D. Subtle Kindnesses Widofjord
(sorry for the late reply!! not really sure this counts as “subtle”, but. oh well haha. i have actually had several tea-related wf ideas for…. many many months now, randomly, so i figured might as well finally dust one of them off for this!)
Fjord took another deep breath through his nose, trying to steady himself. His back was beginning to hurt from where the wheels of the cart pressed into it at all the wrong angles but he dared not move until the wave of nausea currently rolling through him subsided. Pain aside he was glad to be on the outside of the damn thing instead of on it. He’d insisted that morning that they continue on their way despite how poorly he’d felt upon waking, but as time passed every bump and jostle turned him greener than he already was. Caduceus had eventually suggested that they take a brief rest and have some lunch, claiming it was such a nice day and they were in no hurry. Everyone had agreed; while all looking at Fjord with various levels of concern.
He’d crawled out of the cart as soon as Beau had slowed the horses enough to do so and hadn’t moved from that spot since.
The wave passed, and he let out the breath he’d been holding, opening his eyes. To his surprise Caleb stood in front of him. He seemed startled for a moment now that Fjord had noticed him, quickly clearing his throat.
“I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“Not disturbing, it’s alright. Just trying to keep my insides in one piece.”
Caleb nodded. “Ja, so we have all noticed. That is ah… why I brought you this.” He held out a metal cup that he had clutched in both hands, and Fjord could see small wisps of steam rising out of it. “It is some licorice root tea. Good for stomach troubles sometimes, if you think you can keep it down.”
Fjord wasn’t so sure about that, but he wasn’t about to reject the offer right out of hand. “That’s very kind of you. I think i’ll take any help I can get.” Caleb nodded again, but didn’t move. He was radiating that very specific brand of Caleb awkwardness that came about when he was trying to do something kind and felt out of his depth over it. Cute. Fjord half grinned, “If you wouldn’t mind bringing it down here, I don’t think I can get my legs under me just yet.”
“Oh! Ja, right, of course.” Caleb shuffled over, crouching down in front of Fjord and offering him the cup. “Do you- should I hold it? Or can you-”
As nice a sight as a flustered Caleb was, Fjord took the cup from him. “Not that bad off yet, but thanks.” He mentally crossed his fingers and blew a few breaths onto the tea before taking a small sip. The warmth of it was more soothing than he had expected going down, and the flavor was light.
“It is not that strong. Better to use fresh root you know. And I do not have many shavings because my supplies are a bit low. But hopefully it helps.”
“Spell components. This one, I use for haste.”
Fjord frowned slightly, staring down at the amber liquid in the cup. “You didn’t have to do that. Especially for such an important spell. Helped our asses out on more than than one occasion.”
“It is no problem. Compared to some things, this is an easy item to replace. Not so expensive.” Caleb shrugged his shoulders, pointedly looking at some spot just beyond Fjord rather than his face. “Right now, it is better served in a cup.”
“Well, thank you Caleb. Really. I’ll replace it for you next town we come to.”
“If you wish, I won’t argue. But that’s not necessary.” Caleb stood, stretching his legs a bit as he did with the slightest grimace. “If it helps, I can make another cup or two. Rest as long as you need. We can move on whenever you are ready.” Before Fjord could say another word Caleb was gone, retreating back to Nott’s side at the outskirts of the group’s campfire. He somehow managed to hide himself behind her small goblin form and out of Fjord’s sight. Impressive.
He sipped slowly at the tea over the next several minutes and found that it soothed not only his sour stomach but something else a little deeper in his core.
