19 Mar 2021, 05:40
Poison Ivy is a Pain
For some reason Kit couldn't manage to pinpoint, the weak half-smile sent his way struck the caretaker more deeply than any full, whole-hearted one Kels had offered him right up until then. Perhaps it was because it seemed like a sign that the nurse had forgiven him for his transgression a few minutes prior, but that couldn't have been the entire reason. Kit's chest tightened and ached too much for that to be the case. For a couple of seconds - just a couple - he even forgot to keep up his usual smile due to his shock.
Yes...he decided right then with certainty that he would have to learn more about this man at a later date. That was non-negotiable.
Watching Kels' features softened visually to have a dream-like quality by the thick steam of the tea, Kit realized he was staring and looked away, swallowing another mouthful. He would probably forever after link the aroma and flavor of the Da Hong Pao tea with this; their first proper meeting. Well, the tea and the scent of the balm Kels had made for him.
"Of course you've been doing me a favor. Several, in fact," the American answered, his usual, easy smile returning. "You tended to me at practically the crack of dawn, made me laugh so often that I nearly forgot why I came here in the first place, generously shared your tea, pills, cream, and knowledge - and last, but not least, tolerated my discomforting presence." He sneered. "So yeah, I have quite a few favors to return."
After having sipped the tea right after he'd poured it, Kit had, of course, burned his tounge and some of the inside of his mouth. Fortunately, he knew that the tounge was the fastest healing organ of the body and that the mouth itself also healed pretty quickly, so he wasn't too concerned. It was the price he'd paid for letting his emotions get the best of him and being too distracted to notice what he'd been doing until he'd done it.
He was also pretty lucky that his pain tolerance was quite high, which was the only reason he'd managed not to spit it out, yell, or swallow the scalding hot tea down in a panic the instant he'd realized his mistake. It was also how he'd managed to continue speaking as though he hadn't so stupidly hurt himself.
Hopefully Kels hadn't noticed. Or, if he had, decided not to say anything. Kit had already made enough work for him between the pills and the balm. And aside from that, hadn't he just bragged about having been a Wampus; the Ilvermorny house of the 'body'?
He nearly jumped out of his seat, startled, when his peer snapped his fingers and looked to Kels with concern before understanding dawned on him. Then Kit watched the nurse get back to deftly pulling out this and that in order to prepare what he needed.
A snide remark about taking Kelsey with him was bitten back with an amused smile. No, he'd done enough teasing for today, he thought; teasing of that nature, at least. Thus, he observed quietly as the lotion was bottled and admired the speed and efficiency with which Kels performed his duties. He nodded when he was given instructions regarding the pills and committed them to memory, his smile still present but mellowed. That last grin from Kels, however, caused a brief look of pain to shutter across Kit's features.
"Heh...thanks again, Kels. For everything." he told him once he'd managed to recompose himself a moment later. The caretaker gingerly reached for his hand, then withdrew, thinking better of it.
"Before I go, though...I wonder..." He reached up to scratch the back of his neck instead. Strangely, his wavy locks seemed just slightly longer there than they had been a minute or two ago. "...Did you have anything in mind for how I might be able to return a favor or two, since I now owe you so many? It'd help to have an idea of where to start."
@Kelsy Brumby
When you think you're alone - that no one cares and you don't matter, please remember: You matter to me.
23 Mar 2021, 19:07
Poison Ivy is a Pain
When Kit listed off the favors he'd need to return, Kels threw up his hands, rolling his eyes. He could hardly see how any of those things were favors, but it must have just depended on his definition. If kindness alone precipitated a favor in return, he'd be the King of England by now. Tit-for-tat never sat well with him to begin with. He scratched everyone's back, if they had itchy backs, and they needed scratching, he wasn't going to wait to see what he'd get out of it.
"Tolerated... come on." There was definitely something wrong with the way Kit talked. He seemed almost eager to highlight his unworthiness for common decency. It put a bad taste in Kels' mouth. "Well I got to meet someone cool an' hang out all morning, feels worth it to me. Other'an' that, jes' doin' my job."
He'd think it would go without saying, he wasn't exactly hard to read, anyone could tell he was enjoying talking to Kit. Except for Kit himself, apparently. He could possibly think Kels was being ingenuine, but he wasn't about to try to convince someone he was being honest. If someone thought he was fake, that was their problem, not his. Or it was something else he just didn't know. There was probably a million things he didn't know about Kit, he wasn't going to pretend to get his angle.
Even more confusing, Kels' last stunning smile seemed to bother Kit. He made some kind of face that certainly didn't seem all that happy. For a conversation that started so easily, it seemed there was something underneath it that was stirring things unintentionally. This happened all the time to Kels, though it was never really always for the same reason. He wasn't the strongest in the social interaction department, he often misinterpreted things, or said something inappropriate for the situation. If he did something wrong, he had no idea what it could have been. Then again, he often felt clueless about how other people thought. At least their anatomy always roughly stayed the same!
"Forget it. Or if yer lookin' for somethin' that'll make me happy, jes' spread it around." Kels gestured out, though there were only about five quiet patients scattered around the wing, he meant the whole castle. "The happier everyone is, the happier I am."
Kels leaned back in his chair again, taking his first few drinks of the tea. It tasted awesome, of course. Mineral, floral, and a hint of fruit. The first steep was the cleanest of them all, whereas future steepings would become more woody. Actually, why relish in this awesome tea alone, when he could share that kinda stuff with his guest patient?
"Y'know, this tea comes from ancient trees in the Wuyi Mountains. There was'a legend that the trees were so precious that they protected them with big red robes. That's where it got it's name-- Big Red Robe!" Kels laughed to himself quietly. It probably wasn't true, but it was fun to think about. "There's a story. One time a student was travellin' t'see the emperor when he fell gravely ill. A monk from the mountains gave him some of this tea and he was cured to full health!"
Pausing momentarily for effect, as well as to take another sip, Kels set it down to continue, his hands now free to gesture along with the story.
"He were grateful a'course, said he would repay the favor before goin' to the emperor and acing his test so hard that the emperor promised the student his daughter's hand in marriage!" This was clearly an exciting development, so Kels enthusiasm for this imaginary student's success showed on his face. "But one day she got sick too-- terrible stomach pain that nothin' would heal. I bet you can see where this is goin'. He told the emperor about these trees, and she too was miraculously healed by the tea. It were the Emperor what sent those big red robes in reverence."
Kels sighed, happy as pie. It was a simple story, but there was one part in particular he liked the most. "You don't hear many stories where kings pay tribute to nature, do'ya?"
"Tolerated... come on." There was definitely something wrong with the way Kit talked. He seemed almost eager to highlight his unworthiness for common decency. It put a bad taste in Kels' mouth. "Well I got to meet someone cool an' hang out all morning, feels worth it to me. Other'an' that, jes' doin' my job."
He'd think it would go without saying, he wasn't exactly hard to read, anyone could tell he was enjoying talking to Kit. Except for Kit himself, apparently. He could possibly think Kels was being ingenuine, but he wasn't about to try to convince someone he was being honest. If someone thought he was fake, that was their problem, not his. Or it was something else he just didn't know. There was probably a million things he didn't know about Kit, he wasn't going to pretend to get his angle.
Even more confusing, Kels' last stunning smile seemed to bother Kit. He made some kind of face that certainly didn't seem all that happy. For a conversation that started so easily, it seemed there was something underneath it that was stirring things unintentionally. This happened all the time to Kels, though it was never really always for the same reason. He wasn't the strongest in the social interaction department, he often misinterpreted things, or said something inappropriate for the situation. If he did something wrong, he had no idea what it could have been. Then again, he often felt clueless about how other people thought. At least their anatomy always roughly stayed the same!
"Forget it. Or if yer lookin' for somethin' that'll make me happy, jes' spread it around." Kels gestured out, though there were only about five quiet patients scattered around the wing, he meant the whole castle. "The happier everyone is, the happier I am."
Kels leaned back in his chair again, taking his first few drinks of the tea. It tasted awesome, of course. Mineral, floral, and a hint of fruit. The first steep was the cleanest of them all, whereas future steepings would become more woody. Actually, why relish in this awesome tea alone, when he could share that kinda stuff with his guest patient?
"Y'know, this tea comes from ancient trees in the Wuyi Mountains. There was'a legend that the trees were so precious that they protected them with big red robes. That's where it got it's name-- Big Red Robe!" Kels laughed to himself quietly. It probably wasn't true, but it was fun to think about. "There's a story. One time a student was travellin' t'see the emperor when he fell gravely ill. A monk from the mountains gave him some of this tea and he was cured to full health!"
Pausing momentarily for effect, as well as to take another sip, Kels set it down to continue, his hands now free to gesture along with the story.
"He were grateful a'course, said he would repay the favor before goin' to the emperor and acing his test so hard that the emperor promised the student his daughter's hand in marriage!" This was clearly an exciting development, so Kels enthusiasm for this imaginary student's success showed on his face. "But one day she got sick too-- terrible stomach pain that nothin' would heal. I bet you can see where this is goin'. He told the emperor about these trees, and she too was miraculously healed by the tea. It were the Emperor what sent those big red robes in reverence."
Kels sighed, happy as pie. It was a simple story, but there was one part in particular he liked the most. "You don't hear many stories where kings pay tribute to nature, do'ya?"
@Kit Paine
25 Mar 2021, 08:49
Poison Ivy is a Pain
"Heh...alright. If you say so," Kit answered, beaming down at the ground and scratching the back of his head as if uncertain how to accept the compliment; as if unsure if he even deserved to accept it. "I guess I've just been having so much fun myself, it's hard not to think you must be the one getting the short end of the stick, here."
He thought about Kels' grin that was like an arrow to the heart which had previously caused his own expression to actually visibly appear pained for a split second. That had been embarrassing, but it couldn't have been helped. Luckily, the nurse didn't comment on it. Instead, he tried to tell Kit to forget the favors he thought he owed him and that if there was any way to make him happy, it was to try spreading happiness around. Well, that seemed about right for the man Kit was making Kelsey out to be in his mind. Still, he decided to himself that wasn't enough, as he already endeavored to do that anyway.
Kit was drawn out of his ponderings by Kelsey bringing up the story behind the name of the tea they were drinking. The caretaker couldn't help the broad grin that continued to spread across his face, wondering if Kels had somehow read his mind about wanting to research the meaning behind the tea name. Not to mention he loved stories, especially legends like the one about the Big Red Robe. He listened with rapt attention right until the end, his countenance reflecting his intense interest.
"...Wow," he breathed once the tale had been told. "Not many, no. What a charming backstory. Thank you for sharing it with me. I was actually going to look up what I could find about this tea later, but you saved me the trouble." With a light blow on his beverage, he took another sip; more thoughtful this time as he contemplated the tea.
"I take it you must love nature, then. Especially if you go out and find all these leaves yourself. But I suppose when the bounty of nature gives you so many natural remedies to work with, it'd be hard not to admire the wonder of it all."
He looked up at Kelsey then. "Do you tell stories often, then, or are you just a naturally gifted storyteller? Because I'd love to hear more some time. Perhaps over a drink or a meal in the future, if you'd be willing."
@Kelsy Brumby
When you think you're alone - that no one cares and you don't matter, please remember: You matter to me.
26 Mar 2021, 01:00
Poison Ivy is a Pain
Kels of course always loved when people paid attention to him when he talked. He knew he could be annoying sometimes, maybe even unbearable, but when he was making someone smile, he always felt like he was on top of the world. After his story, Kit said 'wow', which was definitely a compliment. It wasn't much of a story, really. No real stakes or conflict since the tea just healed everything... it would be way more interesting if the trees were over a pit of lava or something. It was fun to think Kit wanted to look it up, that's how Kels would be too. He nodded along, occasionally looking out at the wing to make sure no kids were currently dying.
"Yap." He had a hard time understanding why anyone wouldn't love nature, what wasn't there to love? He had a strong suspicion that most people that said they hated the outdoors hadn't ever really given it a chance to show what it had to offer. "Hehe. Natural remedies. That's my mum's venue. It really is wonderful though. Sometimes in the fens I'd like to jes' get totally lost and ferget civilization even existed."
When Kit called him a naturally gifted storyteller, Kels snorted, too surprised to full-on laugh. If that was good storytelling, he must have heard some pretty weak stories in his life. He could do so much better than that! "Oh I can tell you more, fer sure, sounds like you're easy to impress. I have stories that will change. your. life." He didn't have any of those stories in mind, per se, but everything was always funnier when it was cranked up to eleven. "Anytime! I'm free whenever I'm not workin'."
Kels drank again, realizing that time was passing a lot quicker than it usually did in the morning. He was already most of the way through his hot beverage, where normally it would be abandoned somewhere while he obsessively went through paperwork. It was a nice change of pace, a big mood lifter. If he was lucky, he would feel that way every time he hung out with Kit. It would be nice to finally have a friend around again.
"Yap." He had a hard time understanding why anyone wouldn't love nature, what wasn't there to love? He had a strong suspicion that most people that said they hated the outdoors hadn't ever really given it a chance to show what it had to offer. "Hehe. Natural remedies. That's my mum's venue. It really is wonderful though. Sometimes in the fens I'd like to jes' get totally lost and ferget civilization even existed."
When Kit called him a naturally gifted storyteller, Kels snorted, too surprised to full-on laugh. If that was good storytelling, he must have heard some pretty weak stories in his life. He could do so much better than that! "Oh I can tell you more, fer sure, sounds like you're easy to impress. I have stories that will change. your. life." He didn't have any of those stories in mind, per se, but everything was always funnier when it was cranked up to eleven. "Anytime! I'm free whenever I'm not workin'."
Kels drank again, realizing that time was passing a lot quicker than it usually did in the morning. He was already most of the way through his hot beverage, where normally it would be abandoned somewhere while he obsessively went through paperwork. It was a nice change of pace, a big mood lifter. If he was lucky, he would feel that way every time he hung out with Kit. It would be nice to finally have a friend around again.
@Kit Paine
2 Apr 2021, 23:43
Poison Ivy is a Pain
Kels' watchful glances over the length of the Hospital Wing reminded Kit that they each had their own jobs to get back to. The notion made the idea of getting lost in the fens and forgetting civilization even existed all the more appealing, however.
"Sounds nice," Kit remarked wistfully, trying to imagine what it might have been like. "I don't think I've been to too many places where there isn't evidence of civiliation in some form or another. I'll have to see if I can't find a place to try that at sometime."
The snort from the nurse drew the caretaker's attention back from his daydreaming and he sneered in response. "'Easy to impress'?" he repeated, feigning indignation that was somewhat ruined by his continued grin. "Maybe you're just not giving yourself enough credit. In any case, I've definitely got to hear those. Sign me up for the next telling."
Straightening back up, Kit gave an especially extravagant bow, sweeping his arm wide with a flamboyant gesture. He finished his tea and set down the cup. "It seems I'll have to let you go for now, given that my excuse for coming to see you has been fulfilled. I'm sure it won't be long before I can come up with another, however. Hopefully one that doesn't require you to work while we chat."
He winked and blew Kelsey a kiss. "Until then, my friend. Thank you again. It's been an absolute pleasure." And with a final two-fingered salute from his temples, he turned and was off to tend to his own duties, keeping a tight hold on the bottled lotion and slipping the little packet of antihistamine pills in his pocket.
@Kelsy Brumby
When you think you're alone - that no one cares and you don't matter, please remember: You matter to me.
8 Apr 2021, 20:53
Poison Ivy is a Pain
Kels nodded along enthusiastically, feeling a small pang of pity. "I know a few places." He would reply quietly, smiling. People often said they would try something sometime when they didn't really mean it. Kels wasn't that kind of person, and he would be highly likely to ask a follow-up if he noticed Kit had no intention of doing it. If he really thought it was so great (and it was), then there was nothing really stopping him. Schedules, responsibilities... those things were all temporary hindrances. Life couldn't just constantly be put on hold for them.
While Kels felt fairly sure that his story had been meh at best, he wasn't going to nitpick Kit's appraisal. There was more than just pure craft that made stories good, maybe he just liked the gusto. He'd be sure to remember that Kit liked stories told with lots of energy. Not that he was likely to tell a story flatly, but he might be persuaded to crank up the theatrics if he knew it'd be appreciated.
With that though, Kit was on his way, a cordial bow to see him off. "Awww, okay." Slight bummed-outedness to his voice, he did have to accept that he should get back to business during working hours. Like he said, it wasn't like they wouldn't see each other. "Byyyyeeeeeee!"
The blown kiss elicited one last chuckle out of the nurse before Kit was out of the wing entirely, leaving a load of silence in his wake. Friend. Yes, awesome!
While Kels felt fairly sure that his story had been meh at best, he wasn't going to nitpick Kit's appraisal. There was more than just pure craft that made stories good, maybe he just liked the gusto. He'd be sure to remember that Kit liked stories told with lots of energy. Not that he was likely to tell a story flatly, but he might be persuaded to crank up the theatrics if he knew it'd be appreciated.
With that though, Kit was on his way, a cordial bow to see him off. "Awww, okay." Slight bummed-outedness to his voice, he did have to accept that he should get back to business during working hours. Like he said, it wasn't like they wouldn't see each other. "Byyyyeeeeeee!"
The blown kiss elicited one last chuckle out of the nurse before Kit was out of the wing entirely, leaving a load of silence in his wake. Friend. Yes, awesome!
@Kit Paine
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