Connlaoth was growing closer by the day, the Kilanthro mountains looming blue and majestic in the not so unreachable distance. A couple more days of travel and they would reach the mountain pass, and Beatrid could not wait to finally be home and out this...this utterly bizarre and uncomfortable pagan country.
But evening was approaching and the roads would be unsafe, especially nearing the border, so Beatrid had lead them instead to a village she remembered passing when she'd first come through here. While she wasn't worried about herself, the horses were tired and she now had a diplomat to guard. Best to always err on the side of caution.
The sun was half-set by the time they reached the village, located an inn, got the horses stabled, and acquired a room for herself and Adelaide, and though the day had been long and her muscles were sore from hours in the saddle, Beatrid was far from tired. She slung her things down in the room and stretched out her tired muscles, and splashed water on her face to revive herself. Her braid was falling out and her clothes were all dusty, but she was used to smelling like horse and sweat. Whatever. She was about as presentable as your average tavern-going traveler.
When she felt alive again and had her things all put away and organized in the room (like making sure her pistols were nice and hidden between her packed clothing), she turned to look at Adelaide, arms stretched over her head.
"I'm gonna head down to the common room, alright?" she said, figuring the girl may want to primp. "You should come, too. You'll wanna take a meal."
And with that said, she left Adelaide to her privacy and headed back downstairs to the common room, taking a seat at a table and ordering ale and stew. The place didn't look so bad. No obvious weirdos. Always a positive in her book.
Adelaide was feeling rather wilted and her entire body hurt. She hadn't spent this much time in the saddle in a long time and her butt and thighs were burning. Plus, she was pretty sure she was starting to smell like horse, which was just...awful! How was she supposed to get Beatrid to notice her when her dress kept sticking to her with sweat? And she was walking funny once she was finally out of that damned saddle.
She glanced over at Beatrid and let out a small sigh, watching her splash water onto her face. Even after riding all day, she looked so...heroic! Just a touch disheveled, like she had just been...Adelaide's face flamed at where those thoughts were going. Beatrid holding her in her arms, her hair coming lose, her sweaty body pressed against her own. She was just so wonderful! So strong and beautiful!
"Oh, what? Downstairs? Like that?" Adelaide cast a look to the door, alarmed at the idea. What if other people saw her like that? Started thinking those thoughts about her knight? And how could they not? With Beatrid looking so tempting! "But...maybe you should at least...fix your hair...?"
Her attempts were futile and the knight was out the door before Adelaide could stop her. Her desire to get pretty to try and get Beatrid's waged with her need to go run downstairs and make sure no one tried anything. "EMILY!"
Vanity won out and she speed changed, her maid helping fix up her hair and makeup where it had gotten mussed from the trip. She would have liked more time to really primp, but it was to dangerous to leave Beatrid alone down there!
As soon as the last hairpin was in place, she rushed out of the room, hurrying until she reached the room. No one had approached Beatrid yet, thank gods! Smiling, she quickly sat next to her, "Ah! Sorry to keep you waiting. What are you drinking?"
Jack left the home of the seamstress very pleased with the work. He could not thank her enough for making the alterations he needed, not to mention keeping quiet about it. Since his arrival, he had acquired the attire much more appropriate for his lifestyle. He now had a black hooded shirt that fit well, with several pockets, many of which were hidden from view. She had also added many pockets to his breeches as well. Combined with the belt he wore and the sash across his chest, he now had a wide variety of pockets and pouches for his various needs. Though, he still opted for his usual footwear, as boots were about the only thing they had around here.
Now that he had his clothing straightened out, he needed to see where his quarry had escaped to. Last he heard, she was headed north. This little town did not have just a standard tavern, so the best place to check for news would be the inn. Without anything better to do, he decided the best thing would be to go ahead and check in for a place to sleep.
After getting checked in, he decided to go ahead and get some sleep. On the way up the stairs, a woman ran past him in a bit of a hurry. She was a bit larger than most of the women he had encountered here. It would mean that she must be someone important, someone who did less physical work. As he turned to continue up the stairs, he noticed something at his feet. A coin purse... Jack thought, Of all things to land at my feet. How fortunate for someone that I don't really need any more coin at the moment. Guess I should see if it was that woman who dropped it. Jack picked up the coin purse and returned to the common room downstairs. Hopefully she had not left the inn.
A bowl of hot stew had been brought out in the meantime, and Beatrid sipped her ale as she waited for it to cool and spent the time people-watching. She was comfortable in places like this, and even cheaper places, too, and while it was loud inside it still helped her relax. Probably because there was no crazy etiquette shit and you could sit back and put your feet up. Who was going to care when they were wasted and sloshing beer down their shirt?
Leaning back in her seat, she stretched her legs out and propped them up on the chair across from her. Also kept unwanted company away.
And then Adelaide was rushing into the room like a whirlwind and Beatrid jerked upright again and put her feet back on the floor, though as it turned out there was no need, as the girl chose to sit beside her. Blinking over at her--had she run here?--she had to admit she was kind of impressed at how quickly she'd thrown herself together. Not that she was a good judge of fashion or anything.
Realizing she was staring, Beatrid jerked her eyes away and looked down at her drink. "This? Oh, just some ale," she answered after she'd swallowed a mouthful of drink, and with a grin she offered Adelaide her tankard. "Want some?"
It was awful stuff (she sure didn't drink it for the flavor), and maybe it was kind of mean of her, but she always got a kick out of seeing someone unused to the stuff trying to choke it down. Perhaps she was wrong, but Adelaide never struck her as the sort of woman that went out tavern-hopping.
Beatrid was right in the fact Adelaide didn't really go to many taverns to drink. She had been in a few over her life, but it wasn't often. And she rarely drank the cheap ale there. She never drank much ale period, opting for wine most meals.
But Beatrid had drunk out of it! Oh be still her heart! It would be like sharing a kiss with her knight! Feeling her already flushed face go a little darker, she nodded her head, doing her best to seem nonchalant about the whole thing.
Taking the mug, Adelaide took a sip, then choked, just managing to not spew ale all over the table. Swallowing, she made a horrified face, staring at Beatrid, wide eyes, "Sweet teeth! That is disgusting! It's like piss! And you drink that?!"
Jack entered the common room with the purse in hand, and began looking around. He saw the woman across the room sitting with someone else. They seemed to be enjoying themselves. The other woman however had Jack worried. She was different. She was probably a body guard, either a soldier or mercenary. The good news was, she might have news Jack could use. The bad news was, Jack did not get along well with guards. It was best to not get his hopes up. Jack decided it was better to ask then risk passing on a clue.
He approached the table and asked, "Excuse me Miss... Is this yours?" He held up the coin purse and explained, "I believe you may have dropped it upstairs."
Beatrid blinked several times when she noticed the girl's blush, but figured it may just be from all her rushing about--or just a result of Serenian eccentricity, which was what Beatrid had chalked up all her odd behavior as. The momentary confusion quickly evaporated, though, when Adelaide took a sip of ale and she waited expectantly, expression stoic.
Her attempted straight face lasted all of two seconds before she burst into laughter.
"That good, huh?" she finally managed when she'd reined in her mirth enough to speak, taking back her ale before the girl could spill it. Stifling her chuckles, she took a long gulp, draining the tankard, and slammed it back down. "This stuff'll put hair on your chest, that's for sure, and you can bet no one drinks it for the taste. I sure's fuck don't. Er, I mean I sure don't. Sorry."
It had been an effort watching her language around her all this time...
She glanced down at her stew, which was no longer steaming, and then shrugged and pushed it Adelaide's way. "You should eat. I'm gonna go order myself some more, ya want anything? Any ale? You know you loved it," she said with a grin, and had half turned to rise when she saw the man standing there and heard his words.
...Well, shit. Didn't that look familiar?
But instead of taking it back, she turned to look at Adelaide, mouth set in a stern line and eyebrows raised. "Is it?" Ugh, looked like she was going to have to teach her a thing or two about safety.
Adelaide flushed a deep red when Beatrid teased her, but part of her way happy. She was loosening up around her and that thrilled her to no end. She laughed, "Hair on my chest?" Her hand came up, touching the smooth skin and cleavage that threatened to spill out if she breathed wrong. She was hoping she could get Beatrid's attention somehow, "I don't think I that would look very good on me. And really, it's okay if you swear. I'm not going to faint, I promise. I've heard it before." Another smile and she reached up, touching a finger to Beatrid's lips for a moment, "It will be our secret."
Eeee! She gave her her stew! That was a good sign right? She was so noble and generous! Always thinking of others first. It was hard to resist the urge to sigh and stare dreamily at Beatrid. She might have even given into the urge when a strange man in black approached the table, holding something in his hand.
"Oh, no that isn't mine. Mine is right...her...e..." Adelaide's hand went to her waist, where her purse should have been hanging. And flushed a dark red, wanting to cry at the disproving look Beatrid was giving her.
She reached out, taking the purse, trying to smile, though she wanted to die. Beatrid was going to think she was some useless burden and would hate her and it was just all over, "Thank you. I would have hated to have lost this."
She seemed rather embarrassed as she took the coin purse. There was nothing wrong with dropping something when in a hurry. People do that sort of thing all the time. "Nothing to worry about Miss," Jack said, wearing the best calm smile he could manage, "Just lucky it was me who found it, and not some thief." Ironic as it might sound, it was true.
The other woman at the table seemed annoyed that he had to return the purse. So the body guard idea appeared to be right. Whether she was a knight or mercenary, however, was still in question. Jack asked, "Excuse me for further disturbing the two of you, but have you heard anything about a woman with red eyes and red hair around here? I believe she is heading north, and may have passed through here."
They were going to want to count Adelaide's coin once they were back in the room, just in case; if any was missing, well, Beatrid knew who she would be questioning first. But for now Beatrid only smiled at the man, even if it was too tight to be friendly; as much as she hated to admit it, Adelaide's lip-touching had thrown her off balance, and Ansgar's balls she hoped the heat in her face was not blushing! Fuck!
She was too old to be acting like some...some ninny! Not to mention it made her feel all kinds of awkward and perverted. Adelaide was Serenian. This kind of behavior...surely it was just cultural.
"Thanks for that," she said, composing herself, and made a mental note to educate Adelaide later, and if all else failed, maybe she'd just ask to keep hold of the money until they'd reached Connlaoth. But at the man's question, she raised her eyebrows incredulously, though the look soon turned flat. Red hair and red eyes? In Serendipity?
She rolled her eyes. "Shit, man. There's about a hundred folks who'd match that description," she said dryly, leaning her elbow on the table and propping her chin on her hand. "You're in Serendipity. You know that, right?"
Adelaide watched the man warily, unsure how she felt about this. Was he hitting on Beatrid? Not that he could blame him, Beatrid was a magnificent specimen of womanhood. Her eyes narrowed slightly, not even realizing she was pursing her lips in annoyance. He needed to keep his...dirty...boorish eyes to himself!
"I take it it's a common trait then?" Jack asked in confusion. He had never come across a world where such a thing might be common. He would need some other way of identifying her. Hopefully she would start up her mercenary work again, that was always a good way to find her. Jack's expression went blank as he asked, "You said here in Serendipity, but what about up north? I believe it's called, Connlaoth?"
Beatrid shrugged and looked to Adelaide as though for confirmation. "I dunno, I ain't a native. Common enough? I've seen at least three or four people that fit."
Alright, so that wasn't 'about a hundred folks', but semantics, shmantics.
When the man then started in on Connlaoth, though, Beatrid heaved a sigh and fixed him with a glare, feeling her patience draining. What was this, some kind of guessing game? Was it not obvious that she was here, after a long day of smelling like horse, sweat, and dirt, and that she wanted to bloody relax and didn't really give a shit about random peoples' problems? And anyway, he was keeping her from her ale and stew, dammit!
She grabbed her tankard and rocked to her feet, not caring if that put her uncomfortably close to the guy. "Listen, man, do I look like I wanna play twenty fucking questions? Thanks for the purse and everything, but you gonna cut to the point any time soon? 'Cause, y'know, I'm here to eat, drink, and be merry and I'd kinda like to get on that."
As usual, his attempts at charm backfired. It almost never worked, but it was easier to be nice than anything else. Not one to dwell on it, he simply decided to cut his losses. "I'm terribly sorry for further disturbing the two of you," Jack said in apology, "Please, excuse me." He turned and began walking back towards the stairs. He was going straight to his room. He had not rested since he arrived in Serendipity, and, while he may not be able to sleep, a few hours of quiet to calm his thoughts would certainly do him good. At the very least, he felt it was what kept him sane.
"Beatrid!" Adelaide hissed at the knight, surprised at how rude she was being to the man. Granted, Adelaide wasn't very happy with him and his looking at her knight (she wasn't hers yet per say, but she would be, the it all counted), but that didn't mean Beatrid had to be so rude about it.
"I'm really very so-oh...oh, um, alright, well goodnight then. Thank you for the purse." He was already leaving before she could finish apologizing. Huffing slightly, Adelaide gave Beatrid a disapproving look, "That was rude." She might have decided Beatrid was her one true knight, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to call her on inappropriate behavior, "He was just being nice. It must be all that awful ale you are drinking."
Jack heard the woman as she tried to apologize, but he did not feel it was best to press his luck any further. It did have a habit of running out at the wrong moment.
Jack continued up the stairs and to his room. As he passed the window, he noticed that his eyes, normally a light blue, had a slight violet tint to them. It was further proof that his rest was well overdue. He would continue to Connlaoth in the morning. He fell back onto the bed and allowed his eyes to close. It was not sleep, but it was still rest.
Beatrid only just managed to keep from rolling her eyes and drew in a calming breath. Yeah, it had been rude and she knew it, but c'mon. Had he been hoping for a different answer after the first time she'd said 'I don't know'? Maybe it was all the traveling and soreness and homesickness and being bloody tired of being in this godforsaken land where people openly and casually tinkered with things they should not be touching, but she was feeling very prickly. Well, a little more than usual.
Adelaide and her confusing, awkward behavior was certainly not a contributing factor!
"Well, he's gone now," she answered dismissively, reaching up to pinch the bridge of her nose. What was done, was done. No sense dwelling on it. With a shrug, she headed back over to the bar and returned with two tankards of ale, one of which she slid across the table to Adelaide (whether the girl wanted it or not; she forgot if she'd said) after she'd reclaimed her seat.
Bah. Forget the stew. She was in the mood for getting smashed.
She held up her tankard. "Here's to forgetting all that, eh?" she said, then downed a large gulp.
Adelaide huffed, still a little annoyed at how rude Beatrid had been. They were politer ways to get someone to go away. But she wasn't able to stay mad long, suddenly finding herself with a tankard of the...piss in front of her.
There really wasn't a better word for it. It was just awful. But, Adelaide straightened her spin, getting her second wind. This would be an experience. And she could drink quite a bit of wine, really, so it shouldn't be too hard to keep up with this stuff.
Oh! Oh! Adelaide's eyes widened as she stared at the ale. This would be a bonding experience. Which was much better than just a regular experience, especially when you wanted to bond with someone as badly as she wanted to bond with Beatrid.
Grabbing her mug, she lifted it and tapped Beatrid's, "Well, I say we make this a little more fun. A..um...drinking contest thing. Whoever loses buys the drinks!"
With that said, and before waiting for an answer, Adelaide tipped her head back and downed half of it. She found if she just drank it before the taste hit, it wasn't so bad. Smacking the mug down, Adelaide squealed, shaking her head and laughing, "Ack! It's worse then before!"
The sun had just reached the horizon when Jack came up to rest. He opened his eyes to find the room in darkness. He looked out the window and saw that the sun had just dropped below the horizon. It had not been a long rest, but it never really was.
As he sat up, he could hear the sounds of people below in the tavern. Chairs moved, people talked, and there was the unmistakable sound of laughter. It seems like the most relaxed people in the building are downstairs, he thought to himself as he got up and walked to the door. He opened it and made his way downstairs. Guess I should try socializing for a change.
"A drinking contest?" Beatrid said after she'd swallowed, lifting an eyebrow and cracking a wry smile. Then she tilted her head back and drained the rest of her ale in one long draw. Very well. She'd been planning on just getting quietly smashed and dragging her way up to the room to pass out, but if Adelaide wanted to make this a competition, she was all for games!
And she certainly was not about to pass up a challenge, especially not one delivered by a girlie noblewoman.
She tapped the mug back down. "It'll be the easiest one I ever won, but if you're sure...alright." She shrugged and signaled a barmaid to bring another round. "Let's see what you've got. Sure you can handle it, m'lady?" she added, grinning in amusement as Adelaide floundered.
The girl had balls, she'd give her that.
"Ha!" Adelaide scoffed at Beatrid, tossing her curls so they fell back across her shoulder to hang down her back, "Don't take me lightly. I might not be used to this...this..." She glanced down at her ale, then downed the rest of it, pulling a face as she smacked it down, "Gah! But! I do happen to be a lady. Which means I have to be able to drink quite a lot of wine and not make a fool of myself at parties."
Plus, she was built with plenty of extra weight. She didn't mention that outloud, on the eternally hopefully and unrealistic hope that Beatrid wouldn't notice it. Because chunky girls didn't really look good in the gauzy, romantic dresses appropriate for the sorts of adventures that Beatrid would be the hero in.
Snagging her mug from the barmaid, Adelaide huffed, "Don't underestimate a lady."
Jack re-entered the tavern and quickly found an empty spot by the window. He gazed out into the night air, and thought of finding a nice spot to sit on the roof tonight. Maybe some stargazing would help him relax. As the barmaid passed, he asked her to bring him some tea. He then noticed the weird look she gave him as she walked away. Perhaps very few people ordered something that was non-alcoholic.
Jacked looked around and noticed that the traveling girl and her bodyguard were at the table nearest to him. The way they gulped down the ale, they must surely have been enjoying themselves. It made him happy to know that they had not let his interruption interfere with their fun.
He turned back to the window and noticed his reflection. His eyes appeared to have returned to their original blue color. It was a small bit of good news, and he would definitely take it. He saw the barmaid approach with his drink out of the corner of his eye and thought, That should help calm my nerves. He turned when she reached his table, and said, "Thank you very much," as she set the cup in front of him.
Beatrid grinned and took her own tankard from the barmaid. "Heh, that wasn't an underestimation, m'lady," she said coolly, taking a large gulp. "That was an educated guess." And then she took a deep breath and chugged the rest down. "Bet the wine you had was some foppish, watered down stuff that's mostly grape juice. You're playing with the big kids now, kiddo."
Somehow, she managed to keep from slurring too much even though her tongue was starting to feel all leaden with the beginnings of a nice, solid buzz. Three servings of ale in fast succession on an empty stomach? Not the best idea. But oh well! She'd deal with the consequences later, because she was not about to be outdone.
"It was not. It's not the cheap....trash you are used too." Adelaide giggled, feeling the ale hit. She might be used to drinking, but not chugging bad ale on an empty stomach. This should be interesting.
Smiling, she leaned against Beatrid as she swallowed more of her ale. She had to chug this one a little slower, mostly because she wasn't used to chugging. She was not going down without a fight! Giggling again, Adelaide poked Beatrid's side, "You...um...you shouldundt this will be an easy wine! Win!"
The whole place seemed to be having a great time. If only there was music playing, it would be like a party. Taking a sip of his drink, he made a mental note. He had to remember to find some kind of small instrument he could carry with him. It would make life much more enjoyable.
He finished his drink enjoying the sound of the people around him. Laughter did for happiness what a cough did for a cold, it spread through the place person to person. Despite the joyful atmosphere, Jack had decided that stargazing did sound wonderful. He stood and began to cross the room towards the stairs.
"Yeah, so it was some fancy shit. Right? Like I said, grape juice. Ya fancy folk, they don't wantcha gettin' all drunk and messin' yourselves, 'ppearances and all, so it's grape juice with just a li'l alcohol. Girlie fop stuff." Beatrid was just talking out of her ass, but at the moment it made perfect logical sense. "'Sides, since I drink the bad shit more, I got a tolerance, see. You don't got it."
Whoo, okay, so maybe she was further along than she'd thought she was. Laughing, she swatted Adelaide's hand away and grabbed her latest mug of ale, taking a large gulp--but not chugging it with nearly as much gusto as the previous servings.
"You...you have no idea whatcher talkin' about." Adelaide swayed slightly and swung her arm back to gesture when she smacked it into someone. With a gasp, she twisted, trying to see who she had just smacked and sloped beer all over, "Oh! 'M so sorry!"
She felt her cheeks heat up when she realized it was the man Beatrid had insulted earlier. Scrambling to her feet, she pulled a handkerchief out of her sleeve and dabbed at the beer on his chest, "Ooooo. I'm sorry. I can't believe I did that!"
The pleasant atmosphere had gotten to him. With his guard down, he was taken completely by surprise at the mug that struck him in the chest. It was one of the ladies from earlier, and she was now trying desperately to dry his shirt with a thin handkerchief.
Thankful that none of the drink had splashed into his face, he gave his best smile. Considering his improved mood, it was pretty close to genuine. He placed his hand on hers to stop her, "It's quite alright, really. No need to worry about it."
"No no. I am show sorry." Adelaide's cheeks were flushing darker now, hands stilled against his chest, "It was ver...very rude. Please, let me make it up to you."
She glanced around, the room moving slightly, "Maybe I can get you a drink or...um...um...something?"
He was not normally a social person, but with the girl's pretty, bluish-gray eyes starring at him as she waited for his answer, he could not possibly decline the offer. "I suppose I could sit for a drink, if you don't mind of course."
"No, no, please! Sit!" Good manners were always important, even when quite buzzed. Adelaide felt slightly embarrassed that she was about to have to admit to being in a drinking contest when her stubborn nature came riding to the rescue.
They were in a tavern on an adventure. This was practically required! And it was a bonding experience! Taking her seat, Adelaide grabbed her mug, laughing slightly as she almost missed it, finger poking Beatrid in the chest, "Don't think for a moment that you get out of this. I shall still beat you."
Beatrid swatted lightly at Adelaide's finger, giggling. Giggling. God, but she sounded stupid but she just didn't give a shit right then! "Yer already on yer way ta loshin'," she slurred, taking another gulp of ale.
How many tankards had that been now? She'd lost count and couldn't care less! All that mattered was she felt happy right now. Everything felt right in the world, if a little...shaky. The world kept moving long after she'd stopped and she kept misjudging the distance between her mouth and her mug, hitting it against her teeth several times.
Grinning wickedly over at the man from earlier, she motioned at him with her tankard. "You. Ya man 'nuff ta join ush, eh?"
Jack thought about it for a moment. They were already a bit drunk, and it did seem a bit unfair to join in now. However, drinking was never really his game to begin with. He decided to just go with it, maybe even enjoy himself a bit.
"I'm in," he said as he pulled up a tankard of ale, "just don't expect too much." With a wink, he downed most of it in one long chug. It was by far, the most foul thing he had the displeasure of tasting in a long time, but taste was not the reason people drank the stuff.
She giggled! It was the sweetest sound Adelaide had ever heard. Beaming up at Beatrid, the pudgy noble leaned closer to Beatrid, gazing up at her with adoring eyes, "You are much nicer when you loosen up a little." Taking another long swig of her ale, she let out her own giggle, "I wouldn't mind if you wanted to loosen up a little more."
When Jack sat, she gave another giggle, "Well, you better catch up. I am a lady you see. And I am not about to loosh."
It was true, her guard was nice when she relaxed a bit. If only all guards were as easy to deal with. He would carry a flask with him everywhere if that was all he needed.
Though he did not expect to win, there was no sense in proclaiming defeat just yet. "Well milady, I won't make it easy for you." He quickly finished the ale he had left. Hopefully he would be able to walk after this.
((Sorry for the wait.))
That just got another laugh from Adelaide. Everything was just so funny! She tilted her head back, draining the mug and smacking it down, before giving a loud belch. As soon as it finished, her cheeks went even redder, "Oh! Excuse me! I'm so embarrasshed!"
Adelaide belched, and Beatrid burst out laughing, shoulders shaking with mirth. She gave the girl a hearty clap on the back and ruffled her hair playfully. "Ahaha, good one! Betcha I can do better," she said, before taking another swig of ale and letting out a chest-rattling belch of her own, drawing it out for as long as she could.
That is one contest Jack would not be participating in. He simply smiled and grabbed his second drink, starting on it right away. After a moment, he sat the empty container down and gave the two a quick wink. "You ladies keep that up, and I'll catch up in no time."
"Oh no! I couldn't!" Adelaide put a hand to her flushed cheek. Though Beatrid's belch had gotten a few giggles out of her. Everything was just so funny!
Blinking down at her empty mug, she realized she needed more. Looking back at Beatrid, she swayed slightly and put her hand on the other woman's thigh to steady herself, "I'm out!"
"Outta the game or outta ale?" Beatrid teased, already quite sloshed herself. She hardly even noticed the hand on her thigh--or rather, she noticed, but she didn't care. "'Cause I think ya should quit while yer ahead! Both of ya!"
"Otta ale!" Adelaide slurred a little, leaning against Beatrid, gazing up at her, "You have the prettiest eyes you know. Bu-but don't think your good looks will let you win this! 'M gonna kick your butt!"
Jack set his drink down, a bit worried about his competitors. They were beginning to look as though they might have had a bit too much. "You two sure you're still good? If you pass out down here, the barkeep will probably have you tossed out the back. It'd be a shame to waste a room you've already paid for." He picked his drink back up and downed what was left. With a quick wink, he added, "There's no shame in a tactical retreat."
"'M fiiine!" Beatrid said, waving her hand at Jack, though she was far from fine. She was wasted. "Ain't gonna let some prissy noble beat me at--"
She stopped abruptly, the wheels in her head slowly turning, and then let out a snarled, "Fuuuck," and rose to her feet unsteadily, nearly knocking over Adelaide in the process. She had to grip the side of the table to keep her balance. "I gotta piss like a horse."
Adelaide gave a squeal when Beatrid suddenly stood up, losing her support and she flailed, only just managing to keep seated by grabbing onto the table. She glared up at Beatrid, "Dat is not how you treat a lady!"
She turned her affronted attention to Thief, "She's retreating! I win, right?"
Jack found it a bit amusing, he could not help but laugh. Hopefully it would not be taken the wrong way. He was actually enjoying their company, something very rare for him.
"I don't know... I suppose you're only disqualified if you're unable to continue. Give up or pass out, and you're done."
He turned his attention to Beatrid, and said, "You go ahead." With a wink at Adelaide, he added, "The two of us will just build up a better lead while you're gone." He drank from his nearly empty container. "I'm almost ready for a refill anyway."
"Augh! But if I go now I'll never stop," Beatrid groaned, practically squirming in place. "Ansgar's cock, but how aren'tcha guys ready to explode?"
Unfortunately, the call of nature was stronger even than Beatrid's iron will and desire to win. With a loud string of curses, she staggered away from the table, knocked into several other patrons along the way, and headed out of the room to seek out the nearest latrine.
"I am a lady!" Adelaide was still trying to hold her bladder so she could pee later. She sighed as Beatrid left, pouting down at her mug. Beatrid wasn't noticing her at all! It was all so unfair! But Beatrid was so noble and brave and magnificent! It was to be expected she might not notice Adelaide right away.
She lifted her head and gave Jack the full effect of her pout, "It's because I'm not pretty enough, isn't it?"
There were those big, blue-gray eyes again. Jack did not know why she was so worried about her looks, deciding it was the alcohol, but he had to do something to cheer her up. "You are pretty, milady. Don't let the drinks get the best of you." He gave her a somewhat genuine smile, wishing her guard would return to change the subject.
"Then why didn't she notice!" Adelaide threw herself against Jack's chest, sobbing into his shoulder, "N-nothing I do works!"
All the copious alcohol she had was affecting her hard, her normally cheerful mood was getting hit by self doubt and her loud sobs were drawing a few eyes around the tavern.
Suddenly, she was leaning into his chest, tears running down onto his shoulder. Though it was a bit awkward, at least now he knew what she meant. Jack steadied himself in his chair. "What if she has noticed? What if she is just too shy to make the first move? Perhaps you should tell her how you feel." Jack was no expert on the subject, but women did like confidence. It could not hurt her chances to just come out and say it, though waiting could leave her with no chance at all.
"Beatrid? Shy?" Adelaide shook her head, sniffling, "She isn't. She just doesn't want me. What if she doesn't like women? She has to like them! She's perfect! She's so beautiful!" Adelaide clung tighter to Jack, sobbing loudly now.
"Everyone gets nervous. Some just hide it better than others." Jack looked up to see if she was on her way back or not. There was still no sign of her. "Don't worry. She'll eventually work up the nerve to say something." This was one more reason Jack did not drink, he could not afford to lose control.
That was when Beatrid finally returned. She was staggering as she walked and she nearly tripped over several people along the way and jostled even more. "Ahaha, man, ya guys wouldn't believe how much I--"
She cut off abruptly and came to a stop, staring at the scene that awaited her: Adelaide clinging to Jack, tears streaming down her face while the man awkwardly consoled her. Annoyance spiked within her unexpectedly and she frowned at the pair, one hand on her hip. "Am I interrupting somethin'?"
Adelaide jerked back from Jack, hands brushing away her tears and tried to clean up her face, "Oh! No! Not at all!" She gave a small laugh, "I think you were telling us about how we wouldn't believe something?"
Jack picked up his drink and took another swig, glad Beatrid had returned and ended that uncomfortable situation. Hopefully Adelaide would work up the courage to tell Beatrid how she felt, but Jack doubted it would be tonight. She seemed to have it set in her mind that Beatrid was not interested in her. Maybe she would see otherwise when she was sober again.
"I was?" Beatrid blinked. If she'd been about to say something, she'd long forgotten it, and at the moment she was far more distracted by the fact that, oh, Adelaide had been clinging to Jack in obvious, tearful distress.
She flashed Jack a puzzled look and then looked back to Adelaide. "What's goin' on?"
"Nothing!" Adelaide swayed slightly, still very drunk. She waved a hand, almost smacking into someone, "You were...um...there was...am I winning? Did I win the contest? I think I did! Because you left!"
Jack looked up. "I don't know that you won, seeing as I'm still sitting here." He drank more from his tankard. He did not intend to win, but he had not given up just yet. As for Beatrid, he would let the two of them decide whether or not the guard was disqualified.
"Oh. Well. Damn." Adelaide frowned, looking over at his mug, "Well, you need to drink more then!"
"Yeah, yeah, only 'cause I let ya win," Beatrid said. "Anyway, pissin' breaks don't count."
"I...well, they should count." Adelaide laughed suddenly, swaying slightly, "I have never heard anyone talk quite like you!"
Jack sat quietly, finishing his drink. He decided not to interrupt their conversation, hoping Adelaide would find a way to tell Beatrid how she felt. He doubted it would happen tonight though, the girl was a bit too nervous for it. He hoped that it would work out eventually.
"Ooh, whoa, I think you're done," Beatrid said, reaching out to steady Adelaide as she swayed.
And truth be told, she was done, too. She was already quite drunk and any more and she'd be unable to function in the morning. As it was, she wasn't so sure that she'd be able to make it up the stairs.
"Think it's bed time for ya now."
Adelaide brightened up at that, the drink making her head fuzzy, "Oh! You're taking me to bed? Finally!"
The girl stood a little too quickly and the room spun. Stumbling, she hit her legs against the bench and ended up in a heap on the floor, laughing loudly.
Jack had just finished the last of his drink when Adelaide started to sway. When she fell, he was on his feet just a bit too slow to catch her. Fortunately, she was not hurt, and even started laughing. Relieved, Jack stepped over next to her. "It looks like you're done." He offered his hand to help her up, and planned on helping Beatrid get her up to their room.
Beatrid laughed and offered her own hand. Between she and Jack, they should be able to get the girl onto her feet.
"Ahaha. This stays between the three of us, yeah?" she said with a grin. Jack didn't know who Adelaide was, so that was directed more toward the girl. The last thing she wanted was for Adelaide's family to learn that the noblewoman--the ambassador!--they'd entrusted to her--a Connlaothian Mordecai and the very image of responsibility and respectability!--was, you know...getting drunk off her ass and behaving so.
Beatrid saw no point in being stuffy about everything, but there were some things Adelaide's family was better off not knowing.
"Up ya go. C'mon. On your feet, soldier!"
Adelaide laughed again, clinging to both of them and stumbling a little as they helped her up. She couldn't remember if she had ever been this drunk before and it was lovely!, "'M not a solider. I'm the princess, see. And you are the beautiful knight!"
She beamed at Beatrid, arms still gripping Jack and the Mordecai to keep on her feet.
"Ah...right."
Another time, and Beatrid would have simply scooped the girl up into her arms and carried her up the stairs and into bed. But right then, with her own vision quavery and her balance awful, that would have only ended in tragedy for all of them.
Instead, she pulled Adelaide along after her as she started for the stairs. "Well, this princess has gotta act like one and go to sleep! That's how it goes in all the stories, y'know."
"Oh? Oh! Does that mean you'll wake me with a kiss? I hope so!" Adelaide giggled, then gave Jack a wink that she assumed was subtle and conspiratorial. She stumbled a little, swaying as they went up the stairs. She almost never drank this much and it was all starting to hit now.
Jack pretended not to notice the wink, and focused solely on making sure she was balanced. "We're almost to the top of the stairs Miss Adelaide, then we just have to make it to your door. Just lean on me if you lose your balance." Beatrid had been drinking just as much, and he was trying to make sure Miss Adelaide did not sway too far to her side, or else they all might end up falling back down the stairs.
Yeeeah, better get the girl to bed fast because she was gone and obviously had no idea what she was talking about. In fact, she was probably talking to Jack, because there was no way she could be talking to her. In fact, she'd even winked at Jack! Yeah, she had no idea what she was saying...and all the more reason to see her to sleep before she did something she regretted! Not that Jack really seemed the sort that would take advantage of an inebriated women.
In fact, he'd been rather gentlemanly through this whole ordeal.
Somehow, they made it to the stop of the stairs without any broken necks. Beatrid pat Adelaide on the arm. "Almost there. Uh...yeah. Just this way. Hey, thanks Jack, buddy, you're pretty alright, y'know."
Adelaide nodded, clinging to Beatrid, "Oh yes! You are such a good friend!" She then shook her head, "Oh. I don't feel so good..."
"You too," Jack replied to Beatrid, but then Adelaide said something about not feeling well. "Which door is yours? I'll get it for you." Jack stepped ahead to open whichever door she indicated.
Beatrid blanched and tightened her grip on Adelaide, nodding to the door to their room. "Er...there should be a chamber pot under the bed. Might wanna grab it..."
"No, I'm fin-" Adelaide was cut off when she felt her stomach churn. She clamped her mouth shut and stumbled toward the bed, wanting to get to the chamber pot before she puked everywhere.
Jack had the door open quickly, and was pulling the chamber pot out just in time. "Here you go Miss Adelaide." He thrust it into Adelaide's hands as she stumbled up to the bed.
Adelaide just leaned over, vomiting into the pot, her long hair falling onto the floor around her. She threw up a few more times, emptying her belly of the rest of the ale before curling onto her side, head swimming.
Beatrid grimaced and waited until Adelaide was done vomiting before she fetched her a wet cloth and knelt beside her. "Here," she said, dabbing at her face with it to clean any mess.
"Let's get ya cleaned up and into bed, huh? I think you've had way too much fun tonight."
And Ansgar help her, she hoped this incident stayed here. The last thing she needed Adelaide's parents knowing was that she'd let--no, encouraged!--their daughter, a diplomat, to get drunk, hungover, and behave in a most unladylike fashion.
Turning to Jack, she motioned him over. "Help me get 'er there, will ya?" Her own wooziness was making it difficult--and if she wasn't careful, she'd be adding her own colors to the pot. The stench of it was getting to her already and she had to swallow hard to keep from heaving.
Jack did not hesitate to help get Adelaide onto the bed. He noticed that Beatrid looked a little sick too. "Let's set that aside for now," Jack said, offering to take the chamber pot. He placed it where he could no longer smell it, but made sure it was within easy reach, in case it was needed.
The two of them had put away quite a bit of ale, and that was just while Jack was sitting with them. How much had they drank before he joined them? "You ladies going to be okay?"