Today, he was out looking for herbs. Actual herbs, for healing people, for his father-- and he supposed himself now, too, since he was going to be a healer for the pack or something. Rurik was just letting life take him where it may. He was simply along for the ride, and he had taken it upon himself to make the ride a little bit more enjoyable. The boy had taken a bit of a break, letting his father's spirit herbs flush out of his system, as he found himself needing to chew more and more of them. He lamented his limited supply. He moved towards the river, a good day's trot from Diveen, but many herbs and roots grew in the fertile soil near the riverside. Diveen held its fair share of useful things, but no one place could have everything.

He arrived, finally, at the riverside, at the place where it split into two. His father called it a delta, he thought, only half-remembering Nord's directions. The grass here was damp, the soil wet, a perfect place for many different herbs to grow. Unfortunately, none of the ones that the boy was particularly interested in, but he supposed there was a use for them regardless... Rurik recognized one of the plants as valerian, a painkiller and sleep aid that his father was running dangerously low on, and began to dig at its base to get at the root. When he ripped the first plant out of the ground, flinging dirt across his muzzle and chest, he noticed that he wasn't alone here.

Rurik had never been against casual conversation. The boy sitting at the riverside seemed a good deal younger than him, and he tilted his head, wondering if he should disrupt what looked like intense concentration. He was bored, though, bored and restless. And he was just staring at the river-- without any help, what would that do for introspection? He left the uprooted valerian on the ground and moved to stand behind the other pup.

Not wanting to scare him, Rurik spoke in a calm, easy-going voice. "Hey, whatcha doin, little man?" His eyes were warm and friendly, and his pelt smelled of fresh herbs. Coupled with his lanky, non-threatening form, the adolescent did not cut a very imposing figure.