Moonspear Don't discard me just because you think i mean you harm

Alaric was paw deep in soil and loam. Nearby some herbs and plants he'd found with their roots still intact wrapped in wet leaves until he could put them in the ground. 

Mud was up to his elbows and there was dirt marring his black muzzle. Fur was all every which way, his tongue poking between lip and fang.

But he was content. Happy even as he worked.

@Njord and @Stingray were off on their father/son trip, which meant… Girls’ day out! Meerkat called from the clearing outside the ulaq, waiting for @Orca II and @Seal to come running outside before leading the way down the mountainside.

She took her time, walking slowly and pointing out landmarks to her daughters to keep them (and herself) engaged. If they stayed busy, they couldn’t miss Njord and Ray so much. She planned to stop by the lodge to visit with @Raiyuk and his parents eventually, though there was no hurry.

Look, girls, this is where @Sialuk lives, Meerkat announced, pointing off to their left, and that’s where your older brother sleeps, she added a little later, pointing out the pine bed to their right.

After that, she showed them the scars on the slope overlooking the glen. Meerkat stopped there for a while to let Orca and Seal play. Maybe it was strange to let them frolic in a place where so many had lost their lives. Meerkat liked to think that any loitering spirits might enjoy seeing pups playing here, bringing sweet lightness to a dark memory.

Soon, she herded them a bit further down the mount, which brought them to Alaric digging in the soil. Meerkat glanced at the pups to see if they’d noticed him before facing forward, eyes bright, ears pricked and tail waving as they approached.

Say ‘hi’ to Alaric, girls!

Today was the best day ever! Seal followed Meerkat and Orca on the biggest trip she had ever been on in her short life. A cool Spring breeze complemented the warm sun on their backs. Buds of pink and green ornamented the trees and shrubbery between the conifers. Seal often got distracted by the sights and would lag behind, only to bunny-hop-gallop in order to catch back up with her more surefooted sibling and mother.

They had made so many fun pit stops that, admittedly, Seal felt sleepy by the time they reached Alaric. She had a big smile on even though her lids were half-closed.

“Hi, hi, hi, hi!” Seal chanted excitedly. It was her new favorite word. “Hi LaLa!”

Seal’s little tail wagged between her hocks submissively as she scooted over to the man’s paws. Alaric was far taller than her but, instinctively, her pink tongue darted out in an attempt to lick his chin which hovered high above her head.

Alaric bent his nose down to the little girl and pressed a small lick between her eyes. Hey ma!

He looked over at Meerkat. Is it alright if i give them a T R E A T to C H E W on? He tried to spell it out. Not sure if Meerkat would let them chew on things yet. He wasn't even sure of their ages.

He had some antler pieces, he also had some hoof pieces, he may even have some sticks somewhere. But he knew he had something. He honestly may even have some dried meat around for them to gum up.

The little girls frolicked right up to him, eager to say “hello.” Meerkat could only grin and twitch her tail when Seal called him “LaLa.” He took the name in stride, bending to lick the babe between the eyes (which would certainly set off a fit of giggles).

She huffed a laugh when Alaric asked her a question, spelling out certain words. Meerkat appreciated the gesture and nodded, stepping closer to his little dig site as the pups gamboled around their feet.

Sure. Maybe in exchange, we could help you with that? Meerkat said, pointing at the freshly dug soil.

Seal squealed a happy giggle when Alaric booped her snoot. Then, having said her hellos, she began to sniff around. New aromatic smells lit up her developing brain. Wet compost and earth… medicinal herbs, bulbs, and roots… sweet grasses and Spring flowers.

In fact, it was so much for her to process that Seal didn’t take another step. She stood still with her nose huffing the air and enjoyed Alaric’s garden.

Alaric grinned and pulled from around him little treats for all the little ones, offering them up as if he were serving princes and princesses, which let's be honest to him they were. He made funny voices and played around while he gave them treats and then went back to the herbs and smiled at Meerkat a little sheepish.

Sure. I was just planting some herbs for a healing garden.

Don’t forget to say ‘thank you,’ Meerkat chirruped to the pups when Alaric shared his treats. Oh, that’s awesome! she added when he mentioned why he was toiling in the earth. I’d love for them to learn about planting and herbs, if you’re willing to teach them? Maybe just a short lesson for today?

Seal had paused to assess the odors in the air while Orca sniffed in circles around the plot. Meerkat smiled at them, then looked back to Alaric. He was so great with them, she doubted he would decline. But she would absolutely understand if he would prefer to focus on his work rather than play preschool teacher.

Alaric caught Seal’s attention when he revealed the chew toys! She excitedly bounced around his feet, fawning over the healer in a submissive way as if she needed to entice him to hand the goods over.

Orca took the antler and so Seal took a hoof. She loved it! Her little pincers began to gnaw it in different ways as if to test out her biting skills.

“Tank ya!” she managed to say between chews.

Why you're welcome little princess. A smile lit up his green eyes and a shift of his body. He nodded at Meerkat and pulled from his little cache of herbs. 

He held out the little flower with it's bright yellow face and white petals and lay it down, he slowly maneuvered it into a hole as he spoke. 

Did you know that soil helps little plants grow just like mother's milk and food helps little wolves grow? But you know what else helps little plants grow?

He asked the young ones that lay there, chewing. He doubted they would answer, but he'd wait for a moment.

Soon the girls were settled down with their treats: a captive audience. Meerkat just hoped they were actually paying attention as Alaric began showing them a little bit about gardening. Smiling, Meerkat retreated a few steps to take a seat, dividing her attention between her daughters and the envoy’s lesson.

You can skip her!

Seal listened while she chewed though, admittedly, most of the information went right over her head. Something about plants… dirt… yet the iotas of knowledge that stuck manage to root themselves within the young lassies heart. Later in life, she would surely show a predisposition for gardening.

last from me!

Alaric would spend a few more minutes explaining some gardening, but then he'd settle to the geound to the sound of chomping. Share some conversation with Meerkat and play gently if the littles wanted. All in all a good time.