Remedy

“You know,” Zander looked to the side, to make sure Aegir was listening, “You’re very lucky I’m as nice as I am!”

Aegir responded simply with a low growl, which anyone else would’ve taken as some sort of wordless threat. Zander, however, laughed at this, looking back to the food he was cooking.

“Sure, the boss thinks we all hate each other, and we’re good at keeping up appearances — aren’t we, Morfran?” Zander yelled behind him.

Morfran huffed slightly at the mild annoyance, but came closer at the smell of the food. Zander stopped stirring for a few moments to allow himself to scratch the beast’s chin, earning a more pleased noise.

“But, we all have to live, no?” Zander went back to stirring the large pot, “People love fear, they love hate — Hate, it brings in the money, no?”

“Hate, it brings in the money to live,” Parroted a small voice.

“Nice of you to join, Keres! Dinner is almost done, it’s your favourite!” Zander hummed a little as he added large chunks of meat to the stew, “You’re very right! Your speaking is getting much better.”

“Nice of you,” Keres parroted, “Dinner is favourite?”

“Yes, I am cooking the usual! You did say you liked it, no?” Zander hummed, “Or was it Typhon who had said that?”

“The usual is Keres' favourite!” The harpy put her hand talons together in happiness, chirping out a tune.

“Wonderful!” Zander blew out the fire underneath the pot, “Morfran, my beast, would you go and pull Typhon out of whatever hole he’s shoved himself in?”

Morfran huffed again, laying his giant head on Zander with no warning, almost knocking the smaller man over.

“Morfran!” Zander yelled, but quickly laughed — he couldn’t have kept a grudge if he wanted — “Ok! Ok, I get it! You can have some more chin scratches once you’ve gotten Typhon!”

Morfran grumbled again, and it reverberated through Zander, but he stood his ground, and the large beast finally caved and stomped off to go and find the straggler.

“Keres, could you grab us some dishes? I need to do something, so I can’t. It’s no issue to you, no?”

“Keres could grab us some dishes,” She nodded her head, hopping down from her stool and skittering off to go and find the dishes.

Zander sighed in relief, then wiped his hands on the tattered apron he had on, “Aegir, you wanted me to check your head, yes?”

Aegir stared at Zander for a few seconds, before nodding slowly with an affirmative grumble. Zander smiled, then pointed down to signal for the large beast to get down a little. Aegir complied, allowing Zander to see their entire head.

“How has it felt since I cut out the matted part?” Zander asked, “I know it was just a quick resolution to the issue, but I don’t think we could’ve brushed it out before the show. It suits you!”

Aegir grumbled out a response, staying very still as Zander prodded and poked through their hair. He hummed as he took it all in.

“Your head is healing!” Zander rubbed the short hair on the side of their head, “That mat did a number to your scalp, but it’s not so red now! It must feel much more freeing, no?”

Aegir nodded, slowly getting back on to their feet, once more towering over Zander.

“Now, Keres should be back any second! Will you help me prepare the rest of the food?”