Madly Alone

The lands of Rhionnach were a wondrous sort compared to where he'd come from. He was glad he had been tipped off about Eleanor's Day and had made it in time to enjoy some of the festivities. It had been rather lovely and had come to an end all too quickly, putting him back on the road to where he'd been temporarily living in Aberdeen.

Diaval had to pass through the Lowlands, specifically Melrose, to get to his destination and he found himself really trying to enjoy the scenery. He admired a wooded grove off to the side and was about to pass it by until he noticed that there was a path that was well-worn leading into the forest.

Curiosity got the better of him, deciding he had all the time in the world to take a closer look. There were many different scents here, old and new, and he followed the trail, wondering what he might find here.

@Khepri

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da]. click for attributions.

THREAD TITLE MUSE

Khepri Tiamat
follow me into the golden wild
stay close with your wounded eyes
absent when i need you the most
in the end, i danced with a ghost

---

The Professor wandered through the woods, in search of that fated root that kept him tethered to reality and serenity. He was going through his stores too fast and despite having sworn off it a thousand times he found himself always returning. His mind was at least clear today as he'd used the last of it this morning. He paused, lifting his chin to draw in a deep breath and take in the fresh air. He almost felt... good today. He blinked, then let his gaze wander across the wood. He thought he'd heard paw steps and turns out, he'd been right. He spotted another wolf walking the familiar pathway he often walked himself. He turned to face the stranger, his honied gaze alight with curiosity.

"Hello." he called out when the stranger was only a few feet away. He wondered if the other wolf had even noticed him as he blended in quite well with the trees that towered around them. He wasn't sure what to say, he was used to talking to younger wolves during his lessons and they seemed far easier to talk to. They didn't usually have problems and burdens, their innocence drew him in and he found himself jealous of it at times but also in awe of it. What would his life be like if he'd grown up in a loving home? He almost scoffed aloud as he shook the thoughts from his head and refocused on the other wolf. He offered a warm smile.

---

ACTION • SPEECH • 251

A voice startled him and he paused midstep, holding a forepaw in the air as his sharp eyes of citrine scanned between the trees. He finally noticed the figure within the forest and he straightened up. Diaval glanced to both sides warily, worried that he may have crossed into territory, but the tone of the stranger seemed friendly enough.

The ragged young man cleared his throat, "Ehm, hello...I hope I'm not trespassing." He instinctually began to take a couple of steps backwards ready to turn tail and make his way back to where he'd come from. His ears were perked, nose twitching idly as he stood by with all senses alert for any hostility.

@Khepri

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da]. click for attributions.

Khepri Tiamat
follow me into the golden wild
stay close with your wounded eyes
absent when i need you the most
in the end, i danced with a ghost

---

The other man seemed immediately on edge, which drove Khepri to nervousness himself but for the moment he did not attempt to flee. He might've had the other man shown aggression but it seemed they were more frightened than anything else. His ears flicked back and he let out a chuckle at the mention of 'trespassing' "oh, no."

Khepri shook his head; Rionnach was vast and generally open to the public. There were few areas that would be considered 'tresspassing' so he was almost unfamiliar with the word, in a sense. "No, you're not tresspassing." he said, hoping to put the other wolf at ease. "Uhm, I was just out looking for herbs. I'm Khepri Tiamat. Professor at the College of Eòlas..." he said, introducing himself. He regarded the other for a moment before adding, "and you are?"

He had never met this wolf before, nor seen in him in passing so Khepri was a tad curious about him. It wasn't often he met new wolves, if he was being honest he was a bit of a hermit these days. It wasn't like he wanted to be a shut-in, but he just found it hard to really get out there and... really do much of anything, much less meet others and form relationships.

---

ACTION • SPEECH • 213

Diaval visibly relaxed upon finding that he was on no one's claimed territory and that he'd merely stumbled upon a healer or apothecary of sorts. Not only that...by way of the other male's introduction he discovered there was a College. Perhaps this was where he found himself now.

Khepri Tiamat An interesting name. It had the sound of refinement to it, although he had yet to discover what the well-known family names of this region were. "Well met." Diaval dipped his head politely. "I'm Diaval Ni-...erm...just Diaval." He almost gave into the reflex of speaking his surname proudly as he used to do, but he there was no telling if anyone sought his head on a silver platter and he couldn't risk it.

He took a few steps closer to the much smaller male, stopping where he deemed appropriate. "Were you needing help collecting herbs? I can't say I'm well versed, if at all, with plants and the like...but, I could possibly assist you in gathering what you need." Diaval peered over at him, a charming smile slowly lifting the corners of his mouth.

@Khepri

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da]. click for attributions.

Khepri Tiamat
follow me into the golden wild
stay close with your wounded eyes
absent when i need you the most
in the end, i danced with a ghost

---

It was noticable, the other male's relaxation, when he realized there was no danger here. Khepri's smile warmed. His ears flicked foward to catch the name that fell from the stranger's lips. Diaval... something. He shrugged it off, it didn't really matter his surname. Khepri rarely even shared his, but for some reason he'd felt like he should today. He was sure his mother wouldn't appriciate that and the thought made him want to snort derisivley.

The surprise of someone asking to help shook him from his bitter thoughts and he perked up a bit. "Yeah, sure! Four eyes are better than two!" he said, his tail swaying behind him. "So, I'm looking for something called Valerian Root. It's a tall stalked flower with small white petals and a peculiar sweet smell. I'd like to gathe the flowers, stalks and roots if I can. It can usually be found in cluseters." he said. While the root had many medicinal properties, he had other things in mind for it that he did not share. It was an easy enough thing to cover up if asked, though, and with Diaval not being educated on herbs, he didn't have much of a fear of his habits being discovered. Maybe he should have been more wary than that, but as always he was far more trusting than he probably should be.

---

ACTION • SPEECH • 220

Seeing Khepri perk up only broadened his smile and his tail mirrored the others, slowly swishing back and forth in a faint wagging motion. Diaval's eyes wandered around the wooded area as he awaited instruction, eager to at least gain knowledge, if not favor from a professor of this College of Eólas.

As the name 'Valerian' graced his ears, he turned back towards Khepri, golden orbs suddenly glimmering with recognition and a hint of curiosity. He actually knew this one. He knew of it a little too well, but as a substance rather than the actual plant from which it originated. Horticulture had been a passion of his sister's while he had benefited from the bounty whether by trade or by partaking of what was harvested.

"Valerian Root, you say...?" Diaval's smile remained, a corner of his mouth twitching with wistful memories of stressed eased by the herb and for a moment there was a dangerous greed that attempted to ignite the insatiable hunger that led him to where he was now.

He blinked rapidly a few times and shook his head, before turning his sights outward and away from Khepri. "Tall stalked flower...white petals...got it." With a wary glance back at the professor he moved away, keeping his eyes peeled and lowering his snout to seek out that tantalizing, sweet scent of the flower.

@Khepri

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da]. click for attributions.

Khepri Tiamat
follow me into the golden wild
stay close with your wounded eyes
absent when i need you the most
in the end, i danced with a ghost

---

The look in Diaval's eyes did not go unnoticed, but Khepri chalked it up to him being paranoid. He couldn't go around suspecting everyone of the same misdeeds as himself, now could he? He shook it off as the man agreed to help and off they went, through the forest, in search of the flowers that would lead them to great treasures. He wasn't sure what Diaval would want in return for his help, but he didn't really think about that right now. All his mind was on was on finding some more valerian and storing it away for later... he always felt better when he knew there was more waiting at home.

After a while, Khepri was beginning to think they were just out of luck today and he pursed his lips then sighed loudly his aggravation.

"I'm not finding anything!" he called through the trees, as he'd wandered a bit away from Diaval's side. It was better to fan out and look about than to just walk side-by-side through the forest together. He paused around a cluser of small purple flowers, sniffing them curiously. They were sweet, but not quite was he was looking for. With another heavy sigh he turned his head, glancing about the forest. Perhaps it was still too early for anything much to be growing. He had been having to venture out further and further as of late for the herb.

"Diaval?" he called, his ears flicking as he turned his head in the direction he thought the other male to be in. He thought he could see his darker pelt through the trees, but couldn't be sure.

---

ACTION • SPEECH • 274

Diaval moved between the trees carefully, keeping all of his senses alert for anything that would clue him into where he could find the Valerian Root. He could hear Khepri moving about at his own leisure as well from across the grove. After a bit of searching that did not yield any results, he lifted his head to peer over at the golden pelt of the other male. He seemed to still be hard at work trying to find what he could, so Diaval went back to his own investigating.

He had nearly given up, before the faintest scent gave his nose cause to twitch with recognition. His pupils grew round within the golden pools of his irises and he immediately trotted across the clearing he was in towards the aroma.

It only grew stronger and he only felt weaker as he approached, the rise and fall of his chest slowing as he breathed it in. Diaval closed his eyes and sighed, a smile settling across his maw. When he opened his eyes once more, he noticed the flower that matched the distinct description and approached it. He lowered his head, rubbing his muzzle up and down the stems of the plant.

"Diaval?"

He straightened up and turned quickly at the sound of his name, seeing that Khepri was headed his way. Diaval smiled and stepped aside, gesturing downward at the grouping of Valerian he'd found. "This is it, isn't it?"

@Khepri

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da]. click for attributions.

Khepri Tiamat
follow me into the golden wild
stay close with your wounded eyes
absent when i need you the most
in the end, i danced with a ghost

---

As he approached, Diaval turned to face him and then regarded the cluster of flowers beside him. Khepri's heart jumped in his chest and he couldn't contain the excitement that alighted in his honey brown eyes. "You found some!" he exclaimed. The small white petals quivered as a gentle wind blew and his mouth began to salivate at the mere scent of the valerian. He cleared his throat and smiled at Diaval, nodding his head joyously. "Well, alright... so..." he paused a moment to gather himself before walking up to the plant and pushing his snout into the earth just beneath it. His lashes fluttered and he swallowed again before lifting his head up and glancing at Diaval. "Yep, this is it. So we have to dig around the base gently so we don't disturb the roots too much. Those are what I need to collect most of all." he said. He could do with the petals, but the roots were the strongest. He sunk his claws into the soft earth and looked up at his companion. "Oh... did you want some? I don't have anything else on me to offer for your help. It can be used to help you relax and sleep." he said, trying his best to sound... medicinal.

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ACTION • SPEECH • 212