Moonspear Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May

Dash awoke, confused momentarily by his surroundings. His eyes opened slowly, blinking quickly as they adjusted to his dark den. Wasn't it supposed to be morning? He looked to the entrance, and could see some signs of daylight, but not as much as he expected. He squinted as he drew his legs under him to stand. His stomach rumbled then, protesting, but he wasn't sure over what. He didn't feel hungry, which wasn't all that unusual for him. A twist of abdomen muscle told him something wasn't quite right, but he tried to suppress it as he walked out of his den. Looking around, it seemed that the sun was setting. He had been sleeping all last night, and all of today, which was extremely unusual for him. 

Another muscle contraction, followed by another, visible from outside of his body. His back arched, and his jaws opened just in time for the contents of his stomach to be released onto the ground. His face scrunched at the sight and he turned to head toward the river. He looked rather unkempt, with his disheveled fur that he hadn't bothered to groom. He walked slowly, noting now that he felt rather weak. He grumbled to himself as he came to the edge of water, dipping his head to drink the bad taste from his mouth. He didn't take much-- just enough. He looked back towards his den, but realized he simply didn't have the energy to go back. He plopped his body down there on the bank of the river and closed his eyes, intending to snooze a while.

Despite the dimming light, Aesop continued to work. He found himself restless these days, and frustrated with himself. He did not think himself the type to pine, yet there he was, awaiting any sign or word of Alastor like a lovesick puppy. Work seemed to drive away most unpleasant thoughts, so Aesop bent himself to the task of establishing his own medicinal cache. These Pyx and Judas characters might have had their own, but Aesop wanted to try to do this on his own. 

He had been handling plants for hours, and their varied tastes were starting to grow stale and gross. Aesop allowed himself a break and took off towards the nearest water source, the same one that he had bathed in after digging the cache.

He arrived at the river to find Dash at its banks, seemingly sleeping and hopefully not dead. Aesop watched for a moment before he saw the rise and fall of Dash's rib cage, then stepped closer to greet him. Hey there, guy, he greeted.

A familiar voice reached his ears and Dash opened his eyes. He tried to lift his head, but it felt too heavy. Instead, he simply turned it so that he could look at Aesop. Hey, Aesop, he greeted, his voice sounding as weak as he felt. He was unaware that what caused his ailments may be fatal. He figured it was just another upset stomach, caused by something he ate or drank. Though rare, it did happen.

What's up? he asked his friend. He didn't realize Aesop was actually a healer who might be able to help him overcome his sickness. 

Dash's lethargy immediately concerned Aesop, who had not come to expect sloth from the gamma. But there he was, laying idly yet not asleep. His voice was thin and weak, and immediately Aesop came to his side. Dash, you look like shit, he said. Carefully, he bumped noses with Dash to determine if his new patient's nose was dry (too dry) or wet (too wet). Aesop then looked to Dash's mouth, waiting for him to speak to he could get a look at Dash's gums.

Aesop certainly had a way with words. Dash huffed out a few breaths, trying to laugh, but it didn't exactly come out like that. Thanks, he said sarcastically. His weakness didn't diminish his smart ass responses, though. Aesop bumped his nose against Dash's, though the dark wolf didn't realize he was checking the wetness of it. He would have found that it was bone dry. His gums would have been slightly pale. 

What are you up to? Dash asked slowly, lifting his head a bare few inches off of his legs. But, it only lasted a few moments. His eyes, feeling heavy, drifted shut as he listened for Aesop's reply. 

Aesop chuckled dryly, already distracted. He adopted a more professional bedside manner, frowning at the dryness of Dash's nose and the sickly pale color of his gums. More concerning was Dash's uncharacteristic lethargy. He seemed unable to even lift his head; getting a romantic kiss from Charon seemed more likely than Dash walking.

You're sick, he said by way of explanation. Have you been pukin'? At some point Aesop would have to help Dash back to his den, so already he was planning how to carry the guy if he couldn't move under his own power.

Aesop announced that the dark male was sick, and Dash tried to look surprised. Oh my gosh! Really? I had no idea, he said sarcastically, giving a huff of a laugh afterwards. Then, he turned serious to answer the other male's question. Yeah, I haven't been able to keep anything down, he admitted. 

While Dash wasn't a prideful wolf, he didn't like feeling like he couldn't be useful to the pack. His life was lived for Moonspear, and not being able to protect it felt so out of line for him. But, he would gladly admit what was wrong with him, if it meant Aesop could help. I ate a rabbit a day or so ago, I think it was. That was my last meal, he said, hoping that might help. Other than that, just water. He hadn't had any berries or vegetation, so he didn't think he'd ingested something poisonous.

Aesop listened to Dash's ailments with solemn diligence, then poked and prodded him some more. Did you drink any water? One of the most important things to do for a sick wolf was keep them well hydrated. Absently, Aesop decided to keep a den closer to the water. Then he could drop sick wolves off and bring them to water more easily.

You think you can move? he asked. If Dash was vomiting, Aesop had some herbs that he was (pretty sure) would help settle his stomach. They were closer to his den than they were to the river, though, so it made more sense to haul Dash to shelter and then go get a remedy.

A little, Dash responded. He probably should drink more, but he simply wasn't craving it. Aesop asked if he could move, and Dash slowly lifted his head, though it wobbled a bit. There, I moved, he said with a grin, before placing his head back on his forelegs. He thought Aesop was simply asking to see how much he could move. He didn't realize he was thinking of trying to get him back to the den.

A little was enough for Aesop, who believed in this case that less was more. He didn't want have Dash drink more and risk him bringing it right back up again. So long as he could keep a little water down, that was enough. Certainly better than nothing. 

Not one to be daunted by a little hill and a bit of weight, Aesop unceremoniously bent and clumsily hefted Dash over his shoulders. Up ya get, he wheezed, still acclimating to the sudden weight.

Not realizing what Aesop meant to do, Dash was surprised when shifted underneath him and hefted the Gamma up onto his shoulders. Dash groaned a bit, and tried to do his best to carry some of his own weight. He wasn't a very large wolf, by any means, but he kind of hated that he was having to be carried like someone who couldn't take care of themselves. Dash was a self-sufficient wolf and did his best not to take from others.

But, this time, he realized that whatever was wrong with him needed Aesop's medical knowledge, and if Aesop wanted him somewhere else, somewhere else he would go. I'm gonna owe you one, he said, knowing it was true. 

Despite Aesop's high expectations, Dash didn't protest to being carried halfway up the mountain in some odd attempt at piggy-back. Aesop had a few choice expletives as he settled Dash on his back, but once the weight was distributed well-enough, things weren't so bad. Aw, you're so little, he laughed, but the truth was that he was just a big, big boy.

Aesop grinned wickedly despite the fact that Dash couldn't see his face. Oh, he rumbled, the sound drawn out and punctuated by a chuckle. Hell yeah you're gonna owe me. I'mma- he grunted as he heaved them both up a rock- hoo. I'm gonna tell everyone about this, just so ya' know. It probably wasn't generally accepted to humiliate one's patients, but Aesop was still a fledgling healer. Also an asshole.