Skill: Herbalist [1/5]

---

Wasn't it so odd? How the world she knew was ousted so swiftly, replaced by... this?

Citlali reclined against the grass, gingerly holding a bundle of red berries. Usually, she was skeptical of ever picking them, for some could be lethally poisonous. Yet, she could recognize the scent of raspberry anywhere. There was no doubt about it.

The girl could vaguely recall Huitzilin informing her of how the leaves of raspberries had mild effects for females in pregnancy or childbirth; as if that mattered, now. Or ever, for that matter—the two were the last of Quetzalli's children.

Still, perhaps he was somewhere out there. Perhaps he had children by now—a ghost of a smile curled along Citlali's lips at the notion that maybe, just maybe, she had nieces and nephews. Somewhere.

For now, Citlali returned again to that small ditch. A familiar (at least somewhat) dip in the ground, perhaps the one thing she'd learned to recognize properly in this strange world. She placed the raspberries on her paws and gingerly picked them away from the branches—not nearly as appetizing as a nice carcass of some sort. But it'll do.

It broke her heart each time she was forced to leave Druid’s Rise in search of sustenance. While the land still offered berries and a scattering of edible plants, a true hunt had become impossible within its boundaries. The tainted water had driven most wildlife away—another bitter challenge in a growing list.

Still, they were lucky. Meadows and a lake stretched not far from home, and though it pained her to leave, she was grateful for what nature still provided. It was her turn to provide for herself and her mate; he had done so much already, and she longed to ease his burden.

She wasn’t entirely sure what she’d find. The seasons shifted with a strange urgency lately, and nothing felt predictable anymore.

Standing in the open grass, scattered trees swaying gently around her, she exhaled, a breath caught somewhere between relief and sorrow.

With a shake of her head, she cleared her thoughts and lifted her muzzle to the wind. Several animal scents teased her senses. One in particular made her ears flick forward: wolf. It was fresh.

Her gaze swept the vast meadow, alert and searching.

Hello? she called softly into the open space.

Skill: N/A

---

Such reveries were nearly always interrupted in her youth; there would hardly ever be time to think before one of her siblings would leap out and interrupt them. At the very least, here, things seemed... different. It was nearly always quiet, and the presence of another would always be fleeting, whether that be a good thing or not.

She was content to munch away at her berries. That was, until a sound drifted from further down the range—a simple hello. Citlali nearly jumped out of her skin. There were no footsteps. Yet, a voice called forth.

She lapped up whatever was left of the berries and stood, ears swiveling and twisting about in an attempt to find the source of the call. ...Hello? the woman returned. Who are you? Small, nervous sweeps of her tail brushed against Citlali's hocks.

Not a day drew by that she did not wish she could see the world. But suddenly, it didn't feel like a mere wish. At times like this, it was far more drastic, more desperate. A huff left her lips as she took a few steps forward.

Kirain’s eyes widened, ears flicking forward as she scanned the meadow. Just ahead, a small, pale figure stood among the grass—someone who hadn’t been there a moment ago. The unexpected sight gave her pause, but the stranger’s calm posture quickly eased her nerves.

Hello! she called out, tail beginning to sway. I’m Kirain! Who are you? How are you? Do you need help? Are you lost? Where did you come from?

The questions spilled out in a joyful rush as she began making her way toward the she-wolf. Her steps were measured, gentle, she didn’t want to alarm the newcomer, but it was hard to contain the bubbling happiness inside her. It had been quiet here and in the Rise, with only Lestan for company. Not that she minded; she adored her mate with every ounce of her being. But new faces meant new stories, and those were always welcome.

Skill: Orator [2/5]

---

In response to her timid greeting came an exuberant barrage of questions—Citlali gasped, taking a few steps back. O-oh! Her ears pinned back—thankful for the stranger's hospitality, yet... to say the questions were overwhelming would be quite an understatement. My name is Citlali, ah... she cleared her throat with a small aversion of her gaze towards the ground. I... can't say I'm sure where I'd come from. she admitted.

Her sightless eyes were distant as she canted her head towards the horizon. She could feel daylight slip away—it was dusk. I come from valleys. Filled with grass. And shrubs which move about, as though they've grown their own legs. Her lips pursed for but a moment. Nothing like here. She added. Valleys dipped and rose much like her home in these strange lands, yet, they were still a far cry from the brittle grass which swayed against her belly and arid winds which caressed her frame.

I am not lost, for I don't know where I belong, she continued. I am a wanderer— a pause. She canted her head, facing the stranger yet again. And you, who are you, Kirain? Are you, too, a simple voyager? Or have you got a home around here? The small wolfdog settled onto her haunches, wrapping her tail around her delicate paws.

It’s wonderful to meet you, Citlali! You have such a lovely name. Kirain came to a gentle stop a short distance away, respectful of the space between them.

You don’t know where you came from? Or where you’re going? Her ears twitched, concern flickering in her silver eyes. That… doesn’t sound very good.

She studied the pale female with quiet worry, wondering if she might’ve suffered a head injury. Bushes that move on their own? she echoed, her brow furrowing further. Are you sure you’re okay?

Her voice was soft and filled with genuine care, but there was a growing uncertainty in her heart—how did one handle something like this?

I used to be a wanderer too, she offered gently, trying to ease the moment with a thread of shared experience. But my mate and I… we’ve made a home now. Not far from here, actually.

She tilted her head slightly. I’m out looking for a meal for us. Have you eaten anything recently?

Skill: Orator [3/5]

---

First, she tilted her head. Then she let out a soft laugh. You needn't worry for me, she promised. I'm quite alright. Perhaps a little strange. And I am blind. Perhaps, an important detail—Citlali had never seen the shrubbery travel the expanses herself. She simply believed what her siblings had always described to her.

She nodded in understanding at Kirain's words. It's good to settle, I'm sure. Admittedly, I find that preferable to travelling, she paused for a pensive few heartbeats, an ear twisting back. But sometimes, there's not much of a choice. And that's alright too, in my belief.

At the mention of something to eat, Citlali's body shuddered. It was an immediate reaction. 'Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes!' She wanted to blurt it. Yet, such a display of desperation would be... inappropriate. The woman may be odd, but she was not uncivilized.

I've been living on raspberries for a time now. The wolfdog admitted with a chuckle. I don't wish to intrude, but if you do find something, I would... greatly appreciate even a small portion of it. Shameful. To be but a beggar, pleading strangers for food—but it would be this or malnutrition. Citlali did not have a pride so big enough to opt for the latter.