Chapter Text
Clive didn’t quite understand why he was regularly listening to Astra’s romantic fantasies. It started when he made frequent trips to Mid’s laboratory. Astra had caught his eye with her ever-changing outfits and her stare that lingered a little too long for comfort. She had always hung around the top of the stairs, and he passed her often enough that he eventually struck up a conversation, which began the start of their peculiar acquaintanceship. Over time, it had become a ritual: he would climb the stairs, she would call out to him, he would lend an ear until she became too much of an earful, then he would not-so-subtly escape upon an opportune moment. It did not take long for him to understand why she had been dubbed the hopeless romantic of the Hideaway nor did he feel he ever needed to intervene or participate with her attempts of courtship.
And today was not an exception. This time Astra had renewed interest in Joshua as he recently glanced in her direction before entering the infirmary earlier today. She proposed that Clive joined her for a nice cup of tea, it would entice his brother to finally accept her invitation.
Clive humored her, nodding his head with crossed arms. As she further elaborated on their date, detailing the matching dress code and gifts to bear, he started to inch away, making his way toward the stairs.
Astra called out to him. “Oh Clive, you are busy as always. That is what I adore about you, how you are so selfless, so strong in will and strength. Remember, that you can always rest your weary head on my bosom if you desire. Come return to me once more!”
Awkwardly, Clive waved at her and sped down the stairs, only to barely dodge the infirmary door as it swung wide open. Clive’s initial displeasure from the near incident quickly turned into concern upon realizing it was Joshua who burst through the door, making haste away from the infirmary.
“Joshua!” He called out before his younger brother could make haste.
“Clive, what is it?” Immediately Joshua turned around and wore a calm smile, which was coated in trace amounts of dried blood. His eyes were narrowed as if he was wincing in pain, and his hand hovered over his chest to shield his chest. Clive saw through Joshua's guard. He knew that Joshua had just been summoned to the infirmary once again. Joshua had made a point to not visit the infirmary every time they returned to the Hideaway, settling outside the main deck hide in isolation. During the too-frequent occasions that his coughs were accompanied by phlegm and blood, Tarja would retrieve Joshua and drag him to the infirmary for examination and treatment which he could not refuse between his wheezing. These visits would leave Joshua feeling a pit in his stomach as Jote would tend to him with glistening eyes and trembling hands.
“The curse,” Clive spoke softly. “It has gotten worse, hasn’t it? You’re in pain again.”
Joshua shook his head. He opened his mouth to speak, but instead of words, blood spilled from between his lips. Begrudgingly, he cleared his throat. Before Joshua attempt to speak again, another voice interrupted him.
“Yes, the curse has gotten more serious as of late.” Emerging from the infirmary, Tarja approached the two, arms crossed. “Your brother has been refusing his medication once again despite the severity of his symptoms. Even Jote has come to a loss on how to persuade him.”
Immediately, Clive shifted into older-sibling mode. He knew his words would fall on deaf ears, but it was not without effort that he pleaded. “Joshua, if it’s for your good…"
Joshua turned his attention to Tarja. “Miss Tarja," he managed with a groggy voice. "I apologize. I do not mean to offend you and your work. Your remedies are quite potent, and I do not believe that there is another medic in Valisthea possessing such mastery as you in the physicks.”
“As always, I am flattered, but facts remain the same as you consistently slip away without taking your medication.”
“Indeed. I am sure you have spoken to Jote. You must understand.” Joshua shared a warm smile, that would have been charming if it wasn't for the sanguine tint on his lips. Clive was unsure of how to feel about the juxtaposition of how his little brother had grown up so much from that tiny child with a little button nose, golden hair as fluffy as chocobo feathers, and a squeaky voice compared to the man that stood before him. Clive recognized this behavior from Joshua’s past. As a cherubic youth, Joshua used to weaponize his beady blue eyes to convince the handmaidens to leave the carrots out of every meal. Now as an adult, he still attempted to weaponize his influence to conduct others in his favor. This was something that Clive still needed to acclimate to and accept that his brother was not the innocent child of his memories’ past.
“Yes, I have spoken with her. You’ve had a history of refusing treatment for your curse when you were in her care. It is still no excuse. Albeit, I will admit my remedies only alleviate your symptoms and your curse still remains a mystery no matter how much Harpocrates and I have been researching for an improved treatment.”
“For your efforts, no words can express my gratitude for the lengths you have gone thus far.”
“Your honeyed words are always appreciated, but the issue is still at hand.” Tarja huffed in disapproval. “Clive, you are no better. Not only do you still sneak out before your injuries are nearby recovered but you enable your brother to accompany you during your travels when he needs further rest. We all know that it does not help his ailments, but you have yet to refuse him from venturing. By the Founders, stubbornness run in the bloodline, does it not?”
The Rosfield brothers exchanged looks before Clive shrugged with a sheepish expression. No words could salvage their reputation.
“How can I be satisfied with my work if my most valued patients refuse their treatment time and time again?” Tarja sighed, rubbing her temples as she struggled for a solution. “It would be foolish to try the same tactics repeatedly only to get the same results. Perhaps instead a change in course is needed…”
She trailed off in thought, tapping her index finger impatiently. No sooner, she lit up upon her epiphany. “Clive. Joshua. I have a request.”
Both of them perked up to their names, picking up on the sudden surge of energy.
“What do you seek, Tarja? Shall I fetch some more herbs?” Clive suggested, eager to assist. He remembered exactly where he had found errmonea leaves for Rodrigue and mentally prepared to make his way to Hawk’s Cry. “Or slay more mitelings for eyes?”
“Clive,” Joshua spoke softly, with a breathy chuckle. A coy smile was hidden behind his hand. “I don’t believe that is to be the case this time.”
Ah. Clive realized, feeling his cheeks warm. He had been carried away once again.
“You are correct, you shall not be gathering materials.” She shook her head. “No, I will be sending you to Dalimil for special treatment. There, you will speak to owner of the Baths and request the premium special.”
“Premium special?” Clive tilted his head in confusion. Those two words combined did not mean anything to him. “I apologize but I do not understand.”
Joshua stayed silent as he crossed his arms, skepticism clear in his expression.
Tarja explained with patience, knowing she was negotiating with a tough audience. “As you well know, the waters at the Baths originate from the hot springs at Doeznov Terraces, just south of the town’s borders. Those waters contain multitudes of minerals and salts that contain health benefits that can be absorbed through the skin. But I am only scratching the surface. Rumor has it, that these waters are also imbued with aetheric elements that grant it greater rejuvenating properties that have yet to be fully characterized and beyond, which includes accounts where many have been able to inexplicitly rid themselves of the illnesses they had arrived with. Many researchers have hypothesized that the hot springs channel from deeper into the earth and perhaps even draw some of its infusions from the Dhalmekian Mothercrystal.” She paused to look at Clive, who let out an audible hum.
Clive’s eyes were wide and glazed as he listened throughout her explanation but had seemed quite alarmed at the mention of the long-destroyed Drake’s Fang she had been referring about. From what he recalled, there was naught left of the crystalline wonder after Ifrit and Titan’s battle.
Tarja smiled knowingly in response.
“At present, it would be more accurate to say it now draws from the trace aether remaining to what is left of Drake’s Fang,” she corrected herself. “Although the mechanisms cannot be explained, the truth of the healing properties of those waters cannot be denied. I cannot promise that it would completely cure your brother’s curse, but I am confident it shall alleviate the symptoms. I implore bathing in those waters will do wonders, especially for Joshua.”
Clive considered her words carefully to the degree he could comprehend. The technical details had been lost to him, but he understood the gist of her recommendation. If taking a dip in the waters could potentially ease his brother’s pain, he would full-heartedly bring Joshua there even if he had to drag him the entire way. “Joshua, I know you may be reluctant, but we should pay a visit. Tarja has long tended to us, and we owe it to her to meet her request at her urging. And if this may help with your symptoms, I do not see why we should delay.”
On the other hand, Joshua had stiffened and his hands now clutching his arms, his muscles tightening. Despite his body language, he agreed cooly. “It should be worth investigating for ourselves, these remedial waters.”
Clive was relieved to hear those words. The thought of spending recreational time with his dear brother in a non-violent setting was refreshing and long overdue in Clive’s opinion. “Yes, think of our visit to the Baths as an opportunity to let off some steam.”
At Clive’s questionable choice of words, Joshua spat out a startled chuckle that disintegrated into a displeased groan.
Both the brothers were obstinate, but Clive was still the most bull-headed of them all. Joshua knew words would not convince Clive otherwise and he accepted their next destination for now.
Tarja noted Joshua’s reluctance. Knowing him, he would appear most agreeable and then slip away at a moment’s notice. She would make accommodations for when it should come to that.
“It’s settled then. An overnight stay at the Baths for the lot of you. Physicker’s orders.”