He really should have visited earlier. That was the only thought that stuck with him. He knew Daario was alone here. He knew the Spectre had few visitors. Still, it had taken him too long to get back. He couldn't really use having been busy as an excuse, even if it was true. Excuses simply weren't his style.

Despite being busy, and there having been a number of changes around the Oasis, there had been another factor that had made Iofiel hesitant to return. He had come to the realization of something that he desired and the impossibility of it. Not just because Daario was dead but also the Spectre had to be straight. He'd had two wives and a number of children. It was foolish of Iofiel to even hope. So he had to master his emotions and push his feelings away before he could trust himself to visit. He was used to hiding things about himself so it should be easy. But then he had never opened up to anyone the way he had to Daario. He was worried he would find himself blurting things out.

As had been promised Iofiel had brought some plants with him on these visit. Aloe and wild sunflower, which he had already spoken to the Spectre about. Some lovegrass was also brought with him. It held no medicinal purpose but the desert prey liked the seeds and it was often used in funeral rites.

"Daario?" He called out softly, timidly, after he had placed down his small bundle of plants.

@Daario

Coming to live in the Grotto full-time had been quite a change from his previous life. One where he had had so many family and friends surrounding him at all times and he could walk to the various lands and interact with those that didn't live underneath the Vermedan banner. He had connections in every corner of Amaryllis and in his death, time had faded and his social circle had diminished. His family led their own lives and he was expected to live his.

In his solitude here he was able to see a lot more of the world and the things that he missed. The moment's that he wanted to be able to change but through the loneliness he faced, @Iofiel was his light through the tunnel. A glittering ray of sunshine that gave him peace when he couldn't get it elsewhere. It made Daario not feel as though he had been given this second life for no purpose but to linger in wait. So when the sandcat drew near, Daario drifted down from the ceiling and towards him. I'm here, he offered in a gentle, breezy tone as he moved so that it might be portrayed as though he were standing upon the surface of the ground. Eyes trailed from the cat's eyes to the plants that he had brought and the Valour smiled -- he had remembered to bring some things so that he might prepare himself should he ever have the ability to touch again.

table by sentinel / lion + brook

"I expected nothing less. You are always here." A quick, flitting smile as the pale male tried to joke. And then it faded away again just as quickly. "I have brought you things." He said and nodded towards the plants. "I also have news. Of which would you wish to learn first?" Perhaps not all of his news would interest Daario as it mostly pertained to the Oasis. But then that was where Iofiel lived and the most of which he could speak.

The large male sat himself upon the ground and sought to arrange his plants as he awaited a response. Each plant was a dried version of itself. It held up better during travel than him trying to bring fresh specimens. Besides he'd rather show Daario what they looked like when growing though that still remained an impossibility for now. Perhaps some day though...

Of course that was a foolish thought. Why would Daario continue to interact with him should the Spectre ever get a chance to leave this place? His thoughts kept his eyes pinned on the plants. It was easier to focus on them than to look at the Spectre. Perhaps he hadn't waited long enough and hadn't been able to bury his feelings deep enough after all.

@Daario

An awkward laugh, a hehe flew passed his lips as @Iofiel mentioned that it was obvious that he was here, seeing as though he had nowhere else to go. It was a fair point and allowed Daario a moment to enjoy something funny. After all, it probably the most truthful thing in this moment and a good enough thing to share among a friend.

In light of the carefully placed jest, his gaze twisted onto the plants that he had brought as gifts. Remembering instantly that Iofiel had given him the kindness of offering to teach him a few things, rather than using his brawn in battle like he used to but to put his talents elsewhere. He couldn't be sure how much could be remembered if he were to ever become mortal again -- or was he mortal now, because he could still... "exist"? A question he had yet to ponder and certainly didn't have the time to do so now.

News? Oh, uh... news first. That way it wouldn't be forgotten over the likely new information from learning about the plants. He wanted to be as free-minded as he possibly could for all that his friend wished to share. Anything he said was nice to hear, really.

table by sentinel / lion + brook

Iofiel nodded when Daario chose to hear the news first. "There was an Aquila Valour that ruled the Oasis for a time but he has disappeared now and I am uncertain as to where he has gone. It feels as if the Oasis might be cursed with how many leaders it has had." He glanced up at Daario at the last line and quickly looked away again. He didn't know how much the other believed in curses. Plus, it was Iofiel's own personal belief and wasn't really news. "There had also been an Onyxia Valour living in the Oasis at the time of Aquila's rule but she has gone as well. It is a Seneca that rules in the Oasis now." And that was really all there was for news, at least from Iofiel's perspective. He didn't really involve himself in politics to know what was going on outside of the Oasis. Still, he figured the Spectre would want to know that some of his family had been seen at least.

The pale lion found himself rearranging the plants once more. He found himself nervous for a reason that he couldn't explain. Okay, that was a lie. He knew where the feeling stemmed from. Still, it wasn't like he was being forced to say anything. Granted Iofiel found it weirdly hard to keep things from Daario though.

"There is something else..." Iofiel cut himself off and shook his head. "It does not matter. It isn't important. I apologize that I do not have more to share."

A prickly leaf was nudged forwards. "This is aloe. It is used for numerous things. It can be eaten to keep hydrated within the desert should no source of water be found. It also has the ability to grow new leaves when one is cut off. It is typically used to soothe burns and as a wound dressing. It is one of the plants that I use the most and it grows in abundance within the desert." Iofiel launched right on into the herbology lesson. That was a safe subject upon which to speak.

@Daario

There was a small amount of surprise that overcame him as the name of Aquila brushed into their topic of conversation. He had ruled the Oasis? Interesting, he couldn't have imagined his nephew leaving Vermeda but he supposed that change was inevitable. It certainly could be, and it could very well be Maua's doing. That she was testing the new Amaryllis leaders into seeing what they were capable of enduring and what they could not overcome. Do you think a higher power could be potentially testing them? Aquila would have been one of the tested and failed, but he was biased and believed that Aquila had let it go for a reason.

There was something else that was lingering just at the tip of @Iofiel's tongue but it was dismissed quickly. A furrowed brow arose but he wasn't a pestering man, unfortunately. Not one to tug and tug and tug until something was brought to the surface. So he freely let it go and latched onto the instant lesson that he had been looking forward to. Aloe. A plant that he would've said looked odd and probably tasted odder but it seemed to have a lot of uses that he would've never considered. A multi-use plant, then? Fascinating that it had a skillset much like a lion did. Putting forth it's multiple uses to treat something as minor as a burn to something as huge as dehydration.

table by sentinel / lion + brook

A higher power? Iofiel wasn't certain that he believed in that or not. He had never given conscious thought to one thing being better than another. "I do not know of a higher power. For me all things are equal." He found the lizard on the same level as the lion. All had Rwh and all Rwh could prove powerful. It was why he gave respect to all things equally. "I figured it to be Rwh whom feel disrespected. First there was a sandstorm then a leader left, the lioness given the pride had been taken. There was Aquila but I don't know what happened to him other than him just being gone. There was Aarani but then she was injured and now there is Seneca." There hadn't been a singular event repeating itself but various things happening that would squash leaderships in their infancy.

"Yes, multi-use. This is why it is among my first choices of plants. I can use it for nearly everything." The yellow flower was presented next. "This one is not found in the desert but in grass filled places instead. This is used to stop bleeding." And that reason made it another go to plant for Iofiel. He often used the wild sunflower along with aloe.

@Daario

Daario was, as usual, fairly quiet as @Iofiel explained more about the Rwh and his idea of all things equal. It made sense, more sense than a lot of things did in this lifetime and so it was easy to not question it. A big part of the circle of life where no one was greater than another and that was perhaps the one thing that clicked. It is good that the Oasis has someone that can right the wrongs of the past, and that can hopefully cleanse the pride so it wouldn't lose another leader. He might have mentioned so that his friend didn't have to figure out somewhere else to go since he seemed quite content to stay in his spot.

A sunflower? he asked, brows furrowing as he regarded the plant carefully. He knew that plant very well as it sometimes grew in the southern stretches of the Grove. You had to visit at the right time of the year but it had always been a brilliant sight to see if he caught it. Does this one have more uses too? Or just to stop bleeding? Iofiel hadn't mentioned it having other healing properties but if he didn't ask questions, he might not ever find the answer.

table by sentinel / lion + brook

"I would not say so much as that." Iofiel said as he dipped his head down bashfully. "I am simply trying to do my part. I know not everyone believes so I do what I can to make up for that." He could only hope that his faith alone was enough.

He was asked about other uses of the plant and for that the pale male had to give a pause as he thought it over. "I am uncertain. I haven't tested it for other properties." And he wasn't the sort to like to use others as guinea pigs. He tended to stick to tried to and true methods versus experimenting. "Not all plants have multiple purposes. There are some that can heal as well as cause harm depending on usage." Which is what made his reluctant to experiment. He didn't want to unintentionally harm anyone.

@Daario

Daario would have enjoyed listening to his dear friend for the rest of the day. @Iofiel's voice was soothing and certainly made him feel quite comforted, especially in the wake of the absence of most anyone else in Amaryllis. No one seemed to visit him much aside from Talisa who came every so often but aside from her and Iofiel, not much company was to be had. Though, it did make him all the more thankful for the friendship he had found in the dusty sandcat. While Iofiel might've deflected Daario's compliment, the Valour left it with a hum of a response. Not wishing to continue badgering his pal to just take the nice compliment. If I were alive, I'd say you could test on me but alas... that won't work. It would be even better if it could be tested on him while he was already dead but. Then there was the thought of testing on a prey animal but he wasn't sure if Iofiel would be opposed to harming an animal that wouldn't be eaten as food. He knew several that were akin to protected the spiritual nature of balance.

table by ferus, art by munk