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+--- Thread: PRP foundations of youth (/showthread.php?tid=9212)
foundations of youth - Dalmatia - 10/31/2025
skill: herbalist
The crisp air of the Vale seemed to be chillier this morning, reminding the mountains of their snowy roots, and exhaling a cold winter's breath unto their valley. Fall was nearby, yet winter's grasp never fully left the Vale, except for rare days in the summer when it would just melt enough for the herbs and flowers to sprout. Most of them, planted not far from outside Dalmatia's, and now Nóttin's den. Those days came in handy for times like these, where the frigid weather would take hold and wither her less hardy blooms.
In the spotted woman's maw, she held a bundle of herbs that had been stored away from her former yields and headed towards the newest arrival's den. There had been a small murmur through Dawnbreak that let her know not only was there a new woman, but also a newborn. It sparked joy to know that another life had joined them, as a few had gone missing.
Her arrival happened a few hours after sunrise. Dal hoped the young mother would be awake, but just in case, kept her tone quiet. A soft chuff left her lips after settling the small bundle of herbs down beside the entrance. If she wasn't awake or ready for visitors, the Arbitrator would return later.
Svajone
RE: foundations of youth - Svajone - 11/3/2025
SKILL: ORATOR (1/5)
Frost clung to the mouth of the den like lace, glittering faintly in the pale light, and the scent of snow hung heavy in the air. Svajonė lay curled around the tiny warmth pressed against her belly, her head resting protectively over the little body. The night had been long, not sleepless, but restless, filled with the sound of small breaths and the steady ache that loss left behind.
When the soft crunch of approaching paws broke the stillness, one ear flicked, slow and sharp. Her instincts stirred before her mind did, a low rumble catching in her throat — not meant as a threat exactly, but a warning all the same. The pup at her side squeaked softly, twitching at the sound, and she immediately lowered her head again, a gentle nudge calming him back into quiet.
Her mismatched eyes blinked open to the pale morning light creeping across the snow outside the den. The scent that came next wasn’t one to fear and smelled strongly of herbs, pine, and peonies. Dalmatia. She remembered that name, the way others in Dawnbreak spoke of it with respect. Vidarr had mentioned being looked and checked over by a healer of sorts. Perhaps this was her.
The tension in her body eased and the rumble faded away.
Come in,she said softly, her voice rough with sleep and cold, but not unkind. She shifted her weight carefully so as not to wake the little one still pressed tight against her stomach or disturb her injured leg.
RE: foundations of youth - Dalmatia - 11/3/2025
skill: herbalist
There's a small noise from inside the den, a warning tone, which allows Dalmatia to know that someone is in there and awake. The spotted woman took a step back, not wanting to intrude. Vidarr's scent heavily shrouds the den, but his voice is not the one that invites her in. It must be their newest arrival, and her own little new arrival. The voice sounded tired, a reminder of how Golde's did too, when she'd first given birth; the echo of a new mother. She wondered how tired she would be in the first days, when she and Nóttin's children came into the world. A thought put away for later as she peeked inside the den.
Hello there... Svajone, right? I'm Dalmatia...The spotted woman's voice was quiet, as her tone normally was, but softened even further when she saw the newborn nestled up closely to his mother.
He's beautiful.She whispered to the woman, giving a small smile,
I brought you some herbs... Some will help with the pain: chamomile mixed with some lavender. I wrapped them with raspberry leaves... If you chew them, they're said to help with breastfeeding.The little bundle also included the rabbit's pelt, which was swathed in a gift from Nóttin as well. Dal's eyes divert to the leg tucked close to her, hearing that it was injured from Vidarr. She wasn't as knowledgeable as Sølvi had been or Euphemia, but she could help a little.
Have you been keeping it wrapped up with a stick in place? I can help you rebandage it if you need...All she needed was to find a sturdy stick, return home to grab some wrapping supplies, and mud (hardening would help keep her leg in the right place).
RE: foundations of youth - Vidarr - 11/4/2025
skill: healer 1/5
Everything that Vidarr Asulf had learned about the healing arts had been against his will. He'd never been much good at remembering the names of herbs. It was by the grace of his pure wits that he remembered most of the basic rules to tell what was edible or not. If asked what it was useful for, he could often at least give a possible benefit. But he couldn't name them. Still, Svajone was a patient teacher and was quite descriptive and it helped during their travels back to Dawnbreak. He had supported her on his back as much as he could, little Reid tucked with a scrap of fur around him in her grasp. They had taken their time and taken refuge whenever they could to allow him to nurse and for them all to rest some. He was never too far from them, tending to mother and son both whenever needed.
It wouldn't have taken long at all for him to return to Frostfang Vale within the day but their journey had taken a couple. He wasn't willing to risk either dame or son, no matter if they had only just met Vidarr was already protective of him. He was fighting, with all the support and strength of his mother, and within the old bear's presence. It had been such a joy to settle them both in his den and get them a real meal with a side of peace. He thought it was tender Isaiah who had brought him a rock that had the most glorious belly of amethyst - but it was deep enough he could bring Svajone some water and save the use of her leg too much.
He'd been dozing near the entrance of the den when he heard the approach of Dalmatia - he'd given the Shakti-Vaes a run down and it had spread across Dawnbreak like a wildfire. He had not succeeded in finding any trace of Hildeguarde but he had find one that had been theirs for a time. - his even, for a time. And now she trusted him with the absolute existence of her world, now earthside, in the tiny Reid. He offered Dalmatia a tired smile as he roused and shifted himself to at least be belly against the ground rather than on his side.
Thank you for stopping by, Kynslóð .He said before allowing Svajone to take over with what she felt comfortable with.
To the question of the split, Vidarr winced.
I...am not the best at dressing wounds.He admitted.
Eira was far better at it.Vidarr lamented. The 'and so I was able to be careless with her to heal me.' He missed his siblings, but he couldn't focus on the losses he had experienced and the hurt that came with them. Right now he could focus on the good - the gift that he had witnessed. The miracle of Reid.
I had to improvise a great deal.He'd known about honey helping to bind, and they had been nestled in a bed of reeds to wrap, but he knew that she would benefit greatly from some proper care.
RE: foundations of youth - Svajone - 11/10/2025
SKILL: HEALER (1/5)
The sound of Dalmatia’s voice pulled her from the fog of half-sleep. Her ears twitched first, then her eyes opened — one pale and one dark, and both rimmed in red from nights that hadn’t really been restful. For a moment she didn’t speak, just blinked through the haze and the ache that still lingered deep in her bones.
Her body didn’t feel like her own anymore. The soft slope of her belly was still swollen from the birth, stretched and tender to the touch even though it was empty now. Every movement made her feel the hollowness of it— the way her body still thought it was full, still expecting to cradle life that wasn’t there. It was a cruel trick of nature, she thought. The womb ached from memory, as if it hadn’t yet realized it had failed it's one purpose in life.
She shifted slowly, careful not to wake Reid. Her broken leg protested the motion with a sharp, biting throb that made her jaw tighten and her breath catch. It was a deep ache, one that pulsed in rhythm with her heartbeat, the kind of pain that crawled all the way into the marrow. Sometimes it felt like the bone itself was still screaming from when it snapped.
The effort of sitting upright made her realize how heavy she’d grown. Before, her body had moved like something built for grace— light and balanced with dancer’s muscle beneath her fur. Now it all felt… different. Softer in places, heavier in others. Her ribs still showed when she turned, but her hips had filled out, and her chest was full and sore with milk. The scent of it clung to her fur, sweet and animal and maternal all at once. She felt older. Earthier. Not the same creature who’d danced through the woods and called herself free.
Yeah… I’m Svajonė,she said finally, her voice low and rough from sleep.
And this here’s Reid.
She glanced down, her gaze softening immediately. The little boy was tucked tight against her belly, all pale fur and quiet breaths. His tiny paw flexed once against her stomach, and she felt that old ache stir again— grief and love tangled together in her chest.
He’s beautiful,she murmured, a weak smile tugging at her muzzle.
But I’m his mother. I’d say that no matter what.
When Dalmatia set the herbs down, Svajonė’s eyes lingered on them. The smell of chamomile and lavender made her exhale, the faintest flicker of peace settling in her chest.
You brought all this for us?she asked, blinking tiredly.
That’s… really kind. Chamomile, lavender, raspberry leaves— you even remembered the old midwives’ tricks.She gave a soft huff of laughter, half disbelief, half gratitude.
I haven’t had the strength to gather anything yet. Figured I’d better stay put before I make things worse.
Her gaze dropped when Dalmatia looked at her leg. She pulled it a little closer under her body, instictively wishing to hide a weakness that could get her killed in the wild. The skin around it was taut and angry-looking, the swelling stubborn despite the days that had passed.
It’s still bad,she admitted.
Vidarr’s been doing his best to keep it straight. Used reeds, driftwood, mud and honey for binding. It hurts like hell, but it’s held so far.
She glanced toward him then, eyes softening.
He’s better at pretending he knows what he’s doing than most are. I wouldn’t have made it back here without him.
Her voice went quiet, almost reverent as she said it. There was a small, fleeting smile before she looked back to Dalmatia.
If you can help me rewrap it, I’d be grateful. The pain’s dulled, but it’s… still deep. I don’t want it to set wrong.She hesitated, then added,
Not when he still needs me.