[ 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. ]
[ seeing as he comes from a world where humans are just one of several sapient races, he's not particularly disturbed by the revelation; he simply tilts his head, and, after a few seconds: ]
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I'll brew some chamomile tea. That should help you sleep a little more soundly.
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[ She's still faintly surprised by it, impressed-- Mary knew a fair few herself, but she'd had plenty of time to learn. ]
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I've also studied quite a lot of plants and herbs.
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[ Natural remedies?? ]
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[ a lot of poisons, too, but he only knows not to eat those ones. ]
A lot of wild plants are edible, as well.
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[ Well, she knows a bit about that. ]
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But have you ever eaten them?
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Dandelions... when I had to.
[ Well, it was that or starve. ]
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[ he asks, not grasping the weight of the statement; one of his ears swivels curiously. ]
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[ Not an understatement. ]
So I had to teach myself a lot of things, from memory or from books.
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... 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.
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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.
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I... think so, too. I don't think we'll have to eat them yet.
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[ implying there even are weeds around that are edible. he has no idea... there probably are?! ]
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[ Actual food!! ]
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[ 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?
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[ 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.
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You couldn't leave the forest?
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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. ]
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[ SOMETHING IS OFF HERE and it is the fact that she's calling humans... well, "humans." Not even "the other humans." Zara's brow furrows. ]
Mary, are you not a human, yourself?
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No... like they thought, I'm a monster. It's in my blood.
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You hardly look like a monster to me, dear.
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