Alex nodded, excited that they'd had their first remedy idea and that it was good. "Maybe lavender too, to make it a little stronger." They bounced a little, then kneaded the ground lightly.

"I'll try it when I sleep and report back." They thought over the ingredients once more. The only thing they weren't sure of was how to preserve the cactus so that they didn't have to make such frequent trips to the desert and back. Perhaps they could try to dry the cactus, then scrape out the insides into plain water to brew it? "You could try too, so we can see if our results are the same!"

@Arachnae

The witch nodded excitedly. This would either go extremely well, or terribly wrong- and she suppose that through testing things, that's how the uses of herbs were discovered in the first place. On the bright side, none of the ingredients were potentially harmful, so worst case was a bad trip. Or a temporary coma filled with nightmares.

"I will make a few trips around to gather what I need, and I will make some of the brew as well. I hope this works, because if it does, this could help so many in need." Arachnae purred, looking down the the different cactus in front of her. "I will try the one you gave me in the morning though, to help me rest well before I venture out."

Code by Naya Image by Tippy

"Sounds like a plan." It was nice to actually come up with something instead of waiting around for others to teach them. If this went well, maybe they'd start experimenting more on their own. Take their education into their own hands. It would probably be a good feeling, to teach themselves.

It was nice to have positive feedback, too. It was a feeling they were unused to, and it was exciting. Made them feel warm inside, useful. Maybe one day they could go back and help the ones still trapped in their pride. Their mother, if she was still there. "If you want, I can help you find the cacti that we're looking for. If you don't know which ones they are, that is."

@Arachnae

She pondered how to put the concoction together, whether to start with the lavender and catnip, and then add chamomile, or start with the cactus juice and then add them in gradually? Her mind snapped form the thoughts as her ruddy friend asked if she needed their help finding the cacti, and she smiled, shaking her head. "I was born in a place that was just a desert, so luckily I know cactus pretty well. But I won't deny if you wish to journey with me?" Arachnae said. She would enjoy their company, after all, the desert was so empty.

Code by Naya Image by Tippy

"I'd love to accompany you," they purred in reply. It was nice to have someone to wander the desert with. Being alone in the desert for too long reminded them too much of the past... perhaps they would avoid making a home there. They didn't need any more reminders of their past than they already had, after all.

Then they paused, thinking. For the first time, they realized @Arachnae didn't quite smell like a rogue, even though they found her in a varied assortment of places. "Are you in a pride? Will they be okay with you disappearing off to the desert?"

Arachnae smiled as they agreed the travel with her, and then asked about her living arrangement, and if it would cause issues. "Oh, it will b me fine. I wander nearly every night. I don't think my brother minds, and lucky for me, he is the king." She said. And the only blood relative she knew of, besides his children, of course. She did her best to stick as close to him as possible, and had become quite attached to him.

Pushing the base of the cactus carefully into her bag, she left the bloom sticking out, planning on carrying it at a different angle to keep from damaging anything. "Would the next half moon work?" She asked. It want long from then, likely just a few days.

Code by Naya Image by Tippy

Alex purred softly. "That makes that easy, then." They couldn't imagine having a relative as king of a pride and be excited about it, but then again, their pride experience and relative experience had been far from ordinary.

When @Arachnae suggested a date, they looked to the sky, taking note of the moon's position through the gnarled trees. It was nearly half full now. "Yeah, that should work perfectly." They paused, considering their next words. "I don't have a lot of friends here, mostly just you. If you have anyone you'd like to bring cactus-hunting with us, they'd be welcome."

The much darker rose offered to have the peach blossom to bring a friend along, and immediately her face warmed and a wide grin formed on her face. "I'll bring Nonoyo." She said, squishing her face into her chest fur just a bit sheepishly. "She's my girlfriend." She purred. Saying that still made her want to curl into a ball and implode. It was exciting, frightening, and the best thing she could ever imagine to happen. Arachnae still wasn't sure how to react to it.

She was also quite happy to hear that Alexon considered her a friend. She had come to be quite close with the taller feline, and quite enjoyed their company. They were fun, understanding- and we'll, they came up with ideas like what they were doing. "Well, I'm sorry to go so soon." She said, ears flattening a bit. "But I'm going to go tell her all about our plan. She loves plants and stuff too, she's going to love this." She's definitely going to love the hallucinogenic part. "Farewell, my friend, see you soon." She purred, and turned to slip back through the trees, a massive grin on her maw.

--Exit >:3

Code by Naya Image by Tippy

"Your girlfriend??" Alex chirped excitedly, kneading the ground. "You have a girlfriend! That's amazing!" Alex had never met anyone with a partner of their own gender. "Oh Arachnae, I'm so happy for you. I'm thrilled to meet her."

All too soon, it was time for @Arachnae to go. But this time, they knew for certain when they'd be seeing her again. And she called them friend! That was very exciting. "I'll see you soon! Safe travels!"

They watched her off, then collected the chamomile, thyme, and catnip and started off towards the prairie. Perhaps they'd make their home there. It was a nice place, lots of plants.

-exit Alexon

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