The Venomous Angel

“I do have herbs that would keep our borders clear, actually, yet they are so decidedly potent when activated they may offend our own wolves more than any would be usurpers and they would also demolish your scent. If you want though I can unleash them?”

I doubted very seriously he desired I unleash them and yet if he wanted to ask ridiculous questions I would give him ridiculous answers, my violet and sunset eyes turned back to the task at hand, working the webbing around his fur to hold the wound closed with the practised ease of a true master in his art. The larger wounds, at least, could be closed in such a manner, his facial scrapes would require something else entirely. He was mostly white as well, such a difficult tone really- that was going to make things far more testing. I returned to my work, eyes narrowed in concentration. He might be content to pretend it does not hurt him and yet his flinching skin indicates otherwise, the glare he offers myself ignored. He could play tough all he liked, the body does not lie. The next question I pose however seems to hold his attention more readily, as if he has only just realised I have asked it while I work at his wounds, as if a displeasing answer on his part my accidentally result in my claws slipping into his wounds. Perhaps it would. Then again I suppose I swore an oath to heal rather then harm- in some capacity.

I stepped back to examine my work momentarily as Eden spoke of Natu, nodding my agreement distractedly. Well, at least the ‘stitching’ was even, neat, not even truly noticeable on his white pelt. It would be a little sticky I suppose but he was going to just have to deal with it. Brilliance sometimes comes at a slight price, some of my methods still capable of being improved after all. Genius took patience however, something our family seemed to either have entirely or lack completely with little to no in between. Isola and Azrael, in turn, near perfect examples of each side of that coin. I moved to step back from Eden then, turning back to my small bag of supplies to rifle through it a moment, selecting several lumps of balled clay, rolling one towards Eden’s foot now, examining it a moment before rolling it away and testing the second- a better match but not perfect. Oh, he was talking.

“Apprentice? Oh yes, Samia- one of the younger wolves of the pack, you know her?”

Perhaps he had a little insight on her for all I know, my knowledge limited to her bloodline and yet that was not wholly displeasing in itself. Fenrir was a little dry I suppose but I suspect that may merely be age, or a dull personality, who really knows. Natu, well, Natu held importance for her very being truly. Samia, at least, had shown an interest in the Art and that was far more important then anything else. Only time would tell if she was dedicated enough to study properly. Eden’s mention of my having done enough earning a momentary grin as I finally decided on a clay, the one that closest matched his pelt, moving to wet it slightly in the closest puddle of water before beginning to knead at it with my paws. Multi-tasking you know. His question in regards to other pack healers saw myself pause momentarily to consider it, whatever words I had been about to come up with ended by the arrival of….some female. For a moment I felt myself bristle. It’s a habit and one I really have not tried all that hard to get out of. It’s a space thing truly, my work is my own and I dislike being approached by others while I am working as that little female had learned last time I had taken a piece out of her. My temperament is a little poor in that regard I suppose, form stiffening slightly in a truly subtle warning to keep her distance before she addressed me directly and I felt myself soften. Hmm, she was almost pretty really. I allowed my large ashen form to straighten slightly, head dipped in a greeting.

“Indeed I am Hadrian.”

My attention moved back to the putty of sorts I had made, eyeing it critically now, one ear turned towards this Zeltzin all the same. Taviora’s healer was she? I allowed my gaze to drift over her once more. She was alright I suppose, for a girl. She had nice fur and eyes, I’d give her that. Like I said she was….pretty really, something I don’t normally notice. Hmm. Her comment however, saw a grin tak hold of my handsome features more firmly.

“Ah, a fan, it’s about time I had one. My work is beyond exceptional. Non-traditional but exceptional all the same. I dislike others near me when I work, but you, you may stay.”

It was about the highest compliment I could pay her truly, content to let her watch as I dipped my paw into the claw, a few other secret (that’s right Zeltzin, secret) ingredients tossed in for good measure and to help with infection as I moved to rather carefully smear a little on Eden’s face.

“Don’t squint your face together Cousin, I have made it the same colour as your fur on purpose and if I can go to the effort of colouring my salve for you vanity you can give me the respect of allowing me to apply it. No one will even be able to tell. You will heal without scars- I give you that guarantee.”

I smirked lightly, pleased with my efforts.

“As for your earlier question I cannot comment on Spirane with the changes it has had of late, all may be different. The last time I spoke with Pan I understood his female companion, Niviaq, was some sort of Healer and if Pan has stayed in Spirane then she will have stayed too. Diveen still has my own mentor Meryl and my own Mother Isola has taken up that position of late plus others I am sure. Diveen has always had a strong healer base. Taviora as we can see has Zeltzin. On Iromar I cannot say, I don’t do swamps and Hyrule tells me Asteraia has a healer now though I do not know a name to offer you though I have seen neither Tobias or whoever the female Alpha is limping about after their victories so she or he must be decent enough.”