Competence weakened, obviously so once they began ruminations around healing. Public displays lacking knowledge left him somewhat deflated, though @Faelyn encouraged nonetheless. Young and old lions are more likely to get sick. Affirmative parroting had the youth nodding wisely, as if he'd known this answer all along, feigning innocent stupidity. (Of course he really hadn't known.)

Afterwards, the alabaster lioness offered more wisdom surrounding poisonous plants appearing similar to healing plants. Thus far he'd learned cow parsnip wasn't useful unless you wanted to cause someone extreme discomfort, but the garden cress was useful, soon to become a staple amongst his small herb stores.

Sharp, intuitive woman, the more seasoned healer pronounced the differences between them, settling on pointing out his lack of training. Ears folded back into the youthful caramelized mane, focusing on the herbs at Faelyn's toes. I'm new to it. Ashamed this much displayed obvious, he tucked his head down somewhat, chest deflating from its proud stature almost immediately. My family are fighters. Perhaps it was a repeat of something he'd said earlier, explaining why he lacked even basic knowledge of colds. Not that the plains received many sick lions, most were wounded from fighting.

Sharpened gaze rose back to the pale face of Alvena's mother. Alvena said you didn't like a lot of fighting. Seems the mountains aren't as safe anymore. You guys should come to Lorien Plains. There, he'd said it. Although Morrigan had seemed nice when they'd met on the borders, there was certainly unrest among the peaks with the more recent skirmish the warrior woman had fallen to; certainly, this brought concern to those who sought peaceful retirement such as Faelyn.

+5 Learn something from another about your trade (2/2) (Garden cress is good for colds/cow parsnip is poisonous.)

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The snow falls soft

drawing the world down to a whitened hush, forcing us to pause long enough to take stock of everything that we miss in our crazed pursuit to gain everything that we can. One would say she is a woman who wears a gown of winter frost that blinds the eyes.

He admitted that he didn't know much about healing, and she nodded understandingly. That's quite all right. The Hodari can be the same way, though typically we only fight to protect what is ours, she explained. Typically that was their home, as either Roan or his brother had served as high sovereign quite a few times. Roan had opted to take a break after the Hollow had been lost, and privately she was a bit relieved that she didn't have to worry about someone coming for him, though she knew he enjoyed being a leader.

She's right about that, Faelyn said. Fighting is typically done by the men of the family, not that we don't know how to defend ourselves if needed. Well, that was a bit of a lie. She'd made sure Alvena knew how to do so, but she herself... well she relied on not going to places that might be a problem and hoping others would leave her alone if she didn't stick her nose in things. Usually worked.

That's a kind offer. I'm more suited to life in the mountains at this point, and my husband is friends with Morrigan so I doubt he would be too interested in moving. If the Plains is as peaceful as you say, though, I have no issue with Alvena wanting to move there if she does. Not that I would try to force her to stay somewhere, of course.

She had never claimed to be the ruler of her children's lives. They were more than free to do as they pleased. Her hope for them was that they would find their own families and homes, or if that wasn't what they wanted, that they would be happy regardless of what they chose to do.

@Hendrix

It is growing cold

code by corvus

Younger, less knowledgeable in any talents, he admired @Faelyn's willingness to tutor him regardless of experience. Molten eyes lingered on the soft visage of his girlfriend's mother, wondering what his father would think of something so delicate. Neither his mother nor Olive were delicate women; both women held particularly intricate skills showcase with claws, as he'd known neither to back down from a fight, some of which cause carried from his siblings.

Charcoal mask shifted, chest puffing out under youthful arrogance. Frei men are good fighters. Some of his brothers he'd watched fight, never engaging in combat himself, but he was certain if he were to fight, that he'd win. More importantly, for Faelyn's sake, he'd willingly protect Alvena, should the need arise.

Lips tugged downward at the pale woman's next words. Disappointment cross his bronzed edges, unwilling to accept just his girlfriend relocating. What if she won't come without you? Worry colored his voice, uncertain for the first time during the course of their conversation, whether Alvena would follow him or not. She'd be safe there. Shoulders squared, decidedly conscious of his predicament, somewhat more confident with Faelyn's blessing. She should come.

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The snow falls soft

drawing the world down to a whitened hush, forcing us to pause long enough to take stock of everything that we miss in our crazed pursuit to gain everything that we can. One would say she is a woman who wears a gown of winter frost that blinds the eyes.

She couldn't help but smile at his assurance, though she suspected it might be partially a teenager's bravado, as of yet untested. Far be it for her to question him, though. Besides, how was she supposed to know what a good fighter looked like? She'd seen plenty of fights, sure, but that didn't make her an expert. What she did know was that the Plains was a relatively peaceful pride, and those who were leading it had done so for some time at this point. Good, then you'll have no trouble protecting her if need be, she said, her meaning Alvena, of course.

He seemed disappointed that she wouldn't come, and she didn't know if it was because he simply wanted to recruit more members for the pride, or if he wanted his potential tutor to be closer, or if he was sincerely disappointed that she wouldn't come. His voiced concern was understandable, and did help to clear some of it up, though again she had to smile, this time knowingly.

Oh, I don't think you'll have any problem convincing her to go with you, she replied. And you're right, she should go. She can't spend her whole life following her family around. All of her other children had left the nest a while ago, save for Valka who of course wasn't young enough to do so yet, but Alvena had stayed nearby. She appreciated her presence, especially when Roan and Hero had been out looking for any wayward family members, but at some point the girl had to make a life of her own, and here was a good first start.

@Hendrix

It is growing cold

code by corvus

Genetics ran fairly clearly through his veins, bravado something which his father carried plainly. Tan youthful mane remained puffed due to posturing, showing off muscles that weren't wholly defined. Nope. I'll do my very best. Even if he couldn't prevent Alvena from harm, he knew his family would stand between the young woman and danger. Once someone integrated under the Frei family they became well-received.

Little thought lingered around tutelage under @Faelyn, though he ought to consider the value having someone to teach him closer than days away. Selfish intentions propelled joining Illyria Summit, hoping to convince Alvena to join him in Lorien. More recent events spurred concerns, seeking an out nearly immediately, a coward at heart.

You really think so? Hope colored youthful tenor voice, eager to start a life with Alvena in the plains. Mountainous living wasn't quite comfortable, often cold encompassing everything, and while acknowledgment of the Hodari family's genetic predisposition for colder temperatures, the plains offered frigid winters that spanned months enough for an entire year.

You'd be welcome too, you know. Lorien could use someone with your knowledge. Slow thoughts circled towards logical responsibility towards his pride. Many among the plains would hold thanks for someone more skilled than his meager knowledge in herbal remedies, most certainly with unrest surging through prides.

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The snow falls soft

drawing the world down to a whitened hush, forcing us to pause long enough to take stock of everything that we miss in our crazed pursuit to gain everything that we can. One would say she is a woman who wears a gown of winter frost that blinds the eyes.

It was all she could ask of him, that he do his best. She firmly believed that he would do so, should the situation call for it. I do think so. And if she does give you trouble then tell her to come talk to me, Faelyn replied with amusement. She'd have a little talk with her daughter about not being beholden to her parents, even if they were getting up there in years. Alvena's brothers had gone to make lives of their own, and it was high time she did as well. Not that she could do that if Faelyn followed her to the Plains.

I will remember your offer, and the Plains will be my first choice if anything ever happens to the Summit, she said with a thankful smile. She certainly hoped nothing would happen to the Summit, because that would mean something had happened to Morrigan, but she knew no one could rule forever, much as they might want to.

Well, I've surely taken up enough of your time for the moment, though you're welcome to come back and continue your first lesson if you'd like, she said, offering her would-be son-in-law a warm smile before she bent her head to pick up her little bundle of herbs and continue on her way to the den, either with @Hendrix in tow or having parted knowing him much better now.

-exit Faelyn-

It is growing cold

code by corvus

Idealistic thoughts surrounded @Faelyn and Alvena's father joining the plains. Out of any values, he understood family importance the most. That itch to return to the golden fields of his homeland beckoned him away from the frigid terrain of the mountains. This place was not for him, nor could he drag Alvena away from her family knowing they might not visit as often as the pallid girl wished. I won't make her do anything she doesn't want to. Charcoal shoulders shrugged, dismissing the idea that his wants trumped Alvena.

Disappointment rose within his eagerly young demeanor, though he tried to cover any signs across his face through a small smile. Please don't hesitate to come to Lorien. You'll always be welcome members of the Frei family. Now he grinned, creating promises which he'd ensure his family kept, given his relationship with Alvena.

Of course, Faelyn was a much more experienced healer than he, and he appreciated departure of knowledge unto his slower mind. Everything he'd learned from the master botanist felt valuable. Thanks for the lesson. I'll come with. It never hurt to expand knowledge, even if it hurt his brain. Thus he trailed after his future mother-in-law to complete the lesson. /exit

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