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Time moved oddly for the girl, she had grown some, but then her growth had stalled as her body and hormones tried to figure each other out due to the mystery of childhood. Emotions were still a big thing to her, she felt big emotions all the time, but it was getting easier to hide them away, pretend like nothing was amiss. With getting older, came some freedoms, even though she was never permitted much freedom, she did get surprises here and there. Like today, she'd been permitted to leave the Brook, not alone of course, she was to go with @Freja, to learn, but she suspected that maybe her adoptive mother wanted a break from her son's, and the best way to do that, was to separate from them to do work that did not interest them. Of course Kamaria was quick to stand and follow after the piebald woman, having not been out of the Brook since she'd been forced here, her smaller body stayed close to Freja's as they left the borders, her eyes glancing to her mother, then around them, the feeling like she knew where they were but not exactly clung to her, heavy on her mind as she tried remembering.

Art and code by Shazaki`

It was a risk.

A big one.

Taking Kamaria out of Vermedan borders had not been expressly forbidden and the girl had been nothing but angelic really, in the grand scheme of things. When Cassius had first thrown the cub at her paws, Freja had expected some rebellion - for the child to try and sneak out and try and away from the whole mess. But each night, Kamaria curled up against Freja's back and the wall of the den (mostly for safety, as the boys had not taken too well to their half sister sharing their space), the piebald woman felt not a whisper of intent to leave.

It was still an enormous risk, to leave the pride lands with her. But the growing child deserved to stretch her legs and Freja had every intention of returning with her. It was a breath of fresh air, to have one of the cubs in her care stick close and not try to run away. In many secret ways, the healer preferred the little girl over her own ghastly sons. At the very least, @Kamaria was just easier all round.

See that big white flower? That's Angel's Trumpet. She pointed out, before making sure the girl was paying attention. It's poisonous - causes muscle weakness and hallucinations. Freja explained to her charge, glancing down to see if she was taking it all in.

+5 Teach herbology trivia to someone (1/2)
+5 Warn someone about a poisonous plant (1/2)
+5 Study the flora of a neutral territory (1/2)

code by scorpixia ♡︎ || art by editjackson

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Ice blue eyes traveled across the Grove, her paws were silent as she stayed near mother, the warm sun heated her fur, it wasn't uncomfortable yet, but she didn't let that phase her at all, she was a ball of excitement, wanting to stretch her legs and explore. She still stayed close to @Freja, not wanting to be in trouble, or cause her any problems, she wanted to be a better daughter, so that maybe this mother would keep her... She flicks an ear to mothers words, gaze traveling to the flower, listening, taking in the the way the flower looked, how it smelled, and what it did.. poisonous... Muscle weakness... Hallucinations.. She checked it all, memorizing it, it wasn't long after though that her attention was taken away, seeing a small clearing in a grove of trees. Mama.. Salome... Her breath hitches and her paws sped up a bit as she reached the clearing, her brows furrowed, there was no trace of her mother or her sister, dead. Cassius's words replay in her head, her chest felt tight, her lungs felt out of breath. Of course there would be no trace of them... She flattened her ears and shook her head gently, not looking back as she turned away, going back to Mother. And for the second time in her life, Kamaria X'uekai was heartbroken by the mother who'd given birth to her, and wasn't strong enough to protect her. Only this time, she did not cry, she just butted her head against the shoulder of her adoptive mother.

Art and code by Shazaki`

There's another poisonous plant called Devils Trumpet too - Freja warmed as they walked, mismatched eyes studying the flora around them to see if she could spot any of the plant in question. And it actually looks really similar - same shape white flowers. The leaves are a bit darker on the Devil. She continued, carefully steering them away from the plants. Her posions knowledge had increased exponentially thanks to Lathan and she was happy to pass on what she knew, especially when there was a specimen in front of them to demonstrate.

She might have continued the lesson, more than happy to have an audience that was not trying to bite her or stomp on everything in sight. However, @Kamaria darted forward and into a clearing. To Freja, it looked like any other though a deep inhalation gave the healer more information. Kamaria's scene, and then two others - old now and just the faintest of whiffs to ever suggest that they had been there in the first place. Her heart dropped and she stepped quickly after the girl who looked devastated. Oh Kam, I'm sorry. I didn't realise - That they'd come so close to the girls home. We can go? She gently offered, before glancing around the clearing once more. Had Cassius killed them here? Did they remain? You don't have to look, at anything - Short, stilted words hung in the air as she considered what they might find if they looked a bit longer.

+5 Teach herbology trivia to someone (2/2)
+5 Warn someone about a poisonous plant (2/2)
+5 Study the flora of a neutral territory (2/2)

code by scorpixia ♡︎ || art by editjackson

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Kamaria was happy to be learning, and she did try to listen, Freja was really the only one she listened to, she wouldn't hate to be like her adoptive mother, intelligent, kind, in the girls eyes, Freja was the hero to her story, and that wouldn't change any time soon. Her adoptive mother could read her like a book, anyone else, it would have annoyed Kamaria to no end, but she was appreciative that Freja knew her, she never really had to explain what was wrong, she just had to find her mother's arms. Freja apologizes and Kamaria looks over at her, head still lowered a bit but she shakes her head gently and presses her forehead into Freja's chest, even though she was getting bigger now, that was still her favorite place to rest. "No, it's alright.." The pain was subsiding slowly, it was odd to the girl, how broken she'd been over the news months back, but now, it was more like an ache, she was more hurt that her mother had just gave up during the fight, gave her away, and then couldn't even get her sister to safety. Kamaria nuzzled into Freja's neck and chin, turning her back on the clearing, she inhales softly and looked up at her adoptive mother, "I don't wanna go back yet, I want to keep learning.." No tears, no whimpers, she boxed it all away, instead she just wanted to continue on with their day, mother teaching daughter, nothing else

Art and code by Shazaki`

Physical comfort had always been Kamaria's choice and her favourite place was Freja's chest. Soon, the dark child would be considered too big to really fit but for now, the piebald woman was happy to allow her that comfort. It was more than her boys ever wanted from her - as far as they were concerned she was an oversized bone to gnaw on, or target practice or any other amounts of violent activities. @Kamaria was different and Freja appreciated her softness.

The soft shake of her girls head and her words both said she didn't want to leave. It was heartbreaking to almost see the girl putting up boundaries, building barriers against it all. But Freja would not doubt or second guess her - she knew her own mind and what she wanted. Which appeared to be continuing to learn. Okay, we can continue for a bit. She agreed, before casting about to spy the vegetation in the Grove. Do you remember this one? She gestured to the White Weed growing close by. What can you tell me about it?

code by scorpixia ♡︎ || art by editjackson

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No matter how big she got, she would most likely always seek out Freja to find comfort in, she didn't want to grow up, she didn't want to be bigger, she wanted to stay small forever and stay under Freja's care forever, she felt safe and protected by her mother. When Freja agrees that they can stay, Kamaria nods gently and moves to look, eyes following the paw of her mother, her eyes spy the white weed. "Angel trumpet, it causes hallucinations and muscle spasms." She speaks softly, looking at the white flower closer, studying it and storing it in her memory. Then an idea pops in her head and she looks towards her mother, "Mama, can you help me make my own garden?" +5 Study a plant

Art and code by Shazaki`

Not quite, sweetling. Freja had pointed out White Weed, which did not have the trumpet-like flowers that the girl now named. But well done for remembering Angels Trumpet, very good. Her tone was kind even in her correction - she could hardly blame the cub for not remembering everything perfectly. White Weed is good to bring down fever and for wound dressing. Freja offered instead, knowing she had plenty in her stores - she left the plant growing. However, at @Kamaria's question she glanced down and gave an indulgent smile. Of course - we can make a garden. We'll find a nice little area in the Brook. The healer agreed, before stretching out her front legs and yawning widely. What would you like in your garden? She asked, happy to indulge the request from her adopted daughter.

code by scorpixia ♡︎ || art by editjackson

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Usually the girl would feel some sort of embarrassment at the correction, but Freja was always kind enough in her corrections that it did not cause the girl to feel the tingle of heat up to her ears, she looked at the weed, memorizing it, not angels trumpet, no flowers. This was for healing. Brings down fevers. And dresses wounds. That would be good to know. She meets her mamas eyes and smile, and smiles back softly, especially at her agreement, "Thank you mama" She can't help but widen her smile, copying her mother by stretching out like she does and yawning, her next question is enough to make the girl think, she gives a soft hum, "Um... What do you have in yours? I want some pretty stuff... And some useful stuff.." Her eyes then scanned the area, she wondered what other territories had, she knew about the desert roses from overhearing others talking about it, or referring to their partners as such and her not being able to not ask what it meant.

Art and code by Shazaki`

A gracious acceptance and Freja found herself pleased with the daughter who was able to make a mistake without flaring up. It was all learning, afterall. @Kamaria asked about what she had in hers and Freja nodded softly. Why don't we head back home, I can show you what's already there and we can put a bit of my garden aside for you? If you keep it alive, you can have one of your own wherever you like. Freja agreed with an easy grin. Everything was easy with the girl and Freja felt selfish for feeling grateful that the girl had come into her life. The circumstances had been dire afterall. With a nudge on the girls rump, the piebald woman lead the way towards home.

/exit

code by scorpixia ♡︎ || art by editjackson