Swiftcurrent Creek trio of dreams

vague on timeline placement! <3

lestan sought @Arlette that day, consumed by thoughts of self less flattering than they had been in some time.
ears cupped, listening; golden notes; golden feathers.
he dropped his head and pushed doggedly on for where the healer made her den. a gift of duck-down was carried carefully in a wide leaf, though the wind stole a feather or two on the way.
covering it all for the sake of keeping, lestan called a polite note for the kind woman, wondering if there was anything to be done about his lifelong malady.

Arlette looked up when she heard the polite note. She turned towards it and found Lestan close by. She greeted him with the same polite stuff. What she knew of him was that he kept to himself. Instantly the healer got a little worried. She noticed he was carrying something. Hi Lestan, she greeted kindly.

What did you bring? She was curious what he had brought, though her nose was reminding her of duck, so it might be something related to that. It was kind of him to bring something. She was interested as to why he brought something to her.

"h-hello, a-arlette," lestan said softly, then raised a paw in gesturing to the downfeathers. "s-something s-soft, perhaps f-for the little ones o-or to c-over herbs," the mayfair suggested, eyes shining with a pathetic little hope that the gift was indeed useful in some way.
a swallow paused him; lestan gathered up all his words before forging into the reason he had arrived. "i've — i w-wanted t-to kn-know if th-there w-was anything that c-could h-help my st-stammer? m-medicine or —" anything. anything at all. lestan was tired.

Sorry for the delay!

Arlette dipped her head in greeting. She was glad to see the male, as he usually kept to himself. Thank you, that is very considerate of you, she hummed. She might use it to cover herbs for winter, so they wouldn't freeze so much. That might actually be a nice idea. The woman looked at the male when he asked about his stammer. She had not heard of any medicine that might help him, unfortunately.

Just so you know, you do not need to give me a gift for any medical attention or advice, she assured him firstly. I have not heard of anything that might help, however, we can try certain herbs to see if they help with your speech, she offered.

Do you know when it happens more often? The stammer?, she asked, maybe at times it was worse than other times. But she usually heard him stammer now coming to think of it. She thought it had something to do with nerves, so she might give him something for the nerves.

no worries at all! <3

he felt a little chastised, but knew that was not arlette's intention. lestan was only sensitive to anything that appeared to be a scolding; he noted that she perhaps wished to be approached more directly in the times to come, and would follow suit.
visible relief deflated his tense shoulders when the healer confirmed that there were indeed herbs that held the potential of assistance.
"it-it's all th-the t-time n-now," he blurted, ears wilting. "if i f-feel c-calm it's n-not as b-bad, but," he laughed softly, bitterly, "i n-never f-feel c-calm." a paraodox!
but lestan's eyes remained soft with hope as he quieted, waiting for arlette's assessment.

Arlette nodded understandingly, clearly it was something he did not have happen by choice. He was perhaps not even nervous at all, but it was just how his speech came out. He did give some interesting insights though. That is useful information. I do have some herbs that help with calming down a wolf, she offered with a hopeful tone. It was an interesting case, and something that was a little more complicated than the usual infection. Let us just have weekly check ins to see what helps, alright? she offered to him.

Do you know what does make you feel calm?, she asked. Then we can start from there. Is there something I can do now? Otherwise we can start with the herbs to calm you down. Arlette hoped that Lestan didn't mind all the questions she was asking

"w-well, i h-hate to s-say it b-but —" a long sigh preceding his words, lestan took the leap and hoped in desperation his kind leader would not take offense. "i-i'm c-calmer wh-when i'm al-alone. i l-love the cr-creek and w-want to b-be here. but s-sometimes i — g-get so overwh-whelmed," he hiccuped a little in the middle, splitting the word.
ears fell in annoyance at himself. "i w-want to a-ask you and ak-akavir and arric if i c-could be a — w-ell," and now his tone was warming again. "i f-find p-peace following the h-herds. c-counting th-them. stud-ying th-them."
weekly check-ins, good. and an herbal remedy, starting today? lestan's elation and unsurety showed in his gaze, along with a brazen trust in arlette's clear skill.

Arlette shook her head instantly. Do not apologize. So the fact is now that you do not feel calm around other wolves, which is okay. We want that to change that of course, so your speech might not be affected as much, she offered kindly. I can imagine you would feel overwhelmed. I think it would be great and valuable information if someone would follow the herds and count with how many they are. I am certain both of them wouldn't mind, Arlette spoke.

The healer wagged her tail gently over her hocks. When did it start? The speech? Or has it always been a thing for you? It would be useful information and set an expectation. If he had it all his life it might be difficult to ever get fully rid of it. Will you follow me? I can give you a few dried plants to try out, she offered.

arlette was so kind that lestan's eyes threatened to water; he ducked his head away, clearing a strained throat. "it s-started the e-end of l-last sp-spring. wh-when i c-came back to the t-teekons, it was even w-worse."
her support of his tracking aims was pleasant as well, and sent his mind skimming happily into the various trails throughout the rising sun valley.
eagerly he followed; then he tried to hide his eagerness; but it stood in his eyes and the quick way he moved fidgeting at arlette's side. "d-do you th-think i h-have a ch-chance to — s-sing? one d-day?"

Arlette thought about it, perhaps it was something what had triggered it. It was good to hear that it had not been always a trouble for him to speak. Okay, well we will try the calming herbs. I do not know if I can completely fix it but I will try my best, she pressed on.

She started to walk towards her stash of herbs. It seemed Lestan was excited and she didn't blame him. Does it also happen when singing?, she asked curiously. We can always practice and see if it gets better? The pale female was glad that he had come to her for help. She trotted into the 'garden' which was a random assortment of plants. She went to the Chamomile plant. I don't know how long it will survive through winter. I will make sure to dry some as well for you, she offered. She figured fresh might be better.

The female started to bite of branches of the plant and then place them by his feet. Chew on one flower in the morning and one at night. Here are a few, if you finish you can grab more here, she explained. Hopefully it might make him feel calmer. I also should source some lavender, I don't have it on hand unfortunately.

"i n-never tr-ry to s-sing. but i s-suppose it w-would h-happen if i did," he admitted, eyes on the sweet-smelling plant that arlette doled to him now. the taste was not at all unpleasant compared to some curatives he'd taken in the past.
carefully gathering what he estimated to be three days' dose, lestan looked at arlette with a great deal of hopeful delight in his face.
"if y-you t-tell m-me where to f-find lavender, i'll l-look wh-whenever i'm out."
lestan did not think he owed a debt; he desired very much to do these things, to give back such kindness as the healer had bestowed upon him.[/border]

Arlette thought about it. You should try, when you are alone, she offered. She watched his hope and hoped that it wouldn't fade. But first start with the plants and see if that worked. She might also need to think on how she would make Lestan more comfortable around her. Maybe if they spend more time together it might be easier for him.

It is hard to come by, She admitted. I found it in more drier areas rather than wet, she admitted. Most plants came from the wetlands or the meadow, however, this one she had sometimes found in the dryer and higher spots. The season might also be over, she spoke with a soft sigh, but she would keep my eyes open for him. Let's meet up after a few night once you have taken the plant. See if you notice a difference.

"all r-right. i w-will," lestan said, "and i'll l-look for that l-lavender too," he added, smiling down at the chamomile. 
bobbing his head, the mayfair favored arlette with another grateful look. "s-swiftcurrent is s-so lucky to h-have you," lestan sighed, more determined than ever to find the lavender plants for their healer.
after a moment, he put a honey-scented flower in his mouth.