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Ezra screwed his eyes shut and put his hand over his ears. This is -exactly- what he never -ever- wanted to hear. Sure it was early morning but even he…“GAUH ZEB! Go use the refresher!” maybe mortifying the man would keep this from ever happening again.
The horace thick voice cracked out from below “y-yeah… M-maybe.”
Planting his face in his hands, he’d rather be fighting Darth Vader at this second in time rather than existing in this room. The heavy thud, almost retching cough that pulled from the Lasat now sprawled, still all his cloths on laid still panting half sprawled. He watched Zeb, the furball that prided open ship doors struggling to get at least to his hands and knees. “Hey, are you ok?”
“Yeh… no big deal, cold as Bahryn in here…” the large man made it to his feet, clinging toes the only thing that kept his shivering and swaying form upright.
“No big deal as Siths ass!” Ezra was off of the top bunk in a swift move and grabbed Zeb by the armor he still wore before he fell again. “You sound like you just ran from a herd of Bantha!”
“Naw, feel like they trampled me… I’m fine kid, hot sonic ‘n I’ll be good.”
“Are you having a hard time breathing?”
Zeb looked with a dropped exhausted face, the light bulb slow to flicker on. “Lasat pant, we don't sweat like the lot o’ ya.”
“Sooo, you’re sweating but you said you feel cold…Karabast you’ve got a cold” They both staggered as Zeb lost his footing for a moment.
“‘M fine. Just a hot sonic…” He mumbled his head bobbing a little, the cough that ran through Zeb’s throat as the Lasat covered his mouth still coughing and nearly sounding like he was going to wretch once more. The sudden movement moved both of them to slam against the wall by the door.
“No! To bed! I’ll get a medic!” the young Jedi was actually shocked how easily Zeb turned with him to head back to the bunk.
“Mmm maybe a bit m’re sleep… but no Medic.” Zeb dis his weakest growl at the Jedi, turning his head to only glower with the same intensity. He did however let Ezra help him back to the bunk where he collapsed with a heavy thud of fur and armor.
“Ok, well, stay here, dont move!” Ezra was out the door before he could hear Zeb’s reply of ‘no problem kid.’
“Ok, now at least take off your bracers, you’ll feel warmer in moments I promise!” The Jedi sounded pleased with himself. He didn’t even get a look or retort from the panting Zeb, the man just took his bracers off and in an unusual way just dropped them on the ground. Only when Ezra put the first blanket on did Zeb’s lowered ear twitch and a slit of a green eye looked out to him. “I’m gunna make you a purrito first!” and proceeded to throw more blankets over him and tuck Zeb into one mass pile of blankets. “Ok, now don’t move!”
Zeb only moved to use his toes to pull the blankets over them tucking in, not sleeping but his mind static.
Ezra was out in the hall, paused at Kanan’s door, drooping a little. Should he tell him that Zeb’s sick? He’d still care that his friend was ill right? Ezra scowled lightly and turned instead of Hera’s room-empty. Karabast, he could do this himself anyway, did it for so many years of his life. Alone… Zeb knew what that was like and after all hadn’t Zeb always been there for the rest of them? Well, aside from that one time with Agent Kallus.
Ezra ran to the makeshift mess hall on Atollion popping into the kitchen so fast he startled a single cook. “Hey, do we have any broth or something that could be made into one? Like a bone broth? And some ginger or something like it?”
Startled into compliance the rebel turned, a small slip of a girl who rummaged through the crates turned on their sides to be a sort of shelving. “I um, I think we do! But Ginger? No but we have gro’jehger its like a wookie form of ginger.”
“Perfect! Oh and Water jugs!”
The slip of the girl turned as she reached for something in the back of a crate that was stacked too high for her fingers to grab what she was trying to get. “W-what do you need all this for?”
“Soup! Well a broth soup. I have a friend that’s taken ill and needs some, we need everyone on the base in top shape after all.” He gave a charming grin to the Rebel girl, giving her the slightest lift to reach whatever she was looking for.
“AH! Got it!” she may have not even noticed the use of Force so focused on getting the ingredients. “Well if they’re sick, they should be isolated, an illness at this base could…”
Waving his hand as if erasing her words “Don’t worry, we have them isolated on the Ghost. I’ll com Hera and let her know.”
“What about you and the rest of your crew?” She handed Ezra the supplies.
Arms full of a small box of broth powder and the root in hand he grinned “We’re the Specters, nothing can catch us, not even a cold!” and he was off running again. He knew Lasat’s blood was different, maybe they wouldn’t be able to catch it. Yet a virus could mutate… he’d Com Hera when he got back to the Ghost.
Maybe he should make enough for all of them, just in case. Ezra thought it through as he rummaged through their measly selection of spices and herbs. Cayenne powder, just enough to warm from the inside. Dash of salt for the sweating…. If Zeb even needed it. He chopped both some onion and the gro’jehger root into tiny little flakes the best he could with his knife.
The young Jedi chuckled to himself with a passing thought of using his lightsaber for the job but then it’d be smoked onion and gro’jehge! He dumps some of the power, stirring it all together. Ok, time to face the Loth-Wolf… “Hey Hera can you hear me?”
“Not the best time Ezra. May I com you back? ” Hera’s voice wobbled through the com line.
“Well, rather you not. I’m trying to keep this private but it won't last too long, Promise!” He used the “son begging for a Loth-cat voice.
The sigh from Hera was audible through the com, she excused herself for a moment speaking quietly “Alright Ezra, what’s wrong? ”
“Zeb’s sick.”
“ Zeb ?!” Hera exclaimed and then cleared her throat, returning to a low tone. “ He’s never sick! When did he get sick? What is it? ”
“I’m a Jedi Hera, not a doctor. This is why I need you to find out if viruses are picky about, you know, blood types or what not. If not we have a situation that hopefully isn’t terrible, but it did take Zeb down. If it’s not then the base is ok. I’m not sure how to ask the question without … you know embarrassing Zeb.” Ezra spoke, fingertips above the water to make sure it was hot enough.
“ I, I donno, I’ll ask one of the med droids, they typically don’t spread others information. I’ll sleep in the Phantom tonight Just in case, but you!”
“Yeah, I’m staying in there with him. Got some soup and will take a jug of water with me. I got this!” Ezra was grinning at his self sufficiency.
“ And… and Kanan?” Hera’s voice was hesitant.
“Hasn’t left his room” Ezra winced as the words came out with more vinegar than he wanted “He’s safe, anyhow I have a large Purrito to tend to! I’ll com if I need anything! Ezra out.” He winced at his slipup closing the com fast so he didn't have to hear the reaction.
With a sigh he put his com on his belt plucking up two mugs, putting a ladle in the pot and used the Force to carry the two jugs of water back to his and Zeb’s room. He put the jugs down on the stool table first then the soup and mugs. Glancing over to see Zeb shivering and still panting hard. Furrowing his brow Ezra turns back to the soup and ladles out some into a Mug and squats down next to Zeb “Hey… Zeb. Zeb?”
“Not asleep just closin m’ eyes.” the voice graveled out from under the blankets now pulled almost completely over his head, his ears giving a twitch.
“Good cause sit up, I brought you something to eat.” The Jedi held out the mug within Zeb’s reach.
“Hnngh no.”
“What do you mean no, I made this myself!”
“Then without a doubt no.”
“ZeeeeEEEeeeeb C’mon, you need to eat something! When was the last time you ate something?” Ezra leaned in closer, was about to use the Force on this stubborn Lasat.
Zeb slowly arose from the blankets, a light hurk and he stopped moving for a moment before continuing to sit somewhat upright. A deep chested grumble from his throat, bottom lip protruding with the displeasure. He took the cup from Ezra, wary of that smile and took a sniff of it.
“Careful it’s hot.”
Zeb took a slow sip and reacted quickly and immediately regretted it. Ezra was there to help steady the cup but Zeb had his tongue hanging from his mouth as if that would cool it faster.
Laughing Ezra teased “Have a cat’s tongue then? I told you it was hot!”
Zeb sulked, his fur raising in embarrassment or annoyance. As if to respond to Ezra’s earlier comment his stomach lets out a growl and Zeb’s ears flatten immediately.
Again Ezra starts to laugh, standing to get himself a small cup of the broth. When he sits down Zeb has a much different look on his face, a small smile, soft-happy. “What?”
“Good ta hear ya laugh again. Been a while.”
It was Ezra’s turn to half sulk, the smile melting from his face “Yeah well you know why.”
Blowing on the cup a little to cool it down. “I do, still ain’t yer fault. Ya can think it is all ya want but ya got t….” Zeb started coughing again and once more Ezra saved the broth from spilling into his lap.
“Got to shut up.” the boy raised a brow.
“No…”Zeb squeezed out from a tight throat.
“No no not me, you. Drink some broth then lecture me.” Ezra’s lip upturned in a smirk.
With a Snort Zeb turned back to his cup taking a slow small sip of it. He paused and looked at the cup as if it had something magical in it. One more sip before saying with surprise “it’s good” oh and by the Ashla it felt wonderful on his throat and empty stomach.
“I know a thing or two.” The boy smiled and leaned back. “You should lay down after you finish that cup. Sleep always helps.”His smile widened.
“Aye aye Lieutenant sir.”
Ezra was pulled away from his data pad as the com chimed. “Ezra here.”
“It’s Hera, we’re in the clear. It appears that even a simple cold cant pass from one protein based blood type to the next. It’s just not genetically compatible much like someone like Zeb wouldn’t be able to have a child with a human woman, the protein binders are all wrong.” her voice had notes of relief in it.
“Oh good, cause we, well… Zeb drank most of the broth and that cook might throw a few pans at me if I startle her again to make more.”Ezra gave a whole body one laugh.
“How’s he doing? ” Concern replaced the relief.
“Better.” the gruff voice called from below.
“You hear that?”
“ Yes, glad you’re doing better Garazeb. You continue to get some rest, we’ll see how you’re doing tomorrow. I’m not going to take my chances, I’m still going to go sleep in the Phantom tonight.” Hera’s voice had a small tease to it.
“Don’t blame ya.” Zeb chuckled. “Might be worth it though for whatever that was Ezra made.” He leaned forward and looked up at Ezra. Ezra able to smile back, losing that smile quickly as Zeb started coughing again with that hurk.
“Oh Karabast gotta go!” Ezra was off the bed and grabbing the empty pot and shoving it in Zeb’s hands just in time. Ezra’s stomach twisted and he was able to fight down the gag reflex.
Zeb groaned “tasty soup too” mournfully he looked at the bucket.”Gotta use the Fresher anyhow since its safe.” He rose to head out the door, this time not wobbling anywhere near as much.
“Alright, and Zeb…” a small mischievous smirk started in his eyes.
Zeb stopped turning slightly.
Ezra licked his lips as if trying to swallow the laugh “You purr really loud when you’re a purrito…” The laugh still broke free.
PerCharacter Zeb gave him a gruff scowl and promptly headed out the door, where that scowl turned to a smile. It was good to have Ezra… That Ezra back.