Redhawk Caldera the road to hell is paved with good intentions

I'm tagging those who expressed interest in this plot but literally anyone's welcome to come play and develop some bad habits. @Elwood @Fox @Liffey @Whip :)

When she came down from her high, Raven carefully assessed herself, noting no negative side effects either physically or mentally. She then promptly took a second, larger dose and retreated to the edge of the field. Hours later, she decided she had found some sort of miracle drug. These flowers—they must be poppies, she deduced from her mental info bank—prompted feelings of inner peace and joy so deep it was nearly overwhelming, seemingly without any ill effect. It was exactly the sort of thing her pack mates needed right now.

She spent the afternoon carefully crumbling as many of the red petals into dust as she could manage, then using a sheaf of wet bark—the powder stuck to it—to transport it back to the caldera. Raven repeated this process three or four times, storing the fine red dust in a crude stone basin inside the badger den. She could always return for more later, supposing the rest of the decaying poppies didn't blow away with the wind. By the time she was done, Raven calculated that she had about a hundred small doses to mete out to the pack, two hundred if she cut the doses in half to play it safe, which was the plan.

With everything appropriately stored, Raven howled for her mother first and foremost. Before she started peddling strange and mood-altering substances to the entire pack, the yearling she-wolf wanted her mother's express permission.

Although she hadn't expressly called for him, Elwood decided to see what Raven was up to when he heard her howl rise into the air. He was nearby and padded towards her at a leisurely pace, noting that there hadn't been any urgency in her voice when she requested Fox's presence. If nothing else, perhaps this would be an opportunity for Elwood to check in with the Alpha female; things within the pack had shifted greatly since Peregrine's death and Shrike's exclusion, and he wanted to make sure they were on the same page. At the end of the day, he was her Beta.

He found Raven near the badger den. There was no sign of Fox just yet as he coasted to a halt. "How's it going, Rave?" he asked, peeking over her shoulder and into the mouth of the burrow with curiosity.

*flops in*

It was not often he thought about others, but for the past few days he could not get Her out of his head. He knew he had acted rudely, as almost always, but still - he had hoped she'd come by once more. He had avoided her and had thought she'd come to him, he was making no sense anymore and it was all because the sudden death of one of his... well, he supposed he could call Peregrine a friend. He did not have many friends, and perhaps that is why it had hit him this hard. He was confused, angry and desperate and could use some of that happy magic stuff they used in the stories he was told as a child.

He lifted his head, looking around to see he was in his own den. An awful nightmare of Peregrine's lifeless body coming to life had haunted him throughout the night, and he was bathing in his own sweat. He was surprised to hear that it was Raven's call that had awakened him, yet she had not called for him... Of course not - why would she? She has already left before, there is no reason for her to want you around in the first place.

He ignored the voice in his head and crawled out of his den that smelled like herbs and mud - surprised by his own reflection in the water. He looked like he hadn't slept in some days, and his usually spotless coat stuck out in all the places it was supposed to lay flat. His green eyes were dull, but this sleepy, depressed look actually looked more dangerous than his usual style. He refrained from grooming himself and sprinted toward the badger den, where he found Her and, surprisingly, Elwood.

Morning. He greeted coldly, padding his way toward Elwood to create as much distance between him and Raven while simultaneously getting involved in the social interaction. He did not look at Her, and instead acted like the ground was far more interesting. 

It wasn't Fox that came to heed her call but the pack's Beta, her Uncle Elwood. Raven favored him with a smile and bow of her head, her tail drooping behind her. "Hi, Uncle El. I've been keeping busy," she replied to his inquiry, turning partway to point her muzzle into the badger den before facing him, yellow eyes catching his gaze for a moment before she dropped hers. "I found some poppies in the nearby meadow and brought them back here to help the pack. Properly dosed, the dust helps lift the mood... quite significantly."

Before she could say anything else, another black wolf appeared. Raven recognized him immediately, her shoulders suddenly stiffening with tension which she tried to smooth away as quickly as it had come. "Hello," she called back to him, wondering about his name and what he was doing here. He looked sleep-deprived and disheveled for it. His tone had been rather cool too. She couldn't help but think that he would definitely benefit from some of her poppy powder.

Elwood raised his brows and perked his ears with curiosity as Raven filled him in on the latest additions to her herb cache. He was particularly lacking in any kind of medical experience, so her description didn't raise any red flags; in fact, he found himself thinking that it would be the perfect solution for Eljay's blues.

He opened his mouth to ask if she thought they would be beneficial to his eldest son, but didn't get a chance to put the words together before Trick skulked up alongside him. Elwood blinked at the smaller male, surprised by the rather impersonal greeting he directed at Raven. His gaze held a silent question as he looked back at his niece.

"Hi, Trick. Raven was just telling me about some new medicine she found..." he said, one brow quirked quizzically as the tension thickened between his two packmates.

Trick let out a snort, finding the tension in the air around the trio somewhat humorous in his own sick way. It was the reaction he had hoped for when he was younger - fear mixed with a breeze of uncertainty. It had never been the impression he made on wolves, given his small frame and his usually polished looks, and now he didn't want it anymore. He wanted to be part of them, simultaneously wanted to go, and he wanted to feel what some called magical; love. He confused even himself at this point.

Medicine? He questioned, his ears perking in a slight attempt to look interested. He wanted to be interested - plants were his thing. He had studied, learned and taught about them, and yet he could not get himself to care. He lifted his gaze to rest upon what Raven had found and he had to think a moment about what they were called again. They were seeds, as far as he could tell, crumbled into fine dust the color of something lighter than blood - more pleasant for the eyes. When it dawned on him what they were and what one could do with them, he felt a pain shoot through his chest. It made perfect sense they were here. ...From poppies, right? He asked, making sure he wasn't mistaken. 

Raven caught the man's name in her uncle's greeting. Trick? It was sort of a strange moniker. She tried to decide whether or not it fit him. But before she could delve too deep into that line of thought, Trick himself spoke, shortly after emitting a derisive snort that sent a wave of prickling uncertainty through the young woman.

"Yes," she said, answering both of his questions at once. Something about his inquiry prompted her to make one of her own. "Are you familiar with them?" Perhaps he practiced medicine too, although he didn't seem the type. Then again, she reminded herself, he was grieving from a very personal loss, so perhaps none of this was his typical demeanor. She hadn't missed the way Elwood had blinked at him in surprise, so he was almost certainly out of sorts.

Before Raven could elaborate, Trick examined the powder and correctly identified its source. Elwood was impressed; he hadn't known that Trick had an affinity for medicine, but he certainly appreciated the male's skill. The Beta himself would never have been able to guess the identity of the crushed flower petals.

Coolly, Raven asked about Trick's knowledge of the plant. Elwood shifted his gaze back to Trick and settled onto his haunches, having nothing of import to add to the conversation but certainly eager to listen and learn.

Part if him wanted to deny he knew anything of the poppies while the other part wanted to explain all about them and more. It was a battle within his small vessel, but no less mentally draining. His eyes shifted to Elwood, the third male that had somewhat earned Trick's trust, wondering if he knew of his past. Had Peregrine told them nothing about him? Oh God - and he was even less sociable now! If he revealed that he knew of plants - had studied them for the biggest part of his life, more questions would follow, and he was not sure if he would be able to control his temper.

Yes. He mumbled, softly but surely, keeping it short. He knew what they did, knew what they were doing here and where they grew. It was what this pack needed - a small dose of this powder and they'd be happy peppy and all back to the old Caldera wolves they would forever stay. But Trick did not feel part of them. Taking this "medicine" was not playing fairly with one's emotions. It was like a drug, and even something that made you happy beyond your wildest dreams could have negative side effects.

Raven's lips parted at Trick's monosyllabic answer. When it was clear he wasn't about to elaborate, she decided to refocus on Elwood. Turning to her uncle again, she picked up where she'd left off by saying, "Anyway, I think it might really help everyone cope with... you know." Her eyes dropped momentarily as she thought of her father. Swallowing and taking a breath, she continued, "I noticed no adverse side effects while playing guinea pig. None of the usual stuff, like head- or stomachaches. It was just a few hours of euphoria. Even coming down wasn't terrible."

She paused there, yellow gaze shifting to Trick for a moment, wondering how much he knew and if he wanted to add anything. She then declared to the small group at large, "I was hoping to get mom's (@Fox) permission to distribute the powder, since she's the law and all." Raven chuckled for a moment, then canted her head. "Or you could make the call, Uncle El?" she wondered aloud.

Trick confirmed that he was familiar with poppies, but offered no further explanation. Elwood glanced at him, puzzled, then turned his attention to Raven. The young Redhawk was more than happy to describe the effects of the powder, which she had apparently tested on herself. The more Elwood heard, the more he liked the way it sounded. A "pick-me-up" was just what this pack needed.

"I think it would be okay," he replied when she spoke of getting permission from Fox. Naturally, if the Alpha female felt otherwise, she had the power to ask Raven to refrain from sharing the power -- but it sounded like, with no negative side effects, they had nothing to worry about. Elwood felt comfortable giving her the go-ahead as Fox's second-in-command.

He lowered his voice slightly -- though he wasn't exactly sure why -- and asked, "Do you think it would be helpful for Eljay?"

A sudden anger washed over him when Raven explained, still not finding it fair that wolves would use this to forget their sadness. It was addicting stuff, and it was way better for everyone to figure out their problems by themselves. Let them mourn, let them cry, and they'd eventually get over it. They did not need these poppies - HE did not need them. As long as you don't force that shit upon me. He cursed as he lifted his body from the earth to stand and stretch his weary body.

Just let them know they won't be living in the real world if they take it. He rumbled as he turned to leave. His tail swished behind him as he returned home, hoping to return to sleeping or perhaps even hunting if he felt like it - far away from the poppies and Raven.

-Trick out-

Before she could answer her uncle's question about his son, Trick cut across her, his tongue lashing in anger. Raven blinked at him, taken aback, her lips parting to assure him that she would never think of forcing medication—especially something like this—on anyone. But she didn't get a chance to say anything before he stormed away.

She felt an unpleasant wave of emotion wash through her. She turned back to her uncle, bewilderment in her yellow eyes. She was tempted to ask about Trick's attitude problems but quashed the urge. Raven wouldn't let him get to her. He was probably just out of sorts due to Peregrine's death and she knew better than to take it personally. She would rise above.

"It should help anyone who needs a little pick-me-up," she said softly. "Here, let me show you the proper dosage," she added, motioning for the Beta to follow her into the badger den. If the two of them oversaw the dosing and distribution, they could make the poppy dust available to their pack mates in the very near future and hopefully start lifting some moods around here.

I figured we could fade here! :D

Fading! :)

Trick's sudden outburst was unprompted and unexpected. Elwood found himself staring after the smaller wolf with his mouth ajar. "That was weird," he said, his expression of surprise shifting into one of mild disapproval. He frowned. He liked Trick and didn't have a problem with him, especially since he had been so helpful in the search for Lucy -- but his attitude towards Raven rubbed him the wrong way.

The young medic seemed to take it in stride, however, smoothing her ruffled feathers after a moment and offering to show Elwood how much to take. He nodded and moved to follow her, though he cast one more glance over his shoulder in the direction that Trick had gone.