[ ᨒ ] paying a social call

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Callahan had gone off once again to the meadow—which had quickly become his preferred place to be—to begin his searches for herbs. While most of prior knowledge of herbs and their medicinal uses applied to people, he figured he could test them on himself to learn their uses. Not oleander of course, unless he wanted to die. Though, the knowledge of the poison could come in handy in the future.

Callahan had slowed his gait as he came to the riverbank. Wild mint sprouted along the mud, and Cal made a mental note on their location before continuing on. What he was truly looking for were the violet snowdrops he knew grew in places like this. Green enough for them to not wither under the frost, but cold enough that they won't wilt. They were as rare as wintergreen berries, but Cal had hope he'd be able to find them in his valley.

The large man walked towards the nearby treeline to search along the bases of the pines for the rare red berries. He knew wintergreen berries could be used to make medicines palatable, especially with some of the herbs he'd used in the past. It helped get Reed to take his medications when he was younger, and figured it'd be useful should children be a part of the gang.

“Damned plant.” Cal grumbled as he found a small bush, that was empty. Judging from the marks on the leaves, it looked like the resident pronghorns had decided to make it their nightly dessert. With a huff, the man began to travel closer to the snow-capped mountains in hopes of finding some up there.

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for @Salem <3
misc skill ; herbalist & gatherer

the staff team luvs u

Salem was an idiot. He was not stupid in actuality, and while he looked like more brawn over brains, there weren't many screws loose in his head. It was more the decisions he made, and the explanations that inevitably would follow should they be needed.

As a man with a passion, it didn't just quiet in a new body or a new world, it was there still—teeming beneath the surface of his skin. The manners in which it was dabbled upon, well that... that left him with enough of a high to satiate even the strongest of men. It was in the midst of his flee from one of the larger docile animals that Salem ran across another.

Though his gruff laughter wasn't quick to die, it was with a soft seriousness that he found himself greeting the other. Salem's heavy footfall died to a light patter as he slowed, the green a lush pelt beneath his steps. His head tilted in a curious manner as he watched. “You lookin' for somethin' specific?”

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Callahan hadn’t really paid much mind to the rustlin’ around him until a voice asked him a question. He lifted his head to look at the russet man, his expression slightly suspicious. Cal hated when folk came up behind him, always set him on edge with the chance they were wantin’ to get him. But if he were still around, it only meant he weren’t much of a danger to him or his family. “Wintergreen berries.” He replied, unsure if the man even knew what they were. “Low growin’ bush. Got red berries on it.”

Cal swung his head back to the brush before them. “If ya can’t find that, think you might be able to find some sage? Got purple flowers, kinda tall but square-ish.” Callahan was doin’ his best describin’ the herbs, but he weren’t the greatest with words. He knew them on sight, but tryin’ to explain it to someone who probably didn’t know what he were talkin' about was hard.

“You know anythin’ ‘bout plants?” He asked, though he kept his nose in the brush in hopes of finding something.

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misc skill ; herbalist & gatherer

the staff team luvs u

salem might’ve passed a lot in his haste to god-knows-where but he’d barely paid anything else much heed. too much to look at, too much to see, too much he didn’t even know. somethin’ so small like that? tsk, he can barely see two steps in front of him. “Nah, I ain’t see none’a that. But I can look with ya’. Ain’t no skin off my back.” what else would he do? chase down somethin’ else lookin’ like a bull? he ain’t wish to get killed so soon already. and he might’ve disrupted a herd, that was something he’d need to wait to pursue again. wait to even…get near them things again.

“wintergreen? what you needin’ them for?” not that he knew what they were used for anyways, but he was a nosy stick. if he was lookin’ for it too, he might as well know that he ain’t abettin’ somethin’ bad. his tone dragged distractedly as he searched—not that he knew what he was doin’. this whole wolf thing was still new to him, but he wasn’t about to bring that up.

plants? he knew they grew from the ground, knew they got colors—different ones—but finding out what they do, that wasn’t for him. he’d listen though, if this man decided it was time for a lesson. ain’t no shame in learnin’, and he wasn’t the smartest.

“you collect em’?” he asked as he spotted a tint of purple, the rustle of his steps displaying his eagerness to find what the other was lookin’ for.

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Callahan appreciated the man's offer to help him with his task. “'ppreciate the help. been hard doin' it alone.” he rumbled as he kept nosing through the undergrowth. the damn plant seemed to be hidin' from sight now that he needed to build his stores.

“what's yer name, mister?” cal knew that was somethin' he should've asked early on, but he didn't seem like a threat. he were more eager to talk and help than any other he'd met in this place and that meant somethin' to the man. judgin' from the purity of his scent, the man weren't a spy. prob'ly just another newcomer like the others.

a flick of the ear at the man's question as he thought of a reply. were he like him? human turned animal? or were he just a wolf? “nah, use 'em for tonics. makes 'em taste better for the kids.” he replied, now lifting his maw from the brush with a stick of delicate red berries. the faint sunlight caught on their bright flesh, making them appear almost blood red. wintergreens.

it were times like this when cal wished he still had his satchel to carry things for him. it weren't easy talkin' and tryin' to carry limited amounts of herbs. “once we find this sage, i reckon we could get a quick hunt in. maybe a bighorn or a fawn if we find one.”

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misc skill ; herbalist & gatherer

the staff team luvs u