Company(Cream Cheese is a godsend)

Soon after his breakdown, he slowly fell to sleep. The weariness of every event catching him. The murmurs of the kind people drifting him to sleep.

———

He awoke the next day, the calls of birds awakening him. Raising his healing body he leaned towards the window to his left.

The window was lined with wood all across it and no glass. Through the gaps of the lined wood, he could see. The sunrise shown over the horizon, wispy clouds in the dark blue sky.

There were some houses, made of wood and clay. Each placed a good distance from the other.

He admired them, how amazing they all looked. How people had built them. His eyes shined.

"Creak!"

Then snapped shut.

"Oh! You're awake!" The high voice from yesterday spoke. "Do you feel alright?" Asked the person, their shoes clicking towards Jerarme.

Though he couldn't see the person he turned his body towards the voice. He opened and closed his mouth. Speechless and nervous. Finally preparing to reply he opens his opened his mouth, and coughed. Heaving his lungs realizing how dehydrated he felt.

"Goodness! Let me get you something to drink!" The person clicked away, much faster and heavier than they had entered.

Just as soon as they had left, the person returned. "Here, here." She tapped her finger on Jerarme's hand. Jerarme flinched back, but the person's hand tapped his hand again. Slowly he released the tension in his shoulders, the person tapped again. This time Jerarme offered his hand. Gently, the person placed something in his hand. Guiding his hand to grip it.

"It's a cup of water, just water." They let go of his hand.

Hesitating only for a moment, Jerarme took a sip, then a large gulp of water. It soothed his scratchy throat and cooled his stinging lips.

"Thank you." Jerarme croaked out, feeling better than before.

Taking the cup out of his hand, they replied. "You're welcome, let me get you some more." He thought he could hear a smile in their voice. They clicked away, more gently this time.

Jerarme sighed, trying to get accustomed to the fact that he had just talked to, to… to a living human being. He buried his face into his hands, 'Wow, is that all you can do, a scratchy "Thank you"?... Let's try better next time.'

Hearing the clicking of footsteps, Jerarme raised his head from his wallowing.

"I brought some more water for you, of course, if you want more." The voice said, clicking towards him.

[Skill Obtained!] [Enhanced Hearing!]

He flinched, the movement of the footsteps pausing with him. "Are you alright?" The voice said worriedly.

The voice seemed somehow louder, the winds sharper against the wooden window.

Jerarme shook off his jolt of surprise, "I-I'm alright just sore." It wasn't a lie for sure, Jerarme ached all over. Head to toe. Saying it out loud made him actually acknowledge the fact that he was very, very hurt. He didn't think it wouldn't hurt this much. Just his arm being damaged by a bird, 'I'm pretty pathetic, aren't I? Aren't heroes able to take more before just fainting?' Chasing away the depressing thoughts, Jerarme focused back on the present.

"...Alright, but do tell me if you're feeling worse or better." The water cup clinked. "Would you want another cup of water?"

"Yes please." The footsteps stopped beside the bed again.

"Here's the water." Tapping Jerarme's hand again, the voice gently guided his hands to the cup. Jerarme took gently to the cup. This time, savoring the muddled taste of water.

"Thank you." Finishing the cup, Jerarme felt better and more clarity in his mind. The footsteps clicked towards the table beside the bed.

The voice chuckled. "What a polite child you are, don't worry, if you want anything else don't be afraid to ask." The voice said, the empty clay cup meeting the tabletop.

Jerarme hesitated. "Thank you for the kind offerings, but I can't impose any more than I have already." As kind as they were, he mustn't forget his goal. To become a general. 'To make myself worthy of love.' Jerarme thought.

"I must leave, but is there anything I can do to repay this kindness?" Jerarme laced his fingers together. 'I can't do much, but I must be able to do something.'

A pause in silence, the footsteps moved toward him. "Then, would be so kind to stay for a few days?" The voice said, stopping at the edge of his bed. "Perhaps until your wounds heal? My husband and I are in desperate need of company, we are quite the lonely bunch."

Jerarme opened his mouth to protest, clicked it shut when nothing came about. "I… If it won't be of bother for the both of you." How kind they were. "Thank you."

Just then a booming voice rushed through his ears. "Heya Maria! I got some good catch!" Heavier footsteps entered his hearing. "You there?"

Maria yelled back. "I'm in here! The extra room!" Maria spoke again, much quieter, and to Jerarme. "That's the gold of my life, my not-so-good-at-entrances, husband."

The footsteps rang again, sounding louder and louder, until-.

"I am here! The handsome Julian at ya's service!" A voice burst through the door.

"Julian, you know there's a patient in here." The dryness of Maria's voice could be felt.

"Ah." A pause. "Sorry 'bout that kids, whoops." Jerarme smiled, this was a funny person.

"No, it's quite alright." He smiled.

"Julian, I convinced our kind guest of ours to stay for a while, at least until his injuries are healed." Maria softly spoke.

"Well ain't that wonderful! What was it? -Ah!- 'The more the merrier!'" They shifted towards the table beside Jerarme. "Would you be fine us checking over your wounds kid?" A clattering noise.

[Appraisal]

[Small Medicine] [Small Bandages] [Small Potion]

"Of course, but I don't want to burden you two too much. It's quite alright to leave my wounds be." He did not know if his wounds were going to be fine, but taking more than he was worth felt uncomfortable.

"Nonsense! Tendin' to your wounds is a must! Leave it alone and Solis knows what'll happen, and what's the use of medicine and bandages with no soul to use it on?" Julian guffawed, sounds of clattering bottles rang.

"We'll undress ya's old dressin's first, then put some ointment on ya wounds, and finish up with some fresh ones." A hand laid on his, "Here, I'll guide ya' to the edge of the bed, make it a little easier for the both of us."

Slowly, Jerarme scooted over to the side, bare feet touching sanded wood. "Perfect, boy! Now Maria and I are gonna get rid of the old dressin's and wash your wounds, alrighty?"

"Y-yes, and thank you for your kindness... for helping me." Jerarme bowed his head, wound stinging from the action.

"Ohh now! Don't move ya' head like that, gonna tear your wounds!" Quickly, Julian gently righted his body. "And don't ya' worry, good company is always welcome!"

"Now, we got to get to your wounds before we get ya' debt paid, a dying boy ain't much for company!"

"...Julian." A warning, "That is not the way to phrase it."