As winter settled in, the young adventurer noticed that the plant life was quite scarce. Eager to explore, she ventured to the northern and western regions of the new land, where the snowy landscape gradually transitioned to a covered canopy in the Grove. While she was unfamiliar with the native plants of this area, she was determined to study whatever she could discover. Observing a bush, she found it challenging to identify without its leaves and flowers. After taking a moment to reflect, she considered the possibility of tasting a twig to learn more about its characteristics. As she took a seat, she leaned forward to gently taste the bare branch of the Nibima, but her expression revealed her dissatisfaction with the flavor.

[ rogue yearling | winter - january y13 | medic exp ]
+5 Study the flora of a neutral territory (Nibima - Grove)

@Heloise

code by corvus || back ground image

The world was so quiet in winter. The snow muffled everything, even the sound of her own paw steps. Well, almost everything. The whispers of the spirits in her ears never changed, or dulled. They were her constant companions throughout her entire life. There was a bit of solace in knowing that one was never alone, and would never be even on the other side.

But, as it turned out, she wasn't alone in this life at that moment either. There was another who seemed to have the same plan she did, or at least was gnawing on a plant for no other reason that she could think of. A low chuckle left Heloise at the girl's expression.

It not be tasting the best, but when ye have a cough dat won't go away, ye not be worrying about it, she commented. Unfortunately, medicine never tasted very good, but when one needed it, one needed it.

@Cosette

The young sprite was focused on examining the bare branch, thoughtfully chewing on the end of the twig and making various expressions. She noticed a sound crunching on the snow that barely reached her audible ear before someone spoke. With a look of confusion, she turned her head towards the much larger lioness, tilting it slightly as she tried to understand the words. I am currently searching for plants to help cleanse areas, rather than for cough remedies. It's unfortunate, she mentioned gently, a small frown appearing on her lips as Cosette began looking around. The winter landscape made it challenging for her to identify any plants due to the lack of visible indicators.

[ rogue yearling | winter - january y13 | medic exp ]
+5 Study the flora of a neutral territory (Nibima - Grove)
@Heloise

code by corvus || back ground image

Heloise nodded slightly at the other woman's words. It can be used for dat, but dere be better ones for it, she replied. None around here though. On the other hand, though, at least this place still had herbs growing in it despite the cold of the season. There were few places where that was true. Ye be needing it for someone now? she asked, concerned that someone was in immediate danger. The younger woman didn't seem distressed, so Heloise doubted that was the case, but if it was she was more than willing to offer some of her personal stores to the cause. Funny, how she was now willing to do so when years ago, when strangers had first graced these lands, she had nigh hated them.

@Cosette

There is a gentle tilt to her head as she listens attentively to the slightly muffled tones coming from the older stranger. Reflecting on her choices, Cosette turned to face the stranger fully. I was taught to cleanse the area before speaking to the wisps, she remarked softly. Her mother had imparted so many wonderful lessons about respecting those in the afterlife and supporting the living. Taking a moment to pause, she glanced at the plant she had been chewing on before looking back up at the much larger lioness. Sometimes the wisps share their words with me, she nodded with a bright smile. Cosette was still in the process of trying to understanding that the wisps were spirits, as her knowledge of the afterlife was not as developed as that of her mother and the adults from the old Band she had grown up with. Similar to her father, the girl possessed a curious nature and felt that there was much more for her to learn beyond the small world she had always known.

@Heloise

code by corvus

Oh, I see, she replied, realizing she had misunderstood what the girl was looking for. Luckily for her, Heloise was far more versed in spiritual matters than healing, though she had quite a bit of knowledge there as well. I be using clove, from de fighting pit, or basil, in de fields. Frankincense also be good, it can be found in de labyrinth, but obviously dat be harder to navigate. De best part is, all have healing uses as well, she replied.

De wisps talk to ye too? Ye be lettin' me know if ye find a way to make dem be quiet sometimes, Heloise added with a low chuckle. Truth be told, she didn't mind the chatter of the spirits at this point. She'd spent so much of her life hearing them that it didn't bother her anymore. Not like it had when they'd started talking to her in earnest when she'd first taken on the mantle of voodoo queen from her mother.

@Cosette

The girl tilted her head thoughtfully, eager to absorb the words from the older lioness so she could commit the plants to memory for the upcoming Spring. Clove, Basil, and Frankincense. She silently repeated the names to herself, wanting to ensure she wouldn't forget. May I ask what plants would be useful during the snow season? Cosette inquired gently.

When Heloise asked about her ability to hear the Wisps, Cosette nodded with enthusiasm. I can’t hear the Wisps as clearly as my mama does; I only catch small whispers. I hope to improve my ability to hear them, she shared, adding with warmth, the Wisps have always been a cherished part of my life.

[ rogue yearling | winter - january y13 | cleric exp ]
+20 Learn something from a Master of your trade

@Heloise

code by corvus

It was always harder trying to find herbs during the winter, she knew. Those who didn't have access to a pride in which to start a garden had to either make one in the depths of the neutral lands and hope no one messed with it or go without during the months inhospitable to growth. De frankincense might still be growing in de depths of de labyrinth, she mused. It be underground, so de plants don't get as cold, and can grow even during de winter months. And then there were those plants which grew year round up on the peaks, which always impressed her.

Heloise couldn't help but smile at the girl's mention of her mother, feeling as though she was looking into a window to her own past, when she'd been training to follow in her mother's pawsteps. Ye remind me of myself when I be young, she commented, as though it was an age ago. Which, it kind of was if she was being honest.

@Cosette

The little sprite leaned in attentively, her ear perked up to catch the older lioness's words about the plant and its location, carefully committing them to memory. A thoughtful expression crossed her face as she gently pressed her lips together. After a moment, Cosette looked up at the stranger and spoke with a friendly tone, Thank you! May I ask where this place you mentioned is located? She added a slight tilt of her head to her question, conveying her curiosity.

Oh! My mother always emphasized the importance of being polite and introducing myself. I’m Cosette Black-Luce. May I ask your name? Cosette maintained her head tilt, keeping her warm sunrise-colored eyes focused on the stranger lioness.

[ rogue yearling | winter - january y13 | cleric exp ]
+20 Learn something from a Master of your trade

@Heloise

code by corvus || back ground image

Aye, it be back towards de entrance of dis place. South from here, past de Pit, in de mountains, she explained, gesturing towards the proper direction. It was, actually, one of the easiest places to find given it was in fact right next to the passage and also within the mountains. There were so many entrances that one just had to go looking. If ye get lost, just follow de bats. She didn't mind the little creatures, but she knew some did.

Heloise Saucier, she replied. It had been years since the Saucier name was known in the lands, so she didn't expect any sort of recognition. Formerly of de Brook, but now of de Lagoon. She did somewhat miss the Brook, but really home was the lions that surrounded her, not the place. If she wanted to stick with home, she would be in the Mire or the Bog. But she had moved on since then.

@Cosette