Dos hated being anything resembling distressed - a creature couldn't live her life constantly upset. So she took the fear and distress being dredged up by being uncertain about the fate of her new friend (or at least, she hopes they can be friends) as a personal challenge to her way of life. She watched Elcid try to put weight on her foot again though given the limb's mangled state, Dos wasn't sure how good of an idea that was. Sure enough, the she-wolf yelped and yanked her foot right off the ground again.
Broken? the vixen analyzed. The only other option is that she could've shattered it - not good. Dos had no special healing abilities and a shattered limb couldn't be set - the bones were split every which way. She hoped that because the she-wolf had made an attempt to put weight on it at all, it was merely broken. She tuned back in to valid questioning from her new companion, processing all that she said as she tried to puzzle out the best solution.
"...there are caves along the waterfall," the vixen mused aloud, glancing towards the tumbling water and the sheer cliff beside it. The water flowed aggressively downstream but she's sure she'd seen some caves high enough that even a heavy storm wouldn't flood them. It was closer than trying to walk her new friend on a three-day's journey back to her home after all. "I can do that I think. Splints aren't hard just painful."
She would never jump so recklessly from such a high place ever again.
She glanced up, levelling the other with a more confident expression. It was easier to be happy when she had a vague plan in place and thus, her adventurous spirit was slowly leaking its way back into her demeanor. "Let's get you a den first. Hunting is easy enough - I can get you food once you're settled."
Dos debated with herself for a moment. Travelling with a limping wolf would be... slow. And stupid. A hawk would spot them a mile away and though a bird of prey would usually be no threat to a wolf, Dos - small and light-weight that she was - would rather not being plucked from the earth while trying to support an injured party to safety. There was a solution to the problem - she had another power after all, the power any self-respecting vixen would - but she wasn't sure if
"...If I shift, I can try to carry you. It would be safer for you to have a big bodyguard too."
There, she made the offer. Now it was up to the she-wolf if she wanted to be carried or limp slowly upstream towards the rocky caves.
Though she longed to remain in the Arctic, her task to further explore the rest of the Realm remained ever present in her mind. The more she knew about this place, the fewer ways it could catch her off guard. She had with her a recently made satchel fitted with familiar herbal plants, cut stones and other small scavenged items. The satchel was a crude invention, made of single piece of dried leather and strong fiber that worked as the straps. Though there were plenty of unfamiliar plants in this particular land, she still recognized some and wrapped them in broad leafs for later drying and proper fitting.
She wasn't close enough to hear the talking. It was only the acute, distant sound of a yelp that made her pause. The sound of an injured lupine was all too familiar, all too easy to catch notice of amongst the backdrop of noise within the environment. More alert than usual, Ceartas makes her way carefully in the direction of the noise, until eventually the tail end of a conversation can be heard.
She hears just enough for one of the voices to ask about making splints, before the second voice offers their assistance at making one, well as being able to hunt and shift for protection. The conversation intrigued her in more ways than one. Stepping out from the undergrowth, Ceartas made her presence known if it hadn't been already. She held her stance with casual caution, head somewhat lowered and tail out for balance, but otherwise avoided any sign of displaying aggression.
“Hallo,” she begins, taking in the appearances of both creatures before her, “You are in need of assistance? I am a nurse, if you would like the help,” judging by the wolf's wet pelt,
the way she sat, and the severe lack of any recognizable herbs around, Ceartas theorized that perhaps she had arrived before any help could actually be given.
Among many other thoughts running through her head, Ceartas wondered what exactly the fox meant by shifting. Was it the same as how she could shift?
Waterfall, Dos had said. The word caused a shudder to go through Elcid's body. Did it have to be at the waterfall, the very thing that had put her into this condition? Elcid kept her resentment at returning to the place of her injury to herself. Instead, she focused on Dos' declaration that she could probably make a splint for her. Painful, she said. Elcid smiled, thinking how could it be more painful than what she currently felt throughout her whole body? The fox was decisive and quickly declared a game plan for the two of them. A den. Some food - freshly caught from the sounds of it. What a generous creature, helping a stranger out with such demanding tasks, a stranger that she could have just left for dead on the shore of the river. Elcid took another careful hop-step forward, putting more distance between her and the currents. It was the fox's next words that made Elcid pause and turn towards Dos with a lifted brow, curiosity clear on her face. Shift? If she shifts? What exactly did that mean? A bigger bodyguard. Elcid suddenly became far more interested in what Dos meant by the phrasing. A den and food could wait just a little bit longer. "What do you mean if you shift?" she asked the fox.
Before she could answer, a twig snapped. Underbrush moved and parted and stalking through it came another wolf. Was... was it going for Dos? Elcid hobbled around, trying to put herself between Dos and the stranger. Just because she was injured (badly) didn't mean she wouldn't protect her new friend from a stranger's fangs. As she moved, she inspected the wolf's body language as a whole. Head lowered and tail held out in a non-aggressive posture. That was a good start, but Elcid didn't take any chances and continued to stand as a barrier between Dos and the stranger.
Then she spoke, and Elcid's suspicion dwindled. She was a nurse? What were the odds of a nurse coming across her in such a broken state? Elcid turned to glance at Dos, then back to the wolf. Hadn't she said that she hadn't seen any other wolves? That, in fact, Elcid was the first wolf she'd seen up close? Maybe this was her lucky day, meeting not one but two wolves here today. Or, maybe the wolf's display of non-aggression was a tactic to force Dos and Elcid to let their guards down. For Elcid, it worked. "I do, yes." she responded, hobbling to show her injured leg and shoulder. "I took a wild ride in the river and ended up with this trophy" she summarized, not wanting to repeat every detail again like she had with Dos. "Who are you?"
The twin-tail frowned a little when the she-wolf shivered, moving forward reflexively to touch her nose to Elcid's shoulder (or as high up as she could get) in an attempt to comfort her. Dos had only met the blue and gray furred wolf less than an hour ago but since Elcid was a friend now, the vixen was determined to cheer her up. She almost offered to support her before the dramatic size-difference between them reasserted itself in her mind - she sincerely hopes that she gets at least a little bigger when she's fully grown. It was kind of intimidating to see how large the world was now that she was out and about by herself. She went to answer the question on her shifts when rustling from behind caught her attention.
Dos immediately shrank back, her chipper demeanor fleeing rapidly as her mind only processed, Big. Very big wolf.
Certainly Elcid was big as well but she had awkward long legs and knobby paws that Dos associated with youth - not a full-grown wolf the same way Dos wasn't a full grown-fox. Adolescents could be trusted most of the time, were more open to being friends, but her mother had always explicitly warned her about adult wolves. She stepped back nervously, unwilling to leave her new friend to an unknown but her fight-or-flight was beginning to kick in too. She hadn't even unlocked her foxfire yet! She couldn't die a fireless fox! It was a bit of a relief when her new friend stepped between her and the new wolf, even if it was kind of embarrassing to be protected by an injured party. Elcid was much bigger than her so at least Dos would be able to provide back-up for her if it came to a fight while the larger wolf provided general guidance.
Nurse? the vixen perked up a little, her wariness dying back. It seemed Elcid recognized the other wolf's behavior as non-threatening and the statement of their skillset drew Dos' interest. A nurse was good - a nurse may actually be able to care for Elcid's injuries if it ended up being more serious than either of the young canids had anticipated.
"Can you heal her foot?" asked Dos, more interested in the stated help. If the newcomer could help, then the vixen would be more than happy to make another friend - two wolf friends in one day? Her mother would never believe her! But Elcid's safety was of high priority.
Ceartas did not react much when the young wolf moved to protect the two-tailed fox. She knew they werewary of her arrival, and so did not move or change her positioning in an attempt to show she meant no harm. In regards to both questions, Ceartas nodded and says, “Someone who can heal your foot,” it was all they needed to know for now, and Ceartas was eager to get started.
She takes out of her satchel some natural herbs, poppy seeds for the pain as well as valerian root to act as a sedative. Both were wrapped in their own leaves so as not to cross-contaminate or be forced to touch the ground. She places them slowly upon the earth, allowing the others to see what they are, “The painkillers will not kick in fast enough. If the bone in your foot is broken, it must be set immediately. Please lay down on your side,” grabbing the poppy seeds, Ceartas attempts to walk over to the young wolf, head still lowered and tail too, and stop to sit next to her.
If all had been received well, she would turn to the fox next, “Fox. Can you scout the area? See if anything worrisome is heading our direction,” the sooner she could get the foot set, the sooner they can get out of here.
decided to end it here instead of attempting to fix the leg jic either of your characters had any qualms beforehand
Dos didn't seem as accepting as Elcid did with the wolf's body posture. It was probably smarter to stay cautious, but Elcid faced minimal conflict between herself and other wolves through her youth. She didn't bother to move around Elcid, but instead remained behind her. 'Good' she thought to herself, not willing to give the other wolf an opportunity to attack her new friend. Elcid didn't like how the other wolf didn't offer her a name. She squinted with suspicion.
Elcid watched the other wolf carefully as she dug through her satchel, peering curiously as she tried to identify what it was she was gathering up. Unfortunately for Elcid, the items were wrapped up in leaves. Her head tilted to the side, trying to remember if she'd ever seen Zane or Oracle treat their medicine in such a way. As the strange wolf spoke her intentions, and requested Elcid to lay down, she felt a hesitation and weariness rise within. With caution, she followed the wolf's instructions and laid back down, grateful for her weight to be off of her paws once more. Her right front leg laid limp.
"Her name is Dos" Elcid quickly corrected the wolf when she referred to her as Fox. She didn't like the fact that she was trying to send Dos away. The comfort of Dos' presence was surprisingly reassuring. Why? Was it because she was a fox, and her natural instincts refused to fear a fox now that she wasn't as vulnerable? "What do you mean by painkillers? What's in those leaves?" She moved her eyes to them warily, hoping that whatever painkillers she was going to administer didn't make her head swim, or her stomach sick. "Dos, can you stay nearby please? I don't want to be alone." She wouldn't be alone, but if this wolf administered drugs to her, she didn't want to be with this stranger. Hopefully Dos knew just enough about self-preservation to determine, once the medicine was revealed, if this wolf was telling them the whole truth. After all, it was a strange vial of yellow gas that had gotten her into this whole mess.
OoC: Elcid gives permission for Ceartas to treat her leg. The shoulder would need healing magic to repair as she has a fracture in her shoulder. Her leg was a clean break and can be set to fully heal.
Dos didn't take too much offense to being more or less verbally delegated as a harmless teddy-bear. That was good - not being seen as a threat had saved her hide quite a few times growing up. The ruins weren't exactly barren of larger predators and prey creatures weren't defenseless either. She kept her ears facing forward, eyes on the larger wolf as she convinced herself not to shrink when the newcomer's gaze glanced over her. She will not be intimidated by some random she-wolf! Even if she was a giant! She straightened herself up as much as she could without toppling over or looking silly, raising her tails even to add to her overall height.
When she motioned for her to leave, she became a tad conflicted.
On one paw, scouting the area was a good point. Elcid had been laying on the shore injured more than one enough for some predator to have smelled any blood and could potentially be on their way. On the other paw, it rubbed her pelt the wrong way to leave her new friend - her new injured friend - with a complete stranger. Even if that stranger seemed to be thankfully being some form of skilled healer.
Of course her decision was made for her the second Elcid asked her to stay. Now she wouldn't leave even if her mother demanded her to.
"Yeah sure. Of course I'll stay," she promised, immediately sitting beside her. She kept her ears pricked for sounds in the area - it wasn't as good as scouting but she didn't really have to leave.
She watched with cautious eyes as the newcomer began distributing leaf-wrapped instruments across the ground.
Please be friendly, she thinks to herserlf desperately.
So far, the exchange was going about as well as it could be. The two seemed wary of her, but overall willing to accept her aid. When the fox's name turns out to be Dos, it takes Ceartas no second to figure out why. The double tails make her think briefly of Gabriel and his own double set, though to see it on a fox brought with it its own strangeness somehow. She noted, too, the necklace Dos wore. A pretty orb that complimented the fox's fur color.
Getting to work, Ceartas sat down and brought the leaf bundles near. As her paws began to feel and gently message the foot for the precise location of the fracture, she answered the wolf's questions, “In the left bundle are poppy seeds. They will help ease inflammation and make the pain more bearable. The valerian root in the right bundle will help you sleep and remain calm. Once I set the bone back, it will hurt a lot until the herbs kick in.”
It did not surprise her much that Dos decides to stay and watch rather than scout. A part of her wanted to roll her eyes, but a larger part knew that this is just how things go with strangers often - trust had to be earned, and they were giving enough by just allowing her to be here and help, “I hope the extra tail gives good luck, then,” she comments with a small smile aimed at the fox. If they're lucky, nothing big and hungry will come out from the foliage thinking it'll have easy pickings, “oh, and your... shifting,” she comments, a small inquiry at the earlier mention.
There, she can feel the ridigy and unevenness of the bone. With one paw below the foot and another resting at a specific angle above, Ceartas prepares to put the bone back in its place, “Brace yourself,” she would only give the wolf a moment to do so before the forceful movement is made. By this point, sometimes Ceartas would use the scream that often happened as a chance to insert the poppy directly into their mouth. But, she would refrain from doing that for now... for obvious reasons.
To Elcid's relief, Dos had decided to stay with her. In the larger picture, it probably hadn't been the brightest idea, but in all truth, Elcid was scared, and the little fox gave her the feeling of comfort she desperately needed. Her life had quickly flipped upside down in a flash, and she'd gone from a healthy, spunky adolescent wolf to a crumble, scared and distressed wolf lost in wherever she was. Elcid's green eyes turned to focus on Dos, trying to remain brave as she laid sideways on the ground preparing for the treatment from the nurse.
Thankfully, she was kind enough to satisfy Elcid's curiosity, taking the time to explain just what each medicine was and what it did. Neither of them seemed dangerous to Elcid. Her half-paid attention to Oracle and Zane's lessons seemed to agree with the nurse's explanations. However, when she mentioned the setting hurting a lot, Elcid started to have second thoughts. Would it really be bad to have a permanently broken bone? She could hobble around well enough... right? It wouldn't hinder her too much, she lied to herself.
The healer closed in to start inspecting the injury more closely. It took all of Elcid's self-discipline to stop herself from yanking her appendage away from the healer, feeling nervous and scared of the incoming pain she was sure was about to happen. "Brace yourself" she warned and Elcid tried her best to do so, taking in a deep breath and exhaling sharply. Then it happened. The mind-shattering pain happened and as predicted, Elcid screamed out in pain.
Suddenly there was something shoved into her muzzle, which shocked her just as she felt the pain in her limb go numb, her mind blocking it from her senses. She hadn't expected the medicine to be shoved so abruptly down her throat, so instead of cooperating, she tried to spit the medicine back out. Too much was happening all at once for young Elcid.
Dice Roll:
Success: Elcid spits the medicine back out because she doesn't know what's good for her
Fail: She tries to spit the medicine out, but ends up swallowing it instead as she screams in pain.
