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Emmrich smiles as he helps Viago with his garden. He doesn’t need to, but there’s truly nothing else he’d rather be doing right now. If only his dearest had let Manfred aid them! There’s so much he could learn here!
His dearest looks so serene, tending to his numerous deadly plants that Emmrich can only guess at the use of within poisons. Telegraphing his moves, Emmrich moves closer to the stubborn man and presses a soft kiss to Viago’s forehead. He flushes slightly, freezes for a moment, and looks away. Emmrich smiles.
A few moments pass before Viago returns the kiss, lingering on Emmrich’s lips for a few extra seconds before smirking and hitting him with those brilliant blue eyes. “I hope you realize you’ve likely just poisoned yourself.” Those eyes twinkle even as Emmrich realizes what he’s done. “Rubbed against some leaves earlier. The oil from them is completely harmless unless it’s ingested.”
“Oh dear.” That would explain the lightheadedness starting to overtake him.
Viago looks over to the small collection of items at the edge of the garden. “Come on. Should get you the antidote before things get worse for you.”
His dearest ends up having to help him out of the garden as Emmrich’s vision begins to swim. He certainly hopes this doesn’t put a damper on the lunch he was planning. Manfred should almost be finished with the preparations. It would be a shame to let all of his hard work go to waste because of Emmrich’s blunder.
Cool grass tickles the exposed skin on his hands and arms as his vision darkens and nausea begins to take hold. A fear as old as time begins to take hold of his heart. Is this the way he goes out? “Drink this.” Viago demands, holding something cool to his lips. Emmrich downs it greedily. Bitter and sweet. Slightly slimy.
“Lay down. Do not vomit.” Dearest explains with only slight annoyance. He’ll do his best. “It’ll take about an hour to work.” Viago must be sitting beside him since he chooses to rub small circles in Emmrich’s back with the occasional divergence to run bare fingers through his hair. He’d relish it more had the circumstances been different.
He’s not sure how long he lay there, attempting to keep his breakfast or how long Viago dearest spent soothing him without a word. He knows that Manfred showed up at some point, and that it’s noticeably later when he finally feels he can open his eyes without the world spinning.
“Finally back with us?” Is that a hint of worry in his voice? “Your son seems intent in leading us somewhere. I told him we could go when you were better.” His unfortunate symptoms do seem to be vanishing more quickly as time passes.
“Yes, I believe so.” He still feels a bit off, but he’s certain it will improve with time. “I apologize for this. I should have known better.”
“Don’t. I should have warned you.” Viago presses a quick kiss to his lips, eyes full of fondness as he pulls back. It’s a shame he doesn’t get to see that expression more often. Emmrich would bask in it every day were he allowed. “Come one. Your skeleton son might just shake apart if we don’t get moving soon.” Emmrich lets himself be helped up, not that his jelly-filled legs would have allowed otherwise, and led to the area he’d had set up for their lunch.
“It’s a bit late, but I hope you find it acceptable.” He explains as Viago slides him into a chair.
“Guess we’ll just have to find out.” He watches as Viago examines their lunches before pulling out a series of vials and downing them all one after another. He gives Emmrich the same series. He’s not sure how much he’s going to eat given everything, but he downs them anyway, knowing it’ll let Viago eat with peace of mind.
Emmrich picks at his meal, listening as Viago dives into one of his many tales about Rook’s training as he enjoys the lunch Emmrich prepared. Today may not have gone to plan, but at least everything worked out in the end.