Sicktember Day 30: Food Poisoning/Allergy
Word Count: 1008
Author: aquietwritingcorner/realitybreakgirl
Rating: K/G
Characters: Maria Ross
Warning:
Summary: Maria tries lots of new foods while living in Xing. Turns out this one doesn't agree with her.
Notes:

Food Poisoning/Allergy

The thing about living in a foreign land, was that you encountered a lot of food that you had never eaten before. Things that seemed common to the people around you weren't common to you. Things that were normal for them weren't normal for you. Things that they loved and enjoyed weren't what you loved and enjoyed.

When you didn't speak the language, either, that was an extra barrier. You didn't know what you were eating. You didn't know how to ask what you were eating. You just hoped that it wasn't anything too strange and tried it.

Most of the time, this had worked out well enough for Maria. She had learned to develop a taste for some of the food, while others she liked right away. Some things weren't to her taste, but she had learned that if she was offered them, it was polite to at least take some. She was beginning to learn the names of some of the dishes as well, or she thought she was at any rate.

There were new things to eat tonight, though, and she wasn't entirely sure what she was eating. Most of it tasted good, and even though there was still a communications barrier, she was always invited to meals, and they seemed to enjoy having her around. She, too, was learning to enjoy this family she was with.

Tonight they had a guest from somewhere, although Maria wasn't sure where. She listened as usual, trying to pick up on what she could, when something felt off. She coughed lightly, covering her mouth, and took a drink. It almost felt like there was something caught in her throat. It didn't seem to help, and she tried to swallow again. Only, it felt like something was blocking her way. Her throat felt tight, and she suddenly realized that it was becoming harder to breath. It fact, everything seemed to be getting worse, and she felt her heart start beating like crazy.

She reached hand out, grabbing the person next to her. She knew that it was incredibly rude, but she didn't know any other way to get their attention. It brought attention to her, the person annoyed, the others surprised, but the surprise quickly turned to alarm when they realized that something was wrong. She was wheezing for breath now, and it was becoming harder to track things. She felt hands on her, heard the alarm of voices around her. There were footsteps running.

She could hear something being set up, felt herself being moved. Someone poured something in her mouth, and she wanted to protest, because it was hard enough to breathe already. Hands were placed on her, pressing hard into specific spots on her body that hurt.

And then, after a moment, she realized that her breathing was beginning to ease up. Her heart was calming down. After a few more minutes she was able to breath better, to swallow, and the world started to come into focus again.

The guest was kneeling in front of her, running his hands over her body. He asked her a question, but she wasn't sure what it was that he was saying. He seemed to realize that and said something to the others. The wife of the household helped her sit up, and in a moment, the daughters were bringing foods to her. The guest pointed to each one and made a motion to his mouth. Maria realized that he was asking if she had eaten the dishes.

One by one she replied yes or no, two of the words she could say, and then the guest and the wife would drop into conversation. It took Maria a moment to realized that they were discounting foods she had eaten before and trying to narrow it down to anything new. Finally, they had isolated one dish, a type of fish that Maria honestly wasn't sure if she had tried before tonight. The guest asked for something, and one daughter ran off, coming back with a needle. The guest gestured for Maria's arm, and then took the needle and some of the fish. He poked the needle into the fish, and then poked it only a little way into her arm. Within seconds her arm was starting to turn red and itchy, and the guest pressed on her arm, and then took out a bottle, putting something on it. The redness and itchiness eased.

There was more talk that she couldn't follow, and then the guest was gesturing for her attention again. He pointed to the fish, and said something, very clearly and very slowly. He indicated for her to repeat it back. She did. He did that a few times, and then added the word for no to it. He pointed to the fish, pointed to her, and very vehemently said no.

It clicked with Maria. She was allergic to the fish.

She repeated it again, adding the emphasis, and the guest seemed satisfied. He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a small bottle with a stopper. He pressed it into her hand, and then mimed drinking it after pointing to the fish. She understood. This would help her if she ate that fish again. She made sure to bow him, thanking him.

He returned her bow, and then spoke to the others again. The wife and daughters encouraged Maria to stand up and helped her towards her bedroom. It seemed the guest—some sort of medical individual, Maria guessed—wanted her to rest, and, if she were honest, Maria was fine with that. The other women and girls hovered, helping her to bed, clearly wanting to make sure that she was alright. She managed to reassure them that she was, and they left her for the night.

Maria could still hear the family in the other part of the house. She could still hear the guest. But she breathed out, thankful that she could, and thanked her lucky stars that the guest had been there to help her.