Comfort in the Caves

[a_mere_child]

It took three and a half hours to get the displaced residents of White Forest settled in at Druid Cave. They haven't moved the Borealis yet; it's getting dark and there's enough snow falling to conceal the boat effectively for the night. Also, though Alyx would never willingly admit it, she's just too damn tired to think about moving the damn boat

Comments

[remindmeof_me]

Sooner or later Alyx is probably going to pick up on a faintly burnt, roasted kind of smell. Not food, but something not too different from coffee. In a house this size it's hard to keep what's going on in the kitchen separate from what goes on anywhere else, and Alyx isn't the only one who's had a long day. Kate Shephard kind of figures that alcohol is not the best way to cope right now.

[a_mere_child]

The smell is distracting, if nothing else. Alyx props herself up on one elbow, frowning as she tries to identify it.

Eventually her curiosity gets the better of her, and she plods into the kitchen.

[remindmeof_me]

Kate looks up at the sound of Alyx's feet and offers a small smile. "Didn't mean to wake you," she says. "I just needed something fortifying before bed. You're welcome to a cup yourself, if you want. Chicory coffee, good for what ails you."

[a_mere_child]

Alyx stares blankly at Kate for a long moment before responding. "You're not supposed to have caffeine when you're pregnant..."

[remindmeof_me]

"Chicory don't have caffeine in it," says Kate. "It just tastes like coffee- little bit more roasted, but it's pretty close. Drank it durin' all five of my pregnancies, 'n it didn't hurt 'em none."

[a_mere_child]

Alyx makes a noncommittal noise and sits heavily in the chair opposite Kate.

[remindmeof_me]

"Up to you."

It's been a long day for both of them, and the way Alyx is looking, Kate figures nothing short of a miracle would get a serious response out of her. These things happen.

"How're you holdin' up, if you don't mind my askin'? If I'm keepin' you awake, just say so, 'n I'll back off."

[a_mere_child]

"You're not. Can't sleep."

[remindmeof_me]

"Can't blame you." Kate checks the pot, cuts the heat off, and settles back down to her own seat. "You got hit with a heck of a lot today. That's gonna throw anyone off."

[a_mere_child]

Alyx makes another inarticulate noise and runs her hands over her face.

[remindmeof_me]

Kate considers this, and glances at the pot. After a moment she says, "You ever git around to a proper supper, now that I'm thinkin' about it?"

If she gets another grunt or noncommittal noise out of Alyx, she's going to take that as a yes, please, by all means, I'm starving and get out the meat that was going to be tomorrow's main meal. It won't take long to fry up, and she's got some nutcakes to go along with it. Last year was a good acorn year.

[a_mere_child]

Alyx just shakes her head.

[remindmeof_me]

"All righty then," says Kate. "Why don't we start with this... these're acorn'n ground meal'n honey'n salt. Made 'em this morning for breakfast, so they're fresh, don't you worry."

She eyes Alyx again.

"Tell you the truth, I'd be offerin' you warm milk'n turkey right about now if I had any."

[a_mere_child]

"It's okay." Alyx cuts out a piece of the cake and takes a tentative bite.

...

Have you ever not realized how hungry you were until you started eating? Alyx has now.

[remindmeof_me]

Kate just smiles a little and adds a small pot of dark honey to the table before turning to the same hotplate she'd been using to heat up the coffee. When you're working with small pieces of meat, it doesn't take long to fry them up, and a pregnant woman needs protein if anyone does. Those'll be added to the table without ceremony just as soon as she judges they're ready, and then Kate will sit down and finally drink her 'coffee'.

[a_mere_child]

Alyx mumbles something that might be a 'thank you.' It's hard to tell with her mouth full.