Nathan seems stressed, try and help him with the cutting
From Create Your Own Story
Nathan being Nathan was clearly getting stressed out because he was struggling with his work, that was just who Nathan was. He liked to be in control of things, knowing what he's doing and what he's doing is right. Sure, it made him a little irritable, a little bossy with his siblings sometimes, but it was endearing most of the time. Realising the best way to help him out would be to help him with his work. Stepping up so you were beside him, Nathan finally notices that you never left with Alex and squints at you disapprovingly.
"You're skipping Johnsons class again?"
"Well, Alex said he'd cover for me so it's not that big of a deal" You point to the elder root being butchered on the cutting board - "and figured you needed more help than Johnson needed extra students"
The two of you look at the root for a moment, you go to ask him what he's actually supposed to be making when he throws his hands up in exasperation.
"I can't do it! I've been trying to figure out how to make a 'happiness' potion, but I keep fucking it up!" He scrunches his nose up at the pot, offended by its insubordination. You didn't take potion classes, it wasn't one of the modules you picked, but you imagine it can't be that hard to follow a recipe. He thrusts a list of ingredients into your hand, having the same annoyed reaction to seeing it. Half a diced elder root needed to be stirred into a pot of pre-made warmth. Then add a few drops of sweat (ew), allow to simmer for half an hour, then serve with the recipient holding an lapis rock for good measure.
"That sounds easy enough" you said, manoeuvring around Nathan to bin the elder root and start afresh. "You get to finishing off that warmth, and I'll do the elder root". Nathan did as he was told, stirring the pot and adding ingredients you didn't catch the name of while you properly cut and diced the elder root, measuring out about half. Within ten minutes, you had the pot simmering and were looking for the collection of stones you knew Tyler kept in the living area somewhere. The two of you had set a timer so you wouldn't forget about your masterpiece simmering away, but you could also relax. Nathan was halfway under a chair when he decided to thank you for helping him out, though you felt as if you had barely done anything at all. You happily accept his thanks, struggling to stay upright as you checked atop the bookshelf.
Finally, your hand grasps something lumpy. When you hold it out, you see its grey and sharpish, definitely not, but its a rock. Not long after, Nathan laughs as he holds up an opal stone that had been buried behind one of the cushions. You show him your pointy rock. The timer for your pot goes off.
"These will do, right?" You ask him. Taking the pot off of the heat and letting Nathan in to begin bottling it.
"Should do, hopefully Liena will have some spare lapis in her classroom. Otherwise I'll just use these". Nathan finishes bottling the liquid, it shimmers red and orange, constantly moving about the bottle, looking absolutely delicious. You'd only ever tasted brewed happiness once before, and if memory served right, it was absolutely delicious. Maybe you could try some before Nathan took it to class.
