Chapter 8: I think you're better off not doing that.
"You know, if you're looking to sell more, you should go see Old Man Miller. With this cold snap, half the village is sniffling or worse, and I heard he's running low on just about everything. He'd probably buy all you can carry."
Adrian's eyes lit up. That was exactly the lead he needed. "Really? That's… thank you, Elara! That's a great idea!"
"Just looking out for our little hero," she said with a gentle laugh.
The genuine kindness in her voice struck a chord in him. He was so used to just scraping by, that this simple bit of help felt huge. "Well." he said, feeling a sudden surge of gratitude.
"if you ever need anything else, I mean, I'm not the strongest, but if you need firewood stacked or something heavy moved, you can call on me. Anytime." Adrian said, eager to leave as soon as possible and start gathering herbs.
Elara's smile widened into something truly amicable. "That's very sweet of you, Adrian. I'll be sure to hold you to that."
He returned her smile, with a real, unforced one this time, feeling a little lighter than he had all morning.
With a final nod, he turned and headed down the road towards his house. the image of his own grave momentarily replaced by the hopeful prospect of a real sale.
Fortunately for Adrian, the village clinic was in the same direction as his home, so after leaving Miss Elara's home, it wasn't long before he closed in on the building.
Adrian rounded the corner and saw the doctor himself, Mr. Miller was standing in the doorway of his sturdy log cabin clinic.
The man was a mountain of a person, with broad shoulders that strained the seams of his thick fur coat. His hair was black but streaked with distinguished grey at the temples, and he was currently seeing off an older man bundled in a similar fur coat.
"…and try to stay warm, you old fool," Mr. Miller said in a deep yet friendly tone.
He clapped the man on the shoulder. "Don't come back to see me too soon, you hear?" He smiled, a smile that crinkled along his eyes.
" Alright, I've heard you. No need to pour it into my ear." The man chuckled as Mr Miller waved him off.
Adrian felt a flicker of hope. He waited for the patient to leave before approaching the clinic.
"Morning Mr. Miller." he greeted.
The moment the doctor's eyes landed on him, the warmth in them vanished, replaced by a chill that could freeze water.
It was like watching a fire get snuffed out in an instant.
' Hehehe...Right, I completely forgot...'
Adrian thought to himself, the hopeful feeling of getting a huge order shriveling inside him.
'I forgot Mr Miller still doesn't quite like me all that much... To be more specific, the original owner of my body.'
He could never quite figure out why. For as long as he could remember, the village doctor had always looked at him with this same cold distance face ever since he turned 15, which was technically when he was finally considered an adult, well, by this worlds standards.
A memorable coldness that was completely different from the kindness he showed everyone else.
"What do you want, boy?" Miller's voice was flat, devoid of its earlier friendliness. His eyes scanned Adrian up and down. "You don't look like you're on death's door, so why are you darkening my doorstep?"
Adrian swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. "I was talking with Miss Elara," he started, forcing his voice to stay even, for some reason, he felt instinctively frightened of the man Infront of him.
"She mentioned… I mean she said you might be running low on medicinal herbs and could use a supplier that can help you restock the clinic."
" Even if that's true, I don't see why that has anything to do with you... I'm sure they're other more capable suppliers in the village."
" I'm afraid not sir, due to the ever growing winter, people coming into the village have been decreasing as of late."
" I mean no harm when I say this but I think it would be more proper for you to seek my aid instead of spending more money going into town and procuring the herbs there."
' When did this boy get such a glib tongue–?'
Mr. Miller's jaw tightened. "I can manage my own—"
"Adrian!" A sweet, excited voice cut through the doctor's cold remark from behind, like a sunbeam through ice.
A girl popped out of the clinic door the next moment, her vibrant orange hair tied up in two messy pigtails.
Amy, the doctor's daughter. beamed a smile at him, her enthusiastic energy almost physical.
"Hi!"
" It's so good to see you!"
"How are you?"
"Are you feeling okay?"
"You look a little pale."
"What have you been up to?"
Adrian took a small, involuntary step back under the barrage of questions. Her enthusiasm was a lot to handle.
"I'm… I'm okay, Amy. And I'm just having a conversation with your father."
Amy immediately shifted her focus to her father, her hands on her hips. "Papa! You liar! You said just this morning we were practically out of everything and you didn't know what you were going to do!" She glared at him, her freckled nose scrunched up in disapproval.
Mr. Miller's stern expression faltered as he looked at his daughter.
"Now, Amy, it's not that simple…" he began, trying to soothe her while simultaneously shooting a look at Adrian that could have curdled milk.
Adrian felt a gulp get stuck in his throat, but seeing Amy on his side gave him a sudden burst of courage. "If… if it's about the price," he blurted out, "I can give you a discount. I'm sure we can work something out–"
"Oh, hush, we can pay." Amy said instantly, waving a dismissive hand before turning her fiery gaze back to her father.