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 Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 11:40 am
 Eudora navigated the mists with easy steps. She had finished her lessons for the day with the foals and now had some time off. With only a few foals to teach, Eudora spent a decent amount of her time helping the others within the herd. Some of her time she assisted the Gatherers in their daily tasks, knowing how important it was to have enough herbs, fruits and other supplies for when the winter months set in. But she also made time to work with the Oracles and Shaman, expanding her own knowledge whenever possible so that she could pass that on to the future generation. There were times when the herd was heavy with foals, but there hadn't been a large boost in numbers in some time. Admittedly, she found it easier to work with the smaller groups of foals like she had now - it gave her more one on one time with each of them.
With her charges off with their parents, Eudora to busy herself with collecting supplies for future lessons. While the Oracles and Shamans would sometimes directly teach the foals, especially as they got older and started to follow a certain path, it was Eudora's job to ensure they had a general knowledge of each ranks duty, as well as general information on the herds history and the land they lived on. And so she was busy collecting various herbs and other items for her to use as teaching materials. Looking up from her search, Eudora made sure that Brudair was close by, for what she was looking for happened to be near the pass and she wanted to make sure her guard was there to protect her should anything come out of the pass at this moment. "I know it's around here somewhere." She mumbled to herself, returning her gaze to the ground. This darn plant was always so hard to find, even though she knew it grew in this area and searched for it each year.
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 12:23 pm
 Bruadair watched as his ward wandered about close to the pass, he wasn't overly concerned - so far this year the pass had been quiet but he still kept a good eye out, just in case. It probably wouldn't go over well if some nightmare ate the shepherd responsible for teaching the herds current foals.
Certainly Ramiel and Phasianidae would have something to say about that and quite frankly Bru wasn't interested in being on the receiving end of that talk thank you very much! Besides Eudora was an alright mare and although they weren't great buddies or anything he'd probably feel pretty bad if something happened to her, he was just a big sap like that.
"If you tell me what it looks like maybe I can help?" He finally offered, they had been out here for quite some time and so far it didn't look like the mare was any closer to finding what she was looking for then she was when they had started. "I spend a good bit of time out here I've probably seen it" And really he ought to know it from his foal hood lessons anyways - but those had been years and years ago and his path had not taken him in a direction where plant knowledge was used so he'd promptly forgotten pretty much all of it.
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 1:14 pm
Eudora looked up and nodded. "Yes, I suppose you would know this area a bit better that I do." Turning so that she fully faced him, she decided his help would be much appreciated. Though admittedly, this same thing happened every year - not his offer of help (as others had accompanied her in the past) but of the struggle to find the plant. Bayroot was a slippery little plant that was both easy and yet difficult to find at the same time. "It's a low lying plant. Five flat, fairly good sized leaves that come to three distinctive points on the end. They must be true points, not rounded tips. The leaves are about the same shadow of green as the grass, but what makes it stand out is this thing red stem that comes up from the center of the plant. If we find that, we find the plant. The only issue is...that it's growth is quite sporadic, and where it was growing one year, it will be in a different spot the next." If it returned to the same place after each winter then he job would be easier.
Returning to the search, Eudora looked for that red stem. Sometimes it got broken off by a passing guard or creature, so it was harder to spot. And the every present mist clinging to the ground certainly made looking for it difficult.
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 1:50 pm
Bruadair listened attentively as the mare described the plant she was seeking, ever so vaguely he was pretty sure he had heard this description before - likely in the fore thought of foal lessons but at least it sounded like a distinctive plant even if the coloring of it all didn't help. Finding a grass colored plant in the grass was going to be tricky and of course he couldn't neglect his duties in looking after her so he would have to look as well as make sure no danger approached.
He could do that. Champions were quite good at multi tasking at least. "Got it, Green pointy leaves and a red stem" He declared, glancing down the misty pass before taking a look around the foliage at his feet, how funny would it be if he had been standing on the blasted plant this whole time? Ha! He'd laugh for sure though he wasn't quite as sure that Eudora would find it quite so amusing - she had been looking for quite some time.
"You know we really ought to think about planting some of these things somewhere - like surrounded by rocks or something so you always know they have to come back - and then you wouldn't have to go looking for them all the time." It sounded like a great idea to him, but then again he was always coming up with ideas like that and most of the time the others looked at him like he was crazy.
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Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2016 7:09 am
Eudora paused in her search once more to consider Brudair's suggestion. It made quite a bit of sense actually, but surely one of the herd members would have thought of this before now and done such a thing. She stood silently for a moment, trying to think back through all of the knowledge she carried with her about the herd but couldn't come up with anything regarding them trying to grow the plant closer to the orchards or another central location. Now that didn't mean that it never happened. Perhaps they had tried and been unsuccessful and thus that knowledge had never been passed on. Or perhaps they decided not to try it due to some reason - like not wanting to upset the balance of nature. Either way, it could be an interesting experiment to try...if they could find a plant or two that was healthy enough to transport elsewhere.
"You know," she started as she returned to the search, "that might be something to explore." She paused for another moment before continuing. "It might not work, due to the plants sporadic growing, but if it does, it will benefit the herd greatly." Moving off a bit now, having searched the immediate area around where she had been standing, she looked around more. "We would need one or two strong plants, two would be best given that moving them could have an adverse effect. I'm sure there would be room at the edge of the orchard to plant them. And even if they did grow at random places there, due to their nature, it would surely be easier to find them there than out here near the pass." She couldn't help but shiver slightly. The pass was one of the more dangerous places for the herd and if she could reduce the number of times she had to come out here, all the better.
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 8:35 am
Bru continued to look as the mare pondered his idea, honestly he didn't think she would agree to it or really even consider it, I mean he was just a champion and by no means an expert on plants or growing things..or really anything of that nature. It somewhat surprised him when Eudora not only considered his off handed comment but even agreed with it. "Really? You think it might work?" He asked a startled tone in his voice. "I mean it would certainly be helpful, not only would it be easier to find but you could collect it whenever you wanted without having to wait for an escort to be free."
Bru didn't really mind these escort duties but he knew that sometimes they were requested when no one was available to handle them and that meant waiting and potentially missing the harvesting window. It had happened before. In any case it made him more interested in actually finding the plant and lowering his head he went back to searching with renewed vigor, moving a few strides to the right to look in a new area.
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 8:49 am
Eudora couldn't help but let out a slight chuckle. "Oh, I didn't say it would work, but it certainly is worth trying. If it does work, it will be great. It all depends on if the Oneiroi wish us to have the plant close by and easy to find." And when it came to the Oneiroi, nothing for for sure. She looked at Brudair for a moment her head tipped in thought. "Not needing to venture out here, near the pass and not needing an escort, sounds nice....but it is also nice to spend time with your Guardians." True they all spent time together, that was part of being a herd, but the guardians were almost always busy checking for danger and keeping an eye on the pass, so it was trips like this that gave Eudora a good opportunity to spend time with them and talk with them. Who knows what information she could glean from them that may be useful for a future lesson.
Turning her attention back to the hunt for the plant, Eudora was beginning to wonder how long the Oneiroi would make her search. A glace at Brudair and the mare froze. "Brudair, do not move." It might not be it, but that plant only a few inches from his back hoof looked like it might be the one she needed. "I think I see it, but you are about to step on it."
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 9:41 am
Bru nodded slightly at the mare's words, it was true - sometimes the Oneiroi were kind and let such ideas work, other times they did not..but Bru did not hold such things against them, the Oneiroi were far wiser then any member of the herd and who was he to say why something shouldn't or should work out?
"Perhaps Drifa will pray to the Oneiroi and ask for the plants help on their behalf." Bru suggested, sometimes that seemed to help things fall in the herds favor he had found. The stallion was just about to take a step when Eudora's words stopped him in his tracks, one hoof lifted and held stuck in midair.
"I won't, where is it? Are you sure its the right one?" He asked, craning his neck around and trying to see but also trying hard not to move and squash it.
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Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 7:47 am
"Beside your right back foot." She told him, hoping he would remain motionless until she could get a better look at it. "I am not certain yet if it is the correct one." She said a small prayer to the Oneiroi to have it be the right plant so that their search could be brought to an end. Also, if it was the right plant, they would be able to see to transplanting it as Brudair had suggested. Eudora took a few steps closer to the stallion, being careful not to bump into him in her hurry to inspect the plant. The leaves were correct shape and color, and...there was red stem protruding from the center. "It is the right one!"
But he might still step on it. "Brudair, take a step back to the left." It would be ideal if they could find more than one plant, but she also wanted to see if they could harvest this one and move it closer to the orchard, as that would be the ideal spot to grow it. Yet, once they removed it from the soil they could not delay, and finding this one again may not be the easiest if they search for more. "This one looks large and healthy enough to move. But we will need to figure out a way to carry it back without damaging the roots or putting too much stress on the plant."
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 6:57 am
Very carefully Bru moved as she instructed, breathing out a sigh of relief once the plant was out of danger and he could put his foot down again - thankfully as holding it up had been getting quite tiresome. Turning about he took a better look at the plant, it was a rather small plant to be so important but hadn't the oneiroi taught them time and time again that one shouldn't be judged on how they look? They had found the plant and that was the important thing...of course now they had a new problem and the stallion considered for a few moments, neither of them had brought anything with them suitable for carrying a plant around - they had expected to only bring back a few leaves after all
"What about my scarf?" He suggested after a few moments "It will protect the roots from drying out and we should be able wrap it around and carry it by the edges if we are careful, it will get dirty but I don't mind, dirt is easily washed off in the spring."
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 7:46 am
She watched his movement carefully, ready to tell him to stop if he shifted his weight the wrong way. He was able to safely step away from the plant and now she was content that their initial work was done. She had found the plant and now...well now they had to figure out how to move it. At his suggestion Eudora nodded. "Yes, I think that will work well." Lucky that he had that scarf with him. She had always wondered why he wore the thing, but now she was happy that he did.
"Now the true test. To dig it up without hurting the plant." It would be a delicate operation, for she had never done such a thing and she doubted Brudair had either. She glanced between the plant, her hooves and then Brudairs. Oh if only one of them had claws. They would just have to make what they had work. Saying a silent prayer to the Oneiroi to let her do the task without hurting the plant, she began to scrap away at the soil a short distance away from it's base, knowing the the roots would be much larger than the plant itself was.
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2016 8:28 am
Bru unwound the scarf from around his neck, laying on the ground next to there where it would be ready when they had the plant out of the ground..which would be far easier if either of them had the claws others in the herd had..or even if one the more helpful blessed creatures were out and about. A quick glance around however showed none of them in the vicinity - which wasn't unusual being this close to the pass. It was rare for most of the herd to venture this close to the boarders without reason.
Watching as Eudora started to scrape away the dirt Bru judged the distance and started to work on the other side. At least their cloven hooves were more suited then solid hooves would have been right? In any case it was a small plant and he was sure it wouldn't take them very long to get the plant out and he supposed if they really had too he could always guard the plant while she went for help He would go himself but he clearly couldn't leave her here alone and if they walked away from the plant who knew if they would be able to find it again when they can back..
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Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2016 11:40 am
Bit by bit, Eudora scrapped more dirt away from the pant, slowly opening up a whole around it's roots with the help of Brudair. She moved carefully, not wanting to disturb the roots, but some was inevitable, especially when removing a plant from it's home to place elsewhere. With the Oneiroi's blessing they would be able to dig up, move and then replant the plant without causing it too much stress. Pausing Eudora studied their work. They seem to have dug down deep enough to lift the plant without breaking off the main roots. "I think that will do it. We can try to move it, and if there is too much resistance, we will have to dig deeper."
"I figure we can try to pick it up together and that should keep it from tipping over and damaging the leaves." Oh it was times like this that she wished she had claws like many of the herd members, it would make this task so much easier. But the Oneiroi hadn't blessed her with claws, and so she needed to make due with what she had lest she insult them.
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Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2016 1:39 pm
Bru tried his best to follow Eudora's lead in this matter, though he was careful to stop now and then to make sure they still remained safe - that was after all his primary job in this excursion. Still it didn't take all that long for them to uncover the plants roots and for Eudora to proclaim that they had dug down far enough.
"Alright, between the two of us I'm sure we can move it onto the scarf." He agreed then looked at Eudora for instruction on just how to go about that without damaging the plant, it would be a real shame to have gone to this much trouble only to damage the plant so badly that it died after replanting. Surely Eudora would know the best way to go about all of this.
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Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2016 11:43 am
Moving a plant should be easy, yet Eudora didn't have much or any experience with such a thing. Even so, she was determined to see this task through. Now that the roots had been fred, or at least it seemed that way, they had to actually move it. Taking a step back, Eudora looked the plant over carefully. The stem was decently thick on this one, so it should survive what they had to do to move it. Speaking of which, how exactly were they going to accomplish that. She probably should have thought of that efore starting to dig the thing up.
An idea popped in her head. "I'll work from this side, and you work from the other. We will carefully press our noses against the stem and once we have a firm, but not too firm, grip we'll lift together. It should pop out if we dug deep enough around the roots." She considered for a moment. "There may be some resistance, from the roots being pulled, but if I feel too much I'll call a stop to it and we'll figure out another way."
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