Lost Creek Hollow domestic pressures

mona stood along a well-traveled footpath in the middle of lost creek hollow, staring dismally at a pile of her own vomitus. the urge had come upon her suddenly and without warning; one moment she had been tracking an ermine through the snowy forest, and the next had retched the entirety of her breakfast into a nearby drift.
disgusted, confused, and horrified, mona pawed snow over the mess and hurried onward. fear rose within her that illness was beginning to steal into her body, and she did not know if the hollow had a healer. at a trot she moved, her hunt forgotten.

Gannet scented the vomit before he scented her, and she wasn't familiar to him. But if she was sick, then he found he wanted to help, even if he wasn't sure that he knew how to do so. Healing wasn't something he'd studied, but helping the man with the quills had felt right. He'd never felt more right, actually. So if he could offer something he was at least going to attempt to do so.

He trotted after the direction she'd gone, easily, not wanting to race up and startle her. His leg set him off some in the snow, but not as much as it might have a year or so ago. When he didn't immediately catch her, he quickened some, until eventually someone came into view.

Are you ok? he asked, ears pushed forward and bearing low. He didn't want to frighten her, especially if she wasn't feeling well.

mona was startled all the same, for she had turned so far inward that even her senses had failed to notify her of the man's presence. and so she started, and stumbled in the snow, whirling to face the stranger who wore the scent of her pack. "oh!" came the cardinal's exclamation, followed by a trembling smile. "i'm all right. just a bit of indigestion, i think." mona was quite mortified to be discussing her sickness with the male, who clearly had smelled it, and, all gods forbid, perhaps even seen it. 
her nerves flared; the jerking of her body, coupled with her misery at having been found out, culminated in a sudden spear of nausea. "i'm sorry," was all the little firebrand could squeak, before turning away just in time to throw up a second time into the snow along her path. when she had finished, the stalwart sniffled and in spite of herself, mona began to cry quietly from embarassment.

Oh. Oh, oh no. Gannet's wars flattened and he let out a low, soothing whine as she began to cry, unsure why she was but now doubly wanting to help. Shouldn't be sorry, he said softly, then shifted uncertainly.

He remembered, when he was younger, bringing Finley fish when her stomach was upset because he knew he had liked the same. In this instance, though, that felt wrong. Instead, he found that mint sprang into mind, and he wondered if maybe chewing some would help her. Wait here, he said, meeting her eyes questioningly and waiting for a confirmation before turning to go and gather some. He didn't know where he would find any - it was winter, but some places were still green. He'd search the ones he knew first.

the man attempted to soothe her, but mona could take no such thing, not now. however, his worried gaze met her tearfilled eyes, and he bid her wait. irritation rose in the girl; however, it was not directed at him, merely at her own sudden and dire weakness. and so she nodded, crouching down to wrap her red plume about her paws.
her eyes closed, and some awareness told her this was not a sickness. yet mona was unwilling to accept anything other than what she already believed, and so pulled her mind away to wait in a grim silence for her packmate's return.

It took a few moments, but as soon as he found what he was looking for, a patch of late green with the strong biting scent. It wasn't much but he caught up what he could and carried it back, happy.

He placed it down and took a few steps back, watching curiously. Maybe this helps? he asked quietly. If she didn't want it he would understand - when he was feeling sick, what helped and hurt would shift frequently.

mona turned to the little heap of green thankfully, its sharp scent revealing its nature quickly. mint, and enough of it to store. the little cardinal did not think this was the end of her sickness; whatever mysterious ailment had befallen her would not soon be driven away. "thank you," she whispered, lowering her muzzle to gather one of the small leaves into her jaws.
the taste of vomit lingering was soon washed away, and her stomach settled thereafter. looking to the man with another grateful expression, the girl cleared her throat. "perhaps we could start over. i am mona." start over, indeed!

He watched as she took it and smiled with genuine delight as it seemed to help. He couldn't say for certain, but she at least looked better, and usually thank you meant he'd succeeded in easing her somewhat. He licked the taste of the herbs from his lips and nodded, completely content.

He in no way took her previous manner personally, as it wasn't his way to take much of anything personally. But he liked hearing her name, even if he wasn't sure what she meant by 'start over'. I'm Gannet. She was another packmate here who hadn't come from Moonspear, so she wasn't familiar to him. He wasn't much for making conversation, though he was trying to get better. He just never really knew where to start.

gannet. she liked the sound of it, and switched the mint to her other cheek. gathering herself up, the cardinal tested a few unsteady steps; the nausea roiled in her belly again, and she hesitated. "would ... would you mind very much if i asked for your help to my den?" such a burden! already such a drain upon the hollow, for if this sickness kept up she would not be able to hunt, would she?
dismay writ itself onto her delicate features, and mona, unused to being so dependent on anyone, let alone the kindness of a man she had just met, looked away. some small part of her hoped he would say no, but it was unlikely.

She still seemed a little upset, which worried him, but he had done pretty much everything he knew how to do. No, he said simply, and moved alongside, gently pressing his side to hers with no apparent discomfort. To him, contact like this was natural as breathing - he'd help her and one day she might help him.

Are you upset? He asked, wondering from the way she'd looked away and her general demeanor. If something was bothering her it might be another thing he could help with.

mona sank against the strength of gannet's side, relieved that he had accepted her request so quickly. they moved in silence, and at his question, the girl blinked rapidly several times. "yes. but not with you," the small cardinal added quickly, her murkwater eyes moving to his for a second of reassurance.
"i am ... not used to asking for help," mona admitted, deciding that to be plain was more important than preserving her mannerly nature. "so i suppose," she went on, squeezing her eyes shut as a wave of nausea threatened her again, "it is myself with whom i am angry."

He hadn't been worried about her being upset with him but it was good to clarify anyway. It seemed she was upset about needing help which was silly to him. I like helping, he said, smiling to help reassure her. It feels useful. He'd felt more purpose in his short time here, finding what he wanted to do now, than he had the previous two years of his life. It was nice. It helps me. He finished, feeling like he'd stumbled on a realization but not really bothering to finish the thought.

She was light and he provided a support rather easily as they walked, though he let her make the pace. If she didn't feel well going quickly could make it worse. He didn't know where her den was, so let her drive their direction as well.

"all right," she whispered, and said no more until the terrain became more familiar, sloping to the mouth of her den. if she could help, being quite sickly, then of course mona would take the opportunity. 
pulling away from gannet with a gentle smile, mona settled herself into the entrance with a low sigh. "thank you," the girl murmured, tasting the mint at the back of her tongue; it steadied the protest her stomach had at the ready. a thought came to the young mayfair; her scarlet auds swept forward. "gannet .... is anyone else here in the hollow sick, or at least have you heard of anything like that?" if she was not the only one, that would be easier, though a cause for worry. 
but if she was alone in this malady — mona refused to think of it.

They arrived before too long, and Gannet stepped back as she did pulled away, giving her some room. He thought about her question for a minute, concentrating.

No, he said honestly, tilting his head. Not that he had heard of anyway. He wasn't a true healer yet, so it was possible none had come to him. But he tended to make the rounds and he couldn't recall anyone else acting sickly either. She was the only one.

mona's brow knit with anxiety. perhaps she was ill, and to be the only one struck! "if i am getting sick, maybe you should wash ... maybe you should wash before you go back to your den," mona suggested with a grim swallow. she did not like the idea that she could have brought malady to such a kind man, and now lay in her denmouth astir with new worries, none of which had to do with the coastal wolf.

He hadn't thought to worry about sickness, though he thought he wouldn't mind if it meant helping now that he did think of it. What she said made sense. There was no use risking it if he could avoid it.

Okay. He bent to give an easy, companionable touch to her shoulder before departing, though if she flinched away he wouldn't connect. Then, as if an afterthought - Call if you want anything.

He didn't have a lot of knowledge to offer yet, but he was determined to learn. He would check in with her in the days that followed, if not approaching and interrupting, then at least bringing gifts he thought might help her stomach. He wanted them all to know he wanted to help, however he could, and that if they asked he would try and provide what he could. This was all he'd ever wanted out of a pack, and as he walked away, he didn't think he'd ever felt more at ease in himself.

<3

"i shall. thank you," mona purled softly, warmed by gannet's kindness and his touch. she watched the man's odd gait as he retreated into the forest, wondering what had occurred. altogether, it did not matter. he had been there for her in a time of great need, and the mayfair felt she must find some way to repay him. 
a smile touched her lips, fading as she felt fatigue steal over her, tinged with the worry that she had brought some illness to the hollow. she must simply sequester herself until it had passed, mona decided, lying chin upon small forepaws and letting her eyes drift shut as snow began to fall silently outside the den.