[Naerileen]

@Gothy

Today, she told herself, she would get up and do something. She had responsibilities to fulfill and duties to the tribe that she had to complete, especially if she wanted to maintain her ranks as a dove and cardinal. She had to set a good example for Lorcan, after all. What kind of sister and caregiver would she be if she scolded him for being lazy when she spent so many of her days hidden away in her room? A poor sister, that was for sure. Regardless of how she felt, she did everything for her brother. Especially forcing herself to get up and do things, even if her mind and body pleaded her not to.

Though she was the stubborn sort, their pleads falling ignored as she forced herself to her feet the moment she saw sunlight filter through the crack in the wall of her room. She had things to do. Tallies to take, lessons to instruct, herbs to cultivate. She groomed herself, preening her long, green feathers. Then, putting in her amethyst earrings and gold bangles, she sighed as she gazed at the doorway. She didn't want to leave; she was tired and felt like sleeping more. But she had to. Casting a glance at the snake pit, she sighed once again before she grabbed her bag and set off into the world.

She stopped by her personal gardens, eyeing the various herbs and poisonous plants as she checked her stores and reviewed her stock. Everything seemed to be in order, albeit some of her live plants had died in her negligence. She had dug them up, tossing them away before she set off into the territory of Syn Cardys to fetch fresh stalks to start the shoots of new plants. That, and she had to keep a close eye on wild populations.

Departing from the pyramid, the cardinal walked quietly through the forest. She spotted little signs of life--little trinkets and things--and smiled weakly. Plum was still alright. She didn't know what she would do to herself if the fluffy child succumbed to the wilds. Even if the child hated her, though she could accept that. She accepted a lot of things, regardless of if she wanted to or not. Shaking her head, the feathered female let her nose guide her, picking apart the scents of the world in search of specific ones that belonged to herbs she was trying to find.

Eventually, the green Aviari found her prize. Eyes the color of blooming orchids fell on bright amber berries, a smile curling onto her mint features. She stood on her hind paws, putting her front right paw on the trunk of the tree as she reached out her free one toward the vine from which the berries hung. She hooked her paw around them, pulling them toward her until she could catch the vine in her teeth and tug gently. Eventually, the berries were freed with a soft snap. Naerileen dropped back down to all fours, placing the berries on the ground as the cardinal nodded at their condition and mumbled for a moment, eventually reaching forward to put them in her bag.

[Illidan]

The day started without the dappled fairy prince as he slept in under the cover of elephant ears. He was warm and content, his dreams vivid and colorful. It was late morning when he finally opened those crystal blue eyes to the world, lifting his head and yawning. The dim sunlight shining through the leaves created a warm feeling against his face. He smiled, stretching his front legs before he nuzzled his nose between the giant leaves to step out into the day.

A source of water was close, needing to satisfy the night's thirst he would travel to the small pool to lap up until he was content. Illidan wondered where he would go today and what wonders he would see. His mission was to find the ocean, though it seemed his mind wandered too much and his curiosity grabbed him too fast. Not today! He had to concentrate if he was to find it. So, he started in the direction of the sun, the humidity already nearly suffocating. Illidan just thought of it as a tight hug around him, the warmth bearable in that sense.

His journey would not be to the ocean today, however. His travel would lead him to an unfamiliar avari. One of Pearle's lessons clicked in his mind as he witnessed the dark green coat. A Riverine, he guessed? Seemed right in his mind. The boy wasn't as judgemental as his crystalline friend had been, so he quietly approached with every ounce of respect as he would any other. "Hello... that's quite a reach, do you need any more of them?" Blue eyes would glance up at the orchids. He had never seen those types of flowers before. "What are those? I've never seen them before. Are they rare?"

The only knowledge he had was those flowers that grew in forests around his former home. He had learned a few basics of course, but nothing beyond that. This Avari seemed very versed in plants as they plucked amber berries and put them away in a satchel. "Ah, sorry if I'm intruding. I'm Illidan."

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[Naerileen]

Naerileen looked up at the arrival of someone new, violet eyes alighting upon Illidan once she tilted her green-hued head upward. The healer tilted her head curiously, the feathers that framed her face shifting with the slight movement. The youth was certainly not of Syn Cardys blood, likely a newcomer what with the recent opening of borders. She thought about scoffing and dismissing him but noted that, although he was far taller than the broccoli-colored lady, he was clearly a child. His body was not yet fully developed, balancing between child and adult while looking awfully awkward.

She looked at the other bunches of orange berries, pondering whether or not to accept his offer or not. "I don't need more of these, no, but I could use your assistance with other herbs," she decided, tying the top of her bag down so nothing fell out. She had gotten it from her parents when she had been promoted to cardinal and even after their deaths and her deep hatred for them, she held on to the bag. She could care less who had given it to her and what value it might hold because, if she liked it, she held onto it. Frankly, the bag was well-made and held up for the years she'd had it. That, and it was good for carrying around her essentials should an emergency arrive and she didn't have necessaries at the ready. She didn't plan on getting rid of it for a long while, that was for sure.

When he gestured the orchids, hanging overhead, she shook her head. "They're orchids. No real uses other than aesthetic although they can be hard to care for. I don't particularly see the appeal, though they are pretty," she admitted, picking up the bag's strap and swinging it around 'til it sat where she wanted it to, even though it ruffled her long, almost ground-length, shoulder feathers. A sacrifice of comfort for the boon of easy carrying, it seemed rather worth it to Naeri. Although, the bag did sometimes cause her feathers to come loose earlier than they usually did due to all the rubbing from the wrong directions. Yet another sacrifice, but losing some feathers earlier was a good price to pay if it meant saving lives.

As the boy introduced himself, she tipped her feathered head in greeting. "You aren't intruding, rest assured. It's nice to have interest shown in my work from time to time," she explained. "Few are intrigued by the healing arts now that we're finally able to freely see the world after so many generations of isolation. That and my reputation is not one of the finest in the tribe's," she admitted, shrugging. She did her job and she did it well and frankly, she didn't really give a shit about individuals other than her brother, Lorcan, and her adopted daughter, Amaryllis. "I'm Naerileen, from the Riverine family if it isn't obvious enough," she introduced herself, "I'm a cardinal--a healer--and a dove--a teacher and caretaker. Oh, and I'm a primary in the guild; I breed serpents to be companions for those who have earned them."

[Illidan]

Crystal blue eyes stared at the orchids while the stranger explained what they were. Nothing special, nothing useful in the realm of healing. They were quite pretty though, he wondered what made them so hard to care for. Perhaps in the future when he settled down somewhere in El Dorado, he would have to try himself to grow them. It would be an amazing challenge to do!

Smiling, he would then turn to her to listen to her introduction. So, he was right that she was a Riverine. Pearle's lessons really paid off. She was also two ranks, a teacher and a healer. Seems not many liked the way of healing though as she was surprised he was interested at all. "Well I... was taught some basics when I was growing up. I rather enjoy it, much more so than fighting." Illidan was nothing like his father, nor mother for that fact. The violence in his blood was non-existent.

As Naerileen situated the bag on her back to set off, he moved forward enough to stand beside her. It was odd to him that he was growing so tall already, nearly in his adult skin. A little lanky and awkward still, but enough to tell he was growing up. "Thank you for allowing me to join you. In fact, um... the man who accepted me into Syn Cardrys told me to find a Cardinal since I showed interest in it. Do... you think you could teach me, Miss Naerileen?"

Everything was so interesting! Even the natives were a wonder all their own. He was hopeful (and naive) that they would let him be a part of their culture. He was a member now, right? Still, the boy was ignorant to the prejudice against families.

As they would depart for somewhere else to find herbs Naeri needed, Illidan would follow behind closely. "So.. you also breed snakes. What do you mean by those who earned them? How do you earn a serpent of your own?" This was something Pearle failed to mention, but she was so devoted to the actual people that he didn't really mind. Maybe she wasn't entirely sure herself of this aspect of the pack, so now Naerileen would enlighten him. He was very interested and it was obvious.

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