. That would end badly. The girl had a mouthful of ferns that she was carrying, but no actual herbs. All that she had managed to find was a stock of sage. She buried it underneath the hollow tree stump she slept in. As she trotted back to the stump to lay down the fresh bedding, a songbird caught her ear. A bright colored bird nest was in the branch above her, maybe she could knock it down! If sorrel could catch these chicks, she could present it to her alpha as a thank you for accepting her into the pack.

   Sorrel dropped her ferns and crouched down low, curving around to the side of the branch. She launched herself up into the air, successfully whacking the nest down. 3 chicks laid squeaking in the grass and Sorrel felt...bad. She whined. Why hadn't she left them alone. She had just thought that maybe...well, to late now. Her emotions got to her, there was no way she was going to kill the baby birds. But she ate them, maybe it was okay.

  Picking a chick up in her mouth, she bit down, painlessly ending its life. She winced at the crunch of bones, but did the same with the next chick. She left behind the ferns and carried the two chicks back to her stump, hiding them in her herb storage area. She then laid down and sniffed at her rosemary, throwing out the herbs that had dried out and lost their healing qualities.

For perhaps the millionth time, Asterr had been out taking inventory on the plants that resided within the lair. Many were enjoying the warmer weather, using it as leverage for their growth. She was satisfied by the fact that everything seemed to be growing just fine, for that meant she would soon be able to begin harvesting some. Of course, much would be left until the days started to get colder again, for it was only in autumn that she needed to stock up in bulk. With spring having arrived and summer not as far off as one might think, she could better spend her time rationing the herbs and caring for them, looking after the plants to ensure they were kept safe and healthy. It was during one of her inspections that she'd caught the younger female's scent and, out of curiosity, had followed it.

Asterr had been lingering nearby when the nest was knocked from the tree. She'd been close enough to see it happen, but too far away to stop it. Of course, when she'd seen the young ember walking away with it, she'd followed, catching up just as she'd laid down. Her gaze trailed over the scene before her, taking in the sight of the location the girl had appeared to of claimed for herself. Any other day, perhaps she would have admired it verbally, but presently she was on a mission. A crime against morals and reason had been committed, which the dragoness had felt it her job to correct. Even if the act could not be taken back, to speak of it in the present would keep it from being repeated in the future.

"Hello, Sorrel," the chieftess had voiced upon revealing her presence. "May I ask why you knocked from a tree a bird's nest?" Naturally, Asterr was interested in knowing what had caused an act to be committed, so that she might better understand the culprit's mentality.

The girl raised her head, alarmed, at the sound of a new voice but calmed when she realized it was Asterr. Still, the question made her fretful. "Well, you see, I was going to bring you some birds from the nest...but then they were only chicks...I thought that I could help out by hunting, but I didn't realize that they were so young. I wouldn't have done it otherwise!" She dipped her head to the alpha. "I'm not that type of wolf, truly. Sorry Asterr." 

    Sorrel gulped, she had just wanted to help out with hunting! She was planning on giving one of the birds, or apparently chicks, to Asterr, and the other to Leo. She shuffled her paws in the dirt in front of her, having picked up one of Ezi's habits. She wondered where that woman was, for she hadn't seen her lately. "If I can't hunt prey, will you teach me how to hunt to for herbs, Asterr?"

It was made clear right away that the other knew of the mistake she'd made, and felt remorse for having done it. She understood that the other was only trying to help, and for that she would not be reprimanded. "Your apology is accepted," the yearling voiced, ears cupping forward as she caught the gentle cries of the remaining chicks. Some remained alive, still, but they could not be left that way. It would be a cruel punishment for a crime they'd played no part in committing. "You must end the lives of the ones that remain," she began. "Their mother will no longer be able to find them, nor will she be capable of returning them to the tree from which they had fallen. You must end their lives before they have the chance to suffer. Perform for them this act of mercy as an apology, to them, for what you have done." It was harsh, perhaps, but necessary. They would either freeze or starve, neither of which being respectable ways to die. To honour their short lives, they needed to be killed and eaten, so that their fall would not have been wasted.

Following her apology, there came a request to be taught. "Of course," she stated, having nothing against helping the younger female out. "Given your inability to smell it may be difficult, but not at all impossible." Rather than telling the girl of the various scents that could be followed or plucked out from a hoard of fragrances, she would have to teach in a manner that relied solely on one's gift of sight. To observe the weather's conditions, the terrain of the earth, and even the trees and waterways that surrounded them. So many things could be used to find certain plants, just as long as someone knew what to look for.

 Sorrel lowered her eyes and slunk inside the den. She swiftly killed he remaining chicks with a quick snap of the neck. She flinched, and slunk back out of the den, blood on her teeth. It was the first time she had killed a creature other than one bird she had killed. That had been easier, though, as it was for her love, Leo. "Thankyou Asterr..." She replied, still a bit dazed from the sound of crunching bones.

It'd taken only seconds for the girl to do as she'd been told, delivering to the chicks a swift death. It had been the best for them, in the long run anyways, and had saved them from several days of suffering. "Make sure you either eat them yourself or place them within a cache for someone else to do so," Asterr had said when the fiery wolf returned. "We must not be wasteful." If they were, no longer would they be creatures of nature battling for survival. If they killed without being driven by the need to survive, they would be murderers, and the dragoness could not even imagine that ever happening. Bringers of peace were not killers, nor did they harbour any. It was simple facts, and a set of morals that the girl would forever stick by.

When thanks had been given, Asterr merely nodded, then swung her head in the opposite direction. "Come," she'd instructed, flashing to the other a soft smile directly after. "You have much to learn." And she had much to teach. It would be a new experience, at least for the Draconid, as never before had she served as a mentor. She'd always been the student, the apprentice to the scholars. Now, however, the tables had turned. She'd long since completed her own studies, and it was finally her time to take the reins and share with another some of the knowledge she possessed. It would be tedious work, having to ensure nothing was misunderstood or heard incorrectly, but she felt herself to be fully capable of fulfilling such a role. It helped, of course, that she was sympathetic towards the younger girl, having heard of her troubles not too long ago. The ordeals she'd experienced were still fresh within Asterr's mind, allowing the yearling to better understand how to proceed with her.

The chieftess had since begun walking, often glancing over to ensure she'd not left her current companion behind. As they'd moved along, Asterr asked, "Is there any plant in particular that you would like to learn how to locate first?" It would help to know what the other preferred, that way she would not lose her hold over her attention. Sorrel could better remain alert and interested, just as long as the older female knew in which way to start, and then continue with, her lessons.

"Chamomile!" She barked with excitement, as her aunt had brought her chamomile as a gift the first time she found a patch of herbs, she was young then, but still could remember. She smiled brightly. "Oh- and chervil and chickweed!" She was overly-joyous, as she saw Asterr as the doppelganger of her aunt. She would never be able to learn without Asterr, so it was good she had a friendly relationship with her. "Can we also learn how to identify Coltsfoot, Comfrey, and Feaverfew and Horsetail?" She was so ambitious, and wanted to be the best healer there ever was.

The answer came quick, and was then followed up by several more names. Asterr recognized each one, but knew not if they'd all be available within the lair. She'd not searched for them in particular before, and was therefore unable to say for sure if all—or any, for that matter—thrived within their home. "I am not positive as to whether or not we will be able to locate all of those here within the lair," the yearling stated, not wishing to elevate the girl's hopes with something that remained unconfirmed. "We will travel beyond the borders another day, so do not fret if we do not get to all of those in this exact moment." A smile never left her lips as she spoke, for the situation was casual and one that she rather enjoyed. It would be an exhilarating task, that much she was certain of, and could not help but look forward to serving the role of a mentor.

A fleeting image had crossed through her mind, then, of a flower she'd seen in passing. Though, at the time, she'd done little investigating, there was a possibility that it was chamomile. Since that had been the first word the younger girl had answered with, Asterr believed it only fitting that they begin with it. Thankfully, the chieftess had a decent idea of where she'd seen the small cluster of plants, and wasted no time in leading the living ember towards it. Of course, she'd naught said a single word in regards to where they were heading, since she'd yet to confirm the plant's species. If it was not what they were looking for, then she didn't want to say otherwise and then be made to look like a fool later on. No, not a word left her mouth until she'd spotted the plant and had managed to confirm it's name—Matricaria chamomilla, just what they'd been looking for.

It was within a small meadow that they grew, away from the crowding trees and beneath an opening in the ceiling overhead. Sunlight shone down unto it, bathing it in the riches of golden hues as the petals were warmed. "Never will you find these within a dense forest," Asterr began, nodding towards the grouping of pale flowers. "They require an open space to grow, such as within meadows and fields. A space like this, where the sun can easily reach them, is the ideal location to search if ever in need of chamomile." They were just the same as any flower that thrived within the meadow, the only difference being the medical properties they possessed. "They are relatively simple to identify. Tell me, which of it's characteristics are most prominent to you when you look upon one of these flowers?" Naturally, she was curious, for everyone could see the same thing in a different way.

Sorrel's excitement skyrocketed as they came upon chamomile. "I think of how very bright the flowers are, as they seem like little suns to me!" She barked, tail wagging frantically. She looked back and forth from her alpha to the chamomile. Yes! It was wonderful getting to hunt, in her own special way, that is. She nodded as Asterr told her about where they lived, narrowing her eyes to try to find any hints about their roots. Were they shallow rooting plants..? She didn't know.

The girl had listened when the younger told her of how she perceived the flower's appearance to be. Like little suns, she'd said, each of which having the capabilities to shine bright. Personally, Asterr never would have considered such a thought, but she could vaguely see how the younger meant when she'd glanced upon the plant once more. Like the evening sun, surrounded by clouds so white and friendly. How interesting it was, truly, but the chieftess hoped the other might never be tricked by looking upon the chamomile in such a way. Within the world, so many species of plants existed, which could prove difficult for Sorrel farther down the road; especially so the case would be once it came to dealing with various genera and species belonging to the same family.

Visual characteristics were momentarily abandoned, the ember's attention seeming to have been drawn elsewhere. Asterr's own gaze had followed hers, drawing it towards the part of the earth where the roots were suspected to be hiding away in. "Do you wish to examine the flower's roots?" the yearling inquired. Though not yet interested in harvesting several of them for storing purposes, she saw no harm in uprooting a single one to further another's education.

The ember nodded. "Yes please, miss Asterr. If that's okay." She didn't want to harm any other living organisms without the consent of Asterr, even if it was only a small flower. Everythingwas great in this world, no matter its physical size. Sort of like a footprint, everything taken from the world made a mark, which is why she felt so bad about the chicks. Sorrel was determined to make small footprints that didn't press down to hard into the reality of their planet's resources. Yes, she would be very careful.

Spoken aloud had her desire been, to which the girl had responded towards with a slight nod. An examination of the roots could serve them both well; Asterr could obtain from it the knowledge of the plant's health and rate of growth, whereas Sorrel could observe them and check for whatever it was she might be curious about. Though surely the plant would die from being uprooted, its death would not go without honour. From it, a lesson would be taught, and then the plant itself stored away. The positives clearly outweighed the negatives, thus allowing the chieftess to gently dig around the plant, ensuring only one was to be disturbed. She'd needed to be careful, and that she was, scraping her nails through the dirt with edified precision. With the roots being shallow, she'd not needed to do so for very long before they'd become visible, and from there she'd proceeded to scoop the flower—roots and all—from the earth. Before the ember's paws was where it was laid, offering her the opportunity to look the entirety of the plant over.

In the meantime, Asterr had looked to the roots, silver eyes scanning them in search of anything that might cause for alarm. Thankfully, they appeared to be just fine, intact and free of any unwanted pests. Satisfied was she, for she'd worried before that the earth might produce insects of the troubling sort. "Have you anymore questions?" the girl then asked, looking to the younger wolf with an attentive expression. After all, she was there to teach, and in doing so would answer any queries presented to her.

Sorrel watched with bright excitement as the plant was laid before her. The little ember blinked at it, then studied it, cocking her head left and right. "If this is a shallow-rooting plant, and it grows in open areas, which plants are deep-rooted that keep our soil intact?" She asked, turquoise eyes finding Asterr's waiting for an answer to her little question.

Her aunt had made it known that wolves shouldn't dig up to many deep rooting plants, as they held together the earth when it rained. To Sorrel, this meant that these plants rooted 10 tail-lengths into the ground and literally held the dirt. She also thought there had to be millions to hold the ground together. "I don't see any in specific around here..." Her head poked up and her ears flipped to the ground. "Is the earth going to give way?!" She barked, suddenly alarmed.

What if the ground began to shake beneath them and the whole of Ryujn fell apart?! These were the thoughts of the naive ember, and her pupils flicked around to each section of the ground, placing her paws wide apart to keep her balance.

Edit; Tacked an ending onto this. Mild PP.

Asterr remained silent as the younger studied the plant, looking it over with what was believed to be interest. It was still new to her, the role of a mentor, but she was steadily coming to terms with it. Like those that had come before her, it was time to share the knowledge bestowed upon the dragoness, even if the one learning was not of Draconid blood. Presently, though, that did not matter, for the lessons involving plants could be taught by anyone. It was her culture, her beliefs, that could not be shared as of yet, or perhaps even ever. Time would tell, but for the time being she'd let such thoughts drift to the farthest reaches of her mind. Flora was the topic, not the dragons, and so attentive she would remain. She was alert, so much so that she'd caught the question effortlessly, but had not been given the necessary span of time in which she could reply within. Rather, the ember had continued to speak, voicing her findings—or lack thereof—and sharing her distress. It was quick that the yearling intervened, however, wishing to put a stop to her untrue notions before they caused any unwanted trouble.

"All around us grow plants with roots that reach deep into the earth," she began, motioning towards the trees. "The roots of the trees are sturdy, their lives forever intertwined with the earth. It is in areas that lack their presence where the soil is loose, but for as long as the trees live, the earth will not crumble around us." If the trees stood tall, then they were fine. It was in barren places where concern was most needed, for such locations could lead to dangerous predicaments. Within the lair, though, such events would not come into play, for around them thrived the lives of hundreds. It was with such knowledge that she feared nothing, for the earth would never crumble from beneath them for as long as the roots remained.

It was with that last tidbit that the dragoness chose to then end their lesson, informing the other that they might continue with more come the following days. For the time being, however, the younger girl was dismissed and sent on her way, while Asterr went on then the give the woods a quick patrol. Truthfully, she looked forward to having with Sorrel future lessons, but until then she would wander and maintain the lives of the plants.