Ocean's Breath Plateau akkaa ⇊

medicine knowledge thread! aw! tagging healing party & those from moontide who expressed interest:  @Faele @Minnow @Reina @Nasamiituuq @Paeon @Raindrop

she gathered them on a warm day, nearer to the sea than before.

each aspiring healer was given a bit of deerhide and a long sliver of bone, pointed at one end and large enough for wolfjaws on the other.

"today we learn how wounds can be opened. when there is a cut, a deep one that tears the flesh, you must clean it often to prevent the entry of bad spirits. sometimes no matter what is done, the wound sours. the skin may close, but it may leak a stinking yellow or green."

kukutux gestured to her own piece of pelt and the wide splinter. "it will be necessary to open the wound again if this happens. you may use your teeth, yes, but you do not wish to swallow what is inside. use something else to push into the skin until it breaks. claws also, can be used, but you must first wash your paw."

it would be unwieldy, to break the skin this way; it took patience and steadiness. "use teeth, claws, or this bone to pierce a hole in the hide. consider that on a living wolf it is warmer, stronger. blood and foul smells will rush out. once it is made, put your paws, so," on either side of the puncture in the deerskin, "and press out the rest."

"clean with the stinging willowbark tea, wrap with medicine, and make a new bandage often in the first three days. this will give the sick one more chances to gain strength and to be strong."

kukutux raised a paw now, motioning that the studiers should begin their own experimenting upon the scraps of hide and the scattering of bones. she was interested to know who would choose which method. those who chose to open with teeth would find that in practice, spitting must be quick. those who chose to open with claws would find themselves more blunted and clumsy, needing to be still to achieve their process. and those who took up the tool, well — it required practice, lest you slash open living flesh along with the wound.

they would learn.

Many were gathered, it was another circle, a gathering of knowledge and learning. Raindrop took up Moonwomans’s invitation, finding a seat close to the white woman, giving a nod and a smile. “Good morning, Moonwoman.” She felt calm in Moonwoman’s presence, like the gentle waves lapping upon the sand. By know, Raindrop was sure that she was pregnant, and having Kukutux here was a great comfort, she just hoped that when the time came, Moonmother, or at least a good healer would be there.

In front of the participants were pieces of flesh and bone. The bone sliver was large enough to hold in teeth, it seemed to be a tool of sorts. Later on, Moonwoman had explained what this gathering was about, and what the lesson was that would be taught. They were learning basics on how to be an efficient healer, how to care and open wounds.

Kukutux also went on to explain the different ways to open the wound: With teeth, claws, or the sliver of bone. Raindrop thought it best to use her claw, so she lifted her paw, steadying herself, holding her breath and pressing one claw sharply yet firm, into the flesh.

Another day of education, hosted by Kukutux, sent giddy shivers down Reina’s spine. This time, she was to be gathered with others, and nerves did their best to set in, but deep, settling breaths calmed them enough. A young woman, one she had not met before, had started forward, choosing her claws as her tool. Reina admired the tenacity in the woman, for she too wanted to experiment which method would be best. 

The Heartwood healer chose bone. If she could avoid blood on her paws, by any means necessary, she would make a point to do so. Having killed one of her own kind, though deserving as it were, the aversion to wolf blood was strong, and the use of a tool would help. She couldn’t fathom using her teeth, unless absolutely necessary; it turned her stomach to think of using her mouth to rip open a festering wound. 

Clenching the piece between her teeth, she set herself to the task of experimenting on the deer hide, trying different positions and placement of the bone. She found it easiest for the bone to be settled between her back teeth, perpendicular to her jaws, with the point of the bone protruding from the left side. It felt best, and she decided it would be the way she would utilize the tool. 

Her jaw, having not been used in such a manner before, ached after a few cuts. It was then, she realized, that she would need to practice, to gain strength in this way of using her mouth if she ever wanted to be efficient. The bone dropped from her jaws onto the deerhide before bouncing and clattering against rocks. Her cheeks reddened as she looked up and around to the others. “So sorry!”

Paeon listened intently as Kukutux walked through her instruction. Her eyebrows raised slightly as the Moonwomen spoke about bad spirits entering the wound. The word 'infection' passed through Paeon's mind but she kept her mouth shut. Regardless of the Moonwoman's beliefs, the treatment is what was important here. 

Teeth, claws, or bone. Paeon had to use her teeth and claws in the past for medical purposes, but she had never used a bone. As this was a special opportunity to learn new skills she opted for the bone. She took a few moments to play around with the bone in her mouth, finding the best position. 

Once she got a solid hold she began making cuts into the hide. Slowly at first and shallow, too shallow. She pulled the bone away and took a look, before trying again. It was then that she heard the clattering noise of Reina dropping her bone on stone. Paeon jerked and stabbed right through the hide.

Paeon looked at it frustrated before starting again on another cut.

each worked in their own way.

the jadestone eyes of moonmother missed little. 

raindrop used a steady claw.

reina used the tool, and kukutux moved to soothe her as it fell to the ground. "this will happen as you learn," the duck assured.

paeon too, attempted the bone, but did not do so well.

"send all thoughts from your mind," kukutux instructed. "if this was a hunter who lay bleeding, you must find steady jaws and still paws. quiet yourselves. then start again."

Raindrop had given herself time to relax, as Moonwoman instructed. She took a moment.

Breath, clear all thoughts from the mind…. Steady breath, steady mind, steady body.

She decided to pick up the bone, situating it in her jaw, and made her move to score the hide. The sharp end of the bone sliver, along with steady pressure, made a clean mark. Once the hide was pierced, she pressed her paws on each side, holding firm as if she were relieving the wound of infection.

There. Perfect. She stopped again, dropped the bone down and looked upon her work. She was proud of what she’d accomplished, even if it was simply on hide.

She sat and waited, watching the other healing students. Both unfamiliar to her.

Kukutux had come to her side as her bone clattered, assuring her mistakes were going to be made. But, Reina could help to wince as blue eyes watched the small dark female stab through the deerhide due to her clumsiness. She ducked her head shamefully with eyes closed and gave a small sigh. 

This was much harder than she thought. 

She nodded to Moonwoman before returning back to her work. A deep, slow breath filled her lungs, pausing for just a couple of seconds before releasing in a whoosh. Her anxieties blew away with it on the winds.

Picking the bone up once more in her teeth, she set herself to the task of cutting, gently but with a much steadier hand. It would be silly to think that she would be an expert at something at first try, so she gave herself some grace. It would not be the first time she failed—it surely won’t be her last, either.

The cut was much cleaner than before. Cream paws were placed on each side of the cut as was demonstrated. Lips turned up at the corners as a feeling of pride filled the Hearthwood healer. 

She was doing it. She was going to be useful in this life after all.