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Post by Briar on Nov 23, 2019 17:33:44 GMT -6
But when the girl looked to him, he put on a great show of posing this way and that. Aubrey silently mouthed a thank-you to the Tat, who rolled his eyes in response.
“I guess,” said the girl. “But if it tastes bad, then I’m having Gerald throw you in the dungeon.”
The butler led Aubrey away to the kitchens. As they walked through the halls once more, Aubrey asked, “Do you really have dungeons here?”
“The young mistress’s imagination can be somewhat fanciful,” said the butler.
But he didn’t say no. Aubrey swallowed, and tried not to dwell on it. Casting about for another topic, he said, “Who’s Ninnette, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Ah, the young mistress’s nursemaid,” said the butler, shaking his head. “The sixth she’s had, though she has lasted longer than most.”
"What about her parents?" said Aubrey.
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Post by Briar on Nov 23, 2019 17:38:17 GMT -6
"The master and mistress are often away on business. The pup was a gift, you see--- the young mistress does get terribly lonely sometimes with only the help for company."
"Ah," was all Aubrey could say in response. The rest of their trip to the kitchen passed in silence. When they arrived, Aubrey asked for directions to any herbs they might have, and took a quick inventory of what he had to work with, before beginning in earnest the work of making a cure.
He had to try two batches before he got the mixture right, but eventually he came up with something he was fairly sure would work. At the very least, he knew that it would do no harm; the last thing he wanted was to make the pup's condition worse, especially since the girl was already so worried about him.
... They probably didn't have a dungeon, but for what it was worth, he didn't want to be thrown into one either.
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Post by Briar on Nov 23, 2019 17:42:01 GMT -6
By the time he was escorted back into the room, he found Yeo-reum and the girl playing a game of checkers. At a glance, it seemed like Yeo-reum was losing. The girl looked up at the sound of the door. "Your Tat-lung sure is stupid," she said. "He hasn't won a single time. Aren't they supposed to be smart?"
Aubrey feigned surprise. "Really? You beat him every time? I've never won once," he said.
"Well, you're probably no good," said the girl. "I've got lots of practice." Catching sight of the vial in his hand, she pointed at it. "Is that the medicine? Can I give it to Poppy?"
"You can watch," said Aubrey, going to the Rakai's side before she had a chance to dig in her heels and argue. He was still half expecting her to protest, but she didn't, and merely stood close so she could look over his shoulder.
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Post by Briar on Nov 23, 2019 17:47:10 GMT -6
Tilting the pup's head up, Aubrey guided the vial to Poppy's mouth, and trickled in just a little of the medicine to start. The pup let out another whimper, but Aubrey spoke to her in low, soothing tones. "Just a little more," he said, waiting for signs of swallowing before trickling in another mouthful. Little by little, he administered the medicine until all of it was gone, then laid the pup gently back down again.
"She doesn't look any better," said the girl.
"Give it a little time," said Aubrey. "Though I think you'd better stop giving her sweets. Rakai get tummy-aches a lot more easily than you do, so we've got to be careful what we feed them, alright?"
The girl looked at him wide-eyed, then nodded. Abruptly, tears sprang into her eyes. "I didn't mean to make her sicker," she said. "It was just because she hated Ninnette's medicine so bad."
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Post by Briar on Nov 23, 2019 17:53:44 GMT -6
"I know," said Aubrey, reaching up a hand to pet the girl's hair. "Just let Poppy sleep, and tomorrow she'll feel a lot better, alright?"
"But what if she gets sick again?" said the girl plaintively.
"I'll leave the recipe with Gerald," Aubrey said, indicating the butler with a motion of his head. "Okay? And if you ever need me to come back, you can put a posting on the quest board like you did before."
The girl's eyes were fixed firmly on the floor, but she nodded.
"Thank you," said the butler, as he escorted Aubrey out of the room.
"No, it was my pleasure," Aubrey said, without any pretense whatsoever. He hadn't been sure at first whether he would be able to fulfill the request, but it was nice to be able to do something nice, even if it was for a stranger.
The butler gave him a tired smile as they parted ways. Once he was out of earshot, Aubrey glanced at Yeo-reum.
"You let her win, didn't you?" he said. The Tat-lung winked at him. Aubrey smiled. "Thank you, for back there. I couldn't have done it without you."
Yeo-reum preened, as if to say of course he couldn't.
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Post by Renathan on Nov 23, 2019 19:37:09 GMT -6
Excellent job! Your QP will be added to the bank, and your prize will be sent to you shortly!
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