Of course. [ even though that means he's not going to be getting much sleep tonight after all. ] It would be rude to leave you drinking tea on your lonesome.
[ he nods to her, moving towards the door and touching a hand to her shoulder to ease her along with him. ]
[ he is slightly surprised, but only slightly, and he doesn't show it; she puts on a good show of being calmed down. He turns his hand so that he can properly hold hers, leading her gently towards the kitchen. ]
I'll brew some chamomile tea. That should help you sleep a little more soundly.
I brew a lot of tea, [ he replies primly as he opens the oft-used cabinet where he stores tea. It's all loose-leaf - he doesn't trust those little baggies muc. ]
I've also studied quite a lot of plants and herbs.
Oh? Very good, Mary. [ he does sound somewhat impressed that she knew about that; it's not exactly a common skill, especially for people from the future. He continues as he fills the teapot with water. ]
[ that's not something he can just ignore. Zara continues preparing the tea, putting the heat on for a silent moment or two, but he's quick to turn to her afterwards, dark eyes soft with concern. ]
... I see. By yourself... [ he smiles slightly; there's sympathy there. He's been there, too. ] Well, if you would have me, I'd be happy to teach you plenty of things now that you're not alone.
Of course I want you! [ That surprised her, and the words escape in a rush before Mary can think of a more tactful response. Just as quickly, she waves her hands in front of her (mugs safely set down for now). ] You really know a lot, Zara!
[ at least he didn't accidentally make her more upset by reminding her of a sad topic. He chuckles lightly. ]
You're too kind. It was simply my job to know these things back home. [ and a little bit of his own interest, too... ] ... Though perhaps we should hold off on edible wild plants for now.
[ this Japan seems to be the source of an awful lot of refugees here - coincidence, maybe. Her situation sounds familiar in a most peculiar way otherwise. ]
My mother told me that to protect me. Because the humans out there... we were monsters to them. I didn't understand-- mm, no-- [ Ever so slowly, she shakes her head. ] I didn't want to stay inside, even if I knew what we were.
After that-- [ what is "that", Mary ] I was too scared of everything. Of people, of how dangerous I was to them...
[ This is more than she'd admit, but this is also Zara. She owes him this much. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
action;
It was just a lot... and I don't like seeing everyone like that.
[ You know, dead. ]
action;
I don't think that anyone would. [ a pause; he gives her a soft look. ] Would you like something warm to drink? I can make you tea or cocoa.
action;
Tea. [ She says instantly, throwing an imploring look into the mix. ] Will you have some, too?
action;
[ he nods to her, moving towards the door and touching a hand to her shoulder to ease her along with him. ]
action;
action;
I'll brew some chamomile tea. That should help you sleep a little more soundly.
action;
[ She's still faintly surprised by it, impressed-- Mary knew a fair few herself, but she'd had plenty of time to learn. ]
action;
I've also studied quite a lot of plants and herbs.
action;
[ Natural remedies?? ]
action;
[ a lot of poisons, too, but he only knows not to eat those ones. ]
A lot of wild plants are edible, as well.
action;
[ Well, she knows a bit about that. ]
action;
But have you ever eaten them?
action;
Dandelions... when I had to.
[ Well, it was that or starve. ]
action;
[ he asks, not grasping the weight of the statement; one of his ears swivels curiously. ]
action;
[ Not an understatement. ]
So I had to teach myself a lot of things, from memory or from books.
action;
... I see. By yourself... [ he smiles slightly; there's sympathy there. He's been there, too. ] Well, if you would have me, I'd be happy to teach you plenty of things now that you're not alone.
action;
action;
You're too kind. It was simply my job to know these things back home. [ and a little bit of his own interest, too... ] ... Though perhaps we should hold off on edible wild plants for now.
action;
I... think so, too. I don't think we'll have to eat them yet.
action;
[ implying there even are weeds around that are edible. he has no idea... there probably are?! ]
action;
[ Actual food!! ]
action;
[ a pause. while he waits for the water to heat up, he leans against the kitchen counter, tilting his head at Mary. ]
... You know, Mary, I've lived with you for quite a while, but I still know almost nothing about you. May I ask about where you came from?
action;
[ How to explain this... how to explain all of it, really, and Mary fidgets ever so slightly, twisting her fingers together. ]
Japan? But I lived in a forest for a really long time. I wasn't supposed to go outside.
action;
You couldn't leave the forest?
action;
After that-- [ what is "that", Mary ] I was too scared of everything. Of people, of how dangerous I was to them...
[ This is more than she'd admit, but this is also Zara. She owes him this much. ]
action;
action;
action;
action;
action;
action;
action;
action;
action;
action;
action;
action;
action;
action;
action;
action;
action;
action;