a bright star, so no one lets you down

I will shine to guide you.

Tiamat listens as Lena begins their little lecture, educating them of the benefits of herbal knowledge. She nods her head a little, agreeing wholeheartedly with every word, and wanting the filly and small mare to realize the importance of this information. It has only been about half a year since the ocean mare had been promoted to the position of Time Mender—for years before then, she had no magic, no remedial powers, and no divine gift of healing. With glaring clarity, she remembers the helplessness she had felt when thrown in the wake of blood and destruction, with no miraculous magic within her power.

She had never felt so small, so incapable—and it had nearly torn her glass heart apart.

Only by throwing herself into the study and proficiency of herbal knowledge did she pull herself together. It had been no easy or quick journey, but ultimately Tiamat had realized that, with nature’s blessing, she would never be so helpless again. Even now, with the Time God’s blessing of mending, she finds herself turning to nature first—to the plants and shrubs around her, to what the earth has provided. Granted, there are many fatal injuries that only magic can repair (and in those circumstances, she had to remember to swallow her own pride and accept that she cannot do everything alone), but she could never be completely and utterly helpless again.

With white eyes shining with these convictions, the blue mare watches as the spotted filly bounds away eagerly at Lena’s challenge. Her heart warms seeing such youth so keen to learn, knowing that this is something the girl will (hopefully) carry with her the rest of her life. Not long after she had leapt away, the filly calls out her finding. Tiamat shifts her weight, preparing to answer her anxious summons, though the arrival of a familiar face distracts her. “Nox!” The ocean mare smiles happily, reaching out to welcome the scarred black stallion. “Thank you, my friend. You certainly look better than the last time we met,” there is a sort of soberness that leaks into her words, unable to forget the image of him standing in the firelight, bloodied and suffering.

Listening quietly when Nox enlightens them about the deathly qualities of the choke cherry tree, she watches his blemished face, pride and happiness swelling within her heart. How far he has come! It delights her to see him thriving with knowledge so good and beneficial—a capability she has always seen within him, no matter how much he has tried to deny it. “It’s important to be aware so we can be safe,” she nods when he finishes, brushing her muzzle against his shoulder before another call seizes her attention.

Noticing the ice-frosted mare a few paces away, Tiamat glances towards the filly, making sure her finding is being addressed, before the blue mare turns towards Zyanya. Walking to the smaller mare’s side, her glittering egg ever hovering at her shoulder, she inspects the odd plant. “That is an aloe vera plant. Interesting, isn’t it?” She smiles at her herd mate. “Aloe vera has many, many uses—from easing headaches, to breathing difficulty, to arthritis—although the most common (and arguably the most effective) use is for the skin,” pausing for a moment to allow her words to settle before continuing, Tiamat turns her attention to the plant.

“The lower leaves are the best to use—” Reaching down, the blue mare plucks a lower leaf gently from the plant, placing it on the ground and slicing the soft skin with her hoof; within the shallow cut, it glistens with moisture, emitting a subtle but pleasant smell, “—the gel inside can be rubbed over the skin. It has been known to relieve dry patches and itching, but the aloe vera plant isn’t nicknamed the ‘burn plant’ by coincidence.” She laughs lightly to herself, raising her head to Zyanya again, “It subdues the pain of burns as well as encourages the damaged skin to heal. Unfortunately, it doesn’t store well like many other herbs—for it to be effective, it should be fresh.”

Pressing her lips together, the ocean mare falls silent, knowing that she’s just poured out more than enough information for the pale mare. She is open to answer any more questions, hoping that Zyanya wouldn’t hesitate to speak should she be confused or curious. However, Tiamat can’t help herself, and issues another inquiry: “Are you a new healer in the Basin?” A smile softens her lips, white eyes glittering beneath the light of the sun. It is an honest and unassuming question—they are on a healers’ mission, after all.


notes; YAY 200 posts! :D
“Speech.”