steepwithdead | Folkmore

[Thankfully for everyone involved, Leonardo wasn't infected. Even with the blood contamination, he hadn't picked anything up.

The turtle curiously watches Caduceus work, wanting to see just how everything works. Magic has always fascinated him. Caduceus magic is like nothing he had dealt with before, so it always holds his attention.

He opens his mouth and closes it at the feeling. He had thought he had been resting really well, but this rush of liveliness leaves him openly dumbfounded.]

I... wow. [He has no idea what to even do with it.] Magic rules.

[That makes Caduceus chuckle.]

It has its benefits, for sure.

[He grew up with it, so some aspects of this power is normal for him, but he's learned and witnessed so many new things since leaving home, the wow factor never truly goes away. Magic should not ever be considered mundane, least of all the magic of the divine.]

Feel anything weird? Any fatigue, or illness? How're your injuries?

No, I feel... really good? Like, wow. [For once in his life, he's somewhat struck silent. His brain is trying to catch up with this whole new feeling.] I feel like- I could take on the whole world.

I could do anything!

[Leonardo can't quite contain himself as he reaches out to sweep Caduceus into his arm. Holding the other man up comfortably against his chest plates in a cradle as he spins both of them around. He throws his head back, laughing. The sound is bright and energetic. Delighted.

He comes to a stop after at least one good spin, breathless and smiling down at his friend. He can feel his heart flutter a little.]

Oh.

[UPPIES?? He is suddenly uppies. He can't remember the last time anyone did this to him. He can't remember when anyone was big enough to do it. When he was small, maybe?? So like 90 years ago... Usually he dwarfs anyone he hugs. He's not even sure what to say for a few moments, kind of shell-shocked (no pun intended). That sure did happen.]

I like the energy! Just don't, ah. Over-extend yourself with excitement.

[He won't spoil the joy by too much fussing, though. Not unless Leo expresses pain.]

Yeah, of course- yeah- [Another laugh bubbles up and out of him. Carefully, the turtle sets Caduceus back onto his own feet.

He smooths away the fluttery feeling. Just focused on being present with his friend. He can't just... ruin things in the way he always does. The best option he has is to be the very best kind of friend he can be to Caduceus. All he wants to is to make sure the other man is happy, safe, fulfilled-

He can do that.

He feels like he can do anything right now. He can do that. Even if it makes his heart feel like it might burst with something he can't completely articulate.]

Last thing I need is to just over do it and waste what you did. [He agrees.]

[Caduceus looks amused as he's set back down on his feet, adjusting one long sleeve before he gives Leonardo a scrutinizing look, to check on said injuries.]

Well, the good news is, only time and exertion can undo that. And also maybe more blood from your brother, so avoid what you did before, hm?

[The whole... blood-and-glass smashing, not the lifting spin. That was a bit silly but not a bad thing at all. It's nice to see Leonardo looking so happy, considering the miserable state he arrived in. And he does look happy, genuinely. It's a heart-warming scene, something Caduceus feels is well-deserved.]

I am going to be so well-behaved now. No more blood fights. Promise. [As well-behaved as he can manage, anyway. He's got all this energy.

The fact other people feel like this all the time is still mind-boggling to him. Sure, he distantly remembers how energetic he used to be, but Leo assumed it was an age thing.]

I'll enjoy this while it lasts. Dunno when I'll feel this... peppy again.

[Caduceus quirks a brow.]

I'll tell you the real secret: all that spell really did was give you the equivalent of a full, uninterrupted rest for as long as your body needed.

[He fully understands why it might not feel possible, considering Leonardo's life and all that he's currently dealing with. Call it aspirational: he could feel this peppy again, if he gets a real, solid sleep for a few nights in a row.]

Oh. [He manages after a pause. Leonardo assumed the spell was like a blast of adrenaline or something along those lines.]

I thought I slept pretty good? [This is a very weird day, where he's recontextualizing things.] I mean, I do, in my own way anyway.

What counts as "your own way"?

[Because he has looked pretty tired recently...]

I sleep a lot longer than before. [He didn't think his sleep schedule was that bad here, but...] I just sleep in shifts? A few on, a few off. Really depends on how tired I am, or if my insomnia is creeping back up. Gives me a lot of extra time to read though.

[Beloved Melora this man hasn't had a long rest. How does he function at all?]

Maybe I ought to be giving you that tea, too.

If you have extra, sure? I'm pretty alright generally. [Leonardo operates purely on twunk energy.

He does indeed do an air quote motion with one hand.] Not like I had a "normal" schedule before.

I grow it here. Sometimes I use it, myself. I've kept a good supply.

[Considering the population and their collective trauma, and the trials frequently forcing it to the forefront, you never know who might need it.]

I know the concept of "normal" can be quite relative, but what you're doing isn't healthy.

Well, I'm glad if I used some, it wouldn't take away from what you got. [He's reluctant to really go for it, but... if Caduceus is worried, he can reconsider.]

I mean, I get a lot of naps? That counts, right? [He has picked up a habit of finding a sunny spot in his guest room and curling into a ball to sleep.]

[Oh, no.]

It really doesn't. A thorough rest is critical to your long-term health, especially when you're still healing.

Oh. [He's not arguing with Cad about it, at least.] I... guess I'll make the tea part of my routine for a while. I probably won't need it forever or anything.

It isn't the sort of thing you should take long-term, anyway. Just a way to get a better rest on stressful days. That's why I tend to give Casey small boxes.

[Kid hasn't shown signs of abusing it, but it could easily be abused. And they have stressful lives.]

Thanks for not getting my son addicted to tea. [He offers back as a weak joke back.] I guess I'll try it tonight.

Whenever I actually settle for bed anyway. I dunno when I'll feel less energetic after all this.

Edited 2025-10-26 21:14 (UTC)

I'm sure you'll wear yourself out one way or another.

[Insert exhaustive gay panic joke here. Caduceus goes back to examining him, and fetches some fresh bandages to adhere over the worst of them.]

Hey, I could go on forever, you know. [He does stay where he's standing as Cad goes to get fresh bandages.]

I'm not gonna risk anything, though, I already broke my chest plate enough as is. [He mimes knocking over the newly repaired place for emphasis. Maybe forgetting, he didn't really tell Caduceus about that.]

That's good. If you exhaust yourself again it'd undo my hard work.

[The hard work of casting a spell. (He's joking, mostly. It was kind of high level.) He gestures towards a chair for Leonardo to sit down so he can work without the turtle moving too much.]

[He obeys the gesture without complaint. He sits down smoothly without any of the old man noises he occasionally makes when settling somewhere. Not that Leonardo notices. He's just happy to feel good.]

I'll do my best not to waste your efforts, promise. I'm occasionally a reasonable turtle.

Just occasionally, huh.

[Well, he won't grant an "always". But Leonardo has been fairly reasonable in the time Cad's known him, so the remark gets a teasing tone in response as he gets to work mending those cuts.]

Just occasionally. You never know what I'll get up to next. [Given he came back from a makeshift fight and throwing blood vials around, Leonardo is living proof that things just happen.]

I'll try to keep blood fights off my proverbial dance card for a while though.

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