[ P ] Carry You

N

imue had remained close by the college, studying visually the etiquette and goings on of the professors and their students. There had never been talks of schooling when she was a little girl...her father believed that the women of his household were good for breeding and mothering the young until they were old enough to be elevated or placed along the same path. It was a damn shame...this College of Eòlas could have truly taken her along a different path during her youth.

This was primarily a place of learning for one honing their skill in the practice of medicinal herbs. Nimue's knowledge was decent, though nowhere near as expansive as the lessons taught to the pupils of the College. They should consider themselves fortunate...for not all were presented with such an opportunity garnished on a silver platter. Yet, this seemed to be the folly of the Noble folk of the Mainlands...ignorance to those who were not within their own social circles.

She was going to try to learn as much as she could here in order to be of some assistance later on down the road. If the King would not provide the resources to see his realm well-taken care of, Nimue would sharpen her skills to pioneer her own relief effort and encourage other Voxi to do the same in between protests or other calls to action.

Today she moved through the gardens of herbs that were able to be cultivated during the winter, taking note in case she ever had to sow her own seeds. She leaned forward slightly to take a closer look at some of the established saplings when something crashed into her and nearly sent her sprawling.


@Gwendolyn

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

THREAD TITLE MUSE

The shell shone luminous upon her altar, her words pleading an easy winter falling from her lips and turning to steam on a chilled breeze. It was times like these where she grew all too aware of her mortality in the world, times where her herbal supply ran thin and her faith even thinner. With a pleading gaze she stared at the shell, willing the acceptance of her offering to bend luck to her favor. It was foolish, she knew. The Goddess cared not for the beauty of shells, nor should she ask for the balance of nature to be affected so. The plants needed to lay fallow to bloom prolifically in the coming warmer seasons. Her stores would be replenished, she simply needed to bide her time.

With a delicate bow of the head, Gwen departed from her deity in favor of gathering what supplies she did have onto her stretch of hide. The piles were pitiful, but she could make them stretch to the end of the bitter season. With resolve she lifted the sides of the hide to form a pouch of sorts, drawing the ends together and fastening them with a stick before hefting it over her shoulder. Clamping the “handle” firmly in her mouth, she made her way from the thicket. It wasn’t an ideal den choice, but it was thick enough to guard her from the elements. Gwen had made do with worse since her grandmother, Clodagh, had passed. She mumbled a soft invocation as she meandered away, the well-wishes for the late wolf’s soul carried on a stiff wind before they could take sound.

Her interest in the college had been piqued since she first heard one of her older patients boasting of a descendant's academic prowess. Though having received informal training, the opportunity to share knowledge with another was a balm to the ache within her heart. She had asked directions before and brought them from her memory, following her well-worn path to a clearing before orienting herself. Hesitant as she had been of the old crone’s instructions, the college had proven easier to find than she had anticipated. A dense grove of thick, never-ending redwoods marked her arrival. Gwen admired the meadows, able to visualize how they would normally appear despite the fine layer of snow that coated everything.

When approaching the college itself, she was delighted to find gardens of herbs littered across the grounds. Moving to the plot closest to her, Gwen bent to inhale the scents of mint and sage. The apothecary within her was overjoyed for such a find; leaving the mainlands was proving to be a better decision every day she spent within the lowlands. Searching for herbs she had grown low on, her violet eyes found themselves resting on the college. She dared, for just a moment, to imagine how her life would have been different had she been given a formal education rather than be hidden away. It’s no use fussing over it, she thought, what’s done is done.

She continued walking, mentally deciding how much she’d need to gather to bulk her supplies and failing to notice the world had come to a sudden stop. At first she’d assumed she ran into a tree, the feeling of warmth and soft fur an afterthought as she was knocked onto her rear. Her bindle flew from her mouth as she gasped in surprise, the contents scattered across the ground. Gwen rubbed her head and looked up, noticing she had not run into anything inanimate, but into another wolf. Eyes widening in concern, she jumped to her feet and peered at the female. “Oh my, I’m sorry! I wasn’t looking where I was going! Are you hurt?” Her heart raced as she looked the other female over urgently, sending a silent prayer to the Goddess the stranger was unharmed.

@Nimue

Table by Peachyy.

S

he’d managed to catch herself before going completely tumbling into the plants at her feet, but the sound of another losing their footing and whatever items they carried turned her head immediately. Another woman leapt to her feet to attend to her and the swift movement caused her to take a couple steps back, ears flattening until she registered that there was no threat.

Her eyes studied the female for a moment, brows furrowing as she took in her features. Nim’s gaze traveled up slender legs leading into her bodice made up of dark tussles of fur that were surprisingly warm and inviting. When they met eyes, she felt her insides flutter as she discovered a pair of gentle lavender eyes.

“Oh, not to worry. I might live yet.” She finally responded as she tuned back in, the hint of a smirk playing on her lips. She stepped forward, approaching her newest acquaintance and gesturing with her snout to the mess at their feet. “Are you alright?” Nim went to pick up one of the fae’s stray belongings, then paused, returning her attention to her. “May I?”


@Gwendolyn

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

As the concern for the other female wore off, Gwen took a beat to step away and take in the fae’s appearance. Long swirls of earthen-toned fur from head to toe, encompassing a frame larger than her own. It was something she found herself appreciating as she continued to look unabashedly. Her blue eyes were fascinating, like the skies just before a clear nightfall. She had forgotten her manners but remembered them now, clearing her throat and glancing away as she was assured the fae was fine. “Ahem, I am glad you’re alright. I am not normally one to be so clumsy.” Embarrassment was an invisible, hot flush in her cheeks, as if the weight of the other wolf’s gaze had not flustered her enough.

“Oh! Yes, I am quite alright,” she blurted, her soft voice quick to reassure that she was not harmed. Turning to look around them, she was reminded of her things scattered across the way. Some of the drier herbs had blown about, her brow creasing in frustration with her carelessness. Gwen moved to gather them quickly, flattening out the hide and gathering what herbs she could back into a pouch. Some shells were lost amongst the gardens, but she began to pluck the ones she could see as the other fae asked if she may help. Turning in surprise, Gwen nodded. “I would appreciate it, if it please you.” As they other fae began to help, she realized she had grown unused to having aid. It had not been the first time she had dropped her things, but it had been the first time she had gathered her things so quickly.

Once they’d finished, Gwendolyn gently sat upon her haunches and curled her tail around her paws. The fae straightened her spine, remembering the rules of her short time amongst a noble family. Ladies, she was told, did not slouch. Was she considered a lady now? She wondered. Dismissing the thought, she supposed it did not matter. She gave the other fae a quaint smile, bowing her head slightly. “Thank you very much, miss…” Trailing off, she realized she had not caught the other wolf’s name. “Apologies, I did not catch your name. I’m Gwendolyn, but Gwen is just fine.” Her eyes lit with the opportunity of meeting someone new. It had been a while, after all.

@Nimue

Table by Peachyy.

N

imue attempted to dismiss her worry with a wave of a paw and a light shake of her head. "It's quite easy to get lost in the sights and sounds of this place. I've only just recently discovered it as well. No harm's been done as far as I'm concerned." A single brow quirked as a smirk tugged at one corner of her mouth as she added, "Quite the opposite, actually..."

She let out a breath of a laugh to the female's response to her offer to assist. "If it please me?" Nimue found the sentiment amusing and she shrugged nonchalantly before delicately handling objects here and there and returning them to a common area where the other woman could handle them all more easily. "I think we've got everything here." She eyed the collection with interest, pawing at some of the shells and wondering where all of it had come from, yet more curiously, where all of it was going.

She lowered herself to a seated position as well, following the other girl, the minor adjustment to her posture not lost on Nimue. She recognized the action of one she used to find herself doing when she was much younger, though now she found she carried herself more confidently and with grace as she'd entered adulthood.

Again she waved away the woman's assumption that she was at fault in any way. "It is I who should offer the apology for I have yet to reveal it. Nimue is my name. Nim, if we're going about shortening them." She dipped her head, the swirling storms of her eyes drawn back to the blooms of lavender that brightened with their introductions.

"Well met, Gwen." She let her sights wander then, afraid she might lose herself in the gaze of the other, while carrying on the conversation. "What's brought you to the College of Eòlas? I see you're burdened by a hefty bounty here. Are you a merchant?"



@Gwendolyn

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Nimue. She rolled the name across her tongue, allowing the pronunciation to settle within her as if it were an old friend. It was unique, but it was befitting of the wolf that stood before her. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Nim,” she said softly, smiling. It seemed overly formal to bow or curtsy by any measure, so Gwen turned to her things and began to put them together. With meticulous care she smoothed the hide until it lay flat. Gentle nudges brought the shells tumbling upon it, followed by her leaves and measly stock of herbs. Folding the ends over, she ran the stick through them to fasten it together once more. Patting her pouch with satisfaction, she looked up at Nim curiously as the fae spoke her inquiry.

Swishing a speck of dirt from her person with her tail, she assembled the proper words to explain herself. “I am an apothecary, actually. A merchant now too, I suppose you could say,” she chuckled softly. “I used to travel to dens in the mainlands and supply herbal remedies and tonics to the ill free of charge. Unfortunately, hardships befall us all, so I must sell my wares now…” She trailed off. Unsure of where Nim originated, she left out the detail that her remedies were potions, Goddess blessed as she meticulously prepared them. She had been more reserved about her faith, her craft, since having learned of the prejudice that stirred within the highlands. Gwen did not wish to risk watching the disgust befall another’s face were she to tell the wrong person. However, she did like to believe that, like the mainlands, others of the lowlands would be open minded.

“Nevermind that, though. As you could probably tell, my stock has grown thin. I overheard talk of the college from a couple of chatty clients, and I decided to make the trek to gather what all I could.” Her eyes connected and left Nim’s tentatively, a flutter within her chest whenever one’s orbs connected with the other’s. Gwen plucked a sprig of mint from a row nearby, opening a flap of her bindle and placing it gently inside. <“And what of you, Nim? What brings you to the college? Are you a student, perhaps?” How interesting would it be if she were, she thought. Maybe there would be knowledge the fae could impart upon her.

@Nimue

Table by Peachyy.

N

imue’s eyes lit up with her newfound knowledge of the girl’s profession. “An apothecary! I commend you for your work, especially with your history of charitable outreach within your community.” Her gaze softened upon the mention of her recent hardships and being unable to provide her services for free to those in need.

“I’m sorry you’ve been affected in such a way, but I believe you’ve come to the right place.” She watched with genuine curiosity as Gwen helped herself to a sprig of mint that she added to her bundle. Then the question was turned around on her and she stared blankly for a moment having not given thought to why she had come to the College at all.

Her nose wrinkled as she took on a pensive expression with a thoughtful hum. Was she a student? “I’m afraid not.” She responded to the inquiry and sighed, a playful pout pursing her lips. “And frankly, I came to this place on a whim after hearing about it in passing conversations. I have to say it has proved incredible this far.”

She glanced over her shoulder, keeping an eye out for college officials she could snag later to allow them to entertain the idea of having her as a student. When she turned back to Gwen, they locked eyes momentarily and she felt the energy pass between their shared look.

“But, perhaps it is not too late for the two of us. We both may find exactly what we’ve been searching for here…whether we knew it or not.” She gestured with a tilt of her head towards the fae’s collection. “May I carry something for you, Gwen?”



@Gwendolyn

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Flustered with the fae’s praise, she looked to the ground with a bashful smile. It was often she forgot to think of herself as doing something good, rather than as a conduit for her deity to spread love throughout the world. Standing there then, she was warmed from nose to tail-tip by the compliment. Gwen’s lips parted but she had no words; it had been awhile since so much attention had been placed upon her. She’d much rather be a character within the background, the healer that attended the sick after the battle was won. “Thank you,” she murmured, glancing up at Nimue from between her lashes.

Ah, so not a student, then. Gwen was comforted by the fact another outsider had chosen to enter the grounds; she’d grown worried she might be considered stealing from the college. For the betterment of others or not, she understood laws were laws. That day, however, she had decided that, should she in fact be stealing, certain rules needed a little bending. “Oh yes, the college is much more impressive than I imagined, not that I had a clue what I was imagining in the first place.” She chuckled softly to herself. “The amount of herbs, though? I have never seen such a healthy supply, they must tend to them very well.” Taking a moment, she admired the work of the land’s patrons, feeling it a true blessing for such a place to thrive.

For a moment, the fae had thought she’d given herself away. It was not possible for the other woman to know of her underlying desire for companionship and family. Gwen was not a creature to truly shine by her lonesome, her heart feeling as if it were a dull gem since beginning her travels alone. “Perhaps we have found what we were searching for after all, Nim,” she agreed. “Though here would not have been the first place I’d imagined looking. Obviously, seeing as I quite nearly bowled you over.” Nervous now, she was rambling. Her mouth shut with an audible click, interrupted by Nim’s offer to carry things for her.

“That is a very kind offer, Nim. Thank you. If you’d like to carry my bindle as I replenish my stock, it would be much appreciated.” Gwen gave her a genuine, bright-eyed smile then. For her, those had been hard to come by as of late. Having paused a moment too long, she quickly ducked her head and began to gather small piles of herbs at her feet. Every so often she would pause to stash some within her pouch, giving Nim a look of gratitude as she did so. When the bindle was near to bursting, she paused to make conversation and explain the presence of the leaves and shells. “I use the shells and leaves for containment of the poti-” She hesitated, correcting herself. “-of the remedies. If they require water for a broth or be mixed to drink, the shells contain it nicely. As for the leaves…” She demonstrated on one, forming a small bundle full of imaginary medicines. “They hold my dry concoctions nicely.”

@Nimue

Table by Peachyy.

A

glint flickered across her eyes as Gwen seemed to agree with her and she couldn't help but chuckle as she imagined what the collision might have looked like to a third party. As the other girl snapped her maw shut, she let her laughter subside and then narrowed her eyes in feigned suspicion. "Be careful, Gwen, I might begin to think you'd meant to crash into me." Nimue offered her a playful wink. "If not, I would say it was fate."

She bowed her head deeply with a nod before gingerly picking up the bindle and following closely behind her acquaintance as she collected what she needed. The storm clouds appeared to have parted within her irises, leaving them a shade of blue more inviting as she admired the graceful steps and delicate handling of the plants. If Gwen was to catch her eye, she would not look away, but hold onto the gaze as long as the other would allow, smiling from behind the filled animal hide she carried.

As they found pause, she gently placed the parcel down, doing her best to keep it from bursting open as she peered over with interest at the apothecary's demonstration. Nimue's lips parted in surprise at the ingenuity of the technique involving the sea shells, wondering how it was that her or her aunt had never thought of such a thing themselves. There was a hesitation in the girl's speech and Nim had picked it up the change in word usage instantly, causing a slow smile to spread across her face.

"What sort of potions do you make?"She asked point blank and before an answer was given she took a couple of tentative steps forwards until her mouth was just next to Gwen's ear and she could pass along words within a soft, whispered breath. "You may speak freely with me...I practice my own craft as well..." With that she withdrew, her smile still apparent and her eyes searching Gwen's seeking the hint of a spark.

@Gwendolyn

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Gwen smiled as her eyes widened in surprise, taken aback that Nim would accuse her of forcing their meeting. The temptation to touch her arose, a playful nudge or friendly bump of the hip, though she refrained. This fae was somewhat more than a stranger, and she knew she should not be so easily distracted by a pretty face, no matter how Nim’s features appealed to her. Taking a step back in obviously false offense, Gwen gasped despite the mirth gracing her lips. “You offend me, accusing me so! I wouldn’t dare run into another for my own gains.” Though, she knew she would have for their meeting to happen once more. That, however, was a fact she would keep to herself for the time being.

After her small performance, she looked upon her stock with intentional distraction. Her mouth had gone dry, a knot of anxiety tightening within her for almost giving herself away. It had been Clodagh’s greatest warning, to never reveal herself unless she knew another who could be trusted with the Goddess’s path. Her eyes flicked back to Nim, their violet depths brightening despite herself as the fae drew closer. A diversion gathered itself on the tip of her tongue, waiting to be released in clever form and navigate around the subject of her craft. It was inevitable though, it seemed, for she was frozen still as Nim approached she was questioned. Still, Nim drew closer, pressed nearly cheek to cheek as the other fae’s breath stirred the delicate fur of her ears like a caress.

So distracted by Nim’s proximity, she nearly missed the confession the woman gave. Her eyes had fallen shut slowly, her breath having left her as she’d fallen beneath Numie’s thrall. As she withdrew, though, Gwen’s wits once again gathered about her. Clearing her throat, she laughed awkwardly as she composed herself. “I am but an apothecary, truly,” she said, the hint of a clever smirk gracing her features. “My remedies, whether ingested or applied, just contain a bit of a special boost to their natural properties is all.” Gwen preferred to keep her potions simple, for she was unaware of the Goddess’s will were she to ask more drastic favors. Without the addition of her life’s blood, her offerings could only go so far.

The tension left her shoulders as she grew curious, this encounter proving to be more than a simple fated flirtation. Gwen had never met another witch, or if she had she had no notion of it. She was surprised she had gone so long without being found quite honestly, able to pass the excess healing tendencies for the use of only the freshest herbs in her stockpile. She wanted to know about Nim; learning how others used the power within them was a conversation she never imagined she would have.. “If you do not mind me asking, what is it that you practice?” She asked, her tone hushed. Was she a patron of the same deity? Perhaps another one completely? Now drawn to the woman before her in more ways than one, she watched Nim with rapt fascination and eagerly awaited her response.

Coding by Peachyy.