Hope y'all enjoy this! I don't own NatM, the only character I own is my OC Jameson.
Octavius goes over to the Wild West diorama to retrieve Jedediah, only to find out that the cowboy has fallen ill. And a sick Jedediah is never a pleasant one…
"Jameson!" General Gaius Octavius called, addressing the man whom served as his beloved friend Jedediah Smith's second-in-command.
The cowboy turned on his heel at the sound of his name, then hurried over. "Howdy, sir," he greeted him with a tip of his hat once he neared, one hand resting on his belt buckle. His respect toward the general came in western-style, per usual.
Jameson was a darker-skinned man, with a mop of fluffy black hair, bushy eyebrows, and a beard. Octavius considered him an agreeable fellow, and quite well-mannered for a westerner. He'd always thought that Jedediah had made the best choice when selecting his right-hand man as him.
"Greetings," he said back, "is Jedediah around? I was expecting him to come by, and when he didn't I became curious."
Jameson sighed. "I don't think you'll be seein' much of 'im, sir. I'm afraid he's not feelin' too well t'night."
"Oh." The general paused for a moment, in thought. "Could I still see him?"
"I don't think that's a good idea, sir. Jed gets mighty-a cranky wheneva' he don't feel well. Might be best ta' just leave 'im alone. It's what we always do, anyway," the cowboy informed him.
"Perhaps I can help him," Oct continued, determined not to leave without at least glancing at his friend.
"You can try," Jameson replied, "but I don't think it'll blow ova' too smoothly."
"Well, I'm willing to take that chance. Which tent is his?"
The cowboy pointed to the middle tent of three just past the railroad tracks on the third level of the diorama. "That one right there."
Oct thanked the man and bid him a good day, then crossed the ground level and ascended the ramps up to the third level. From there he approached the train tracks, made sure there wasn't a locomotive coming, and walked the rest of the few steps to the respective tent. He pushed one flap aside, and found the familiar blonde-haired cowboy reclined atop the blanket on a cot on the far side of the space, parallel to the cloth wall, his arms folded. His gloves, vest, and trademark black hat were laid askew beside the bed, and Oct couldn't help but notice the careless position for the hat, the article of clothing he so much adored.
"Jedediah?" he asked gently, taking a few steps toward the man, unsure as to whether or not he was awake at the time.
The cowboy cracked upon one bleary eye to look at him. "Who let you in?" he demanded, though his voice had a sense of raspiness to it that Oct discovered bothered him more than the rudeness to the cowboy's response.
The Roman contemplated revealing that it was indeed Jedediah's second-in-command who had done such an act, unsure because he didn't want to get the decent man in trouble by Jed's standards, but then again, what else was he to say? "Jameson did," he admitted.
Jed let out an aggravated sigh as closed his eye again. "I told him not ta' do that, doggonit!"
"Don't be angry with him, Jedediah," the general said quickly, "I convinced him to let me come see you."
"Well, ya' can just walk right out, 'cause I ain't in the mood for no visitors," the cowboy replied.
Oct hesitated. "Not until I know that you are all right."
"I'm fine," Jed insisted. "Now can ya' please leave me alone? I don't need people waltzin' in 'ere ev'ry five seconds to determine my welfare." But, even as he said it, the last part of his words were cut short by a slew of phlegm-ridden coughs.
Octavius grimaced. "Are you sure there is nothing I can do to help? Perhaps a nice glass of water."
Jed looked up at him, and the general swore he could detect consideration in the cowboy's blue eyes. When a couple seconds went by without an answer from the blond-haired leader, Oct took it as a yes and began to leave the tent, telling the cattleman he would return shortly. The man protested, but not much, and stopped as soon as he was outside of his tent.
By the time the Roman had returned, after asking around and finally acquiring a cup of water for the cowboy from the diorama's supply hut, Jedediah had shifted into a sitting position, and was pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Here," Oct said, handing it to him.
The cowboy took his hand away from his face and sighed. "Thanks, Ockie," he said quietly, accepting the water.
The general grunted the standard reply as Jed lifted the cup to his lips. "Headache?" he said after a moment, recalling the cattleman's position when he had previously entered.
"Not too bad," Jed replied once he had taken the cup away from his mouth. He gave the Roman a small smile. "I'll live."
Oct smiled back. "That's good to hear, my friend."
"Sorry I was such a snake before," the cowboy said, avoiding the general's eyes.
Octavius paused. He hadn't been expecting that. "That's all right, Jedediah," he said once the small moment of shock passed, "you are no snake to me."