He was an altogether different figure now – she studied, scrutinized, and examined with silent cordiality. The sylph was grateful to the hours Ashamin had spent with him, guiding him along paths and trails beneath the bright, blinking stars and constellations, for the sway he’d lent and mastered. She was content for the great, big beast who’d dabbled in distortion to finally found something he craved and yearned for – beyond the scope of chaos and collapse, for they truly had enough of those beings around – something embodying spirit and healing instead of wretched animosity. He chuckled instead of withered, he laughed instead of stared with heartless entropy. She was glad, somehow, someway, not everyone within the icy realm became tethered to the cold, became tied and shackled and lacquered with nonchalance and chilling, endless reticence. Not everyone dwindled. Not everyone scorched and blazed, then died out, fizzled into soot and ash. Not everyone disappeared into the great beyond.
 
While Imogen chirped and batted at several leaf fronds, the Mender listened to Nox’s words, his passion, his sentiments, all the things he desired and all the notions laid between the cave and snow. She smiled again, radiant and determined, beheld by his resolution and intentions – who knew where they’d lead him, how far he’d go, but with the right amount of boldness, the penchant for ambition, the craving for aspiration, she couldn’t see anything but grandness and distinction. However, not all roads were easy, and she wanted to ensure his seriousness, his caliber, his strength and potency in a field of medicine and tending. Could he do all the things he claimed? Could he snag and clench and grasp all the things he craved? “Thank you,” she responded to his compliments, laughing a little because she wasn’t always so light-hearted, she wasn’t always so kind, but it was nice to be seen that way. The mellifluous vocals continued, rapturous stare segmenting on his features, brow arching in a regal, dignified manner. “I’ll give you a task, if you’re up to it, to determine if you are fit for the Medic position.” The angelic smile spun, wider and broader, just as determined, just as fortified, one more column of ice and stone, speculative and wondering, guileful and wry. “You must find three herbs within the wild lands. If possible, I’d like them to be from different terrain. Take your time and examine them, discover what they can do, how they can nurture our herd.” She winked once more, ignited and sparked, kindling the old, whimsical nature, the fairy, fey essence she used to curl from blossoms and petals, from soft, dulcet croons and beatific melodies. “Return here when you find them. Show me what you’ve found and learned.”
 
[Mortuus Nox has been given an expedition! No time limit – he must find three different herbs from three different wild lands. Try to figure out how they can help the herd. ^_^]