The witch nodded thoughtfully, watching her companion plush thin spines off the plant and toss them into the sandy oblivion. "I suppose as long as it recognizable, it doesn't need a name." She laughed. "That sound quite useful. I haven't tried that, but if it works, that's would make going out in the day much easier."

Arachnae stated. She hated sunburns, the harsh blisters that formed on her skin and the horrible sensation it gave her eyes. "It seems to be becoming a pattern of you discovering wonderful ways to help healing." She stated, a grin on her maw.

@Alexon

Code by Naya Image by Tippy

They passed the cactus pad to @Arachnae so that she could examine it more closely. "Here's your no-name cactus," they replied with a grin. Their tail twitched excitedly. They considered the prospect of drying the Aloe gel. It would take a long time, certainly, so they needed to get to it while the days were still hot.

They took a few of the leaves they had collected and sliced the tops, then carefully removed the leaf covering so they the gel was exposed to the sun. "I'll come back for these in a few days. If it works, we can both keep a supply on hand." They gave her a smile at the comment. "I've hurt enough, life is for helping now."

Let the years we're here be kind

Let our hearts, like doors, open wide

code by corvus

Arachnae took the spineless cactus she was pawed over, flipping it over and gently pressing a claw into it's surface, bringing a minimal amount of juice to the surface. Licking it, she smiled. "This would be nice mixed into medicines for cubs. They never want to take anything because of the taste, but I think this would help. Much easier to get than honey." Significantly easier, actually. She wasn't sure she wanted to face an angry hive so a kid would willingly choke down some leaves.

The witch smiled softly at the clay lion, stepping forward and pressing her head beneath his chin. "You have helped me through a lot. I think you are a wonderful person, @Alexon."

Code by Naya Image by Tippy

Honey, that was a word Alex didn't recognize. They'd seen bees before, plenty of them, but they'd never followed them to their hive or opened it up to see what was inside. By context clues, they figured it was something sweet. "You'll have to show me this honey sometime, I've never heard of it."

Alex purred when she moved closer, then happily pressed down against her head. "So are you, @Arachnae. I don't know what I'd do without you." Arachnae, who had gotten them through every crisis they'd had since arriving here. They'd truly be lost without her.

Let the years we're here be kind

Let our hearts, like doors, open wide

code by corvus

The rose woman wasn't surprised Alex hadn't recognized the term. After all, to get some of the sticky treat required a big risk, one that most simply avoided their whole lives. Long story short, Arachnae was a teenager, no sense in her what so ever. She learned her lesson. "I'll try. It's very difficult to get close to. Bees make it, and inside their homes is where it is. But uh.... Bees hurt." She chuckled. "One sweet thing I can easily show you is melon. Have you ever tried one of the sweet gourds?" The lioness asked.

@Alexon

Code by Naya Image by Tippy

Alex shook their head. "Melon, no. I haven't heard of that either. I did have some mango once, though. That was pretty tasty. I saved some of the seeds and leaves, just in case, though I wasn't certain if they would help anything."

Perhaps they could dry the fruit itself? They would have to find a way to keep bugs away, but it was probably possible, right? Then they could crush up the dried fruit and mix it with the cactus juice to make medicines more palatable? It was an experiment that would take more planning, but it was certainly doable. Perhaps this melon stuff could be used the same way?

@Arachnae

Let the years we're here be kind

Let our hearts, like doors, open wide

code by corvus

Thw lionwss nodded as her friend stated they hadn't tried melon. It made sense. Multiple herbivores would demolish them if they find any, so the sweet gourds we're hard to find. "They are green and yellow on the outside, but bright yellow in the inside. Very sweet, a lot of juice in them." She stated. Sometimes, when she was small, she would find a slightly different kind of melon in the desert. It was always the best treat. "Maybe we could use various fruits, or anything with a strong flavour. Maybe even mint, just to overwhelm any bitter tastes."

@Alexon

Code by Naya Image by Tippy

Alex listened intently as she described melons, keen on finding one soon. And once again, they were interested in the idea of dehydrating the fruits. If they could get a stash of sweet flavorings like mango, melon, and mint, they could create little ready-to-use bundles specifically for cubs or picky lions. It could make medicine much more pleasant, and hopefully reduce some of the anxiety and apprehension that some lions had about finding a medic when injured.

"I think it's a great idea. We definitely have to find some. Do you have any idea where it would grow here? The jungle, maybe?"

@Arachnae

Let the years we're here be kind

Let our hearts, like doors, open wide

code by corvus

Arachnae nodded, "I think that's where I found my first melon, but I have found them in some strange places like open prairies as well. Likely seeds spread by birds. They are very juicy, so somewhere that rains often seems like a good place to start looking. I've never thought to eat mango, though. I just know it's useful whenever there's a lot of swelling." She chuckled. That was a story for another time though. "Let's get this cacti home before the sun rises. I hope to catch Madison and Amalia awake before I head to bed anyway." She stated with a grin, grabbing what she could and waiting for her friend before heading back towards their home.

--Exit

Code by Naya Image by Tippy

So melons could grow anywhere. They supposed they just needed luck to find them, then. They would certainly keep an eye out.

The filed the but about mango being good for swelling away for later. They knew it was good for stomach aches and tasted good, but that was new information. They wondered if it was good for local fevers as well. That was an experiment for another day.

They collected all that she hadn't and gave her a nod. When she set off towards home, they followed close behind. They never could stay in the desert too long, the journey there and back took up much of the night.

-Exit Alexon

Let the years we're here be kind

Let our hearts, like doors, open wide

code by corvus