Prompt 85: Kneel

Jan 27, 2013 22:01

Title: Medicine
Author: britedark
Universe: pre-canon
Warnings: Reference to women's cycle.
Word Count: 288
Summary: Young!Kaede tries something new.

Author's Note: This will be added to the serial With One Eye.


Medicine

Harvest time came, and Kaede was busier than ever. Nevertheless, she found time to squeeze in one more chore. She had started making the morning tea, without asking Suriya first. The young miko had not objected, remarking the second morning that she knew more about performing the tea ceremony, than how to make good tea. Up until now, Kaede had been brewing the normal tea, but this morning, she had tried something different for Suriya.

Kneeling next to the fire pit, Kaede watched surreptitiously, as Suriya sipped her tea. One slender eyebrow went up. The miko sipped again, closed her eyes, drank a third time. Her eyes, opening, moved to examine Kaede.

"Good," she said. "I like it. But, what is it? And why?"

"Um, I know you're in your bleeding time, and you've been looking tired in the mornings. I talked to Amaya and Satsuki last night, and so…" she shrugged.

"Ah. That's where you went, after supper." Suriya tilted her head. "Why Satsuki?" she asked. "I understand Amaya-she is the herbalist, but-?"

"Because I wanted to make it taste good, as well as be good," said Kaede promptly. "I know some people say medicine should taste bad, to be good. But, that-seems silly. Remember how Amaya had to bribe Maiko with a honeybun, to take her medicine? Why couldn't Amaya have just given her something that tasted good, to start with?"

"It would be easier, wouldn't it?" She sipped. "But, some medicines will always taste bad, just because of their content. And, if they tasted too good, might people take too much?"

Kaede thought, and nodded. "I suppose."

"But, thank-you for wanting to make my-medicine-taste good."

Kaede ducked her head, and blushed.

pov kaede, #85, !britedark

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