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 Posted: Sun May 03, 2015 11:33 am
 Most would call this area peaceful. The sun was shining bright in the sky, casting lovely shadows through the trees onto the ground; the blades of grass warmed by it's rays. A breeze moved slowly through the small mountain valley, rustling the trees every now and again, causing a pleasant noise. It appeared serine, calming, perfect. But then something was off about the area. No birds chirped their sing song ways in the trees and on the ground. There wasn't a critter in sight; no squirrels, rabbits, or foxes. It was like there was an air of ominous energy in the area. Not many would know to look any deeper than the basic picture. But upon inspection blood splattered across an area of bent grass. It seemed to tell a story of it's own, but perhaps there was no one to tell that story. The blood trailed through the valley, and into the trees. Farther and farther into the depth, until the trees were so tall and thick it was practically dark from the sun being blocked out.
It was there that she laid to rest.
A mare of large stature, probably around nineteen hands tall, with muscles that were taunt and easily visible against her dark fur, laid at the base of a large tree. From a distance, her intricate markings would appear to move with the wind, shifting along her dark fur as she breathed; but they stayed still. Her claws were tightened against her body, and the fur along her back and shoulders was splattered with blood. Her head was tucked against her side, hiding a few long gashes against her body. She breathed heavily, eyes squeezed shut as she fought against the pain. But she would not allow a Skinwalker to come into her haven. She wasn't going to allow someone to come and ruin the life she had finally started to give herself. Her ear flicked back slightly as she took a breath that caused a sharp pain through her; form trembling at the suppression of a whimper. She'd be fine, so long as she stayed still and let herself rest. She just needed rest.
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Posted: Sun May 03, 2015 7:31 pm
 It wasn't often that Sanuye ventured too far from the canyons she called home, but the life of an herbalist was a tireless one. There was one thing that made her different from many skilled herbalists, however, and that was that she mostly sought to fill her supplies for the sake of just-in-case. She had a lot of second-hand experience--that is, learning from other healers through demonstration or real situations. In truth, she had the most practice on her own self. It was difficult to find others in need of healing around the canyon, but it was her safe haven--her comfort zone. But Sanuye was in the process of changing, albeit slowly. She was beginning to push herself further. Right now she was outside of the canyon and venturing into the wooded area beyond. Maybe it seemed simple to others, but it was a big step for Sanuye. Her emergency pack felt heavy around her neck as she wondered if she'd even find any herbs worth gathering on her outing. It was possible she'd spend all day looking and have to go back with nothing. At night. In the dark. Alone...arghh...
Physically shaking her pessimism away, Sanuye glowered as she continued on, too consumed by her own defeatist thoughts to notice the eerie lack of wildlife around her. The touch of tall grass against her legs brought her focus somewhat back to the task at hand. She glared through her bangs at the treeline ahead, naming off possible herbs within. Mint, elderberry...several types of mushrooms, if she had time...red fern--
Sanuye stopped. Red fern? That wasn't supposed to grow in this area. And yet there it was before her. Consumed by curiosity and confusion, Sanuye took a few more steps forward to study her findings, nostrils flaring. But then her pupils shrank. Bloodied grass. By the scent of it, it belonged to a soquili. Breath quickening, she took in the surroundings, searching for the owner of the blood. As she looked, she found something--a trail. As she followed it, it led her to the trees. Anxiety grabbed her and she hesitated, the trees looming over her like monsters. No...there was someone who needed help. Someone may be dying... Grinding her teeth, she raced forward. The trail of blood was winding, but easy to follow. She kept her pace fast and her senses sharp. Her heart pounded and she prayed to the spirits that she wouldn't be too late. For once in her life, she wanted to actually be able to help someone. But there was so much blood...she might not--ARGHH!
Moving even faster, she followed the trail like a moving target, not noticing the trees growing taller, not noticing the sunlight smothered by canopy, not noticing the growing silence from the blood pulsing in her head. The end of the trail came so suddenly and without warning that Sanuye scarcely had time to stop. A huge mass of dark against an enormous tree, emblazoned with fiery markings that stood out amidst the shadows of the dark forest. Hooves skidding in bloodied moss and knees buckling, Sanuye stopped sharply with a gasp and stumbled backward several paces. Her breaths came heavy and haggard as she observed the wounded, eyes sticking to areas that shone with liquid. But after the wound observation came the individual observation...and the injured mare's appearance frightened Sanuye more than any soquili she had ever seen. It was in that moment that something occurred to Sanuye: maybe this soquili had been responsible for the death or injury of someone innocent? Maybe this--this mare--was evil? But then another thought came to her: it wasn't her job to judge, only to heal.
She stood tall and tried to catch her breath, mind quickly working over the list of herbs she had brought with her, never tearing her gaze from the side the horned mare's head was guarding.
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Posted: Sun May 03, 2015 9:16 pm
Lehava wasn’t certain what was going to happen to her. She didn’t know what to do, what she could do. What her body would allow her to do. She was weak; she could feel that. She felt sick to her stomach and felt like her body was on fire. Everything was wrong. Oh so wrong. But she could do nothing. Couldn’t stand up without feeling the blood run down her side. Couldn’t take a deep breath without feeling like her side was going to split open more. She had no idea how her ribs were doing. She pondered if any of her bones were broken; and could probably assume that was a yes. Her eyes flickered open for a moment, black orbs shifting around the forest, before closing once more, flinching visibly. She was in too much pain for her liking; but there was nothing she could do about it right now. She went through the fight in her head, trying to figure out where she went wrong… or did she do something right?
The Skinwalker had come out of no where. And after some bantering, and on her part some snarky comments, she had been attacked. She was able to dodge the first attack, scurrying away with sharp claws and lashing tail. Only to feel talons from the walker slice into her side. Somehow she had managed to ward him off; to buck and try to pierce him with her horns. She watched as he sauntered off, only to take in the sight of the world around her; fuzzy and blood covered. She felt dizzy, and after that doesn’t remember what happened.
The next thing she could remember she was here… at the base of a tree.
The fire mare shook her head some, breathing out a sharp sigh as she tried to gather her thoughts and keep herself calm. If she just waited… And then she heard it. Something moving in the distance; and quick. Her ears snapped forward, and her head lifted as she swiveled to stare toward where the noises were coming from. There… something was coming from where she had come from. Something was coming to get her. And she had to brace herself. If the Walker was coming back, she would be in huge trouble. If he came back and ripped into her again, she was certain she would fall. She knew she would. She’d die within seconds of him attacking her once more. She slowly started to stand, feeling the blood moving down along her side; sticky and uncomfortable. And as soon as she got on her claws and hooves, she fell back down with a suppressed whimper. Her ears pinned back and she moved her head back down to block the wound. If she didn’t seem bothered she could possibly survive this. Maybe she could blend in with the darkness of the trees around her.
When the tracker got closer, Lehava took in a sharper breath. She was more than happy to attack if she needed. But when she opened her eyes, she saw something else. A small mare, with long hair and intricate markings… Or was that paint? Her eyes flickered for a few moments, before she shifted some and flinched. Her eyes squeezed shut, and she grit her teeth while trying to maintain the pain that ran through her. Lehava didn’t know what to do. What was this mare doing here? What did she want? Her eyes flickered up some, showing the slight pain behind a strong front. She pinned her ears, and her tail swiveled and then rested in front of her, blocking out more of the world. She wasn’t going to be vulnerable if she could help it. She almost opened her mouth to speak, but decided against it. Let this mare decide what to do. If she was scared, as Lehava guessed by her own appearance, than this mare would surely run.
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Posted: Mon May 04, 2015 7:04 pm
The pain the wounded mare was experiencing was evident, so much so that Sanuye was almost feeling it transcendentally. Now firmly dedicated to doing whatever she could to alleviate the apparent suffering of the other, Sanuye tossed the satchel from her neck to the ground and rummaged through it for anything beneficial.
Devil's Claw, Passionflower...ah, dried marigold, that might help, too. Mint, the oils--ah, did she have any mountain daisy? That could help in a few areas, but the bleeding--no, it was okay, she just had to apply--
Mind cycling through remedies just as quickly as they entered her head, she went over every proper way to concoct and apply them. It hadn't yet reached her mind that she had to go just beside the injured mare in order to help her, nor did it enter her mind that the mare might not be so accepting of the help. But since those possibilities hadn't played out in her imagination yet, Sanuye stuck fast to her focus on healing preparation.
AH, LICORICE ROOT. Did she have any--NO, she didn't! Curses, how could she be this much of a failure that she didn't have something as simple as--oh, she could go and find some--NO, she couldn't, there was no way they'd grow in such dim lighting. But--curses, curses...maybe in a clearing not too far back? Did she have time?
With a mental snarl directed towards herself, she pulled from her satchel rolls of bandages she had been given from a camp in the canyon. She hadn't had much practice using them herself, but she had seen them applied plenty of times. If she actually could apply them. And it was then, as she moved quite close to the bleeding beast of a mare, that Sanuye was momentarily seized by that fearful thought that had thus far danced just outside of her peripheral: did this soquili even want to be healed?
Stopping mid-kneel, Sanuye instinctively sought the eyes of the other, but it was a mistake, for the mare's eyes were the most frightening things she had ever seen.
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2015 2:24 pm
Lehava had no idea what this mare was doing. No idea what was going on. She wasn't used to people being this close to her; not since that day... Not in years. Her brother had been the last one she had actually physically stood near and been close to. And ever since they parted, she had no need or want to be anywhere close to others. They only hurt her... And that wasn't acceptable. Her ears pinned slightly as she stared toward the mare who just seemed to ruffle and shift and move through the bag. Her black piercing eyes flickered and flitting over the smaller mare. She adjusted a bit, as if trying to stand, before flopping back against the trunk of the tree once more. No, no. She wasn't moving any time soon. Not without bleeding out first.
The Cinderbeast let her gaze follow the way the mare looked. And her eyes landed on the wound at her side. Yea... it was bad. That damned Walker would have left a scar and she was certain of it. Though, at the same time, her fur was so dark that it would be barely noticeable to the naked eye. Which was probably a good thing, but then again she didn't care about looks. She let her eyes flicker toward the mare who had moved closer toward her, and she contemplated baring her fangs. But she didn't seem like she was going to hurt her. Her eyes flickered up toward the eyes that were locked with hers. And she could see the shift. See the way that, after a brief second, it went from the will to help, to fear. Fear. Something she was used to people looking at her like. And for a moment it lit a fire in her. She wanted to snap her fangs and shout at her to get away. Burn her down and send her on her way...
But she couldn't. She couldn't be left in this state. So, she tore her eyes away from the painted mare and laid her head down on the ground, eyes closing some as she took a slow breath, her ribs expanding slightly with the air expanding her lungs. It caused the blood to start streaming a little faster, before slowing down some when she exhaled. Let the mare decide if she was going to assist or not.
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Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2015 9:36 am
As the regret of meeting the wounded "mare's" (for she was more like a monster to Sanuye now) eyes filled her guts with a chill, something else intensified that fear--the look the beast's eyes gave her for just a moment.
Killing intent.
Sanuye was paralyzed. But the murderous look faded as quickly as it had manifested itself, and Sanuye felt some blood flow back into her limbs. And with it, her sense. Swallowing several times and attempting to recover her composure, she knelt carefully beside the injury--not too close, but close enough. Regardless of everything, her healing skills (if she could even call them something so audacious) were needed. This was someone in need, someone in need, someone in need. Repeating that over and over to herself, she let the mantra carry her through her duties. Yes, this was her duty. This was her solemn oath. She didn't intend to break it, not now, not ever.
Never.
And so some time passed with the braided mare working diligently to apply her herbs, oils, and bandaging. It was pain-staking work--tedious for some, but not to Sanuye. It was only during the process of helping to heal someone that she felt a strange sort of flow--an escape from reality--a lapse in time and space. She was here, but she was gone. She was alive, but her life existed for the benefit of someone else. And so she worked in this way, being as careful as possible to be gentle and not aggravate the grievous wounds. Stop the blood, ease the pain, calm the swelling, cover the tears...
She would heal these wounds.
She would.
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Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 2:21 pm
Lehava had expected the mare to run off. To leave her and let her die. And that was what she thought would happen. She was, after all, a monster. She wasn’t like her brother, wasn’t used to being seen as something good. And she wasn’t. She was a monster to the world around her, and she knew that. She knew that no one wanted to help a monster. And that was something she had accepted about her life long ago when the incidents with her brother all started. Her tail flicked slightly behind her as she tried to figure out what it was she could do… what it was she could thrive to live for.
And then the girl started to work. Lehava’s eyes snapped open and she looked toward the mare. She watched her with sharp eyes, he fangs bared some and claws tightening. And, after several quiet moments of her working, Lehava closed her eyes again and tried to relax. She flinched and twitched every so often when she something hurt or there was an odd twinge of a feeling from the herbs and wrappings. Her hind leg tightened somewhat, before relaxing once more, heart beat hard in her chest. She took in a sharp breath, and then relaxed once more.
By the time the mare finally finished working on her wounds, Lehava had decided that she better not try and startle her. She breathed out slowly, eyes flickering open once more to look toward the girl. Her claws flexed, and her tail gave a small twitch, before lying flat against the ground. She lifted her head enough to look toward the bandages, and then toward the girl. ”… thank you.” She managed quietly, her voice almost a growl of a sound. She laid her head back down, staring toward the mare with a curious look. Hopefully she wasn’t frightened enough to want to run away…
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Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2015 7:03 pm
Healing was tiring work, but Sanuye only truly felt the draining effects after a job was completed. Inwardly she was exhausted, and she was sure she seemed a little haggard at best, but she still had to maintain an air of bedside manner. That was part of her duty, and she took that very seriously.
This had been the biggest task she had ever taken on. The little voices telling her it was beyond her expertise, out of her reach, and impossible were all gone. She had done all she could do, and she had done everything successfully. Whether it would hold up and save the mare's life was out of her control now. But the injured one looked strong and Sanuye was sure she would be all right. She had to believe that. She had to believe that she at least made a difference...at least prolonged her life...
The beastly mare's little movements here and there didn't startle Sanuye anymore, but what did catch her off guard were the words of gratitude. A look of bewilderment crossed her face. They were the first few words her patient had spoken, and they were words she hadn't been expecting. But that realization cut her inside. Judging someone...it wasn't kind. When she met the other's eyes, she knew that plainly.
Sanuye offered a smile to hide her astonishment, somehow feeling too ashamed to show complete ease and friendliness. But she had done her job, and perhaps that was enough. Perhaps she could leave it at that.
"You're welcome," she answered, and busied herself with cleaning up whatever messes she had made. "You should rest," she suggested. And what then? She couldn't leave her like this. Infection might spread. Her patient wouldn't know what to do--how to change dressings, apply salves, prepare herbs...
Resolutely, the braided mare settled down on her limbs, trying her best to seem pleasantly interested in the kudzu vines on the trees. It was evident that she didn't plan on leaving just yet. There was still a need for her services. And as long as she could help, she would stay.
At least for a little while...
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Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2015 9:05 am
 Her claws stretched slightly under her, and it took her a few moments to gather her thoughts. This mare had stopped to help her… and that was… well… unexpected. Her tail flicked before curling forward and around her body, toward her shoulder. The top rested lightly near her shoulder, giving her a sort of comfort despite the pain. Her head tilted to the side, and it took her a minute before she let her eyes focus once more on the naturally colored mare. She seemed like she had painted markings on her sides, probably from helping others? Or at least Lehava assumed. She figured that the mare had aided many people, and though she was scared, Lehava felt as though she owed the mare something. Her eyes flickered down toward her claws, flexing them once more, before she looked again at the mare, her head tilting.
The mare lifted her head to where she could watch her with ease. She was in pain still, a throbbing in her side that made her cringe and want to curl up and rest somewhere. She flexed her claws for a moment, pondering getting up to properly thank the mare. But, it didn’t seem like she needed to. Instead, the other mare settled down on the ground, and looked curiously up toward the vines in the trees. Her head tilted to the side, eyes locked on the mare curiously. What was she doing…?
Lehava was now thoroughly confused. Her head tilted to the side and she stared, almost awestruck toward the mare. Her tail flicked lightly near her shoulder and she had to hold back her look of wander toward the mare. Her breath came out almost as a huff, causing the soft fur around her shoulders to ruffle and shift from their resting spot. Why did this girl want to stay here? It was dangerous territory. And Lehava had seen the way that the mare had stared at her upon first coming to see her. And that had been fear. Why would she stay if the little mare was scared of her? Lehava tilted her head some, before shifting a bit to sit a little taller, her head leveling out and eyes locked on the mare that laid so close to her.
After a few moments of awkward silence, Lehava shifted a bit more, and let her eyes linger on the mare. She tried for a small smile, but knew her teeth could frighten even the strongest of creatures. So instead, she dipped her head down some in respect, cautious of the horns that came from her head so that they wouldn’t hit the mare on accident. That wouldn’t be polite. ”I… My name is Lehava… It is not safe for you to stay here… I…” The mare paused to consider her words, before sighing and shook her head. She may as well continue. ”I do not know.. if I ran the prowling Skinwalker off or not.. It isn’t safe.” She repeated, hoping that the girl would understand and flee as quickly as possible.
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