Cicuta

Cicuta, commonly known as water hemlock, is a small genus of four species of highly poisonous plants in the family Apiaceae. They are native to temperate regions of the Nothern Hemisphere, mainly North America and Europe, typically growing in wet meadows, along stream banks, and other wet and marshy areas.


Cicuta had expectations placed on her from a young age. Her parents were herbalists who took one look at her moss and algae-colored fur and decided she would join in the family trade; so they named her after the water hemlock, a genus of highly poisonous plants that thrive in marshy areas. Alas it wasn't poison in her veins but spun sugar and lace. Cicuta was a perpetually cheerful girl with a love for animals and everything pink, and though she had a nurturing nature she just didn't find any interest in plants.
Though it saddened her parents, Cicuta left the family home when she reached adulthood and took over a derelict building near the docks. With her friends she renovated it into a daycare full of soft pillows and pastels, and before long she was taking care of hatchlings from all over the clan. It certainly wasn't easy work but it brought a joy into her life that she never found in her parents' quiet greenhouse.

A few moons after the daycare got up and running, a fluffy little dog wandered in and promptly fell asleep on the pillows. The hatchlings were convinced it had decided it wanted to be Cicuta's dog, and after a quick check around that no adults were missing a familiar, Cicuta found that she just couldn't say no to them. One particular tundra hatchling with curly fur, an infectious laugh, and a love of music named the dog Princess Tinkles, and it's stuck ever since.