After drying off- a courtesy to Quentle, he found himself back in the apothecary ward.
"Ah, Cedric, good afternoon…err…evening?" Tess yawned, rising from her uncomfortable looking chair while Cedric took a seat on the patient's cot.
"Tess…where's Selmy been at today?"
"Hmm, some greeting there, punk. Selmy took the day off today. I ended up taking it easy today, myself, hehe. I blame her." She yawned again, stretching her long limbs carelessly, before straightening her white coat over a short black skirt that accentuated her slender figure.
"Ah, it's just…don't you think she's been acting a little off lately?"
"Hmm, that girl is always off, if you haven't noticed. But…yeah, she is being a little bit more cagy than usual, no doubt."
"Mel is the same way. I was hoping I could ask her about it, but I guess I can't waltz into High Town, huh..." Cedric sighed, plopping down onto the cot.
"Well, if you're really worried, can't you just check with them tonight?" She asked casually while brewing a pot of tea.
"Yeah, I suppose…I should."
"Well, obviously. You've known each other for years, what's changed that you can't all be open with each other anymore? Oh, and don't say the whole Heir crap either."
"…If you know, then why ask?"
"Because it's not a reason. At all." Tess blinked at him with a tensed face, her firm words chastising him like a big sister's.
"Uh…yeah, I guess…you're right. You haven't, by chance, gone through anything similar, have-"
"Oy Cedric, you hurt?" Quentle shouted into the room after winging the door open recklessly. Cedric and Tess both threw their glances over at the sudden noise, eying Quentle dubiously.
"Nope, I'm fine. You hurt, loudmouth?"
"How rude, Wardric…and after I came to carry you home to return yesterday's favor!"
Despite the general annoyance he brought, seeing Quentle acting as usual lightened Cedric's mood instantly.
"I somehow doubt there's any truth to that, but I'll absolutely pass. I'll let you hold my lunch carrier on the way to your place though. I didn't have time to bring it back home today. I had something I wanted to ask Elem, anyway." Cedric answered, lifting his head up to make sure Quentle had come alone.
"Sounds fun! Rich boy went home already, grouchy as ever. Mm, the tea smells delicious, Tess! You ever think of quitting the apothecary ward and joining my future Sword Heir naval crew as the official tea brewer?"
"If the price was right…. or so I'd say, but if you're the one in charge, I'm pretty sure the ship would sink before I ever touched a tea-kettle, let alone getting my first pay."
"Couldn't she do both? Why limit her to tea?" Cedric asked facetiously.
"Oy, just who are you trying to dump all these responsibilities onto? You be the apothecary, punk."
"No thanks. I'll gladly be the ship cook, though."
"Ooh sounds good, and Selmy can gather plants from various islands for medicine and such, and make sure we don't get poisoned and die! And, and, Mel, he can be…uhh… the head crewman!" Quentle rang off ideas so enthusiastically it seemed like he was going to pop.
"Ahaha, I'm sure he'd just love that," Tess chuckled as the three laughed together.
"Ah, and we can even have your friends, Galgi and Ralin join the crew, reliable soldiers are a must!"
"Ah, I forgot you guys know those two!" Tess remarked with a genuine look of interest.
"I forgot Quentle knew them too, honestly," Cedric added.
"Wow, how long ago was it when we all got together on the beach?" Tess pondered. "Hmm, it was during the monthlong ceasefire the Wolverines suddenly initiated, which would have been two years ago, about. Come to think of it, that was when I first realized you three knew Selmy, and that Cedric knew Gal and Ral."
"Yeah that was pretty funny, huh." Cedric chuckled, reminiscing. "I think my favorite part was shooting Quentle into the ocean from an actual catapult."
"That was my favorite part, too! Well, that and Selmy in her swimwear, of course!"
"Ah, that must have been when Mel turned all serious and grouchy, having a perverted little guy like you ogling his precious gem in a more vulnerable state than he'd probably ever seen. Though, I seem to remember even him having a good time, that day," Tess recounted, taking a sip of her steaming tea.
"Yeah, he was a lot easier to understand back then," Cedric mumbled.
"Well, everything's simpler when you're young, isn't it? I was an adult back then too, but even for me those feel like simpler days."
"True, things were less tense within the walls at the time, after all…" Cedric mumbled again as he began to space out, drawing Tess' curious glance.
"Hey! We should all party on the beach together again, after we've won the war! Sounds good, doesn't it?" Quentle threw in excitedly, in contrast to the mood.
"Heh, sounds like fun, we'll get even more people out next time," Tess agreed with her charming grin. Cedric gave a short chuckle, hopping up to his feet.
"Alright then, Sir Clumsy-perv, let's get going."
Quentle turned around, objecting Cedric's nickname for him, while Tess motioned for Cedric to wait, pulling something from within her coat.
"Here, this is some of the best stuff I've been working on lately. Just in case your games get a little too real." Tess smirked modestly, placing four vials of different colored liquid into Cedric's open hand.
"Ah- Thanks, Tess. For this, and for listening," Cedric replied clearly, giving a weak smile of his own. Tess pushed him to the door in response, showing her trademark grin.
After shutting the door on them, she set her tea down with a sigh.
"The two lovebirds aren't the only ones acting strangely, ya know...it's just like Al and Hyd, honestly…"