[PRP] Onward! (Dortoka/Paean)

[Fairy Snails]

She kept a look out for the plant that Paean had described as she climbed the rocky terrain. The sun was still high above them, though storm clouds lingered in the distance. She didn't pay them much attention, assuming they would find the plant before any storm happened.

Her focus was on the task at hand, finding the strange plant. From his description, she was sure that she hadn't seen one before. Typically she didn't pay much attention to plants.

“If you don't mind me asking, are you from around here?” She asked curiously. Dortoka had been exploring the area, usually by walking. Occasionally she saw small groups, but no prides. She hadn't explored the whole area and thought if there was a pride around, it might be a nice place to rest for a while.

She stopped on a flatter part of the mountain and looked around, giving time so they could catch their breath. “What is this plant used for? Are you going to eat it?” She asked. Maybe it was a rare find? She thought. Occasionally she enjoyed trying a piece of fruit, she never really tried any herbs or flowers though.

Annchen

I am sooo sorry that this took so long. I had started it, then I forgot about it until today.

 

[Annchen]

R4gn0r0k IV

"Oh, not at all," Paean said. He was no crier, but talking about his pride and inviting people in was just something he did when he had the chance, "I live in a pride called Sikukuu. See that forest and mountain over there?"

He motioned towards home. It looked far away, but he knew it would only take him half a day to get back there if he kept a good pace. It was nice with a little adventure now and then, but he wouldn't imagine leaving completely. Sikukuu was home, simple as that. Before he could tell her more about the celebrations she asked about the focus of their current little mission... Ester's plant.

"Um... I don't know if it's for eating," he admitted, "But if it is it'll probably taste gross... My sister uses plants for healing. Sometimes you're supposed to eat the foul things, and sometimes she mashes them up to use on wounds."

Paean had learned a little bit from helping Ester, but he lacked the talent and understanding that made her a good healer. He was perfectly capable of fetching water, carrying supplies and doing grunt work, but he could certainly not replace her as a medic.  

[Fairy Snails]

Dortoka looked over at the mountain and forest. She hadn't been over that way yet, she thought. “Sikukuu, hm I might have to check it out. I haven't visited a pride in a long time.” She said with a grin. She knew that she would always be a traveler at heart, but she did enjoy visiting prides and learning about their culture.

“I wouldn't want to be hurt and have to eat a gross tasting plant.” She said shaking her head. “But I guess if you're hurting it would help the pain go away. If anything the taste might distract you from the pain.”

She had never been injured to the point where she felt she needed something to help her through the pain, not did she ever want to be in that situation.

At the horizon, she could see dark storm clouds rolling in. “I wonder if that's headed our way?” she said, as she pointed in the direction of the clouds.

Annchen

 

[Annchen]

R4gn0r0k IV

"You're welcome to stop by," he said, "We welcome all visitors to our celebrations. Or we just invent new parties when visitors arrive..."

The brown and green lion was usually not very involved in the inventing of parties, but he was always glad to join in when someone did. He did help out too, if asked... The fun part was joining the fun and games and talk to visitors, so if he could get away with it he'd rather just do that.

"Yeah," he agreed, "The best way is to not getting sick or hurt at all!"

Paean looked in the direction she indicated and scented the air. The clouds looked menacing, but he couldn't feel the scent of rain. At least not yet.

"I hope not," he said. "I wouldn't want to be out in the open in a storm."  

[Fairy Snails]

“I'll be sure to stop by! It sounds like your pride would be a blast of fun!” She said enthusiastically. It would give her a chance to meet even more mortals! Which was always enjoyable. She had only met one god and he was an interesting fellow. He had taught her how to fly. Since then she had met a couple mortals here and there, almost all of them were welcoming toward her even though they thought she was just a normal mortal.

She looked around in hopes of seeing the plant, though she didn't see any sign of it yet.

“I'm not fond of rain.” She stated as they continued. “It usually ends up making it too cold. I'm not too fond of the cold.”

Just thinking about the rain made her shiver.

For a split second she thought she saw the plant in the distance. She narrowed her eyes and stared at it. “Is that it there?” She asked, pointing to a plant that was next to some large boulders.

Annchen

 

[Annchen]

R4gn0r0k IV

"Ugh, yeah," he agreed, "Wet and cold is not my favorite. Ohh... But you should try our hot springs. Wet and warm actually works, especially when it's cold out."

It was one of the few upsides of the cold season. Paean was in the Kaskazi clan for a reason. He liked the warm summer, and was less fond of winter, ice and snow. He'd learned that seasons were a bit different out here in the roguelands, but he liked his pride, despite the snowy season.

Paean squinted at the whatever-it-was near the base of the boulders. His eyesight wasn't good enough to tell for sure, but it could be the plant. There was only one way to make sure...

"I'm not sure," he said, "Let's go over there and take a look!"  

[Fairy Snails]

“O! Hot springs, now that sounds nice. I wouldn't mind enjoying one, even during the colder seasons.” She could just imagine soaking up in a pool of warm water and how relaxing it would be. It would be something she could look forward too.

She approached the strange plant. It had large green leafs, with a couple small steams growing out the middle. Light pink buds poked out of the steams. She climbed carefully around the boulders to get a better view.

“Watch your step!” She said, giving the lion a playful wink. Though she did keep a close eye on him, just in case. She did not want any harm to fall on him.

Annchen

 

[Annchen]

R4gn0r0k IV

Sorry about the delay in tagging!

"It's even better during the colder season actually," Paean said as he navigated between the rocks. "In the hot season I like colder water to swim in."

Now, what had Ester said? He studied the plant with a frown, comparing it to the list of traits his sister had made him memorize. It looked right so far, but there was one more test. Paean rubbed his paw against one of the large leafs, sniffed it and then sneezed loudly several times. He looked up at his companion with a grin.

"That's good," he said, looking delighted, "It's supposed to do that! I think we've found the right one."

He started poking around at the base of the plant, pushing away pebbles and dirt to try to expose the roots. It would be embarrassing to find the plant only to mess up somehow when unearthing it and taking it back.  

[Fairy Snails]

“I'm not really into colder weather or cold water.” Dortoka did the best she could to avoid the cold. However she thought that perhaps she could handle the cold with promises of a warm spring to relax in. She felt like she would very much enjoy her time at his pride.

Dortoka leaned close to him as he examined the plant. When he sneezed, she almost jumped back. She was not expecting that! Once he assured her that it was meant to do that, she laughed. “What an odd plant.” She said, eying it intently. It would be interesting to learn more about the herbs and flowers that grew in the area. She had never really given them much thought before, but she felt a peak in her interest.

“Now all we need to do is bring the plant back to your pride? If you would like I can escort you to make sure you keep out of danger.” Plus it would give her a chance to check out the pride, she thought eagerly. She would enjoy a chance to see such a fun pride. “Also, how are we going to bring the plant back?”

Annchen

No worries : D

 

[Annchen]

R4gn0r0k IV

Paean liked the idea of an escort. He tended to get bored by his own company after a while, and much preferred to be among others. As an added bonus it would give them a chance to get to know each other better.

"Pretty much, yeah," he said, "And I wouldn't mind an escort, I'm sure my sister will chew me out if I don't arrive in one piece."

He smiled and then once again focused his attention on the pesky plant. The roots were more or less exposed so he tried pushing to see if it would come loose. He had to dig a bit more, but when he tried pushing it again it slowly toppled over.

"I've got a hide for this," he said, sort of answering Dortoka's question. The hide was meant for carrying back the plant, and he had just worn it as a makeshift scarf until now, to keep it out of the way. He unfastened it and spread it out next to the unearthed plant. It was tricky, but he managed to transfer it to the hide and wrap it up in a bundle he'd be able to carry in his mouth.

"I had planned to just carry it in this," he said. It would mean that he couldn't talk freely, but they could always take frequent breaks... Maybe take the scenic route home...  

[Fairy Snails]

Dortoka grinned, “What a clever use of a hide!” She said. Easy to carry as well as able to keep it safe. “With that we will be able to deliver it to your sister in no time.” She was filled with excitement to see the pride.

“I'll let you lead the way. I will keep an eye out for any dangerous ledges or other trouble.” She said, getting ready for the hike to the pride. “If you need to rest, just tell me. I don't mind stopping.”

Annchen

Short tag,

Would you like to call this one here? And we can start a new one in Sikukuu?