Wild Berry Meadow We can fly or we could take this slow

Reyson had a rare moment of quiet, his patrols were done, his sparring duties done. There were other's moving about Mereo, and with not wanting to bother Lady @Meadow, besides he had a surprise up his fur for her.

Golden and tawny body moved through the forests and the underbrush. It would take him most of the day to get there, with heavy loping. Possibly may have to stop over night, and he finally made it to a meadow he had glimpsed months ago when he had first enlisted into Mereo.

He bent black nose to the ground, Ice blue eyes on the horizon and he rifted out the different plants that he could remember. Not many truthfully, but he did distinctly remember Rose hips and Elderberry. The latter poisonous if he touched the bark or the leaves, but the berries themselves were healthy and offered to help with colds and the like come winter. While Rose hips were good for joints and bones, more so the older generations, but he imagined anyone could use them.

He carried around his back a rabbit skin.

Name just for reference, unless you want to pop her in :D

Fall was fading into winter but hadn't quite reached the point of no return. Things in Brecheliant were quiet again, so Bridget took the opportunity to visit the meadow.

Things in her life were quiet too. Neon hadn't reappeared, she'd made her peace with Teya and Bronco, and otherwise? Business as usual. She was no good to anyone if she dwelt on the things she couldn't change. Better to keep moving forward.

The marks from the cougar had nearly entirely healed but her pelt still itched like hell. Probably her winter layer coming in. Bridget had stopped to roll unabashedly in a rougher thicket of branches, letting the brush do its work. She didn't roll to her feet, but did pause and glance over, when she heard someone nearby.

Nice setup you have there. She called out. One or two more wriggles and she should get the last bad itch. She always hated this part of the seasonal change.

I assume he can see the claw marks, but if not please send me a message and I will edit it.

Reyson's own fur was tight and itchy, but he worked to get the patches out. Others would help if he so asked, but he preferred using the trees and his own body. Sometimes the ground.

A tawny wolf came upon him and he studied her, claw marks raking along her. He frowned, his thoughts going to Towhee and what could have been terrible. He met her gaze and then looked away.

You have had issues with big cats as well?

His mouth went dry as he thought of the lynx, what would have happened to Towhee had he and Germanicus not been there. It made his stomach churn.

He nodded. Gathering plants for a beautiful lady healer I'm courting.

Oh, yeah. Don't worry though. She grinned and wiggled the stump of her right leg. I made sure it got a nice meal so it'll probably be at least a week before it comes creeping around again. Then she burst into laughter. It was too funny for some reason!!

I'm kidding, it actually ran off when a cute girl showed up. You snagged yourself a healer, though, eh? My condolences. She smiled in a way that showed the joke, eyes sparkling with humor. From what she could tell, most of their type were cut from the same type of tree though. Bossy, workaholics, stressed to high heaven. She'd check two out of three on her own scorecard - stress was something she never really held onto though.

Reyson grinned at it and shook his head. Talk about your pound of flesh, eh. It was a dark, grotesque joke, but those were kinds Reyson was used too. After all he had grown up in the barracks with males and all sorts of sausage jokes to say the least.

Reyson snorted. Naw i bet you tasted awful and it couldn't take it.

Her next words caused him pause, but a laugh line appeared at the corner of his eye. Eh i have to die somehow, might as well be by some as beautiful as her.

He tilted his head and looked around. What brings you out here? Same reason?

Black nose lowered to the ground as he sniffed at some of the nearby plants and roots, left over from Autumn. There weren't many, but he could snag a few things. Rose hips and Elderberry were two.

See!! Now that there is the right way to answer! Bridget rolled onto her stomach and looked at him now from a slightly more dignified vantage, though she stayed sphinxlike where she was vs getting up just yet. He didn't seem the sort to be any kind of threat.

The weather, of course. Cold, dreary, perfect. Bridget chuckled, then nodded. And that too. Some of us healers aren't fortunate enough to have delivery boys. Whoever she is, she's a lucky girl. Bridget watched as he poked through, surprised he could tell what to pick and what to leave. Few wolves she'd met who weren't healers could. Did she teach you what those are?

The beast chuckled. He had his moments where he could be fast on the uptake. Not often it was true, but sometimes. He tilted his head as the girl rolled around and got comfortable again. A small smile on his face.

Better than sunshine and rainbows, right?

Reyson felt his cheeks burn under his fur for a moment, but he pushed the feeling aside. He was learning that it was okay to be emotional at times. To show how he felt. Other times not so much.

Reyson frowned and shook his head. I had a lover who was killed in battle who taught me. He would often tell me I was a lost cause, but I retained some of the tidbits he shared.

There was no shame in his words.

Oh? See, now that was interesting! Apparently this man swung both ways, a tendency she could respect (if not relate to). Immediately she felt more friendly towards him, recognizing a touch of a kindred spirit.

I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve got a few exes, but I can’t say I’ve lost any that way. There might be a few who wish I’d died, but I live to disappoint. She didn’t really believe that, but didn’t want to make them dwell on how fucked up it was his previous lover had died. Jokes tended to be her chosen deflection. She smiled, but her look was understanding.

Pretty handy trick. Just about any healer will fall in love with a guy who can do the shopping for them. Present company excluded, unless you have a sister with that same hobby? Pity if he didn’t.

He chuckled and nodded. Yes. Him and now her. I prefer personalities to gender type. Shoulders cracked as he shifted, being bent over to look for herbs was murder on his back.

Her next words and a laugh came from him deep and full bodied. He hadn't laughed that way in sometime, and he immediately appreciated her for it. There was a light to his gaze now. He liked her wit, could see them as friends perhaps some day.

He shook his head. Unfortunately not, but if I find a woman who is similar I'll send her your way.

Please do! I’m holding you to that. Bridget quite enjoyed how easily this guy laughed. A lot of strangers she ran across tended to be uptight, and while she got it, exchanging tense small talk wasn’t something she particularly enjoyed. They were alive, snow hadn’t come yet, and the weather was clear. Plenty of things to be enjoyed!

Do you want a little help? Looks like you have it covered, but there’s quite a few nice plants here she might appreciate. Bridget didn’t mind lending a hand. She stood, shaking out her pelt to get rid of the lingering itch of meadow grass, then waited for a confirmation or no.

Reyson smiled. Consider it a promise then. Reyson didn't usually laugh like this. Perhaps it was a lightening to his spirit since he had started seeing Meadow, perhaps just this wolf was infectious in her joy. Who really knew. And he didn't really care.

I'd love a little help. Thank you. I'm Reyson by the way. Suppose I should at least give my name.

He shifted so she could see the rabbit skin and what he already had in there. She could tell him what else.

Here I was wondering when you’d find some manners. Bridget winked, then rolled the rest of the way to her stomach and stood. Compensating for her missing leg had become habit to the point where, more often than not, she forgot about it entirely. The only time she was forced to remember was when she hunted.

I’m Bridget. It’s nice to meet you, Reyson.

She took another look at what he was gathering, then smiled. She could absolutely help him out, actually. These are all great, but here, follow me. She gestured, then began to lope off towards a spot she knew had some of the later wildflowers.

If you want to give her some color, she might like these. Bridget walked a small circuit, plucking a few here and there, before coming back with a bundle of purple and yellow flowers. She dropped them, smiling at him with a satisfied air. The purple’s coneflower. She should know, but you never want to give too much. Just a bit can help with a lot of illnesses, though. Can keep some illness away too. It wasn’t her go-to immune booster, but it certainly was the prettiest, and it was one she liked to keep around as a backup.

The yellow is St. Johnswort. It doesn’t do much for healing, but it’s great for helping a wolf relax, and sometimes that’s better than other medicine. You can also give it to someone having trouble sleeping, if they don’t want something stronger. She pushed them towards him, then laughed. Again, I’m sure she’ll know. But if you are going to give your lady some supplies, why not a bouquet too. Right?

He smirked. It was almost impossible you know. he teased. Bridget moved easily for someone missing a limb. He would have liked her in his retinue of soldiers. She would have taught them a thing or two. He had known a few that lost a limb and simply gave up.

Well Met Bridget

He followed behind her, paying rapt attention to the plants she gathered. Purple and yellow things. They were certainly pretty. He filed away what she said of them. Cornflower, use sparingly.

The yellow one, he recognized the name, but not what it could do. Though he was surprised at her words about relaxation. Does it befuddle your mind like Poppy? Would it help a soldier who remembers battles more than he should?

Bouquets are worth brownie points. I'll take it.

That’s the best part - it doesn’t. I don’t use poppy unless it’s absolutely necessary, and I’d try this before it any day. She looked at him discerningly, wondering if he was speaking of a friend… or “a friend”. She’d never seen much battle but her mentor had told her stories of the ways it could affect the mind.

I think it could. It helps to calm the panic that overtakes someone sometimes. It might not fix all of it, but it might do something. He, or his friend, could probably take some of it for themselves. Though… Guess that might give you another reason to see your lady. She smiled knowingly.

Reyson listened to her closely. Putting everything to memory. I am not a fan of Poppy. They tried to use that often in the trenches, and Renaud wouldn't use it unless it was absolutely necessary. It made my thinking fuzzy and that could have gotten wolves killed.

Reyson had no qualms about sharing his past. Perhaps someone could learn from it. Some of the more personal stuff, sure he kept pretty close to the vest, but his distaste for poppy, that was something he didn't mind sharing or why.

I don't have episodes often, but when i do it is usually because of high stress or lack of sleep so that could help, me and other soldiers so thank you.

He chuckled at her and shook his head. During those episodes i'd prefer to stay away from Meadow, they may scare her.

That’s a good instinct. Bridget frowned, again reminded of Harka. Sometimes it’s the only thing to use. But it’s addictive, and the withdrawal isn’t something a medic should risk putting a patient through lightly. Some medics didn’t care or consider this, but her teacher had been adamant.

She smiled as he talked about this ‘Meadow’. You’d be surprised. Healers might not deal with the death the same way soldiers do, but we see it often enough to know what it is. I don’t think she’d be that easily scared. Bridget knew it wasn’t her place to tell him who, and who not, to confide in, but she knew what she would want if she was in the woman’s place. He shouldn’t need to go through something like that alone.

If that doesn’t work, valerian root might. It’s stronger, but not as strong as poppy. She’ll know where to find it, but if you ever need any, my pack is that way. That rise, in the distance. She pointed southwest, where the silhouette of the caldera was visible.

Reyson gave a small shudder. It had not been often found in his contingent, but each battalion had their own medic, and some. Well they were not like Renaud. They used Poppy liberally and without prejudice.

I've seen it. You are absolutely right.

He blinked and nodded. I suppose i should say I am more afraid that I may hurt her. When I go back there, when I am stuck in my memories like that. I don't know what is going on around me. I've never hurt anyone before, but i wouldn't want to chance it. But you are right. If i wish to start a life with her, it does not bode well to do so without her knowing all facets of me.

He followed her paw and gave a nod. He met her gaze. I am a soldier from Mereo, I cannot offer much. But I'm there if you should need anything. If i'm not present there i'm usually at Epoch where Meadow is.

Bridget didn’t know what either of those places were but she nodded, knowing it might come in handy someday. One could never tell when a favor might be useful, and anyway - she enjoyed having friends.

Well, Reyson, you seem like a pretty smart guy. Your Meadow is a lucky girl. Don’t let her get away with pushing you too much, alright? Bridget smiled at him, then looked towards the caldera. At this rate it would likely be getting dark by the time she got back home. I should probably get going. Good luck!

She’d see if he had anything else to say though before departing with a cheery wave. She had her own supplies, already gathered, to bundle up and carry back home.

Reyson didn't know if she knew Mereo or Epoch, but it wouldn't be had to find. There was also Paleo, but those there could also send wolves towards Epoch and Mereo if the healer ever came that way looking.

I'll try not too, but she's awful cute when she pushes me around. Have a good evening Healer Bridget. And thank you.

He would return the wave with a small smile on his face. Then he'd gather his own herbs and be off.

As always thank you for the thread lovely <3