The feeling in his mouth was starting to fade even before Noble reappeared with the water, but he took it anyway and took a long drink. Ford felt better after having drank it, and as the feeling left he was able to start trying to think about what it was and where it had come from. This wasn't a thing that happened to him, normally, so there was something —

Noble asked him a question and Ford looked over with surprise, as though he'd forgotten Noble was standing there. It was obvious from the look on his face that he was worried, and — well, Ford couldn't have that. Not after last week, when he'd realized how unfair it was to try and share all of this with Noble and he'd determined to shoulder the rest of it himself. If he was trying to give Noble less to fret over, fewer things to potentially push him over the edge, the last thing he needed was for Noble to start worrying about Ford.

"Fine," he said briskly, though he wasn't sure he was. He set the water glass down, still half full, and pushed himself off the counter he'd been leaning on. "There's a second potion I wanted to ask about."