[ There’s certainly a longing there—in some ways, an ocean’s horizon can inspire that, can’t it?

Baizhu gives her a sympathetic smile. Unlike her, he’d been much luckier, with a small but close-knit circle of family and friends waiting back home for him. To say nothing of the new bonds he’d forged in here… ]

Well, I’m always happy to have a chat, if you like. And…

[ He opens his palm out to her, revealing a sprig of rosemary in the center, its small blue flowers blooming before her very eyes. ]

It’s rosemary. It might help with your…condition. I hope you’ll accept it. Not from a doctor, but…from a friend, perhaps?