The day was going somewhat nice, or rather, Akhifer forced herself to think so while her body begged her to finally take a break. This time, it wasn’t because she overworked herself. She simply fell ill and wouldn’t allow any medics to boss her around. Well, until she was caught running some random errands by the very guy who complimented her last time on how she handled a harasser.
“Everyone can see you’re sick from tens of meters away,” he commented. Without asking any questions, he touched her forehead with his fin. “You have a strong fever, dummy, you should lie down.”
“No.” Akhifer swatted his fin away from her. No, no, she was absolutely not going to lay down when there was so much to do. She had her duties as a captain and an alpha, and she had to fulfill them, sick or not.
“You don’t listen to medics, do you?”
“I have a habit not to, indeed.”
She swam past him, not bothered by the upset look he gave her. If he wanted to make her take care of herself, he needed to try better than that. Not to mention she didn’t even know his name, they weren’t buddies, so she had an excuse to not listen to him. Who listens to strangers?
Sick fish, that’s who.
Akhifer felt the strange male joining her side as he followed her closely, watching her moves. Maybe he was preparing himself to catch her if she fainted, but she definitely had no intention of doing so. She felt great, maybe a little under the weather, but definitely not tired enough to worry about herself. Duties called.
“Did you know you had spots near your gills?” the male spoke, getting Akhifer’s attention.
“What spots?” The Captain stopped, turning to the he-carp slightly to look at him.
“Tiny, dark, they look like freckles. You didn’t have them before, right?”
“Nope.” The koi sighed. “I assume this is a symptom of a disease?”
“Obviously. Looks like a bilberr¹ flu. It’s not dangerous, but it’s best to lie it out.”
Akhifer got visibly suspicious.
“Bilberrs cause flu?”
The male’s eyes sparkled, as if she just asked him something he couldn’t wait to explain. It was probably safe to guess that he became a medic out of passion, not because his parents told him so.
“Well, actually!” His cheerful tone definitely showed plenty of excitement that he could share some of his wisdom with someone. “It’s not caused by bilberrs per se, but by an illness some bilberr plants fall victim to. Inhaled, it attacks koi immune system and causes flu-like symptoms. It’s not dangerous by itself, but since you’re already sick, it’s easy to catch something else. That’s why…?” The medic looked at Akhifer with anticipation.
“I should lie down and rest?” She guessed, although honestly, it couldn’t have been a different answer.
“Exactly!” The male clapped his fins. “Now go finish whatever you’re in the middle of – but only this exact task! – and go get some rest. See you later!”
He waved her goodbye, leaving as she shouted after him.
“Why should I take a stranger’s advice?”
“The name’s Elrad! I live near Flowery Pass, if you ever want to drop by!” the other answered, understanding the remark. Then their ways parted.
Akhifer smiled a little. It’s funny how males can be annoying in so many different ways.
TBC
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