It was nice, getting to spend more time with Nonoyo, but it seemed that she was all the rose woman thought about anymore. The next time they would see each other. The next time she would get to smell her scent, the scent of salt and sand and the herbs she tried so hard to do well with.

Arachnae shook her head, sitting outside her den with her tarot stones, finishing repainting the details gently with her claws. It was tedious, but chances are she would have to keep repainting them until the stones we're permanently stained with the burgundy mixture of her own blood and nightshade berries.

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(0/2) +10 Learn about another family's traditions
(1/2) +10 Observe and study a new scent

Keir wanted to explore, to get his mind off of his recent arrival and how it seemed to have shaken up his emotions. It was a wonderful feeling to see mother, but to see what shape she was now in was still creating guilt. He kept on thinking that if he'd never left that she wouldn't have been maimed, but would he have actually been able to done anything then? Would he have been able to do anything now? It all caused for his mind to become muddled and confused, the ebony yearling wandering aimlessly and not realizing he were getting deeper into the grove.

That is until his nostrils began to flare, picking up on a scent he weren't familiar with. It carried on a soft breeze, of an unknown feline and a couple other smells. The sweet metallic scent reminded him of... blood? Blue gaze would widen a little; was someone in trouble? Quickening his gait would Keir navigate by his nose, crossing over stones and pushing past brush, causing for some if their foliage to get ensnared in his growing mane. His would soon land upon a figure, but she didn't' appear to be injured... A rather confused look would wash over his face then, observing what she were doing and feeling a bit more confused. "Er, what are you doing?" Voicing inner thoughts Keir would stand at the edge of where he pushed out from behind a bush, feeling a bit sheepish now at the sudden intrusion.

@Arachnae

irish

Foliage crackers and footsteps approached quickly, and from the bushes came a dark colored yearling adorned with feathers. He smelled like the ocean and almost immediately it made her feel happy- the cove. Home. the rose woman smiled gently, finishing her last stone and watching as it turned a bit lighter in color as it dried. "Hello young man, I am painting my telling stones. They can offer insight to those who seek it." She stated kindly.

The mamba coiled around her body lifted just a bit, curious at the new shape of heat in his vision. "Would you like to come sit, rest and have your fortune told?" The witch offered kindly. "Neither of us bite, I promise." A chuckle followed, sharp ears pointed forward at him.

@Keir

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(2/2) +10 Observe and study a new scent

Keir was so overwhelmed by the scent of blood that he didn't pick up on any other scents - warm or coldblooded. So as his mind began to clear and blue gaze got a good look at the lioness his heart seemed to skip a beat at the motions of a black thing moving around her neck. Eyes would widen in shock and surprise; what was that?! The hackles along his spine would rise and his muscles would tense, ready to send him into defensive mode if he needed. His nostrils flared and sides would start to move a bit quicker as the yearling started to smell the air with intensity. The smell it were given off was... different. It was intermingled with the lioness's, but it also held an earthy smell to it mixed with... He couldn't quite place a claw on that.

Her word's would fall upon ears where it would go in one and out the other, his attention fully focused on the creature. "What is that?" The words were a bit rushed coming out from his mouth, Keir continuing to keep his distance. He wasn't too sure about this...

@Arachnae

irish

The air between them changed and it became clear the boy had become frightened, and with a concerned look Arachnae flattened her ears all the way. "This is Rawkshi, he is a black mamba- a snake. You smell of the ocean.... Have you ever seen a krait?" She asked. Sea snakes were a bit different than land snakes, but in this Instance they were both deadly yet harmless. "He would never bite anything he couldn't eat or proved a threat, and you seem to be a very nice boy. You are much to big for him, anyways." She chuckled. "Come, come shadow child, let's see what is in your future." She said, waving a black paw over the smooth stones before her.

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(2/2) +10 Observe and study a new scent

He would shake his head at her questions about seeing a... krait? At least he didn't think he did. Maybe he had seen some weird things floating or swimming in the ocean that he didn't know what they were, but surely he'd remember a serpent that had the similar body structure of the snake that had itself wrapped around the lioness, right?

A brow would rise as she then spoke about getting his fortune told. Was the really true? Could she be able to see what could happen? Cautiously did Keir made his way over so that he were now standing in front of her, albeit still keeping a comfortable distance. "How does it work?" The yearling would ask in a curious tone, blue gaze shifting from her face to the stones, staring at them in observation as he allowed for his rear to lower itself to the ground in a now seated position.

@Arachnae

irish

She watched as he denied ever seeing a sea snake. Well, she supposed perhaps kraits did spend more time in the water than on land. She just happened to attract anything deadly for some reason. The black yearling sat a bit away from her, and with a sheepish smile she pointed a paw at the stones. "The god I worship allows me to help those who seek insight. For him to give a gift, I must give a sacrifice- so they were painted with my blood and nightshade berries. Life, and death. I flip them over to where I cannot see the symbols, out a small drop of your blood on my paw so the stones know I tell for you and not myself, and pick the four that my heart tells me to with my eyes closed." She wasn't sure if she was talking too fast, or giving too much information to the young man at once, but she was trying. "Each symbol represents something different." Slowly, she began to shift each stone upside down, and looked back to him. "If you do not want to do it, that is okay." She purred.

@Keir

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(2/2) +10 Observe and study a new scent

Keir was interested and intrigued, up until the point of her saying that he had to bleed to help her god set out a vision that was intended for him and not herself. Everything else sounded mysterious and a bit cool (perhaps a little bit? He couldn't quite tell). The yearling would sit in momentary silence, contemplating his answer. On one paw it would be rather interesting to see if his future could be 'told.' But on the other paw... He'd have to bleed? Perhaps nothing more but a pin prick, but still...

"Uh... Yeah, okay. Sure." Voice would go from faltering to a steady tone, somewhat confident in his response. "What do I need to do to get my... blood?" Did he have to cut himself? Poke a toe with his claw enough so that a couple of droplets or blood would appear? This was all a bit weird but also interesting so he couldn't resist.

@Arachnae

irish

Arachnae was pleased he had agreed. She understood the idea of bleeding was frightening, she didn't even like doing it to paint the rocks, but at least it wasn't much. "Just use a claw to draw a drop, it's all I need." The rose witch stated kindly.

Taking the time to look over him more closely, she couldn't help but notice his electric gaze and dark coat that matched the two tailed woman that used to rule the cove. And he even smelled like the ocean. "Is Jewel your mother, by chance?" She questioned, absently tabbing the ground with a dark paw. It wasn't important, but she was curious.

@Keir

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(1/2) +10 Learn about another family's traditions
(2/2) +10 Observe and study a new scent

So all that would be needed were a couple droplets from a quick claw poke. With a nod would Keir lift his front right paw up, holding it out toward the lioness and over the stones. Her question would catch him off guard, taking a moment to answer. "Yes," a nod would be given with his reply. Did she know mother? She had to of, why else would she have asked if Jewel was mother?

"This... fortune telling... is it something that's been passed down from your family?" The yearling would ask his question in an attempt to take his mind off of having to have a claw poked into his skin. Something to keep him occupied and perhaps to gain a bit more information as to why the lioness decided to follow the path of telling other's their fortunes.

@Arachnae

irish