Herbalists' Cache Tomorrow, I'll switch the beat to avoid yesterday's dance

Don't feel like you gotta match, I had this half written and then decided to wait for Lainie, lmao. Also tags are for ref!

The hunt for her brother couldn't wait. Now, at least, there were others to look out for; she could not exactly abandon the marsh now that she'd gathered friendly faces to it, but Ibis left word with @Bhediya that morning. She had informed the mother that she would be heading north a bit, just for a look. Maybe she'd get a glimpse of the herds returning (but she was not expecting such good fortune); at the very least Ibis hoped to pick up on @Okeanos' trail if there was one. As an avid scout and proven ambassador she felt it necessary to attempt this herself; she knew the land, as Kukulkan had praised of her. If anyone would find her wayward sibling it was Ibis.

Due north of the marsh was an openness she had not anticipated and it threw her, a little. Ibis was caught with a decision that she struggled with: go further north and see what lay there, perhaps glimpse the ocean—or head west, through the forest and to the cliffside that would inevitably lead back home; to the ruins of Elysium where, maybe, Okeanos had gone to visit. Maybe he had gone there to be alone and then been caught in the disastrous quaking? A terrifying thought—but a convincing one. Ibis chose to delve that way and give up the seaside stroll, for now. One day maybe she would bring Kukulkan with her and they could see her sea, and he could tell her more of the south and the warm waters he no doubt loved so much.

So to the northwest she headed, trying her best to avoid the deeper sections of the soggy wetlands. For the most part the area was empty; she did not see a single life form, and even the earth was somewhat solid as she went, frozen by the season's chill. It made travel easier and Ibis was glad to find the forest as it arose before her, an impressive monument that curved like a wall across her path. The scent of wolves stung at her cold nose though, and she slowed, stopped, watched—spying upon nothing at first, until a shifting between the trees caught in her eyes.

Okeanos? It looked like a large shape—or perhaps more than one body? Either way Ibis was intent on seeking it out, so she set off with a brisk stride and ducked in among the trees deftly, like a fawn seeking shelter. The lithe little woman was not bothered by the tangle of ferns and such things around her, as they were prolific within the marsh she had been living in recently. It wasn't until she heard a lilting young voice among a copse of elms that she paused again, cocked her ears. —papa. You should eat. It helped her to pinpoint where the creatures were; they were most definitely wolves, Ibis thought. They might've been stationary for the time being and that would give Ibis a chance to slip closer without disturbing them.

It was disheartening to realize it wasn't Okeanos, but — oh! It was someone quite large, regardless. As she scoped out the area she thought she glimpsed the girl, and then the silhouette of a large adult, which sent a thrill down her spine. Their coat was so dark! There wasn't a trace of warmth within it. Ibis swallowed whatever nerves had begun to bubble beneath her surface and made a bee-line for a shaft of thin light, hoping it would be enough to spotlight her a bit so as not to surprise the pair. Motes of dust - or maybe ice - flowed alongside her as she made her way, no longer trying to be subtle, until she thought she'd made herself known well enough to speak: Times are hard for everyone. Do you need help?

Her voice was warm, inviting. She stowed the sorrow felt upon not finding her brother, as it would not help her in this moment.