“I... I can try?” James said hesitantly as he tied Elliot back up. He set the small bird on the ground as he quickly tied the knot and then gently picked the little bird back up.
Evaline watched James tie up Elliot as she idly continued to pet Ellie. He treated the small bird with such care and affection.
"It isn't much," she said. "But the roots we foraged today can help you sleep. I usually seep it in hot water and drink it as a tea if I'm feeling restless." She paused, her hand still in Ellie's fur as she watched for his reaction.
Evaline nodded reaching her hand in the bag to feel for the root. She immediately felt it's rough texture, exactly where she placed it.
"Do you want it now?" she asked.
She normally volunteered to sleep first so that she'd be up by sunrise and go through her morning routine, but if James wanted to sleep right away, she'd gladly give it up so he would be well-rested.
"Sure," Evaline said as she got up, closing the saddlebag. She made her way over to the yurt, opening the door. "I'm going to sleep then. Wake me up in six hours?"
After getting confirmation from James, she went in, lit a few candles, and then laid on one of the cots, settling into a blanket and going to sleep.
She woke up to James's voice in the middle of a uneventful dream, and she stirred before opening her eyes and sitting up straight.
"Thanks," she said quietly as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and suppressed a yawn. She didn't want him to think she needed any more sleep. "Feeling tired yet?" She dangled her feet over the edge, getting ready to get up.
"Not really," James said with a little shrug. He stood in the doorway of the Yurt, leaving the door open. He'd kept the fire outside alive as he waited out there. He'd cared for Elliot a bit, paced for a while, and taken care of the little bird to the best of his ability.
He made a small splint of of a stick and some twine, very gingerly and precisely tying it up to the bird's broken wing. Then he pulled some extra berries out of his pack on Elliot's saddle so the bird could eat, and he cupped some water in one of his hands. The bird ended up drinking and taking a sad sort of little bath in his palm. Once the bird seemed content, he carefully made a tiny little nest by weaving together strands of grass and leaves. He set it on top of a rock, and the bird seemed to nestle in.
Eventually, he sat down next to Ellie the cat. He hadn't sad up right next to her, but eventually, she seemed to gravitate towards him in her sleep, pressing her body up against the side of his legs and purring. When he'd gotten up to wake Evaline, Ellie seemed to stir a little, but she didn't wake.
James watched as Evaline rubbed her eyes and got up, hoping that she was rested.
Evaline sat on the edge of her cot, tying her hair into a low ponytail so it stayed out of her face. It was no big deal if James wasn't tired now since she wanted to give him the root tea that would help him sleep.
"I did," she said, deciding to leave out that she normally got more sleep. It really was no big deal. "I hope you'll get a good night's rest too."
She got up and bounded for the door towards James. "Uneventful night, I presume?"
Evaline walked up to to the door, standing in front of it and waiting for James to move instead of squeezing past him. "Sounds like a peaceful night," she commented with a small tired smile. "Do you still want me to make you that tea?"
