never hurts to be prepared

He found the sage deeper in the Sepulcher. What was called Ocean's Breath, to his knowledge, was this location. The herb was a welcomed addition to a growing cache. While he had gathered a plant suitable for colds and fevers, sage was easier and distinctive. Some wolves that had no knowledge knew to use it, and he regarded it as more acceptable to those who denied the 'funnier looking' plants for treatment.

With the ocean nearby, and the rain above his head, the crop was good and moist. It would probably wilt if the rain didn't let up though. It was used to a more arid situation of living. Perhaps he could move this one to a better place... Though it would take some time, and he was only one wolf. Bae did spy on sage locations on his travels through the Ford. If this crop withered, it was just how it was. He'd take what he could carry.

He'd leave the rest for now, and come back later to collect. If the herb was hardy enough, he could harvest more. No harm, no foul. Beginning to dig, the rain silenced most of the world around him. He didn't acknowledge the approaching canine right away. He couldn't hear them.

the staff team luvs u

 It sat.

 It watched.

 It drew closer...

 Steps silent, paws stepping ever so lightly, one would almost think that he floated over the ground like his namesake. He was there though, corporeal. Coat dark, eyes wide and blank... as he stared. The wolf that he watched was a mixture of reds and blacks and whites. However, his coat was not chaotic. It lived in harmony.

 But was not beautiful like his light.

 He stalked closer, saying nothing, it watched... and then sat behind him. Wordless. What was he digging for? He did not ask... only watched.

 Never blinking.

 Eyes wide and intent yet always unfocused.

the staff team luvs u

He was not a very talkative individual, so it did not bother him if someone sat and didn't speak. Though uneasy, for anyone, to be stared at... He huffed quietly as he worked, trying to finish up as quickly as possible. When he did look up, he had a whole stock of sage gathered. The rest of the crop was too much to handle alone. Bae pulled the herbs closer, his one good eye locked on the darker-hued figure.

With the Trial coming, it could become an 'all is lost' moment. A moment that breeds fear and terror, pain and death... It could go down that route deeper, or just fade into a guiding light. Bae had a strong opinion about the war, especially Northfall's pettiness. Were they just pissed they hadn't killed anyone in Dragonford yet? It felt stupid to be upset over one death when war bred more than that.

Just because it was an alpha's child... Of course, everyone had to get their knickers twisted.

"Do you wish to assist?" he spoke, at last, shaking free of negative thought. Bae pointed with his muzzle to the remaining crop "that is sage. It is too much for me to gather alone."

the staff team luvs u

 Assist? What was this wolf? A healer? The only thing that might have shown an inkling of his interest were his ears which twitched ever so slightly as his gaze slid from the other wolf, to the plants that he indicated. The ghost focused in on them, studying their strange almost waxy-looking leaves. The shape of them, long and unlike most other plants that he'd seen.

 He said nothing as his gaze slid back to the man and then... he thought about it. If this one knew plants then he was infinitely useful. Perhaps he could learn from him so that it might better assist its light. The failure with the boars was something that was eternally shameful and he wished to rectify the situation however he could going forward.

 Learning a new craft and what each medicinal herb did was the way to go.

 So, after taking a bit longer than was normal to give a response, it stood up sharply and suddenly, then walked over to the plants. Carefully, because anything less than perfection was not acceptable, he began to pluck the plants from the dirt. It had seen how the other wolf had gathered them, what parts of the plants had been pulled up.

 After he had his own set, his gaze lifted to the other man. He then gaze a sharp nod, birdlike, as the only indicator that he was ready to proceed.

the staff team luvs u

Hmm, maybe there was hope for this one. The individual gathered the plants in an identical manner, near a perfect mirror of Baelfire's mannerisms. He grunts softly, giving a curt nod. Acceptable. When they look at him, their own crop visible, he gestures to the bundle he has. Watch. He effortlessly proclaimed inwardly, because he would not do it again. He hated to repeat himself, especially to those who had no penance for herbalism.

Bae placed a paw on the bundle, rubbing his paw pad gently against it in a back-and-forth motion. It did nothing at first. But he kept doing it, rolling, and eventually, the stock of herbs rolled with him. Over and over, until a soft curl was formed. They folded almost. He removed his paw, dipping his head. A bit of tricky movement and he had the stock under his chin. He placed that chin against the herbs, and his throat, holding it in place. This way, the other wolf could talk (if he wanted) and walk at the same time.

It was a bit awkward, but he barely felt that awkwardness anymore. "Come on then" he rumbled, rising gently and turning. He began to lead them back to his herb cache.

the staff team luvs u

 A nod. Approval. Good. It would have nothing less, so when the other gestures to the bundle in his own mouth the young boy would watch with rapt attention. He didn't know what was being shown at first, the rubbing of the herbs... but then it started to make sense when the plants began to curl and fold. Then, it was able to be carried in a way that left the mouth open for speaking.

 Its eyes were narrowed in, focusing, processing. Then, he performed the motion himself. Paw lifting to mirror the motion, awkwardly, but it did not stop until it had curled the herbs as well. It tucked them under its chin, eyeing the other wolf once more that it was doing things correctly before it was satisfied. Were these to be carried away for medicinal uses? Storage for an herbal cache? Most likely, that too, it was very interested in.

 Then, it began to walk with the other. No words exchanged, no pleasantries given. What was the point? It was being taught knew knowledge and that was what it wanted. It was the perfect little student in that regard.

the staff team luvs u

The cache was not far from the Ocean's Breath location. It stood in a hidden location, known only to those in the Ford. There was no doubt they'd smell the strong scent of the earth's bounty coming from it anyway. Most knew to keep away, and Baelfire tried desperately to ward off anyone who didn't have a business to be there. He did not want anyone getting into the budding cache, rummaging around, and throwing his work everywhere.

Plus, he could not always be around. If they took something that would hurt them... No guarantee he'd be there in time. So the location was meant to be guarded, a secret to children and curious yearlings. Even just ignorant fools. Bae walked above the sandy concave, to a small cave that overlooked the Breath. It wasn't so big to allow many in at once, but he could fit almost comfortably inside. He nudged the jumble of rocks that kept the entrance relatively hidden. They all had thick moss growing on them.

A marker.

"Put them there" he instructed the quiet wolf, pointing near the entrance "I'll put them away." As much as the other listened, he was not so keen to allow just anyone into the cache yet. Bae wiggled into the cave with his own stock, beginning to shelf them along with the others. He had a small stock of sage but he could always use more. Sadly, the stock they gathered was beyond usage now. He'd have to find, obviously, more. But if this crop went to waste and withered... Hmm, he'd use this just for now. He emerged after placing his portion away, finding the other still there. Hrmm.

A test.

"Do you know what sage is used for?"

the staff team luvs u

 It followed without words. None needed to be spoken at the moment. He had everything that he needed. The name of the plant, the place they were going would be revealed in time. He was patient. He could wait to see.

 His patience was rewarded as he could smell the scent of medicinal herbs wafting. First it was faint then it grew stronger and stronger still. Its nose twitched at the pungent odors.

 It followed behind the wolf, eyes only looking to the side once to take in the view below before its gaze snapped back around. The sound of moving rocks had caught its attention. It watched, noting the moss-covered stones that hid the entrance.

 Clever.

 Without a word, Ghost would walk forward and deposit the rest of the man's sage before stepping back and then sitting. Still watching, it would look as the dark man took first his own sage into the hideout, then came back for the rest. Its ears would tilt forward, listening intently even while its gaze seemed uninterested. The smell of herbs would let the boy know of the treasures that lay inside. A den of herbs for the healer.

 Noted. In case he or his Light needed the man within.

 Speaking of.

 "Do you know what sage is used for?" Its gaze would lift to the man's own eyes. A pause and then...

 A shake of the head. No. Then, its head would cant to one side very slowly.

 Tell me... Was what he said without saying it.

the staff team luvs u

As he thought. Well, the wolf was now going to be enlightened. Bae gave a gentle 'hmm', wondering where to start. It had been too long since someone listened to him on this topic. "Sage" he decided to begin at the beginning "has been a staple in medicine for many centuries" He began to slowly and gently drag the wolf's gathered herbs to him as well "it is useful in coughs, colds, and fevers — though many prefer other herbs for that."

Sage was soothing and anxiety-reducing, which is why he liked to use it in colds. Many patients got nervous around healers or even got annoyed they were told not to work. He slipped sage in to calm them the hell down, make them relax, and sleep. It was not as potent as lavender, but it got the job done. "It can also be used for sore throats, breathing, and digestive problems... Even assist elderly wolves with memory and focus." He grunts an 'excuse me' before taking the sage and storing it.

Bae returns shortly after.

He settles himself after blocking the cache. At first, he is silent and eyes the other wolf with his good eye. The other stares openly, glassy and useless now. "I am Baelfire" he says, breaking his own quietness "can you speak? What is your name?" It does not matter if they cannot. He has met mute wolves before, even ones with their tongues ripped out. He would not be offended if they cannot speak.

the staff team luvs u

 "Sage," Its ears twitched up and then returned to their former resting position as it listened. As the other spoke, it gently took notes in its mind. It wrote a line on "sage" and then mentally out beside it, stored away its uses for remembering later. Coughs, colds, fevers... but what other herbs were useful... it wondered...

 The list went on. Sore throats, breathing, digestive issues. Memory and focus. Tick tick tick. He marked the invisible leger in his mind with the additional information.

 The fact that the other briefly left didn't concern the fellow, he mentally wrote it off and continued to repeat the new information over and over in his mind. Going over the invisible list so that he might never forget.

 "I am Baelfire," He focuses back in on the other wolf, rather than the words in his mind. Baelfire. The teacher. He logged that along with everything else. A question was asked and, as normal, it was a couple of seconds before he responded.

 "I am perfectly capable of speaking." Emotionless, flat, just as his expression was. "The name in which I go by, is Ghost." No pleasantries, just factual information. "You mentioned that there were other herbs that might be used for: coughs, colds, and fevers. I wish to know what those herbs are as well." A pause and then, "The topic of healing and medicine is one that interests me greatly." And then he went silent, unfocused eyes staring towards Baelfire.

the staff team luvs u

Perfectly capable...
You could have fooled me. He thought, deadpan as well.
But it was perhaps just one of those things of; I don't want to. 

"Ghost, then" he murmured, finding the lack of chatter until now if they were able to be rude. But he also did not care long enough to really be bothered by it. His own mannerisms were less than pleasing at times; who was he to judge? "It would take too long to go through all of them at once" He explained to the lad "though I am not averse to dropping this information in several future meetings." He could name them easily, but they also had a plethora of other effects and uses.

He found children an unknown topic. Having once been on the track to adopting a litter, only for it to be ripped away... He both didn't like nor didn't hate children. It was complicated. A reminder of what could have been. He accepted them as resources. Ghost was barely a year old at this moment. Pups were to be molded and turned toward their own trades, and he had found no one else in the Ford that enjoyed the knowledge he brought.

Bae presented his terms. "Assist me with gathering and gardening. Listen and follow what I say, and do not attempt to aid someone alone. Plants are useful, but the wrong dosage can seriously harm another. Even kill them" In due time or right away. Bae would not lose a patient if he could help it "if you accept this, then I have no qualms about teaching you more." He did not half-ass anything. Ghost was getting the chance to learn the right way; not the way that was easiest.

the staff team luvs u

 It would take too long... how... unacceptable... It did not let this thought escape through its maw or its expression, simply choosing to stare and listen and keep its displeasure to itself. However, he also was not averse to learning the information over time. It was not as idea but it was acceptable.

 Then, the terms were laid out. It listened.

 It found them...

 Equally as acceptable for he would learn how to garden and gather.

 It was also interesting to learn that plants could kill. Very interesting...

 A lesson for another time.

 There was a pause as it looked unflinchingly up at Baelfire.

 And then?

 "I find these terms perfectly acceptable." Learning in exchange for service but said service was also learning. "I will assist you in your endeavors and you will train me in herbology and healing." He repeated them so that there would be no confusion on either of their parts and then, he gave a quick and sharp dip of his head.

the staff team luvs u

"Then it is agreed."

Some time since he spoke in such a robotic way, but he found Ghost almost like him in the past. Unable to properly find his warmth. Bae had struggled for so long, but he had done it alone. Perhaps the lad could lessen his unintentional coldness in time. Bae found that doing such a thing allowed others to be close to him, and relate to him. Others had kept him at arm's length until he learned this lesson. It was a cold and unforgiving one. It was a lonely one.

"We will convene soon" he continued after a pause "I still have to scout locations for herbs useful in lessons. Allow me time to prepare" he added, lifting his brows as he stared across the Ford's landscape. He spied some through his trained eye already, but he looked down before going back into that mode "we will start with cold, fever, and cough. Winter is almost upon us." He would rather start with lessons useful for the time of year.

He let another pause. "You are dismissed, for now, Ghost." Was that... acceptable? The lad seemed to relish direct speech and orders, but it felt odd to go back to that sort of behavior. New Caledonia's warmth lost now, he reverted back to his time spent as a vagabond healer.

the staff team luvs u