I let the cool liquid wash down my throat, feeling refreshed for the first time in so long.
“Three days…” I repeat, wondering what exactly happened during that time. I have some flashes and sensations but no clear memories.
“You eliminated all your blockages. I think your meridians should be clear now,” Moe explains. “Do you feel any different?”
I glance down at my body and notice I do in fact feel lighter than before.
“Yes. It’s a little different.”
“Then you should try absorbing some energy to be sure,” she continues, her voice methodical.
“Wait. What did you do while I was out? Did you take care of me the entire time?”
She nods, her lips thinly pressed together.
“Thank you. It must have been hard on you all this time.”
“I’m just glad you’re fine now.” She forces a smile. “Here, let me prepare you something to eat before you attempt to channel energy.”
I watch her move around the cave, carefully selecting some items and preparing a simple meal for me—dry meat and bread. My hunger rises to the surface upon seeing the food and I don’t even mind the staleness. I eat everything and ask for seconds.
She stands by quietly, watching me and giving me a small smile here and there. She seems tired, but it’s to be expected since she’s been taking care of me for three days.
“Are you sure everything is fine?” I ask, again. Seeing her like this, I can’t help but be riddled with guilt.
“Just a little tired.”
“Then you should sleep while I absorb the energy from the embryo.”
“Are you sure? What if something happens?—”
“You’ve already taken care of me through the worst. You need sleep, Moe. Please,” I murmur.
She looks like she wants to argue, but she’s too tired to do so. She ends up nodding. She lays down on the makeshift bed and I cover her with a blanket.
“Sleep. I have you now,” I whisper, brushing a few strands of hair from her forehead.
She falls asleep almost instantly. Once more, I feel a pang of guilt at how tired she is—all because of me.
I let out a tired breath. Opening the proto-realm, I pull out some water and the embryo. The latter, I place aside until I’ve washed myself with some water.
I step deeper into the cave so I don’t disturb Moe and I wash three days worth of sweat from my body. All the while, I can’t help but feel embarrassed at the state I was in while Moe wastaking care of me. As my meridians got cleansed, every little impurity from my body was expelled. That means I…stank.
I scrunch my nose in disgust.
What must she think of me? That I’m a smelly bastard.
As I carefully scrub myself, I think of different soaps and fragrances I can buy for the future so I don’t impose on her olfactive senses.
Poor girl… On top of being tired she must have also been disgusted by me but she did her best to mask it.
I squeeze my eyes shut as embarrassment floods me.
Out of all the things…
I doubt I would be here without Moe’s help, but at the same time, why the hell did she have to witness me at my objective worst?
After washing as best as I could—until my skin is raw and almost bleeding—I put on clean clothes and return to her side.
