Moonspear Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May

Despite the dimming light, Aesop continued to work. He found himself restless these days, and frustrated with himself. He did not think himself the type to pine, yet there he was, awaiting any sign or word of Alastor like a lovesick puppy. Work seemed to drive away most unpleasant thoughts, so Aesop bent himself to the task of establishing his own medicinal cache. These Pyx and Judas characters might have had their own, but Aesop wanted to try to do this on his own. 

He had been handling plants for hours, and their varied tastes were starting to grow stale and gross. Aesop allowed himself a break and took off towards the nearest water source, the same one that he had bathed in after digging the cache.

He arrived at the river to find Dash at its banks, seemingly sleeping and hopefully not dead. Aesop watched for a moment before he saw the rise and fall of Dash's rib cage, then stepped closer to greet him. Hey there, guy, he greeted.