Blackfoot Forest brown sugar

Forward dated a few days to give her time to get here from the coast.

Starbuck sniffed at the edge of the old scent-marked border, smelling stale wolf musk and tree sap and leaf litter decay. This was where her feet had brought her. This was the place that she had seen with the eye that was her mind. A proud forest in the arms of a mountain, shadowed at its base. Once again her skills had proven true, but she never knew all of what was to come. That she should have come upon the pack too late was a great disappointment, though, and while she knew that there was nothing to be done, it weighed heavy on her heart. Stepping over the faded marker was a nervwracking procedure, but she wanted to see what the once-claimed territory was like and why its borders had fallen to disrepair.

A while ago there were packs to the east of them. It pleased Potema that this was no longer true.

She crossed the faded borders of this pack — she hadn't even known the name of it, nor who led them — feelt a rush of pride that they no longer had interference from the east. She mockingly scuffed the ground where the borders once lay, now decaying. She had no herbs to make a hex or fetish, but the words came to her lips all the same. Kostagon daor lentor mazverdagon kesīr. She hissed.

They needed no other rival this close to them. Their pack was growing, filling with pups that needed to be fed. She relished the thought of a competitor disappearing to the winds before winter arrived.

She hardly noticed the slim figure as she finished her makeshift curse, venturing deeper into the woods to explore the dark forest.

Within, there seemed no sign of strife or starvation. There were no bodies, no sign of battle. So they must have scattered, as packs sometimes will. This quieted the sadness she felt at having come so far for nothing. This, and the realization that she had not come for nothing. She had somewhere to go, somewhere where she already had a friend. She would go to Donnelaith.

But first she would thoroughly explore the place she had seen in her dreams.

It was not long before the coywolf caught the scent of another. It carried the smells of an unfamiliar pack- though all packs here were unfamiliar- and was green with herbs. Starbuck followed the scent, curious and hopeful, and found that the wolf was not far off. Starbuck hailed her with a coyote's yip, her tail high and friendly, her ears thrust forward. Greetings! she chirped when near enough for words.

Potema faintly recalled that these woods were once largely inhabited by foxes. She had passed through them once on her way to Bearclaw Valley (ah, what a predicament that had been!), even interacting with one of the little thieves...they must have been driven out by now.

And in their place, coyotes came. Well, that's what she first thought when she heard the yip. Her ears flattened as she turned towards the sound. In place of a coyote, she saw a half-breed instead. Her ears rose slightly as she observed the coywolf. Well...at least she was friendly... Greetings...

Starbuck approached the woman without caution, for she had nothing to fear. They were two canids in neutral territory, and Starbuck did not think she presented a threat to anybody. The other wolf looked less sheltered than she, her white coat marred by scars. Some seemed as though they had been made with purpose, while others seemed to be battle-scars.

It seemed to Starbuck that they were of an age, and it made her chest ache to think that they had led such different lives. Most startling to her was the other's wounded eye, such a painful and permanent wound. I am Starbuck, she said, careful to keep pity from her gaze. Do you- did you- live here?

As of late, those she had recently met who looked upon her eye looked on without pity. Some did with awe. Others ignored it all together. It had been a long while since she had seen pity in someone's gaze, not so subtly tilted to the left. It enraged her, and she tensed, her eyes narrowing with contempt. No, She didn't give her name, too annoyed to grace the woman with either title. Did you know the name of the pack was?

The woman, rugged but unbroken, narrowed her eyes. Starbuck felt a strike of something unpleasant, like embarrassment, within her chest but she could determine what she had done wrong. I knew nothing of it, she admitted, hoping to smooth over whatever wrong she had comitted. This place came to me in a vision, but Sight works in strange ways. I am thinking I was not meant to settle here as I once thought.

The conversation hadn't interested her much at first. She was trying to look for every avenue to leave, but paused at the mention of visions then became thoroughly interested at the word Sight. The capitalization behind the word wasn't lost to her. You have Sights...? She asked, her mood instantly shifting. She hadn't met any other like her — a seer that was — outside of her religion. It excited her that there was someone else.

The change in mood surprised Starbuck, but it was not unpleasant. She didn't like that she had, somehow, displeased the other wolf and was glad for this change of heart. And, of course, Starbuck loved to share her gift, for it had the ability to bring great joy to others. Yes! she piped. I have the rare gift of foresight. You seem familiar with it. Have you known Seers before. Then, a new thought, more brilliant than she could stand, came to her. She gasped. Perhaps you have the gift yourself?

It was indeed rare. It's origins were still a mystery to Potema; it was both an isolated trait and hereditary. She supposed that, if two people who had the Seer power their children would too; but her brothers didn't have it, nor did Pietro (she didn't think). But Kendra might have. Perhaps it was only a female thing? 

No matter. She nodded, Ever since I was a child. Her mother had started guiding her when she woke from an extremely strange dream. Her Sights were erratic at first; manifesting in a soft woman's voice and random visions, but as she grew older, they were less frequent and more vivid. She had much more control over them now.

Since she was a child! Starbuck knew that some were born with the gift, as she had been, and some were blessed later in life. In her birth pack, a wolf was blessed after blinded, and another could hear the whispers of the dead after her hearing was lost. They were blessed by fate, given a new sense to replace the old. The eye that was her mind had always been Seeing.

A great grin spread across her lips, her joy reflected in her eyes. Oh! But how wonderful. You must tell me your name, sister, she begged, her tail whipping excitedly. Tell me, how do you See? Perhaps we can join our eyes and see farther, greater things!

She hadn't been questioned like this since Hags' Fen. The others in Blackfeather Woods had accepted her gifts with little questions; Meldresi had been the last one there to truly investigate what Sights she had. It had been a long time since she had explained her gifts to another person, the first time she had spoken to an outsider. My name is Potema, normally she wouldn't give her true name, but the kinship she felt to this other female urged her to do otherwise.

My visions weren't as well defined when I was young, but after I lost my eye, she gestured to the pale orb, speaking about it without any sadness in her voice, They became clearer. They're often triggered in magical places, but I've learned to trigger them at will,

Her original assesment of the other was slowly morphing. No, she wasn't pitiable. Starbuck now looked upon her with respect that bordered on awe. Her eye was a mark of her gift. Potema, it is so good to meet you, she said ardently. I am Starbuck.

She listened to Potema's explanation raptly, then replied with a summary of her own abilities. I do not often have visions, she admitted. My Sight is clouded when I seek my own future, but sometimes the way forward is illuminated for me. I can better read the future for others. Starbuck quite preferred it that way. She would rather help others and let her own future be nebulous.

Starbuck. It wasn't a familiar sounding name, not in a linguistic sense at least. But it mattered not. She had found a kindred spirit, at least in abilities. She was much too cheery to be a follower of any Daedra.

My visions are of the past, or to other places, The latter part was difficult to explain. She didn't mean in this Realm, though sometimes she did see other places in the world. Ugh. Even though she was with someone who understood she couldn't explain herself. Do...you know spells too? She asked tentatively, hoping she wasn't pressing her boundaries.

Potema's description of her abilities fascinated Starbuck, who hungered for more knowledge about the gifted of the world. To see the past seemed advantageous, almost more so than the future. Starbuck used her gift to guide and comfort others, but foresight was a double edged sword. Incorrect interpretations did not arm one to what would come but weaken them. Visions of the past were a gift of greater understanding of the world. 

That is wonderful! Such a connection to our forebears is sacred, Starbuck exclaimed, her tail whipping behind her. The next question gave her pause. I know some magic, but it is small magic and healing spells. It is a craft I never paid mind to, and now I wish I had. Do you?

She was disappointed to learn that, while Starbuck did know magic, it wasn't as much as she had hoped. Potema didn't let her disappointment show, however, nodding slightly. I do; some might call me a witch, She called herself that, knowing that it was an insult for some wolves. She took the label with pride — it marked her as a strong spellcaster and herbalist. Though, Starbuck herself might be called a witch in some circles. Potema hadn't been taught much in two-wolf spells or scrying; it would be interesting to learn how to do so. How can we bring our talents together?

Starbuck's ears perked when Potema revealed that she could do magic. Would you teach me? Not today, but someday? I would so love to learn what magics you weave. A witch, like her mother, like others she'd grown up near. She had been limited to only sharpening her skills as a Seer, for they were rare among her people. What healing magic she had learned was done so when she was not being watched.

Is there water near? Flat, still water? they could scry together, amiplifying each other's abilities.

The thought of teaching another wolf magic hadn't been on Potema's mind. If anything, she thought that she would be teaching a child of her pack, or Kove. But a stranger? It was a strange thought. Most of her spells were rather...malignant. Would she even use them? Potema simply nodded, a small smile on her face.

The nearest body of water I know of is over the mountains, I'm afraid, She did not know this region well; most of it was a distant memory of her childhood.

At first Potema didn't answer, and Starbuck gazed searchingly. But as soon as she began to fret, Potema smiled, then nodded! Oh, thank you! I am already excited, even just to see you again. At first Starbuck had thought the other girl fearsome, but now she saw that she was fierce. Admiration glowed within her. Would you tell me where you live, so that I may come and visit you?

The negative answer did not faze Starbuck. Instead she shrugged. It need not be large. Perhaps we can find a puddle, or perhaps a pool in a stream. Come! she beckoned, taking a few steps forward before stopping to see if her newest friend would follow.

She wondered if giving out the location of her pack would be the best idea, but as a standalone forest in the midst of flatland, it was hard to stay hidden. Blackfeather Woods, She began, It's over the mountain, just south of here,

Potema followed the woman, barely knowing the terrain around them. It hadn't rained recently — would they find a puddle? — but she relished the idea of an adventure with someone who shared something as deep and personal as the gift of Sight. I haven't scryed in water before, She admitted, wondering what it would be like.

Absently, she wondered what kind of place Blackfeather Woods was. It had produced a wolf like Potema, a creature wheathered beyond her age. I will come to visit, then! Just as soon as I am able, she promised in a voice so eager and sincere that it brooked no argument.

With her nose to the ground, Starbuck began to search for water. There hadn't been rain recently enough to leave puddles, but surely they could find something. Her ears swiveled, first searching for the sounds of water, then towards Potema. Starbuck lifted her head. How have you done it? she asked. Water was almost always available, if you knew where to look. It was Starbuck's medium of choice.

She wouldn't exactly relish the thought of Damien or the others interrogating this innocent seer on their territory, but if she did come to visit, Potema would make sure she was the first on the scene. For now she walked at the woman's side, listening to her question.

Trances. Sometimes if I try hard enough I can put myself into one on my own, but most of the time I need special herbs. Water wasn't Mephala's domain, and it was from her that Potema received her Seeing powers. She could scry very easily with some herbs like nightshade, or on her own if she stared into a spider's web, but she hadn't tried with flat, clear water. Is water scrying your only method?

Herbs! This piqued Starbuck's curiosity, so she asked, what herbs do you use? She was always looking for ways to refine her craft. The magic she had been taught was only the magic of her people, but she knew that there was more out there. Hers was the magic of the air and the water. Through pools as clear as crystal, she saw what was to come. The whispers of the wind brought her tidings from afar. What could she learn by eating herbs?

I usually use water, she said. On clear days, or days that are so overcast you can see nothing beyond the clouds, I can use the sky. Once or twice I have had success in gazing at the stars. Water is easiest!

Jimson weed, nightshade, witch's hat, She listed off a few of the easiest to find. Small doses, though. Just the right amount of each produces the best affects, but it is hard to measure it out so specifically, It had taken her a while to tailor each plant to her specifications, but she mastered it eventually. Or, at least she thought she did.

Scrying in water was a known practice to her, but she had never done it. She was interested in seeing how it worked. Have you ever scryed in a spider's web before?

Potema listed her herbs of choice, the names of which had Starbuck sucking in a startled breath. They were poisons, all of them! Though the side-effects to those she knew better included hallucinations, which an awakened mind could decipher as glimpses of what was to come or what had already come to pass. Even in small doses, Starbuck did not think eating these plants could be good. But she would not pass judgement on Potema, for this was just her way. I have never thought of doing so, she said thoughtfully, with regards to the spider webs. But I can see now that such a thing would work. That is how you do it?