Claudette was always the mother figure of the group. Despite being a lot younger than some members, her caring and selfless attitude automatically upgraded her to the role. And she fitted it perfectly. She was always there, during or after trials to help the wounded, to be a shoulder to cry on, or to generally lift everyone's' spirits. The group often acknowledged that they would be lost without Claudette to care for them. Which begs the question, who cares for the carer?
Claudette sniffled as she almost stubbled back towards the campfire. She did not feel good. The group discovered, not too long ago, that yes, it is possible to get sick in the Entity's realm. No one could forget the time David came down with the flu. A time, Nea, appropriately dubbed "The Dave-ocalypse". Claudette was not about to let a course of the sniffles get the best of her. She had people who needed her.
She sniffled and coughed her way through healing Meg and separating an argument between Jake and David, about who did the most generators. She sent the two men, sulking into the trees before finally taking a moment to sit down next to the campfire. She shivered, even as the campfire's warmth surrounded her. Her eyes began to droop, before a gentle "Hey", pulled her from the clutches of sleep.
Claudette smiled weakly, as Dwight took a seat next to her. "How was the trial?", he asked, simultaneously tossing some small twigs into the flames. Claudette sniffled again. "It was fine…We got the Wraith. We all got out okay, but…David and Jake had an argument when we got back". Dwight sighed and shook his head. "I wish they'd stop doing that. Kate said they keep waking her up with the yelling. It's not fair". Claudette simply nodded in agreement. "Maybe you should talk to them. They might listen if it comes from you". Dwight bit his lip nervously, before turning to her with a smile. Suddenly desperate to change the subject.
"How are you doing? You look…". Dwight took a moment to look over his friend before continuing. She looked a little paler than normal. Her eyes were puffy and watery, and she was visibly shaking. He watched as she raised an eyebrow at him, before continuing, "Uh…r-really good". Claudette rolled her eyes, "I'm fine". As if on cue, another shiver racked her body. She rubbed her arms aggressively to try and get the heat back. "You're cold?", Dwight questioned, looking from her back to the fire. "Just a little. I think, actually, maybe I have a bit of a cold".
"I knew something was wrong", Dwight said, beginning to pull his hoodie off. "Here, take this". "Oh, you don't have to do that", Claudette protested as she was swaddled in the soft fabric. It was warm, and if she was honest, smelled pretty good. "Thank you". "Would you like some tea?", he offered. Claudette sighed, rubbing her temple. "I would but, to be honest, I just can't be bothered to make it". "I'll do it". "Do you know how?". Claudette watched as Dwight was now headed towards the trees, obviously not hearing her question.
Dwight returned a short while later with some water and various plants. "I took some of these from your supplies. I hope that's ok". Claudette smiled and nodded. At least she knew he would be using the right plants. "Where did you learn how to make tea?". Dwight smiled bashfully at her. "I watched you make it the time David was sick. I wanted to know how to help so I tried really hard to memorise the recipe you used". Claudette eyed him, fondly. "Oh Dwight, if you wanted to learn about plants, why didn't you just ask me?" He looked away, embarrassed, "I…I didn't want you to think I was dumb". "I would never think that". "I…I know".
Dwight busied himself with boiling the water and mixing the ingredients together, under the watchful eye of Claudette, who wanted to make sure he did not poison her. She tugged the hoodie closer around her shoulders, still shivering. Noticing this, Dwight subtly poked at the fire, to try keep it as lively as possible. A comfortable silence fell over them. Claudette's eyes grew heavier as she listened to the gentle bubble of the water, as it reached boiling point. Dwight carefully mixed everything together, as best he could, with a lack of proper cooking utensils. Anything they had, they had stolen from the hospital, the asylum or the gas station. Lucky for them, Ace managed to swipe some beakers from the hospital during a trial.
Dwight slowly poured the hot liquid into one of the beakers. "You don't want any?", Claudette questioned, when she noticed the single serving. Dwight just shook his head, before offering her the beverage. "Be careful, it's really hot". Claudette moved her hands inside of the hoodie's cuffs, in an attempt to use the fabric as a barrier between her skin and the hot glass, before graciously taking a small sip. "Mmmm". "Good?" "Delicious. Thank you".
Dwight eyed the remaining tea, wistfully. "I wish we had honey out here", he sighed. "You like honey in your tea?", Claudette perked up at the chance to learn some new information about her friend. "Yeah…When I was a kid I used to have a crazy sweet tooth. My grandma used to sweeten my drinks with honey, so I wouldn't eat so much sugar. She said I didn't need it because, I was sweet enough without it", he laughed, but Claudette noticed the sadness behind it. She nudged him with her foot, "She was right about that". She happily took another sip of tea, while a subtle blush began to creep over the Leader's cheeks.
"Thank you, Dwight. Really".