Kisses Wounds sat in a grove within the Laeto Rainforest, enjoying the quiet of a grove she was rather fond of. It was hard to get too, and often she had to speak with the forest around her, and ask it for entry to even have a chance of finding it again, but she spent a lot of time in the forest, healing animals and travellers alike, ensuring all treated it with respect. She even tended small gardens she would make, using the plants with their permission as her focus's. This grove was no different, as she knelt next to a patch of well tilled soil, with clay pots she had made so she could safely transport different plants she found that would allow her to move them to her garden. In her most recent journey between the two forests, she had found a beautiful, dark blue with night purple accent flower that she just fell in love with. She was ever so careful to make sure she transplanted it safely, and that it got along with the other plants. Otherwise, she would have gladly returned it to where she found it on the side of the road.

IT wasn't until some of the plants started to speak up a little louder that she lifted her head, ears tilting back and forth as she tried to zero in on what it was they were telling her about. There was a girl, somewhere in this forest, walking along and seemingly minding her own business, but she was coming directly towards her. Something that made Kisses a touch nervous. She was not used to being approached. Normally, it was her doing the approaching. 

The grove she stood in, was well walled by the tall trees of the rainforest, and there were large boulders she often used to sleep under in the centre, not far off from the garden she was standing next too. It wasn't long, before Kisses saw what seemed to be a young girl entering the grove. Kisses did not hide. She wore nothing but a chest wrap, which covered her moderately endowed chest, as well as a loincloth that hung from a belt containing a pouch. The wolf Anthro was covered in markings that looked to be dyed into her fur with something akin to blueberry dye. 

"So it would seem I am not the only one this forest allows into the grove… I did not think there were others that knew of it," She said, not taking any motion to be aggressive. The forest allowed her into the grove, and thus Kisses had no right to make her leave. "I have some food and water, if you should need it. A place to rest should you be tired. The forest has allowed you here, and thus what is here, is just as much available to you as it is to me. Welcome," She said, before turning back to her garden, covering the roots of the transplanted flower in the soft soil she had tilled.

Synthesis was walking at her usual leasurely pace through the forest. She communed casually with the plants, enjoying their idle chatter and generally enjoying the peace of nature all around her. Her bag thumped rhythmically at against her thigh as she moved along and her staff occasionally tapped against the ground. She didn't need it, but she liked to hold it while walking along. Suddenly, the plants began whispering about something different. A place that she could go if she liked. It was a secret, they said, but she could go because she spoke to them. So Synthsis said Yes please! and the plants began to lead her there.

The next thing she knew, she was in a very beautiful grove and looking a pretty young creature with with soft, fluffy-looking, mottled, brown fur. She gave a little wave in response to the person's greeting and smiled, approaching. Her long black hair contrasted starkly with her ghost white skin and blood red eyes, framed by the earthy green backdrop of the forest. No wonder the other individual had noticed her. "Hi, I'm Synthesis." She said cheerfully, flashing a toothy but innocent smile, "I'd love to stay here a while, if you don't mind. I was just thinking of bedding down for the night and the plants led me here. They said they said this place was a secret. What might your name be? Are you alone in these woods." She opened out her wings just enough to slide her staff between them and then folded them securly on top. "I can help grow some food if you are hungry?"

Kisses Wounds continued to plant her flower as the girl spoke, turning to her only when she was done. The girl was strange. She did not appear to be of the earth. No… She would have been quicker to think she was part of another plane than of the earth, and yet she could speak with the plants. Maybe they knew something Kisses did not. She looked the girl in the eye, and easy task given they were the same height, before splaying her arm out welcomingly. "You are welcome to it if the forest lead you here. You may bed wherever you wish. I will not stop you," She said simply, before giving a wolfish smile. "Though if you choose my bed, then you will be expected to share. This grove is something of a home of mine, Synthesis you said?" She added, ending the statement in a question to make sure she got the name right. 

"As for food and water, I have plenty for right now, though your offer does not go unappreciated. Such generosity is a rarity in these times as of late, and it is a cool breath of fresh air to hear it offered," Kisses continued after a short pause, looking down at the plants she had been tending to make sure they were well. They were, so she could leave them be. The only questions she had not answered, was her name, and whether she was alone. It took her a moment to think of answers to the both of them, that would make sense.

"My name? I do not have a name in the traditional sense. I do not have any memories of childhood, nor of parents who might have named me. I just am. Though, to those of these parts, I am merely known as the Healer, Kisses Wounds. I heal those in need, when I find them," She explained, starting to walk towards the boulders in the centre of the grove. "This is a rainforest, so under the boulders is the best place for one to sleep to stay out of the rain. Thankfully, we are on an incline, so we do not need to worry about being flooded by anything but the most intense storms."

Finally, if she was alone. She crawled down into the hole under the boulder, her voice still audible. "As for if I am alone? No. I am not alone. So long as nature is with me, then I shall forever have companions. Lest the forest dies, I will never be alone Synthesis. Though, I suppose it can be lonely sometimes. The forest has been telling me I should try and meet others who are more… Tangible as people. I cannot see why though…"

"Yes, that is my name." Synthesis confirmed, "I'll settle myself under the boulder then, seeing as you suggest it." Synthesis makes her way over to put her things down outside the other female's hole, "It's nice to meet you Kisses Wounds! I love the plants too! I seemingly talk to them like you do!" The druid sat heavily on the ground just outside and sighed. There was no denying, it had been a long days travel, even if it was a pleasant one. She blushed a little then as her stomach rumbled loudly. She was clearly hungrier than she had thought. "I'm terribly sorry. I'm such a terrible guest. But where is that food you spoke of? I'll try to replensih anything I consume, of course." The druid then pulled out her spellbook and set it beside her. She would eat first, she decided, then read a little before she slept. There was still enough light left in the day for that.

Kisses Wounds could not help but let out a light chuckle, getting down the hole and turning around to stick her head back out. "Again, please, you have been invited to this space. What is here is as much mine as it is yours. You need not concern yourself with repaying me. The Forest provides everything I need to survive, and I protect the forest and those who need help within it. It is a relationship that is mutually beneficial and allows me my survival without the need to break my vows… Fully, at least. It is my life, and my Goddess forgives me fo my birth, I am sure. Otherwise, she would have made me something that did not require the demise of others to survive," She explained, reaching out and taking the young girls hand.

"As for you sitting out here… When I said under the boulder, I meant under the boulder. Come, there is space for us both, however cosy it may be. You can lay your bed where you wish, or if you lack one, you are free to use mine. I am not unaccustomed to laying with others, especially when they are being gripped by deaths cold hands. It is my duty to do my best to save any and all who need my help, without hesitation or question. Though I am still working on hesitation for some species… I do not question my duty," She smiled, realising she went on something of a tangent as she pulled the girl down the hole.

Once they were both in the little Den, Synthesis could tell it was far warmer down here, then it was on the surface. It was a very simple place. A single candle lit it nicely, exposing the dirt floor and the bed. It seemed like an oversized fox den or something similar. The ceiling was the massive boulder itself, being held up by two large stones which acted as the walls. The wolf girl was not lying when she said that the space was large enough but certainly cosy. She could roll out a bedroll if she had one, while Kissing Wounds walked to her bed, crouching next to a bag that had blended in quite well with the plant based cushion on the floor. She soon pulled out a wrapped loaf of bread, as well as some easily found root vegetables. 

"I hope this is adequate. I could always find more with no trouble at all. Just let me know if there is any particular plant you enjoy," she explained, laying it on the ground between them, and sitting down on the bed. "So… What bring you into the forest today, Synthesis? Are you on a journey? A Pigrimage? You said you could speak to plants. Are you looking to become a druid?"

Synthesis gave a little yelp of surprise as she was pulled into the hole but quickly recovered and looked around with interest. The den was quite charming and homely with its candle and bed and pillow. The warmth of the air and the dim lighting relaxed the Druid and made her feel a little sleepy.

She reached out the hole to grab her bag and book, pulling them down to place them in the corner near the belongings of Kisses Wounds, before she herself moved to sit down close by and shy wring her fingers. She still felt bad about taking anyone's food like this, although the anthropomorph's kind words did serve to make her feel better. The relationship she described with the forest sounded wonderful and the girl admired that. The vows also sounded interesting and she resolved to ask about them.

"I am a nomad. I am always on the move. And I love forests so I have a tendency to travel through them whenever I can. And yes, I do seem to become a Druid. I call myself one already, though I'm not very good. Control over plants and a few token spells is all I can do at this point. Maybe you could teach me a spell. How to throw earth is something I haven't been able to mater yet. But of course, you've probably got much better things to do. Enough about me, please, tell me about these vows of yours." Synthesis blushed at having talked so much but tried to hide her lack of confidence by looking down at her fidgeting hands.

Kisses sat and listened to the girl as she rambled, her face exuding patience. So this girl wished to become a druid? That was not a path that should be taken so lightly. The wolf Druid closed her eyes slowly, taking a deep, chesty breath that made her chest rise quite noticeable. As she spoke, she started to dig a hole, looking round the room carefully. Then, she stopped digging with her hands and merely held her hands over the spot she was digging in. Slowly, the earth started to shift in the spot, a pit being formed, an unnatural formation to say the least. Kisses face seemed contorted as she got more and more complicated, but Synthesis could not see why it was getting harder. It didn't matter though, as soon the wolf's face relaxed. 

"The path of a Druid is a long and difficult one Synthesis. It is one that must be respected and talked to with dedication, and no breaks. Every moment of your life should be to the forest, and to the earth. To truly be a druid is not like forests, or enjoy the presence of plants. You are the forest. You are one with the animals and the plants. The rivers that course through and give them life. You are the embodiment of the planet's defenses. Should nature be attacked… Should the balance be upset, a Druid's task is to do what they can to try and correct that balance. Do you understand this?" She asked, taking a bundle of sticks and such from the bag by her bed and started to lay them on the strange hole, lighting it with a flint. It lit nicely, and by surprise, there was no smoke. At all. 

Then the druid pulled out a handmade pipe, looking it over. "The forest grants those who seek nothing more than to serve it, with knowledge. Protects them. Givens them access to places like these, though I feel your arrival was so that you could meet me," She explained, sprinkling some dried leaves into it, and looked it over. "I hope you don't mind," She said, offering the pipe.

It had been a long time since anyone had spoken to her so seriously. Synthesis would have felt patronised if it had been anyone other than this wolf girl. Kisses Wounds seemed very old indeed and very wise. Something told her that it would benefit her greatly to listen to whatever the other had to say. It seemed most plausable that the forest had guided them together. If she could learn from Kisses, then she would do her best to be a good student.

"Don't worry," She smiled, "I understand and I am completely commited. I love all life and I will defend it when the balance is upset. No matter when the calling comes, I will be there to defend." She paused, "But… I-I'm allowed other things in life too. I can have other pursuits and purposes than that of the protection of nature?" She posed it as a question but truly she knew she would never be able to abandon people completely for the forest. Similarly, she was happy to be a part of the forest hut being thw whole thing seemed nonsensical to her. Perhaps she just didn't understand.

The fire that the Kisses created was surely impressive. The girl marveled and wondered at the magic that must have been involved in its creation. But before she could ask about it, Kisses was speaking again whilst making up a pipe with herbs or some sort. Synthesis nodded along with her words until she was asked if she wanted to try the pipe. Unsure whether she really wanted to smoke it, she rationalised that it was almost definitly not tobaco and this would certainly be a one off. So she reached forward to take it nervously. "Thank you." She brought it to her lips and then commanded a spark to light the end. The simple show of magic made the girl feel proud.

As she drew the smokey mixture into her lungs, it tickled her and burned a little. She took the pipe away and coughed violently to the side, watching as the smoke she had inhaled rushed out of her nose and mouth. She held the pipe out for Kisses to take it back. Closing her mind, everything suddenly seemed so surreal. She was underground. She was speaking to a wolf-being about being one with the forest. She was smoking a pipe next to a fire that didn't act as all fire should. In the distance, she could have sworn she heard something. Perhaps the russtling of the wind through leaves, perhaps hissing, perhaps silky words saying things she couldn't fathom. But whatever they said, they were mysterious and comforting. She tried to listen to them and quickly found that they faded away. She was truly tired.

"Kisses Wounds… I think I would like to lie down… In your bed… But don't stop talking… Your words are important… Wise… I need to learn…" Syntheis was origionally thinking she would curl up the other side of the den but now she wanted to cuddle close to another warm being. She felt strange but good. She wanted to relax and listen to all the words, especially the words of the one who might teach her more about being a druid.

Kisses Wounds chuckled when Synthesis started coughing. "You have taken too much, too fast. Patience and moderation," She explained, taking her pipe back from the girl before she dropped it. It was adorable in a way. The girl had questions. She had concerns. Kisses Wounds understood her concerns. Even to her, a life of solitude was difficult. Were it not for nature around her, she would have gone crazy by now, and she knew that in all likelihood most who met her thought she was crazy, to begin with. She was a wolf-woman who wandered around kissing people's wounds. Some who were near death, some who were so infected they were close to losing the limb. It was not a pleasant… hobby, but it was something she did.

"You can, yes. The more you give to nature, the more nature gives back. There are people in towns and such who use the secrets the forest have told them to make a living for themselves, though only enough of one that the forest feels they deserve to get from it. The forest gives me everything I could ever need to survive, and I dedicate myself to it with every breath. There are always gives and takes. To become a master though takes time and effort. It takes discipline. That is my hope… For the Forest to teach me how to become a master of the druidic arts," She sighed, before bringing the stem of the pipe to her muzzle and slowly taking a draw from it. The bowl slowly and evenly lit up, and after a moment smoke trailed lightly out of her nostrils. Then she let it out all at once through her mouth, ending it playfully by producing a wispy ring.

When the girl mentioned the desire to lay down, she smiled. The look strange given her muzzle. "Of course you can lay with me," She stated simply, wiggling back and sitting at the head of her bed, patting herself. "Rest down on me. I will keep you warm and answer the questions you have. Do not worry about anything. I will keep you safe while you are here."

Synthesis nodded sleepily as she crawled over to Kisses and flopped down to rest her head on the other's soft fur. The anthropomorph certainly was warm and she had to stop herself from drifting off to sleep several times by pinching her arm. The mere thought of missing any of the things Kisses had to say was ridiculously distressing to the girl at this time. Whatever was in that pipe has clearly had its effect on her. But luckily, for the most part, those effects were positive. She was most relaxed and most of her usual inhibitions and shyness were gone. Instead, Synthesis was able to express herself freely, if not a bit disjointedly.

"Well, my first question is, what are these vows you spoke of? My second question is about family. I can visit leave the forest to visit them and friends, can't I? My third question is how can I be the whole forest? Finally, my most important question is…" Synthesis paused to take a deep breath. She was nervous about asking this one because she so wanted the answer to be yes, "Will… will you be my teacher while we are together? Perhaps I could stay for a couple days and learn… stuff… spells." She looked up hopefully with wide, vulnurable eyes. This was truly how she felt at this time, although perhaps a weaker version of herself was what the more expirienced Druid was now seeing. Most of Synthesis's natural defences were gone, all because of one puff on a pipe. Or so it seemed to the young girl when she thought about it in the back of her mind.