Why couldn't he make it stop?
It ached and burned, but no matter what he tried and what he told himself, it wouldn't stop.
Elias had returned to the village after having been called into town to check in with a family that had fallen ill. The visit didn't take long, a simple stomach pest plagued the four, the doctor assuring them that it would be passing in two to three days.
He'd be returning to the town to keep an eye on things, knowing well this stomach disease was quick to jump if given the chance. It gave the doctor an opportunity to study, or at least to already be in town should more villagers begin to show symptoms. Elias had already taken time to talk with the Innkeeper about a room to rent for the next couple of days, it would spare him the trip back and forth.
Rather than return straight to the infirmary to gather up the supplies, Elias made his way home, to rest and fix a quick and easy meal, reminding himself to stop at the market after looking over the near empty pantry.
The day had been quiet after the visit to the family. After having spoken to the Innkeeper about a room, the doctor had decided to stay awhile and enjoy a simple cup of tea. The only thing he could recall from his stay were the busy thoughts in his head, the murmur of people around him and a short interaction with a woman who wished to sell him a strange bowl.
He sat down with his cup and plain toast, but rather than on the meal, his mind was focused on thoughts again, distracting him from eating. Elias' thoughts drifted to Maddoct, certain that the dwarf was long gone by now. He hadn't been able to meet with him again and a bitter thought crossed the doctor's mind then, that perhaps it had been for the better that they didn't meet again.
His muscles tensed and his jaw clenched as the thought lingered on the dwarf, his old friend, and that evening together.
It was still hard to believe that Maddoct had returned and yet nearly a month had passed before Elias had gotten to know. He had wanted to tell the other so much, seek help and advice, but when he learned of this fact the young man had felt his trust for his friend slip away, doubt creeping into his mind and shifting to a realization. He had lost another one.
Elias' mind became full of those he had come to know in the passing year, those he'd met and those he'd learned to trust. Little by little he realized he had lost them all. Driven away over time by no fault of their own, he was certain.
The doctor placed the cup down, grasping at his chest as he felt it tightening. One man remained that he could speak with, but now the doctor began to wonder how long until the Ranger would be driven away as well. Would he have the company for another year? A month? Weeks? Or did he only have days until he'd say something that would finally strike a nerve with his friend and cause him to leave?
He shut his eyes when they began to sting and burn, his breath was shallow and impossible to catch proper.
The distinct, soft call of his cat caught his attention, but only for a short moment before the thoughts consumed his mind once more. Why was he feeling like this? What had caused it? Why did it even matter so much to him now?
His father, mother and brother suddenly found their way into his busy space of thought, reminding of the loss that he had never taken the time to grieve. The patients he watched die and then, the people he had come to know and watched walk out the door to never come back.
It was then when he felt the warmth of his tears against his cheeks and noticed the droplets staining the wooden surface of the table underneath his arms. Yet, even though he was aware of what was happening, his body wouldn't obey and he could not stop. Why couldn't he stop?
Elias felt a light bump against his arm, causing his eyes to shift over to the feline that had gotten up onto the table and now demanded the doctor's attention. He welcomed it.
He dropped his arm down to allow the cat to crawl into the open space between the man's elbows, a gentle purr calming Elias and his arms slowly coming to rest around his furry friend.
"Please don't leave..." The young man whispered under his breath as his head sank into the soft body he held close, -the cat sitting still.
He didn't know what had happened or what had gone wrong, but something within Elias had finally broken and he found himself unable to stop. The only thing the doctor could do was to wait until the body was too weak to continue, at which time he finally got up, washed his face to remove any evidence, before returning to the infirmary to do what he had planned, gather up the supplies.
A pleasant warmth washed over the doctor upon stepping inside. Looking around, he noticed that the fires of the Soothery had already been lit and by the fireplace a figure waited. He closed the door behind him and stepped further inside, a strange relief finding Elias upon spotting the familiar, ragged clothing of the man waiting for him by the fire.
