Living Weapon Whumpee #13
It had been 2 days. Only two measly days.
How did B do this on their own? Why did B do this on their own? A sighed finally collapsing on to their bed roll.
B kept trying to get out of bed every five minutes. Not even an exaggeration. Whumpee basically lived there now… which was a double edged sword, because while they did keep B in bed, they also didn't let B get up for even water unless A was there.
A didn't even know where to begin with Leader. They were asleep yesterday, thankfully. They did a bandage change and managed to feed them when they were kind of out of it. But today? Today Leader was awake. They didn't say anything and A didn't say anything back, but their eyes? Oh how accusatory they were! A couldn't feed them fast enough to finally get out of there.
And as much as they hate to admit it… their rib was hurting. A lot. But they are definitely not going to admit that to B. A can deal with it themselves.
But most importantly, tomorrow is gathering day… A hasn't gone gathering. Not recently. Sure they'd go with B when they were younger and they knew the basic plants to bring back. But the wood nearby didn't look basic.
A closed their eyes sighing again. They needed to go check on B. Last they checked they had a bit of a fever. A groaned and crawled upright.
When they dragged their heavy legs all the way to B's tent and opened the flap they saw what they thought they would.
Whumpee kneeling beside B. B sleepily slurring something about a tail. A knelt beside them and kept their hand on their forehead. A frown tugged at the corners of their mouth. B was burning up.
A readied a wet cloth and kept it on their forehead. B's eyes fluttered open, glazed over with a sheen of sick and confusion.
“Go back to bed m’kay? Don't worry I have everything under control.” A whispered gently.
B opened their mouth, voice so rough that A couldn't quite catch what they said.
A furrowed their brows. “You don't have a tail. There is no tail. You're dreaming.” A gently coaxed.
B blinked and pulled A down. “Pallan tail.”
A felt heat bloom across their face in realisation. “R-right. Sorry. Uhm… I'm going to go gathering tomorrow. I'll get pallan tail.” Of course even half delirious B was still helping them.
“And larvan root.” B rasped.
“And larvan root.” A nodded. “Go to bed. I'll be okay.” A brushed some hair away from their face. “Shh just close your eyes.” Their fingers found that spot behind B’s ears and their eyes immediately fluttered closed.
A stayed there until they were sure B finally fell asleep.
A had grabbed B's gathering bag, and herb notes. After B fell asleep A had read through them last night to make sense of what they had to get.
Now they were here. In the woods with the notes a bag full of various herbs and their bow and arrows.
They found everything they needed including the larven root. But there was no sign of pallen tail. They've been looking for the past few hours but couldn't find it anywhere. Time was running out too. They needed to get back to camp fast. No one is there to check on leader. And they don't have anything for dinner yet.
They should focus on dinner now. Not finding pallan tail.
A sighed, their fingers trailing down to the quiver of arrows at their hip. This would be the fastest way to get dinner. But they didn't really trust themselves with the bow yet. And it was too late to fish now. And late means a skipped meal which is something that can't happen. And will not happen under their watch.
A took the bow in to their hands feeling the weight of it. It was a familiar one.
They looked around the woods. They didn't go too far from camp mainly because they could go back faster. They also didn't want to get lost. That would be catastrophic.
They were snapped out of their thoughts by a faint rustle in the branches above. A tensed. The fought to keep their breathing steady.
Without making sudden movements lifted their eyes up and immediately let their shoulders sag.
It was a chameen. A big fat bird with black and red feathers that were often used for fish hooks and decor.
A smirked, slowly pulling an arrow out of the quiver careful not to scare the plump avian in to flight.
They lifted their bow and prayed their aim was still good after all this time with no practice, but as they pulled the string they felt it. Their rib. It hurt. It hurt when they pulled the bowstring.
The universe had literally just tossed the thing that will solve their problems and their stupid rib is getting in the way.
They looked at the bow and back at the chameen. It's been so long since they had something like a chameen. And from what they remember chameen meat is amazing for fevers and illness…
Their ribs have healed enough. Surely they have to get back to doing normal things soon and it's going to hurt the first couple of times.
Besides… they had a good pain tolerance.
A lifted the bow again setting their jaw and pulled the bowstring again. Electric pain shot through their chest. Their bones protested being stretched out. They told their bones to shut the hell up and focused on the bird's throat.
They let the arrow go and a second later the bird fell.
They went over and picked up the bird with a triumphant grin.
Everyone will eat well tonight. B will get some good comfort food. So will leader and Whumpee will get to taste chameen for the first time. And it only cost them a little discomfort on their chest.
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