Silverlight Terrace at last

Today was shining down upon her with luck. The nearly whole carcass of a buck had been left in the fields of rolling green, Waawaashkeshi hopping over to it with her tail waving. She scented no trouble in the air.

Reaching down to eat her fill, she considered taking some back to Nasamiituuq. Not too much, she did not want to be greedy. Something left like this was to be shared.

She scrunched her nose after a moment of her munching, promptly lifting her head up. The taste of something strange had hit her tongue. Rearing back, a sense of panic hit her.

Scavenging came with it's troubles, but this was new. She had not scented it, but the taste was surely herbal. Not nearly skilled enough with herbs herself, she merely froze in the moment. Who would play such a cruel trick? Was it dangerous?

SNAGGED ^^

The lost girl had wandered, a rolling in her belly a signal that she needed to fill it, but a wolf can only survive on small game for so long. She needed something more, something larger than that of the squirrels that lived here.

Her paws pressed on, soon finding herself a few feet away from where a carcass lay. A woman, who appeared quite possibly confused with what she might have just put into her own belly. 

Curiously, Fleur slowly stepped closer, not wanting to startle the other.

"Are--are you alright?" There was true concern there, but also a hint of laughter in her words.

A stranger approached, questioning her. For a moment Waawaashkeshi said nothing.

There's something wrong with this carcass. She spoke, head turning to meet the eyes of the other. It's been tainted.

That much she was sure of. The issue was that she did not know what with; something scentless, but with a strong herbal taste. Unpleasant. Now she wished that she had taken more time to learn herbalism from her grandmother, rather than running off to scout with her father or hear her mother tell stories. How could I have not scented it... She hissed under her breath. Was something wrong with her nose?

Oh...oh no. Did you eat from it? Immediate concern, more serious than before cast her eyes in shadow. 

Paws light and quick as she drew closer to observe both the carcass and the woman, looking for any sign of something wrong, but the truth was that she didn't know what she was looking for; all she knew was that they needed to find out lest the woman falls ill.

The woman whispered to herself in a strange language, but no less beautiful as Fleur strained to hear it. Maybe, when all is said and done, she could learn more from this woman. Well, as long as the woman came out of this unscathed--or, with only the runs as a side effect of whatever tainted the meat.

I am Fleur, by the way. You are still feeling well?

She nodded in response to the question that followed. I did. Only a small amount before I tasted whatever it is in there. But she had swallowed the meat, which had the potential to be a problem.

I feel alright now, besides the nerves.. hopefully it was just a trick to drive scavengers away. She was just beginning to feel well once more after her illness in weeks prior. She would hate to leave Nasamiituuq to handle things on her own again.

A sigh of relief as the woman reassured her. I am glad. That is good. She sat in silence for a moment, observing the carcass with a crinkled brow. There was concern there, concern for others who might come upon this meat. Though the woman may be alright, others may not.

And that didn’t sit well within her heart.

Maybe we should cover this? Who knows what is tainting the meat, and I would not like to see others become ill. I’m still worried for you…um? She realized the woman did not give her name and she was hoping to collect it.

Yes, that would be best. She was quick to agree. My name is Waawaashkeshi.. could I ask yours? She was quick to get to work however, her claws digging at the ground.

There is no need to worry about me. My friend is a experienced medic, she will care for me should I fall ill. She trusted Nasamiituuq to care for her - the girl had always been good to her.

She let silence sit for a moment longer before tossing out another question. Do you live in the area, my friend? She asked, a small smile finally crossing her face. Or are you a wanderer?

It seemed the woman had not heard her give her name earlier, but it was of no matter, Fleur was happy to give it once more. Nice to meet you, Waawaashkeshi—I am Fleur. She followed suit, assisting in the digging.

While she worked, she spoke. Oh, good. Then you are in good hands.

In the silence, her mind drifted, wishing that she had friends to return to, yet they had abandoned her some time ago now. Her smile slightly, but it was short-lived as her ears caught the woman’s question.

I don’t live anywhere at the moment. I had been searching for my friends, they disappeared from this area about a year ago, and have had no such luck. I’m just wandering at this point. She shrugged, feeling the weight of sadness settling over her shoulders.

And yourself? Are you wandering with your friend?

Not exactly. We are establishing a pack in the copse just west of here. She responded. The Summerwalkers, we are called. There were not many of them now, but Waawaashkeshi was confident that she would see growth soon enough.

With the two of them working together the whole quickly grew. Shoving the carcass in, she sighed upon looking down at the poor thing. May you find peace within the earth. Mumbling the words, she began to cover it with dirt. It's a shame that the poor thing was put to waste.

Shaking out her coat, she smiled at Fleur once more. I hope you find your friends, Fleur. She said, if not.. you are welcome in the copse, should you wish.

Offering a nod to the other, she prepared to take her leave.

She took note of the name, pocketing it away in the recess of her mind for later. Maybe she would come visit her newfound friend. Another lovely shell to add to her collection.

The carcass dropped with a thud, making her wince. It was too bad, the hide could have been useful, but it was probably best to let it be since it was tainted.

She offered the other a smile, a nod in thanks. I hope so, too. And, good luck with your pack—’ll come to visit. I’d like to see more of this land. Even better if there is a friendly face to seek. She bid her farewell and continued on, a soft bounce in her step as she descended from the Terrace.