ENG Leriana Deram. Learning

Anastasia waits for the door to close completely before turning to Leriana. The young woman continues staring for a few seconds at the spot where Forau disappeared, as if she were waiting for him to reappear… or as if her mind hadn't yet left that moment. "If you keep staring like that, he's not going to come back any faster," Anastasia remarks matter-of-factly as she picks up a nearby jar. Leriana jumps slightly. "I wasn't…!" she begins, but stops mid-sentence, lowering her gaze, her cheeks flushed. "Well… yes." Anastasia smiles slightly, not mockingly. "It's normal," she says calmly. "Come on, we have work to do." Leriana nods immediately, clutching her notebook and following her. Although, try as she might… her mind isn't entirely cooperative. They step outside, where the air changes completely. The small garden stretches out behind the house, filled with plants of different shapes and colors, arranged with an order that seems chaotic… but isn't. "This is the garden," Anastasia explains. "Most of what you'll use starts here." Leriana observes everything carefully, approaching a plant with long leaves. "What's this one for?" "Minor pain. It also reduces fever if prepared properly," Anastasia replies. "That one over there," she points to another, "is for common infections. And that one… it's best not to touch it until I tell you." Leriana nods quickly, taking notes. This part does manage to focus her a little… though not entirely. Because, without meaning to, her mind wanders back. To a pair of blue eyes. To an awkward smile. To a voice that tried to joke even when it clearly didn't know what to say. "We'll see each other…" Leriana grips her notebook a little tighter. "Leriana." “Yes,” she answers instantly, lifting her head. Anastasia observes her for a second. She doesn’t need to say anything to know that only half of her attention is present. “Focus,” she says gently. “This isn’t difficult, but it is important.” “I’m sorry…” she murmurs. “It’s just that…” She hesitates. “Forau…” Anastasia nods, as if she’s heard that phrase many times before. “Forau isn’t a common case,” she says calmly. “His treatments aren’t like the neighbors’.” Leriana looks at her attentively now, more serious. “I figured…” “What he has isn’t curable,” Anastasia continues. “It can only be managed. It requires precision, experience… and a good understanding of the limits.” She pauses briefly before continuing: “That’s why, for now, you won’t be present for his treatments.” Leriana blinks, surprised… but not annoyed. She lowers her gaze for a moment, processing it. “I understand,” she replies sincerely. “I don’t think…” she hesitates slightly, “…that someone like me should intervene without really knowing what I’m doing.” And then, more quietly: “Besides… he might not want to either.” Anastasia watches her intently. “That’s not why,” she replies. “But it’s good that you understand it this way for now.” Leriana nods gently. She doesn’t press the issue. “You’ll learn the basics first,” Anastasia continues, resuming their tour. “Ointments, infusions, simple treatments…” They go back inside the house, where Anastasia opens a cupboard full of carefully labeled jars and small containers. “These are the most common ones,” she explains. “For muscle aches, colds, wounds… the people in the village rely heavily on these.” Leriana approaches, observing with interest. “And you prepare them all yourself?” “Most of them,” Anastasia replies. “Now, you will too.” She hands her a small bottle. "Start with this one." Leriana takes it carefully, as if it were something delicate… though what she's really trying to hold onto is her own concentration. Because, even now… Even while trying to learn… A part of her is still there. In the living room. In a shared glance. In a goodbye that felt too important to be the first. Anastasia watches her out of the corner of her eye as she begins to explain the process. And she smiles slightly to herself. Because she's seen that beginning before. And she knows perfectly well… That this isn't going to be easy for either of them.