Cassidy was still weak in bed by the time they returned. She felt so weak. It was like that one time she had the flu and her period at the same time. That sucked and this sucked and everything sucked right now. She pulled her blanket tighter over her shivering form, hoping the medicine given to her would work.
"Cassidy??" Came Nao's voice, though admittedly, her hearing was muffled too, so she could hardly hear her friend. "I got something that should help." She came over, kneeling by Cassidy's bed.
The woman opened her eyes and saw that Nao had bought a cup of tea. She could see that it was blue, and she could actually smell it a bit. It smelt like a blueberry mixed with a grape. A weird smell, but better than most medicines that she remembered. She let out a small groan as she sat up. "Lemme have it then.."She said as she gingerly took the cup from Nao, liking the warmth in her hands.
She took a long sip from it, letting the warmth go through her. It was nice. It was like being back at home with that blanket hoodie her mother had gotten her for Christmas that one time. She finished the cup with a soft hum. "..That was nice."She covered her mouth as she coughed after setting down the cup. "... I'm still really sleepy."
"Go on and sleep." Nao nodded, "By the time you wake up, we'll be back home at the castle..!"
"Awesome... Nao, you're..." She laid back down, her blanket still on top of her, "Amazin...." and back to dreamland she went.
She somewhat woke up when they were moving her into the litter with Nao for transport back to the castle. She could see that there was now someone new with them. From what she could make out before she passed out again, they were a doctor but Cassidy didn't remember them. But she couldn't think about that anymore before falling back asleep.
Her dreams on the way back to the castle were full of weird wolves, her moms voice, and for some very odd reason, Takashi and Tanjiro doing a ballroom dance under the full moon. Very weird. Amusing to her dreaming brain. But weird all the same.
When the litter was set down was when she woke up. She was surprised at how much better she was actually feeling. That medicine did work wonders...She stretched , looking around from her laying position, letting out a noise of surprise when she saw the doctor that apparently joined them for the ride. They seemed.... Different.
She sat up, looking around for Nao. The other was asleep.
"Apologies." said the new doctor, "we're only pausing for a small break before carrying on. But I'm Nanase. You're looking a lot better than when I first saw you, granted you were asleep. Are you feeling alright?"
"I. um." Cassidy nodded a bit, "I'm Cassidy Bishop. And.. Uh. Yeah. I'm actually feeling a lot better." She fiddled with the blanket that she knew Nao had placed over her, ".. I do not mean to be rude, but. I don't recognize you.'
Nanase blinked, actually seeming a bit surprised. He didn't expect this human of all of them to call him out on that fact. He thought for sure his magic would have modified everything correctly. And yet... He quickly got over the momentary surprise and began to spin a new yarn. "I'm not surprised. Lord Hidone has a large staff, you can't expect to know everyone. But there's also the fact you were badly sick. I'm happy that the medicine I made is working! Still," he said as the litter jerked as they started movement again, "Please continue to rest until we get back to the castle."
"...." Cassidy was silent. Something was.. weird about this. She just couldn't place it. "... I think I'm going to stay up, thank you."
Nanase shook his head. "I will have to say again, it would probably be a good idea to go back to sleep. Just to make sure you're fully well when we return. If you're concerned, don't worry. Guards are right outside, if anything happens, they can help us immediately."
Cassidy still gripped the blanket a bit. Sure the guards could help, but she didn't trust this guy. She had no memory of ever seeing him at the castle, sure she didn't see everyone but-.... She was still rather sleepy. "...Maybe you're right.."and she did lay back down, soon sleep overtook her once more.
She didn't wake up again until they arrived back at the castle. Nanase was still there, so it hadn't been a weird dream. She would have to talk to Nao later, to see if her friend remembered this person too. Maybe Cassidy truly just hadn't seen him. But something still felt off. Once she and Nao were in the privacy of her room, she said.
"I don't remember Nanase, like. At all."She said, trying to sound casual. She did look at Nao, trying to gauge her reaction to this type of conversation.
Nao looked like she breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh thank the gods, I didn't know if I was just going crazy or not.." She said, with a nod as she sat down beside Cassidy.``I just had never seen him before. I couldn't really protest considering we were all just wanting to leave. But.. He didn't do anything, right?"
Cassidy shook her head, "When I woke up for a moment, he was actually very polite."She still didn't really know what to think of Nanase. "I mean, he made that medicine right?? I feel great. Hell, I still feel ready to go for a walk around the castle. So... Whatever the case, at least he's nice...??"
"Being nice could be a trick... I still have no idea where he appeared from out there, but everyone else seems to recognize him, so..."
"Yeah," Cassidy nodded, "It's... Weird, but.. Yeah.. Nothing we can do now.."
---
Later that night, Cassidy still couldn't sleep. She sat up with a slight sigh. "....." What to do, what to do... She didn't really know. She was about to go to the library to find a book when she heard was sounded like something bouncing...?? She looked around from where it could be coming from and she realized it was from the trunk where she had put the stuff she had when she first came here, except for her messenger bag since she used that to carry stuff in general. But what could be bouncing in there...??
Her first thought was that her phone somehow got charged, but that was impossible. She got to her knees and opened the trunk, shocked to see that guidebook she had had, bouncing all over the place, it was even glowing slightly. She hesitated before picking it up, opening it. She was shocked to see that the information within it had changed since she last read over it.
'It's rumored that Lord Hidone harbored secret feelings over one of his son's teachers, these rumors really only starting after he went and saved her directly after an accident during one of the hunting trips. From some records, he came back with her, wrapped in his clothes. This only led to more rumors. For more information please check ....'
Cassidy blinked. This... Was different, and definitely not what she expected. For one thing, Takashi helped her cause it was the right thing to do. This was also making it seem like she was wrapped in his clothes only. As if something.... Happened. Her cheeks flushed a bit at the thought. But that wasn't the important thing.
This book has changed...
That meant the future was changing.
"....."She stared down at the book in her hands, "I... Don't think this is good..."