Greatwater Lake the promise of spring

@Sage maybe?

Since his return to Blackfeather Woods Cicero had been occupied with his poisons. He had found out a variety of things; he'd tested a few new poisons on others, some wolves, had conducted social experiments, taught Kendra and he had also experimented some herbs upon himself. He longed to try out if a wounded wolf would be more sensitive to poison's effects, but presently his right leg was still smarting with the oozing blisters from when he had applied poison ivy to his open wound. A next time, perhaps.

Cicero limped round the southwestern frays of Greatwater Lake as he looked along the waterside for plants of interesting substance that he could test or bring home to further study there. The afternoon sun beamed down on him and brought the promise of spring and of the growth of new herbs and poisons.

Sage had been on full recovery from her fear of leaving Moonlit Hills, stress had been limited lately and she was able to roam freely without worrying that she would run off and never look back. While doing so, the young fae stumbled upon a familiar smell. Which was strange enough, her not knowing many wolves outside of Moonlit—only three came to the top of her head. Curiosity overtaking she began to follow the smell, and once a silhouette was insight their smell had grown stronger and she could finally place a name on the figure. "Cierico." She said, hopefully loud enough for him to hear, hoping to gain his attention. If she was a more bubbly wolf, she would have shouted his name and run over, alas she was not and only began a trot his way. 

Inching closer, his limp became more distinct. "What happened?" She said, a hint of worry in her voice.

Though his name was butchered somewhat, the call did not fall to deaf ears. One ear turned in Sage's direction, whom he recognised as such as she neared. It was not hard to reach him; even if he had wanted to, Cicero could not have fled from her presence with the steep limp to his step. He imagined that he would likely have been able to roam again had he not effectively poisoned himself. But on the other hand, had he not, then he would not have found out this new and improved use for poison ivy. Some things were lost and some were won, often in the same breath, this taught him once again.

Of course she focussed instantly on his wounds. Even without the festering leg others would ask him about it continually, and he was tired of answering. "Cicero is looking for herbs," he said calmly, and he offered a smile. "Does Sage care to join?" He then focussed his gaze back to the plants at the water's edge. Cicero sniffed them, but could find nothing off. Not that that was proof — poison ivy showed that much — and he tore the plant from the soil anyway. Cicero swung his head to his right and flung the weed-like plant over his back, so that he could further study the plant at home.

He hadn't replied, and she didn't advance the question any further in case he just wished not to speak of it. Sage had forgotten his difference in speech and was confused at first, until recalling his unique way of talking. It was a bit comforting that he had remembered her name, expecting that he would. Cicero had asked if she cared to join in his search for herbs and a small smile took place on her maw. "I don't know much about herbs," she admitted. The yearling had plenty of opportunity to learn herbs and poisons, and was even taught a small amount, but it was quickly forgotten. Her being more focused on the sky as a naturalist category. "But I'd love to join you." 

She had taken a particular liking towards Cicero, perhaps it was his wounds or way of speech, all in all she enjoyed his company and wished to learn more of him and his odd ways.

The subject of his leg was easily dropped, which comforted Cicero in ways, and instead they sliced into the subject of herbs. She said she knew little of them but that she would join him, nevertheless. Cicero licked his lips after he had flung the watery herbs over his back, and looked at Sage. "What does Sage know already?" he asked of her. It would make him better understand where to start teaching her, if she so pleased, and it would also confirm whether or not her interest ran deep. Not that he minded if it did not, but it simply required a different manner of teaching.

Not far from them Cicero noted other plants growing that he did not yet know, and he moved over to check them out. They looked prickly, and Cicero carefully touched his nose to try — yup, prickly, his sensitive nose told him swiftly.

She thought for a moment, asking herself the same question. Reliving memories in hopes of finding information she had picked up on herbs. Aha!  "I know chewed Alder bark & bay leaves can be used to heal a wound." The ebony girl only spoke the first healing method that came to mind, she had learned this when she tore up her own leg and was taken through the steps of how to fix it. Spotting the rash on his leg gave her mind another answer. "And Nettle leaves can be used to heal a rash." Hopefully her answers were satisfactory enough to prove her little knowledge of the herb world. "That's all I remember for the moment."

Cicero nodded at Sage's answer, rigged with innocence. All she mentioned were a couple of healing herbs, and a smile curved Cicero's lips as he nodded. "This is true. Cicero has learned much about healing herbs and healing bodies when he was younger..." He thought back to all the times he had helped heal wolves of Blackfeather Woods when they had gotten hurt. Burke, Potema... It seemed so long ago since he had used his powers for the good of others.

"... But now, Cicero mostly studies how to break bodies with them." He continued to nose around in the tall grasses surrounding the lake, looking for useful herbs or mushrooms (though the latter would unlikely grow here; too soggy, too springy).

She tilted her head to the side in curiosity, finding interest in "breaking bodies", she'd never looked at it that way. For a moment she felt compelled to learn the same as him, about poisons and all that, but pushed the thought aside. Could she really hurt other wolves with that? It would be difficult to make someone eat a toxic plant, then again it wasn't always eating, she was reminded by the look of Cicero's rash. When he explained that her little knowledge had been correct, it felt a bit lie a reward. At least she know something about it.

"Why's that?" The ebony girl asked, though she had the opportunities in the past to dabble in toxicology as well, she never did. Being too focused on the stars than the earth. But now, the trade become much more interesting to her, having an urge to learn about what he knows.

The question as to why came somewhat unexpected, and Cicero allowed the question to sink in for a little bit while he continued to search along the water's edge for herbs. He figured that his fascination for the poisons came from his fascination for pain, in part, but it was something bigger than that, perhaps. "All wolves have their own talents. These are Cicero's." Bigger, perhaps, but not more complicated. It was an easy explanation, and though Cicero often rued that he was mostly good at the art of breaking rather than mending, he accepted his fate easily.

Cicero pulled another unknown plant from the ground, which had red-tipped leaves, making it look bright and angry. It was often a sign of toxins; testing it out later in some form or another would tell.

She nodded simply. Had she been skilled in such a way she'd surely make the best out of it, just as he seemed to be doing. If "the best" meant causing yourself rashes and blisters, then so be it. He didn't seem to mind, but then again...he might. "Do you ever wish you were skilled in other ways?" she asked, tilting her head to the side in question.

Sage hadn't dabbled in the art of breaking very often, and didn't have much knowledge of it. Perhaps she would be interested in such a fate as well.

Her question brought forth a myriad of questions of his own rather than a clear-cut answer. He wondered if by her question she meant, rather than what she said, do you ever wish you weren't good at breaking others. Ears folded back and forward again in thought while he considered which answer would be most suited. It was a hard fit to determine considering he didn't even truly knew the depth of her question. "Cicero is skilled at other things," he shared. "A wolf does not choose that which he is good at, therefore there is no use to dabble in such doubts." Cicero idly grabbed another couple of plants which he intended to test out later, and he looked at Sage with silent question marks in his eyes, waiting to see if she had any more questions or if she was done philosophising.

No more questions came and Cicero bid Sage a quiet farewell as he turned back in Blackfeather Woods' direction, where he would store some of the herbs he had gathered and experiment with others to find out their usage.

finishing this, thanks for the thread ^^