middaeg | [ CATCH-ALL ] we're nocturnal creatures

"Let me be the judge of that."

You don't get to argue with a healer. Especially, if the said healer is your own Bonded. And King. Who is worried. Worst combination.

"You did seem drunk." That's why Saber called him... So drugged is close enough but unknown plant? How is he supposed not to worry now?

The chances that Iskandar is going to let Waver out of the house on this day just plummetted.

"If this was an unknown substance, we don't know what the longterm effects might be."

Not until HE is sure everything is fine... and probably will like to get a second opinion. Iskandar might know quite a few things about healing now but he's not specialist on drugs or poisons. He's not going to risk overlooking some potentially dangerous symptoms.

Waver was just ashamed and confused until now. But when Iskandar phrases it that way -- and with the echo of his worry ringing through their Bond -- Waver's ears droop uncertainly. He feels... a little anxious. Though, weirdly, he can kind of tell that he should probably be more uncomfortable than he is. Logically, he can assess the situation and understand why Iskandar is worried, and why he should be worried as well, but where his thoughts might have started spiraling negatively otherwise and his pulse gone fast, he actually feels quite calm.

"It's weird because I remember a bit better than if I'd had too much to drink, and I don't feel sick or anything." So that's at least an improvement on too much wine. "But it's still... hazy."

Waver shifts in Iskandar's lap to sit up more, rolling his shoulders to stretch them and rubbing his neck.

"This is going to sound crazy. Please don't get mad... I'm mad enough at myself already. But I couldn't help it. That stupid plant. Its scent was something I'd never encountered before, and it was-- Well..."

No easy way to say it.

"...I think I might've... tasted it. Not on purpose!"

Iskandar scratches his chin. Now that he thinks of it...

"Well, you were more - how to say it - unrestrained in the way you behaved but your speech wasn't blurred and I didn't notice you having any problems with coordination. So maybe the drunk comparison wasn't that great."

And really affectionate. That's the part he liked and wouldn't mind seeing it more often but not at a price of his boy getting drugged on some unidentified substance.

"I'm not mad. I would be if someone had drugged you on purpose. Clearly, this wasn't the case. It was an accident. So if anything I'm just a little worried." He thinks for a while before continuing. "Was it where Saber has found you?"

Because if it was then it affected only him, not Saber and not Iskandar when he came to pick him up. In truth, he hasn't noticed any unusual smells but on the other hand, he wasn't actually paying attention to anything or anyone other than his boy at that time.

"Do you think it could be useful?"

Yes, he really wouldn't stop Waver from experimenting. As long as all was done in a safe, controlled environment, under his supervision. Alchemy is Waver's domain and Iskandar trusts his expertise in this matter. If Waver thinks it's a direction worthy of pursuit, Iskandar is more likely to help him in his research than try to persuade him against it.

"Yeah, around there. I was going shopping, and then I smelled something interesting, and I was just... drawn to it. And then my memory is a little fuzzy. Saber ran into me not long after-- I think." His sense of time is also a bit fuzzy.

"I... don't know that it's entirely worn off. But I definitely don't feel as flighty anymore."

As for usefulness, Waver looks intrigued at the suggestion. His ears perk up, and he taps his lower lip. And gets momentarily distracted by the sensation, but not as badly as before. It's like when he can tell he's tipsy, but can easily choose to ignore it and not act inebriated, even if he's aware of it. Except it isn't alcohol.

"Before I say anything about whether it can be useful, I need to find it again figure out what it is. I'm not going to experiment with a random plant when I don't know the potential side effects of taking it. That said... if it's safe, I think it could be relaxing in much smaller doses."

Iskandar nods. So most likely there was nothing worse than what he saw. Still, he intends to keep an eye on his boy at least until morning. Waver might look better, and he does, but Iskandar prefers to err on the side of caution when it comes to his treasure.

"Well, that house belongs to someone. They should know what grows in their garden. Maybe they imported some exotic plant or bought the seeds from the circus people."

Or it came from the Wilde like so many of the weird plants he brought himself from his expeditions.

"I will ask Wilders' apothecary if she recognizes it. If this thing was brought from the Wilde, they'll be able to tell. Maybe even studied its properties already." He will also ask her to come and see Waver. The lady is an experienced, even if a little unorthodox, healer and Iskandar has learned a lot from her.

"Hmm... yeah. We'll ask around. I'll just be more careful. Or try."

He's a little worried by how much he really couldn't help himself. He's never experienced that before, that sort of instinctive urge to eat... a plant. He's experienced plenty of other instinctive urges, even some of them to eat something -- like meat, or blood, which is uncomfortable to think about -- but not exactly like this. He'll need to get to the bottom of it.

But that's a problem for later. Right now, he's no longer worried and trying to gauge how he feels to record it later. It's... not bad, honestly.

Though he's inclined to agree with Iskandar that he should be monitored, so far it seems okay.

"In any case, hopefully there's nothing to worry about. ...except maybe apologizing to Saber. Augh..."

"Dearest, I don't think you have much to apologize for." Iskandar shakes his head than bows down to kiss Waver on the forehead. "Our honourable King of Knights will not die if someone hugs her once in a while. Actually, I think that it should happen more often. Maybe she would relax then." He pauses. Now that he thinks about it... "It's strange but I've never heard about Saber's Bonded. She has to have at least one, doesn't she?"

Iskandar sighs. Please don't tell him she's trying to tough it out on her own with the misguided opinion of I'm expendable and thus should not inflict myself on anyone or some similar nonsense.

"She deserves a cute girl that would force her to take care of herself. That's what I think." And of course, Waver needs to hear his opinion. "But enough about Saber. You need to rest. I can bring you a book if you're not sleepy." He would even read it to Waver if his love would wish so.

"I guess..." He still feels it was very rude and awkward. But maybe he'll just pretend it never happened.

"Er, now that you mention it... no, she doesn't talk about anyone like that. But it might be she just values her privacy. We've talked about the importance of it before so she doesn't risk her mind to the moons, but she seems to be doing well, so I assume she's figured it out."

Iskandar's observations and opinions are met with an amused snort from Waver.

"Of course you do. But you shouldn't go around telling people things like that. I don't think she'll appreciate it."

Waver makes a face at the suggestion of more rest, but before he can argue, at least Iskandar offers a compromise.

"I'm not sleepy at all. But sure, I could read." Probably. If it turns out he's not quite there yet, he'll let Iskandar read to him happily.

Iskandar shrugs.

“Laugh all you want but I’m simply right. She’s so uptight. Half of her problems comes from the fact she doesn’t let herself have fun.” He furrows his brows realising he might have gone too far with that last conclusion. “Even if it doesn’t. It’s definitely not helping.”

Risk and privacy aside, both are important matters but it wasn’t what he meant when he said that. It’s just... sad.

“That’s why I’m telling this to you and not to her.”

It’s not as if she magically starts listening to him. They had one civil conversation while drinking tea, one quest where she got infected exactly because she’s so stubborn. That’s not enough for him to barge in with unwanted advice. She’s her own woman.

“I doubt she’d listen to me anyway.”

Iskandar sighs. It’s still sad. He shakes his head. This is a problem for another day. Right now he’s simply grateful his boy is feeling better.

“As I said, I’m done talking about Saber. What book do you want me to bring?”

Iskandar is right in that there's no point talking about it further right now. Waver doubts he'll change his view. It's probably not wrong, either... but he can sympathize with Saber too. He's considerably 'uptight' himself. He drops the subject though.

"Oh, right. I borrowed some new books from the library. There's a pile on my reading chair. You can grab any one from there. Thanks."

Once the book is procured and they're both settled, Waver leans against Iskandar comfortably to read. If Iskandar wants to read too, he's welcome to any of the books -- or reading aloud from the same one. It's a pleasant way to spend the rest of the day, and Waver will worry about discovering more on the strange plant that affected him later.

[ CATCH-ALL ] we're nocturnal creatures

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