Ouroboros Spine or in the temple of absent gods

His family had never meddled much with herbs. Valiant had only ever heard of them being used recreationally or in religious ceremony, and they held a place of vague, half-formed taboo in his mind. He was uneasy for a moment before, visibly, he decided to trust the moonwoman's words.

"Yes ma'am," he replied dutifully, deciding that he was touched by the gesture. A shy smile spoke of how seldomly he had received gifts over the years. "I thank you — that's real kind."

It did make him wonder what sort of impression he'd left on her, that she thought he needed tea to help him sleep at night. The uneasiness returned to him, but he was barely conscious of the worries that took off with his pulse at a run. They raced along a track adjacent to his conscious mind, which was currently absorbed with memorizing the brief message that would be passed along.

"Be well, Miss Moonwoman," he said, fumbling with her title and the requisite honorific. He was relieved to escape, but on the whole, very glad to have met her. He tried to convey as much with a sheepish smile, and made half an attempt to look regretful as he took his leave — that whelp and the slap of his knee, I'll let you get on with your day, and all the polite farewells that must take place shortly after as they all hovered in the entryway, wondering if a hug or a handshake or a wave was called for.

He skipped most of this in his flight, and only afterward realized he had not actually spoken to Aiolos.