Supportive Friendship

Writers: Paula, Chelle
Date Posted: 21st December 2012

Characters: Chupsin, Keayd
Description: Keayd comes to see the healer after his wife is found dead.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 11, day 1 of Turn 6

The news of the healer's wife's tragic fate had reached vintner hall too, and Keayd was quite
worried about his friend. Key had envied his friend's marriage and now felt very bad about it. He needed to show support to his friend in need.

He picked up a bottle of strong brandy from the store and called his canine to follow. Knowing Chupsin, he wouldn't be drowning his sorrow in booze but in work, and he would need to open up so he could feel the sorrow. He limped across the to the hold, his three-legged companion following at his heels.

As right as rain, Keayd did find him in the infirmary on a stool, grinding roots with his pestle. It was tedious work and it usually would have gone to an apprentice, but Chupsin was enjoying the exercise as well as having something to do. When someone behind him greeted the vintner, he turned in his seat and looked back. His eyes showed his tiredness-he wasn't
sleeping very well, but he was still happy to see him.

"Chupsin. I heard the sad news. Can I offer my condolences?" Keayd greeted with a soft voice.
Vena made a little whine and went to greet the healer, pushing her wet nose against the healer's hand.

Chupsin rubbed her muzzle, then her ears. "Wish I had something to offer you," he replied to the canine before thinking. "Thanks...it's been...well I didn't really prepare for something like that." Not being prepared and in control was really throwing Chupsin off. He knew that things like this happened-especially with his career knowledge-but he had never thought it would happen to him.

"No, you can't prepare for it," Key said with compassion. "Here, wanna share this with me?" He gave over the bottle.

"Aye sure...let me just finish up..." He made a few more motions, then slid the ground up herbs into a small vial before stoppering it and setting it aside. Standing, he gestured for Keayd to follow him into his private area.

Key nodded and followed the healer. His canine seemed to sense Chupsin's sorrow and kept nudging him.

When they arrived in what used to be his old quarters that he had resumed living in, Chupsin immediately scrounged something to give Vena. A scratch on the head came after that and then he went to work to open the bottle. "You know, I wasn't really into the whole marriage thing
really...but then I never really thought it would be over this soon. And then you start to realize how much they did to take care of you...and I wondered what the baby would have been like." He was quiet then before he actually said what he hadn't said to a soul before that. "I couldn't save my own wife-Key. I never even had a chance to."

"I'm sorry, Chupsin," Key squeezed his shoulder.

Never one to cry, even over dead children, Chupsin finished opening the bottle and began to pour. After giving Keayd his glass, his threw one back down his throat, welcoming the familiar numbness. Alcohol was a release from the everyday reminders that he welcomed.

Key watched him empty the glass and started to wonder if the brandy was a smart idea.

"So what's been going on with you? Any news at the vintner hall?" He had to have something to take his mind off of the reason why Keayd had come to visit.

"The same old, mostly. Turnover is approaching and that always keeps us busy. Holds send in their orders. Apprentices are up to more mischief than learning. Price of some wines is going up because there was bad crop with certain grape varieties," Keayd replied.

"Hmm...why was there a bad crop? Too much rain or something?" Chupsin was curious and it was something to put his mind to as he sipped the next glass he poured. "Turnover is when my business booms. People do all sorts of stupid things while celebrating."

"Too much or too little, it's something that happens now and then," Key shrugged, that really wasn't his field of expertise.

"Maybe you had the right idea, Key.. Maybe marriage is too much work." Sinla certainly wasn't happy with hers. The Lord Holder seemed to have gotten it right, though. Then again, he had to marry because of the whole heir issue.

"I wouldn't mind getting married," Key murmured, staring his drink.

"Well go find yourself a female then." Alivya had been healthy as a runner and still-this. It was harder and harder to find them these days. Or maybe Chupsin was just a little bitter.

"I'm trying, but with this leg..." Chupsin wasn't only one who could be little bitter.

"Maybe we need to brace it so it's harder to see under trousers?" The healer was coming around, considering the problem. Giving him something to think about and solve was better than sitting around feeling sorry for himself.

"Sounds uncomfortable. I already use custom made boots to support the club foot," Key replied, not sounding very excited about the idea.

"Aye I know...I'm just thinking..." As it was, he could rig up something and try it out anyway. "I tell you what, let me see what I can come up with and we'll try it?"

"Okay, I see no harm in that," Key replied and flashed a grin. Now, that was the Chupsin he had learned to know.

Lifting a glass to the new project, Chupsin found himself smiling. It was good to have real friends.

Last updated on the February 1st 2013

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Supportive Friendship