Ooc: Backdated before @Calypso's snakebite

At their last meeting, the two medics had made arrangements to visit the desert and badlands together. Calypso wasn't as familiar with the more arid plants, and Alex was happy to teach her. They had waited until late in the afternoon, because while it was certainly cooler, shade was still somewhat scarse.

He sat and waited for the lioness to arrive near a baobab tree. It was an important one, easy to find with many uses, and Alex figured that the lessons may as well start there. They were close enough to the desert that they could easily pop over there this evening as well, if the lioness wanted to.

Let the years we're here be kind

Let our hearts, like doors, open wide

code by corvus

It was helpful to make friends with another healer. For all that Calypso knew she always welcomed the information of others - it was the only way she could expand her knowledge. Her mother would have no doubt had more to teach, and there were many days that she missed her fiercely.

He was easy to spot against the horizon, and she offered a smile as she drew near. It was warped around the large leaf she carried - prepared to bundle whatever herbs they found so as it being them back easier.

“hello again,” she greeted him warmly as she dropped the leaf to speak.

@Alexon

Table by Amanda | Reference by Karasu | Background

"Hello again," they purred, happy to see her. They had a rabbit pelt slung over their shoulders to use for collecting things today. Their stores were plentiful these days, but there was no harm in collecting more. Besides, who knows what the winter would hold? And if they were trying to build up an apothecary of sorts, they needed large supplies of things. Speaking of, they really needed to find more turtle shells and start working on those herb bundles they'd been planning.

They stood when she arrived, then tilted their head to the tree beside them. "Know this one? Baobab?" They didn't want to assume anything about what she did or didn't know.

Let the years we're here be kind

Let our hearts, like doors, open wide

code by corvus

The tree under which they stand is, indeed, familiar, and the peach woman nodded. “Aye, good for inflammation.” Calypso was certain her mother had listed other uses but she frowned as she realized she did not recall all of them. “is there anything else ye use it for?” Surely @Alexon would know - they seemed more familiar with the plants here.

Calypso, despite her skill and knowledge, had been young when she left home. There were many things she had still wanted to learn, and some which she simply needed refreshers on.

Table by Amanda | Reference by Karasu | Background

Alex wagged their tail happily. "Yes, good for swelling! Perfect! It makes a good traveling herb as well because it keeps you awake. It's also good for fevers and cleaning wounds." They thought for a few moments, trying to remember if there were any other uses. They were pretty sure there was one more... oh yes! "It also helps up clear up respiratory issues, especially chest infections. Very multi-purpose."

This was a tall tree, and Alex didn't have easy access to the leaves. So instead, they reached up and carefully scraped off long strips of the bark. "The tree will also regrow the bark, so you don't have to worry as much about damaging the tree by over-harvesting. Though the fruit is the best part, sweet and tangy!" Unfortunately, fruit grew in the summer, not the winter, so there wasn't any to be found today.

@Calypso

Let the years we're here be kind

Let our hearts, like doors, open wide

code by corvus

Calypso, despite her generally anti-social nature, was finding their company enjoyable. They were kind and knowledgeable and she was reminded again that meeting them had been serendipitous.

As @Alexon talked she listened, and when they reached to strip the bark she followed suit. It was a great plant to have on hand, and the nice thing was the bark didn’t wilt like leaves would. For that reason she was glad to know where they grew. “Ye know a lot,” she commented as she pulled strips from the tree.

“aye I’ve had the fruit before, kept me going a few times.” She has travelled far to get here and hadn’t always been able to hunt successfully.

+5 Learn something from another about your trade 1/2
+5 Teach herbology trivia to someone
+5 Collect herbs 1/2

Table by Amanda | Reference by Karasu | Background

In their short time together, Alex had also grown fond of @Calypso. Meeting other medics to share knowledge and learn new techniques was something they always looked forward to do, and wished they had the opportunity to do more of.

"Spent a lot of time on my own in the desert," they replied, brushing off the compliment. They knew what they did because they had to learn it, and while they were learning other areas quickly, their knowledge was still somewhat specialized.

Her comment about the fruits made them smile, and they nodded in agreement. "Same here. Once survived under a baobab tree for a couple weeks with a broken leg." They'd eaten the fruits and any rodents they had been able to catch nearby.

Once they'd collected a fair amount of bark, they settled the strips into their rabbit hide.

Let the years we're here be kind

Let our hearts, like doors, open wide

code by corvus

It would seem @Alexon had their fair share of stories. “I cen’t imagine d’at was a good time.” broken limbs were nasty things to recover from, and she was sad to think he had battled one alone.

Her attention turned from the tree to their surroundings, scanning for any other plant they may know that she did not. Her gaze landed on a strange, round, orange… plant?.. growing not far from where they were. Or it seemed to have grown. As she moved toward it she realized it was not attached to any leaves or stem, but just seemed to be sitting there.

Calypso leaned forward and gave it a sniff - “d’ye know what dis is?”

@Alexon

Table by Amanda | Reference by Karasu | Background

Alex shrugged. Broken bones were commonplace where they were from, but no, it hadn't been a good time. "Yeah. All better now, though."

They looked to the strange... thing when she pointed it out and moved closer to sniff it. Then poke it.

"It reminds me of these fruits called melons that my friend showed me. But those were growing from a stem and they smelled different. "

They considered the weird new fruit. "I wonder if it tastes like melon. I'll take one home to study." It seemed strange that someone would just leave them there, though. Were they going to come back for them?

@Calypso

Let the years we're here be kind

Let our hearts, like doors, open wide

code by corvus

double, double toil and trouble;
fire burn, and cauldron bubble...

Nafasi watches from the bushes, never once letting herself be seen by those huddled around her perfectly-placed pumpkins. They really were a curious bunch, weren't they? Well, fortunately for them, the sprite was feeling extra generous today, and had a treat for them that she has been wanting to share. And so, it was with a small smile that the being craned her head, watching the lions for a few more moments, before giving a quick stomp of her paw against the earth.

Hm...

Without warning, the pumpkin suddenly splits down the middle, right in front of your eyes! And...oh? It looks like there is something tucked inside! Weird, but you might as well check it out. Investigating further, you find a collection of trinkets, feathers, gems, fruit, and other curious things hidden within the pumpkin, ripe for the taking! Looks like you got lucky today.

OOC Prize: free RDG re-roll

*note that Shan has already received their two prizes from this event, and so they do not qualify for this one.

pixel credit to moonlight-pendent13