Completed Getting Otter Hand

[Shijara]

4th of Spring, 514 AV There was a scratching of charcoal against scraps of paper, lost in the sound of port activity. She was drawing on the backs of old water worn flyers, the cheap piece of charcoal given to her by a passing merchant. It wasn't much and she had already used half of it, but it filled her with a sense of home. Reminded her of familiar things, sketching in the Keerdash Groove as a girl. This place was so different, but... still beautiful. And the waves! She stared out among the dark waters, captivated by so much water. She struggled to capture the lines, capture their movement of the flow. Her concentration picked up and she relaxed her hand, her lines becoming more fluid and natural. Just when she thought she was getting it, a wind came through, blowing her sketches into the wind. She gasped, jumping from her seat on a crate, and then looked down, spotting something she had never seen before. A small creature caught her eye, it's little body weaving across the street. She moved forward, snatching up the last unmarked flyers and charcoal and began following the little animal. It's body was fury but it scurried across quickly, and made a peculiar sound when it noticed her following. It sped up, running underneath the feet of many Akalak, who made sounds of annoyance when they nearly tripped. After watching what was happening, her curiosity was laced with a fear for the thing's life. Plus, she just really wanted to touch it. The thing didn't look dangerous. In fact, it looked... cute? She raced forward, following glimpses as it disappeared here and there. She had no idea where she was going, she only kept her eyes locked. It wasn't until he ran up to a man's leg and hid behind it did she skid to a stop. She looked up, staring straight at the man's face. The animal squeaked.

[Kel Tempest]

Day 4 of Spring in the Year 514 AV

Kel had been drinking a little as the sun slowly changed positions. By the time the burning star that lit up their city was hanging directly above them, the Svefra was feeling rather buzzed. He had been celebrating the discovery of old friends for the past couple days and he woke up that morning feeling like death. And everyone knows the best cure for a hangover is more alcohol.


Kel wandered through the streets of Riverfall, tired of being miserable in the cabin, wanting to feel the free air and hopefully to walk off the stomach ache. The streets were bustling with activity, Akalak moved with confidence through the streets of their home. Shops displayed their wares, the ringing of hammers on metal, the smells of food waffering out from bakeries filled the air.


Kel’s steps were more or less straight as he made his way in the crowd of people. His tavan companion weaved its way in between the feet of the crowd before disappearing from view. The Svefra scowled at the tail end of his friend, “Fine you mangy little mammal! I prefer to be alone! I hope you get stepped on by these petching blue freaks!”


Kel snorted as his shouting seemed to be in vain. All he did was attract the attention of the people in the crowd. Akalak, human, men and woman alike turned and stared at the blue eyed man. He met the looks with a smirk and bowed impishly.


“Hello to the ladies!” He saw a few looks being exchanged and growled, “Fine, and men…” He waved a hand dismissively before continuing.


“I am here today to…to…” Kel paused, forgetting what exactly he was doing. He pulled a small bottle from his waist line and pulled the cork out. He took a swig, the harsh liquid searing his throat as it went down. He struggled to get the cork back in before sticking it back where it belonged.


“Ahh, yhes. Now I remember.” Kel placed a foot up on a short barrel and struck a heroic pose, hand propped on his hip, chest thrust out. He raised one hand up into the air.


“I shall sing yeh’…the song of my people.”


Once the small amount of people that had stayed because they were curious as to what the odd man was doing, heard what he had planned, they scoffed and moved away. The Svefra didn’t even notice.


“Sonny, its time to go to bed,
The sun is low, but the clouds rage on.
The water is angry, and the fire is red,
But we’ve many a mile to sail ahead.
Son, many a mile to sail aheeeeeeead!” **


Kel finished off the song, bellowing out the last word. He looked around, pleased with himself. He pulled the small bottle out just as a group of human women passed him. He raised an eyebrow and offered the bottle to them cheekily.


“Women, you thirsty?” They ignored him and he shrugged.


After slating his thirst he put the bottle back. Suddenly, Jenkins scampered through the crowd and slunk behind the Svefra’s boots. Kel glowered down at him.


“Bahh where have you been? Miss me already, eh?” Kel looked down at the sea otter, pleased. He pulled out a little muscle and handed the delicacy to his tavan.


Suddenly, out of the crowd, a young woman burst through, hair in a disarray, clutching papers and rocks. She ran directly to Kel and barely managed to stop herself before running headlong into him. She stared at the sea otter, who chittered at her. She looked up slowly, until her face was pointed up at Kel’s.


Kel was startled by the sudden appearance but he didn’t even acknowledge her. He rounded on the tavan, yelling at him in Fratava, aggravated. “Jenkins you backstabbing giblet! You weren’t coming back because you missed me! You were trying to escape these crazy lady! Gimme that treat back.”


Kel bent down and grabbed the sea otter by the scruff of the neck and brought him to eye level. The otter held the muscle in both paws. He stopped gnawing on it and stared at Kel. “Give it.”


Jenkins twitched his nose.


“By Laviku’s beard! If you don’t give it back I will skin your petching pelt off and make a pillow out of it.” The sea otter blinked and then began gnawing on the snack again. Kel grunted in disgust and dropped the animal to the ground.


He finally looked at the woman who had apparently scared his friend. He looked her over and smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Well hello. And who might you be, eh?”

Note**Song credit goes to Ainyi and Stefan and allowing me to use it in my threads. Thanks guys!

Legend
-Fratava -Ke's Common -PC/NPC

[Shijara]

As she was racing around after the tiny animal, Shijara found that she was not as fast, nor had the amount of stamina that she thought, but honestly she was just convinced that dodging a thousand giants and trying to catch something barely bigger than a house cat was more tiring than it seemed. When she did stop abruptly, she was faintly out of breath, and she tucked the charcoal into her belt, wiping any dark powder that had been on her fingers against her thick cloak. The man dismissed her and talked to the animal instead. He was speaking in a language she did not understand -- no surprise there, Shijara was finding that she knew very little about the world around her the longer she was away from Eyktol. She thought he sounded a little like some of the Akalak at port, but only for a split second. She had not been in the city long enough to make a legitimate connection. There was irritation in the strangers voice, and she took a few steps back, suddenly feeling a little sorry for the tiny creature. Still, it nibbled its treat and even after the man dropped it to the ground, seemingly unaffected. Aw, she mentally mused, smiling at the animal. Finally, the man addressed her with a tone Shijara wasn't sure how to interpret. But, at least it was in common, “Well hello. And who might you be, eh?” The Chaktawe pushed strands of her hair back, raising an eyebrow. She was able to get a better look at the man. His eyes were a bright blue. They instantly reminded her of the Benshira, but she knew he was not from the sands. Far from it, in fact. A pang of homesickness struck her, but faded almost just as quickly. "Shijara," she stated, eyeing him up and down. She noticed the bottle at his waist, but she was more preoccupied with her first interest. "My turn. What is that?... And what is it eating?" She pointed downward. The creature was holding what looked like a rock, but when he cracked open, something like a grayish meat was revealed. Interesting. She bent at the waist, slowly reaching out to see what it would do. She tilted her head to the side, setting the papers on the ground, forgotten. "I like it." The last statement was mostly for herself, a confirmation of how she was feeling, organizing her thoughts on the matter. Although... Shijara wasn't always known for making the best judgments.

[Kel Tempest]

Day 4 of Spring in the Year 514 AV

He looked the woman up and down critically, before settling on her face. He reeled back in shock and tripped over the small barrel as he saw her pitch black eyes. He crashed to the ground and lay there, momentarily stunned. When he managed to gather his wits about him, he exclaimed,


“Holy Maelstrom! What’s wrong with yehr’ eyes?!”


The slightly drunken Svefra scrambled on the ground trying to get up but gave up after it proved more difficult than he thought. He stopped and looked at her more closely. She didn’t look like she could do him any harm but he cast around for his trident, ready to kill the black eyed monster, just in case. But then he realized he hadn’t brought it with him and he looked over at Jenkins.


“Dammit, Jenkins. You didn’t remind me to grab my trident! Now how am I supposed to kill the thing?”


The small mammal ignored him and finally managed to crack the shell open, snatching up the flesh on the inside. Kel grumbled and decided he had no other choice but to talk to it.


“Hmm. So yehr’ a ‘Shijara’, eh? I have never met one before. What do ‘Shijaras’ do?”


He watched her warily as she crouched down and attempted to pet his friend.


“Whoa! You wait. First, do yeh’ have a soul? Black eyes can’t mean anything good.” He looked at her hostilely, his drunken state, causing him to be more hostile than usual. He continued to stare at her rudely but as he watched, he realized other than the eyes, she was a fairly innocent looking girl. He glowered at her as he tried to process everything.


He finally decided to throw caution to the wind and see what happened. “Fine. Yeh’ can pet him. He’s a Sea Otter. Call him Jenkins. The cheeky little monster is a massive pain in my arse.”


He looked at her incredulously. “What yeh’ mean, what he eatin’? What, yeh’ dull in the head? It’s a muscle, yeh’ never go to the sea before?”


He grumbled irritably. Common folk didn’t know anything these days. It was downright outrageous.


“I like it.”


Laughter barked out from his mouth as he heard her statement directed towards the furry mammal.


“Well, that makes one of us.” He glowered at his tavan but his actions undermined his words as he reached out a hand and petted him gently.


Kel still lay half sitting, half prone when he remembered his beverage. He pulled it out and removed the cork again. He threw back a gulp of the searing liquid and was about to cork it when he stopped and looked over at the woman.


He took another drink.


“So. Why yeh’ here in Riverfall.”

Legend
-Fratava
-Kel's Common
-PC/NPC

[Shijara]

His outburst regarding her eyes startled her. Most times Shijara forgot about her appearance, and how her eyes were vastly different than most. It was apart of her, but she was only reminded by the stares she received, or in this case, the fear. She smirked when the male began talking to his pet once more in his own language. She laughed after referring to her name as her race. She wanted to point out he asked who she was, not what. She thought it was obvious, but she was learning (mostly from personal experience), that not knowing something was okay, "No. I am a Chaktawe. My name is Shijara. We do usual stuff. Kidnap children, summon death and destruction." She said her words with a straight face, before looking back at the otter and grinning. She was, of course, kidding. The man was still eyeing her wearily, but would she look so different if she had the white eyes of the blind instead? He seemed reluctant to let her pet the animal, but soon relented. Fingers grazed over sleek fur, and Shijara's mouth dropped slightly. What an unusual texture. She continued to pet to sea otter, soft, easy stokes, and it continued on eating. "Sea... O-otter." The unfamiliar word felt foreign and strange on her tongue. She said it once more for confirmation. At his question regarding if she had ever been to the sea before, she stared at him, face steady, "No," Well, she saw it this morning, to draw. But the most water she had really seen at once was an oasis. Shijara had not so much as stepped a foot into water so dark and vast. It scared her sometimes when she thought about it. "I saw the sea the first time this morning." Ahnatep was located next to the water, but she had only made a supply stop and passed through quickly, not enjoying the company of many of Epyhrians and how they looked down upon her companions, the Benshira. And so she saved the experience for Riverfall. She was not disappointed. Shijara stood up, clearing her throat, "What am I doing in Riverfall? Stealing souls, mostly." She motioned towards his drink, "Is it to much to ask for a sip, or do I have to prove myself?" It may have been odd, asking a stranger to share. She didn't even know the drink, no less, but she knew it to be alcohol. She could smell it. Besides, it had been awhile since she filled up. She would have to get some water soon. And a lot of it.

[Kel Tempest]

Day 4 of Spring in the Year 514 AV

The buildings and people were spinning crazily. The woman standing in from of Kel zoomed in and out of focus. He squinted at her, trying to remember why he freaked out. Failing that, he realized he was on the ground. He couldn’t remember why he was in that state either. But then he didn’t care. His body felt light and tingly.


He listened to her ramble on about being a Chakaweewee or some other idiotic common word. He had a very limited grasp on Common, the alcohol did not do much to strengthen that understanding of the ridiculous language. When he focused really hard, he could make out bits and pieces.


“Kidnap children…death…destruction.” He blinked and gaped at her. He saw her in a new light. And it wasn’t just because he couldn’t see her clearly or that there were three of her.


“Well, impressive. How much-“ He trailed off as his mind barely registered the fact that he was speaking Fratava and she couldn’t understand a word he was mumbling. He grunted irritably and started over speaking slowly as he tried using common.


“Huh. Gooood. How much…coins? Coin…make selling?” He paused looked up at her, a silly grin plastering across his face. His common was worse than usual, terrible in fact. He tilted his head and the world spun dizzily.


He knew that human trafficking made pretty good money if one had an experienced crew and a contact to sell to. It was hard work and it most definitely paid the bills. Kel’s brain managed to connect the dots. He looked at her skeptically.


“Jeeenkins.” He lifted a hand and patted the ground until he found his furry friend. “There, there, there you are. Look.”


He pointed at the woman, hand wavering slightly. “She is. She. She is. You hear? She said she’s…she’s…yeah….”


He lost his train of thought and his words drifted to a half. He pulled Jenkins close to him, the little mammal chittering loudly as he was dragged across the stone ground. Kel ignored him and smiled dreamily. Kel bumped the small bottle at his hip and it clattered to the ground. He looked down and saw the container. A smile lit up his face and he held it up triumphantly.


He fumbled with the plug and finally managed to pull the cork out. He threw his head back and drained the remaining liquid. He barely even noticed the sensation as he drank the alcohol like water.


“SLAVER.”


He remembered what he was trying to tell Jenkins and he beamed up at her, proudly. He offered her the empty bottle but then threw it on the ground, causing it to shatter. Kel roared with laughter, tears trickling out of the corners of his eyes.


“CHEWEE!” He waved at Shijara, impatiently. “Booze. Gone. Lez..lez…leeeeeez. Get more.” Kel staggered to his feet. What was once a mild buzz had slowly turned into a heavily intoxicated state. He leaned heavily against the side of a building.


“CHEWEE!” CHEEEEWEEEEEE!” Kel yelled at Shijara, even though she was less than two arm lengths away. He looked in her general direction and gestured for her to get closer. He pushed off of the wall and took a step forward.


He lurched forward almost falling on his face. He caught himself and threw both arms out, steadying himself with a wide stance.


“Whoa. Chewee. That too close.” He swayed dangerously in that spot, the people passing by giving him a wide birth, looks of disgust thrown his way. He was oblivious to it all.


“Chewee…store now. Booze. Come come.” Kel began staggering off, gesturing wildly for Shijara to follow. He had no idea where he was going, he was going to rely heavily on Shijara to find a store, buy the booze and drink it with him. But he didn’t know that. All he knew was that the world was spinning and the street kept moving away from his feet.

NoteFirst time writing a drunken post and working out the kinks so sorry for that. Also since he is drunk, he's going to be speaking in Fratava a lot since it's his native tongue and it'll just slid off. But I'll make sure to give you some RP hooks. For the next part, I'm leaving it up to you to decide what to do. You can either dump him and leave, buy some more alcohol or suggest something else.

[Shijara]

Shijara's jury was still out on the man. Surely he wasn't actually some idiot. It must have been the alcohol talking, which up until this point hadn't settled in. Now, seeing him scream and revert back to his native tongue, there were two things the female knew. She wouldn't be able to joke with this man, not like this, and part of her thought it would only be decent to get him to a more appropriate location before he passed out. Of course, Shijara herself didn't quite know the city. She pulled out the map one the Akalak at the front gate had given her, wincing at the accusation of slaver, and looked up. Luckily those that heard were still giving him a look of disgust, although she was sure that would have been directed at her. For the most part, the man got the blunt end of the distaste. In fact, she thought she saw one Akalak give her an apologetic look before continuing with his work. She was just beginning to locate a tavern, not for the alcohol, but to hopefully get some food in him when the sound of glass shattered violently beside her. Shards spread out, one of them hitting her cloak and bouncing off. She looked at the otter who would no doubt step on it if he wasn't careful. "Calm down!" she scolded, although her anger made it burst out in Tawna. She frowned at him, shaking her head before trying to steady him. The man was much taller than her and she doubted she'd be able to do anything if he dropped to the ground. She began slowly speaking in common, as if talking to a child, "Hey! What's your name? Do... you...," she pointed at his chest, "know... your... name?" If he got offended, so be it. She was going to help him, despite what trouble it caused her. But after that she would walk away. He hadn't exactly done any damage to her, other than be somewhat rude, but she handled those things pretty well. It was then that things got fun. When Shijara began hastily tucking away the map and papers she had previously set on the ground, she reached out to grab the man's arm so she could guide him, when she first heard the term "Chewee". She paused, waiting. He said it more, and was motioning impatiently. Was that... referring to her? Finally, worried about his staggering, she swooped up Jenkins, tucking him under one arm and moved him away from the glass. Then she sighed and dipped herself beneath one of the male's arms, helping to support him. A few times the lurched to the side, and it was a miracle they both didn't fall over. Shijara grunted once or twice out of effort -- he was heavy -- but thanked the gods he was just a man and not one of the blue giants wandering around. The Akalak had been nothing but polite to her since arriving, but their size was something else entirely. As she trudged along, she looked back. "Jenkins, let's go," she made a chattering sound, trying to imitate the animals own noise, before looking up at the drunken Svefra. She caught a glimpse of his jawline and she grumbled underneath her breath. This guy might have been attractive, but he was an ass. Never again. "Oh, Bottle Breath." She sighed and by the time they reached the closest tavern, Shijara's arms burned from the exercise. She took a deep inhale. They were gonna get kicked out. She just knew it.

[Kel Tempest]

Day 4 of Spring in the Year 514 AV

The world spun wildly when he moved. Whenever he turned, it took a couple of ticks before his eye sight caught up with his vision. It was incredibly disorienting. The alcohol induced Svefra’s legs felt like jelly. He looked wide eyed at his tavan companion.


“Jenkies…I think soooomeone put something in ma’ drink…thaat’s not wahter…” He looked around suspiciously, almost falling over. He scowled at his legs, as if they had betrayed him. The woman that stood in front of him began scolding him. He laughed at the ridiculous nonsense that came out of her mouth. He placed a finger against his lips and shushed her.


“What’s your name? Do…you…know…your…name?” She looked at him expectantly and he blinked. His common was rough at the best of times. In his drunken state it was a miracle if he could remember at it at all.


He pointed to his chest. “Kel. Me, Kel.” He stuck his finger at her, “You. Chewee.” He nodded in confirmation, pleased he had remembered her name. Shijara swept Jenkins off the ground, he chattered at her annoyed and then looping her arm around Kel’s back, onto his shoulder, propping him up. He leaned heavily on her, feeling the warmth of her body pressed against his. He leaned over and smelled her hair.


“Mmmm, yeh’ smell preeeehty.” He giggled and they proceeded to make their way through the crowded streets. The small woman was barely able to keep him upright, between himself and the sea otter, she had her hands full. The tavan squirmed in her grip and Kel jerked to the side as a leg would refuse to hold his weight every now and then. He looked around contently before breaking out into a horribly off tuned song.


“OOOOOOO!

Sally Brown, she's the gal for me boys!

Roll Boys! Roll boys roll!

Sally Brown she's the gal for me, boys!

Way high, Miss Sally Brown!**


Kel roared with laughter as he merrily made his way through the town. Finally they arrived at a tavern and made their way inside. Kel pushed the Chaktawe away and staggered over to the bar. Jenkins squirmed until the woman would barely be able to keep a grip on him. He leaped out of her arms and followed the Svefra.


Kel fell against the bar and gripped the edges with both hands.


“DRINK. I NEEDS A DRINK.” Kel demanded loudly as he squinted in the dim light. The bartender eyed him warily, noting his drunken state. He was about to reject him but Kel pulled out a few mizas and slammed them on the table.


“Drink!” The bartender complied and handed him a mug of ale. Kel grunted with pleasure and threw back the cold drink. Jenkins curled up underneath a stool beside the Svefra and nibbled on a crust of dry bread he found that had been discarded.


A big man entered the tavern and lumbered over to the bar. The human hooked a foot around the stool and pulled it out before sitting down. He rested his elbows on the counter and flicked a wrist at the man behind the bar. The bartender nodded once and brought over a beer to the merchant.
Kel looked over at him as he slammed the empty mug down on the table.


“HAHAHAH! Jenkies! Look at teh ugly shyke. His ma must have kicked that ugly hoe straight out from womb!” Kel roared with laughter at his own joke.


The merchant shot him an angry look.


“What’d you say?” He growled at the Svefra. The merchant understood enough Fratava to know he was being insulted. Kel threw both hands out, mockingly.


“Well, well, well! Here have us a Fratava speaking human. Yehr' accent so thick I think yeh' have a guppy for a tongue.” Kel smirked at the bigger man and stumbled closer. The man growled again as Kel stepped into his comfort zone.


“Step back, kid.” There was an edge to the man’s voice. Danger glinted in his eyes but Kel was oblivious to it. He leered and shoved the man roughly. Caught off guard by the sudden attack and he fell as the stool gave way. But he bounced back to his feet, face turning a deep shade of red.


Kel grinned at the angry man and held up both hands in front of his face, swaying dangerously. It crossed his mind that this may have been a bad idea but he dismissed the thought. Had the man not spoken Fratava, all of this could have been avoided. Non Svefra shouldn’t be allowed to speak their language. It was an insult to their kind and that irked Kel more than it should have.


“Give meh yer’ best-“ Kel didn’t even have time to finish his sentence before a fist lashed out and slammed into the Svefra’s jaw. The power behind the punch alone was enough to knock him off of his feet. Add that and his incredibly drunken body, Kel didn’t stand a chance.


The blow sent him crashing into the bar stools behind him, knocking them over and landing in a heap on the tavern floor. He groaned, completely disoriented. His head rang and he felt sick to his stomach. He tried to move but thought better of it as the merchant loomed over him.


“I told you not to mess with me, kid.” He glared at the Svefra and spat on the ground next to him. He spun and stopped by him mug. He emptied the contents and without looking back, headed out the door.


“Yeh' got…lucky…”


Kel groaned and laid his head back down on the ground.

NoteAssassin's Creed Sea Shanty #30

[Shijara]

The scene played out like a nightmare, everything slowing down with no way to stop it. When they reached the tavern, the male flew from her arms. Never mind that he had smelled her. Forget that there was a growing possibility his pet was ready to nip her fingers off, or the fact she had almost been sprawled on the street with this man next to her... No. None of that mattered. Now with what was about to transpire everything else faded in comparison. It was then that her stomach dropped and she knew of the mistake she had made. No... she inwardly begged, stumbling in after the blue eyed drunk. Of course. His words seemed to solidify when he talked about ale, and then he started mouthing off in his language. "Wait-" she tried to tell the bartender, eyes widening as he drank the liquor like a person breathing air. He ordered another, "You don't need any mo-." A man stood up, shouting at her new responsibility. She might not have understood everything that was said, but she could see the sneer on the Svefra's face, and the anger on the merchants. "Eywaat help me," she muttered, going to try and step in and apologize when suddenly he was laid out, a solid punch being landed straight in the jaw. She was surprised when a tooth didn't fly from Kel’s mouth. Shijara raced over, weaving through the wreckage, apologizing profusely for her acquaintance. “I’m so sorry,”, she began picking up the chairs setting then back up, making them out of the way as she moved to the male. “Is he with you?” the bartended demanded, causing Shijara to wince. “Not particularly.” Finally, as she crouched to get a better look at where Kel was hit, lifting up a hand to help him sit up. “We met and I thought-“ “You need to pay for the damages.” Shijara froze, pausing in her attempt to move Kel to a chair. She turned slowly, black eyes landing unforgivingly on the bartender. She gave a slow, deliberate blink, a smirk pulling up the corner of her lips. She said her next word very carefully, so they were heard clearly, “…Ha.” When the bartender insisted, Shijara looked at Kel, her features darkening, but not because of the Svefra. She turned her head, before carefully standing up, her voice levelled, a dark undertone out of place in Shijara’s voice, “You want… us to pay, after you over served a man who was clearly intoxicated,” she took a step towards the bar, glaring at the man, her black eyes boring into his, “and one of your patrons attacked him?” The bartender was clearly unsettled, but stood firm, “He insulted my customer! He deserved it!” “Oh, are you fluent in his tongue? What did he say?” The bartender struggled, and Shijara took that as an opportunity. She smacked a few mizas on the table, “We will take a hot meal, something with substance to sober him up. Two glasses of water, and a hot, wet rag.” Then she smiled, but not before shooting a warning glance at the other patrons. She was a small woman, but there was something in her voice… Something in her eyes. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Finally, she returned to Kel, “Come on, Bottle Breath,” Shijara moved a chair next to him and when she was sure he could sit in it, she sat next to him after up righting the table. She leaned close to the Svefra, “Shut. Up.”

[Kel Tempest]

Day 4 of Spring in the Year 514 AV

A dull throb pulsed through Kel’s head. The world had tapered to a narrow view point. Shapes blurred, colors seemed to blend together. He didn’t really know where he was anymore. The last ale had pushed him to the point of blacking out. The blow to the head had disoriented him to the point of losing consciousness.


Shijara helped him get back onto his feet and onto a stool. The woman’s conversation with the bartender was a buzz in his ears. Their words had no meaning, he barely picked up on their tones. It was as if he was there in body only. He felt as if he was separated from his body, floating above them.


Suddenly, food appeared in front of him. He blinked surprised. The smell waffering up from the plate, tantalizing his senses. His mouth began to water and he jerked his hands forward, digging into the food hungrily. He hadn’t realized how hungry he had become. But he wasn’t in a state where he realized anything.


He reached for the glass of water and took a sip. He spat it out when he realized what it was. He looked at it in disgust.


“ALE!” He slammed it down on the counter, water sloshing over the sides, spilling everywhere. He growled and grabbed a piece of bread, tearing into it. He shoved his mouth full, crumbs falling everywhere.


The bartender came over and glared at the Svefra. “NO. No alcoholic beverage for you. You attacked my customer!”


Kel didn’t understand a word that the bartender said but he was familiar enough with that look to take offense. He jumped up off his seat, sending the bar stool flying backwards. Kel raised a finger and pointed it at the man. He tried stabbing the man in the chest with his finger, ready to give him a mouthful when he lost his balance.


Kel fell to the floor. He lay there, feeling ill. The ground felt so good. His head didn’t spin when he laid there. Jenkins came and nudged him with his nose, a soft rumbling coming from his chest. Kel tried to brush him off but missed and just pawed at the air. The Svefra placed both hands against the floor and tried to push himself upright. He got to his knees and was about to stand when it finally happened.


Kel vomited.


The newly acquired food spewed out. Bile reeking of boozes burst from his mouth in a stream of toxic waste. The chunks splashed all across the floor, steaming as it hit the cold floor. Bits of vomit landed on Kel’s hands. Jenkins leaped backwards but crept forward curious. He sniffed the puke but recoiled in disgust before scurrying away.


Kel moaned and sat there on his hands and knees, head hanging low. He breathed raggedly. Sweat beaded his forehead as his body shook slightly from the alcohol consumption, dehydration and lack of food. A string of bile slowly dripped from his mouth as he rested, eyes closed.


He felt much better, having expelled his stomach. He weakly tried standing but his arms shook. He managed to push himself backwards so he landed on his arse and leaned back against the counter. His head hung on his chest and he sat there, unmoving. Jenkins scurried back to his friend and curled up in his lap. Kel tried petting him but gave up and let his hand rest limply on the ground.


Exhaustion crept over the Svefra and he felt sleep slowly call his name, its voice soft and lulling. If no one stopped him, Kel would soon drift into a dreamless slumber…