Let's go our separate ways

Part 28

"You have time to nap but not to eat?" is what Flos understands from Scale, and he affirms it!

"I usually take naps before meetings, so I won't accidentally fall asleep in the meeting," Scale laughs at what he reminisces, of several people nodding their heads in what seemed to be an agreement but actually, they were just dozing off, "As for eating..." Scale doesn't finish the sentence because he has no excuse for that

Flos unpacks the lunch bag she brings and takes out a lunchbox to Scale, then takes out another lunchbox for herself. Scale accepts the lunchbox Flos hands over and asks with surprise, "You are eating here too?" as he takes a seat in front of her after making a trip to his desk for what, Flos doesn't look

"Rather than making a 2nd trip to collect your lunchbox, I would rather eat here and wait for it. Since you don't eat much, it won't take long for you to hand back the lunchbox anyway," Flos also takes out a glass bottle containing medicated drink

"Thank you," Scale accepts the drink, poured into the cups he found in the room

Flos accepts the gratitude and the cup of water Scale hands over to her, "Where will you have your dinner?"

"Don't need dinner," Scale shakes his head, having considered it thoroughly, "Breakfast and lunch are already enough; more than what I usually eat each day,"

Flos looks at Scale with a frown, "You don't each much,"

Scale smiles slightly and nods, "That's the case,"

It may be sudden, but Flos still asks, "What's your power?"

Scale has already opened the lid of the lunchbox to look at the content. Hearing Flos's question, Scale raises his eyes to meet hers as he says slowly, "[Water]," as he continues by himself without prompting from Flos, "Speciality in preservation," with a smile

Flos understands then, "You are always using your power to sustain yourself; even though you only consume a little food or water, you can keep going on for days from the energy of the meals you consumed and preserved," in other words, "You can endure hunger and thirst for a duration until you need to replenish them to recharge your energy,"

Scale nods in agreement. He doesn't wonder how an illiterate person can understand such complicated matters regarding his power from just a few words he said. He also sighs as he tells Flos, "It might sound great and all, but aside from the fact that I don't eat much, nor do I need to eat much, I am still a normal person who needs bathroom breaks and proper sleep too,"

Flos just keeps staring at the man. Is it necessary for him to add the last sentence? It ruins the enigmatic atmosphere Flos set up. Nevermind.

Scale laughs at Flos's stare then happily looks at his lunch, "Oh, the portion has been cut in half!" compared to the meal from breakfast

"It is still more than what you ate," Flos notes as she stops staring at the man to mind her own business

"I can finish this," Scale assures her, though still tells Flos, "You can prepare my breakfast and lunch in this portion next time,"

Flos nods and laments, whilst taking off the lid of her lunchbox, "Since you don't need to eat, why even bother to hire me?"

"I do need to eat, just not much," Scale corrects Flos's assumption with a smile, "I hire you because you are a herbalist,"

"Do you like the taste of medicine?" Flos has to commend the man for not calling her a doctor anymore

If that counts as an answer, "I don't like things that are bitter," says Scale, "And I need a herbalist because recently, I have gotten a stomach ache,"