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It had been an accident really. One moment it had been hanging harmlessly on the wall, filled with vials and various ingredients he needed and used. The next? Crashed into, falling to the floor with a resounding crack that had nothing to do with the man who’s arm was broken in the fight. Precisely why he didn’t like family feuds brought into his work. He was just a doctor, a healer. Not a mediator or negotiator. If anything, the men had paid for the damaged, and, for the treatments both had needed in following their little fight. Men were on edge, and news traveled faster than it should have really. It only made tensions rise, like they had in the two monkeys he’d had to handle.

Yet now Marco was left needing to have a new cabinet made, the two idiots long behind him.

Going out was ill advised he’d been told, rumors of wolves and of things that masked themselves like men? Marco brushed it off as superstition. Granted some things were harder to dismiss, but the doctor would place his faith in science. And besides, he had Somnium, (who was huffing and puffing at each and every snowfall and at each sunset).

Reaching the carpenter’s workshop, he gave the door a knock before letting himself in. “I take it this is where I would place an order?” Behind him, Somnium pressed, head trying to sneak past, ever curious. When Marco saw the other deer he paused. Somnium just got more curious. “And you’ll have to forgive Somnium, he’s not much one for waiting.”

At the word ‘yes’ Somnium took it as the okay to shove Marco forward so he could enter. Doorways were not place to have a deer waiting, let alone a buck who was prone to shoving himself by his chosen’s side. In Marco’s experience, it just ended with Somnium coming in anyway. Marco rolled his eyes as Somnium began to puff his chest out. Being called handsome hardly did anything for the buck’s ever growing ego. Then again, it did endear him immediately to the man that Marco hand sought out to get a new cabinet from.

Marco just tried to ignore the fact Somnium was telling him more or less to be nice, as this man was clearly a nice one. “Looking for a man who can make me a new cabinet. It’ll be housing various medical supplies so the wood will need to be treated as best it can, in case of any spills or accidents. Not to mention I occasionally have to have a thing or two that stinks worse than this deer does.” Somnium stopped his preening long enough to scowl at his chosen. But that was of little concern to the guardian, eyes going to the doe.

A think that didn’t go unnoticed by Marco, who sighed and gave him a wave. As much permission as he’d give. “Just don’t go a break anything- er, pardon. His name is Somnium.” Marco said, trying to keep an eye on the guardian. The buck wasn’t looking to the other chosen, more the doe, curious as he bowed his head, minding that his antlers didn’t go and hit anything or anyone. “But I digress. It would be all wood. I just recently found what can happen with one built with glass panels. Far too expensive and.. messy should it get broken.”

“Ashe? A pretty name, better than Somnium at any rate.” A light jab at his guardian, who’s only retort was to flick his tail at Marco before sending him the feelings that were best described as ‘I’m going to eat part of your flower beds again for that’. Marcos was very much used to that feeling being sent to him. Still, Even with the jab, Somnium was doing his best to look impressive, even if he wasn’t all that impressive really, Marco often joking that his rack was better suited for hanging socks to dry than anything. A joke accented when the chosen had indeed, tried to hang sock on alters to dry.

“Good to know I’ve come to the right place. The cold doesn’t seem to be letting up, and with everyone on edge these days I fear marauders will take advantage of such a thing. Makes traveling even in the city and towns a bit more difficult than it ought to be. Hrm… If it’s a cabinet about two foot by two, four shelves would be good. The vials and small boxes hardly take up any space at least. I have one just to give an idea what it’ll be hous-“

As the man seemed off for a slight moment, Marco hesitated to pull out the small vial from his coat pocket. “Are you well sir?” It was a forward question, but illness did often visit in these winter months. “And I realize I might have been a bit rude, allow me to introduce myself. Marco Rossi, and already introduced Somnium to you.” Somnium who was busy looking at the doe’s markings, expressing his fascination to Marco with a few flashes of what he was seeing. Something Marco really thought distracting given his attempts to have a conversation.

Men masking pain of illness wasn’t uncommon, they did it more often than the women in Marco’s mind but these days, who wanted to admit they were ill? There was always work to be done in the winter months, even if it was cold and unpleasantly wet, and likely the very thing that would give you a cold or fever to start with. Marco didn’t think it was worth much concern until the guardian came over and gave him a nudge and motioning to her chosen. “Ah, so that is how it is, is it?” He smiled a bit before looking at Somnium. “Somnium why can’t you be as helpful as her when I’m ill?” The buck snorted before rolling his eyes. Obviously, Marco was forgetting the many times the guardian had gone and picked up things for him and helped him walk that one time he’d had a nasty sprain.

Looking to the sketch, Marco nodded before looking at Matthew’s complexion. “Ashe seems to want me to see to you. While I don’t have all my supplies, I suppose I can do a small check up. And before you get concerned-” He smiled a bit. “I’m a fully trained doctor. I’d be willing to treat whatever ails you… perhaps for a small discount?” He might be willing to do a mild check up, but if he could get a small discount it would be good. “If not I understand, I can still at the very least offer a diagnosis. I’d rather not have a man working on something when he’s likely to fall ill at a moment’s notice.”

The glances between chosen and guardian made Marco huff if only because in looking at Somnium… They had a similar way. The chosen certainly held a lot of power, but if the guardian wanted something, they would often get it. Stubborn, the lot of them really. But no more stubborn than many patients Marco had had over the years, his mind going to the one farmer with the guardian. That had been bucket of fun really. Not the worst, but still memorable.

“You sure?” Marco asked with the comment about getting a wife. “They’re more parents really, at least that is how I see Somnium, fussing this way and that over me. Even if he lacks a certain maturity at times.” The buck looked away as if to deny such accusations, even if he eventually did sheepishly nod his head, acknowledging the fact.

Rolling up his sleeves and going over to Matthew, Marco picked up his hand, lifting the wrist and checking his pulse. A little above normal, but not much to be highly concerned over. Skin was slightly pale, a bit sweaty but that could have been from work. “Deal is a deal then. I won’t make any promises however, some men can work through an illness, others it can and will be a death sentence. Just takes one day in this weather to kill a man.” The comment about wolves drew a raised brow before he placed a hand on his chest, then at his back. “Deep breaths please. Slowly in and slowly out. And wolves seem more talk of bandits using hunting dogs. But then, that is just me. I try not to play into the fears of what might be.” A shrug. “I have Somnium. If the old tales are true, he’ll protect me well enough.”

Marco smirked. “They fuss, and pout and push us around. No matter how stubborn we may be, I’m afraid they quite overpower us. At least that seems to be the case with each one I’ve witnessed. Then again I expect I’m a bit biased with him as a companion.” Another snort from Somnium, the buck’s ears flicked in annoyance, glaring at his chosen.

A low hum from Marco, the breathing was fine, but bringing his hand to the man’s forehead he sighed. Too warm to be from work alone. You seemed a bit dizzy earlier, had that just started? No ringing of the ears, smelling things that are not there, or other odd things?” Looking at the man’s eyes, then back to his hands, looking at the veins on his wrist and lower arm. “While true, getting the fence up is all well and good, and would help deter a few bandits, it’s not worth making your health worse than it already is. And from Ashe’s actions, I’d be willing to bet you’re the type to think you can work through your fever.” Cold blue eyes stared at the man before letting go of his arm.

Arms crosses as Somnium looked to Ashe, shaking his head. “You have a mild fever, nothing bad, but if it’s onset from having worked out in the cold, you shouldn’t be returning to it until your fever has broken. Going back out could trigger you body to get only worse in it’s effort to keep you healthy, making it even more difficult for you to work. My advice would be to give into your body’s demands. You feel tired go nap. Hungry go eat some hot soup or make a stew. You body will tell you what it needs and what it making it worse. Just a matter of listening to it.” Marco cast a glance to the two deer in the room.

“and I suppose listening to your quasi parent as well.”

Seeming one way and being that way were two different things. As Matthew seemed to become a victim of Ashe’s pushing and shoving it was looking more fact than simple speculation. Popping his fingers, Marco nodded. “Just a small fever, it’ll break in a day or two with some rest. And I mean it, rest is best as the saying goes.” A saying that perhaps didn’t really leave the small medical circles. Doctors could joke… if poorly.

A stomp of a hoof, and Both Somnium and Marco looked over to Ashe, curious at her small outburst. Somnium looked at his chosen, not knowing what had the other guardian so upset, aside from the obvious that was. Looking over at Matthew, the buck watched as Ashe began to herd him away, noting how her markings seem to change color going up her legs, a most interesting sight. Nothing like his own markings. Nothing that really interested Marco at any rate, the chosen more concerned that the man might be pushed and fall due to a dizzy spell.

“Almost done. And no. It doesn’t have to be ornate or carved or anything. Just a clean cut, sturdy cabinet treated in the event of spills. From broken vials or leaks. Other than that just make it suitable size. And payment…” Pulling out a small pouch, he counted the coins. “This suitable for starting commission? The other half to be given upon completion of the work?” A simple question, but often the most difficult. Making sure the pay was suitable.