Ch. 78: Acting Rash

We all laughed at poor Toval's pathetic state.

"Well Ezzie it looks like you're the winner! How're you still okay?" Iren questioned.

I gave a sly smile, "Oh I'm immune to poison - Alcohol falls under that category apparently."

His mouth gaped open, "That's sneaky!"

Laughing, I smiled, "Don't worry. I won't make him dress up tomorrow. He did a great job. In fact . . . Illana, do you have any rouge on you?"

Slightly taken aback, Illana reached in her dress pocket pulling out some rose colored rouge, "Yes m'lady, but why?"

Grabbing it, I placed some on my lips then leaned forward planting a big ole smakaroo on Toval's forehead.

The others gasped while I leaned back, hands on hips, "There! Now he can't say he's never been kissed. And the evidence will be there in the morning giving that he is not a restless sweaty sleeper."

Rodair's eyes were like saucers, "M'lady won the bet! Why would m'lady kiss this man?"

I waved a hand, "Relax my friend - It's just a peck on the forehead. No harm no foul. Besides, I felt kind of bad that he's never been kissed before - That's just sad."

Richie laughed, "Well he'll definitely have a story to tell if he remembers anything of this night! I wonder how strong that stuff is . . ." Reaching forward, Richie grabbed the bottle and took a swig before I could stop him.

"Are you insane? It's way too strong for you!" I yelled, pulling the bottle back before he drank too much.

Coughing Richie swiped his lip, "Wow. Not bad! Hey - Even your creepy-crawly friend there is getting in on the action!" Richie swayed a long finger pointing to Snippet who was steadily licking up any remaining liquor from the spill earlier.

Gasping in panic, I picked her up with a stern look, "Great. You don't think alcohol will poison her do you?" Snippet gave a tiny hiccup in response.

Illana sighed while gesturing for me to hand Snippet over, "Surely not. From what I read in that book of yours she should be fine. How about I go take her upstairs to lay her down and ready your bed? I don't suppose Richie will be any good for the rest of the night." She raised a skeptical eyebrow in Richie's direction, who was now goofing off pointing at all the girl's that caught his attention while nudging Rodair and Iren.

"That'd be great Illana, thank you. In fact, why don't you just take the other half of my bed? The thing's huge and I'd hate for you to be sleeping in the servants quarters while I'm wasting all of this luxury. I'm sure Richie's gonna find himself in a nice room by the end of the night anyway so you may be all alone down there, not knowing anyone."

Illana's eyes widened, "Oh I couldn't do that m'lady -"

"And why not? We shared the same tent for heaven's sake. You might as well, unless it would make you uncomfortable. I just don't want you unprotected by yourself down there."

Illana thought it over then nodded her head, ���Very well - You make perfect sense. I'll be sure to watch over Snippet until you retire as well. Have a good rest of the evening m'lady and thank you."

"No problem girl. We have to look out for each other you know." I smiled as Illana took Snippet away and left the hall.

Turning my attention to the boys, who were trying to calm Richie down a little, I asked, "So what's to be done about this guy?" I gestured to Toval laying on the floor.

Rodair and Iren looked down with a grimace, "Rodair can bring Toval back to his quarters . . . But Rodair is not sure where they're located."

Iren nodded, "I do. If you wanna carry him I'll lead the way. We'd better make sure to lay him on his side just in case."

"Very smart decision young Prince." Rodair turned his attention to me, "Will m'lady be alright here alone? M'lady seems to be making some rash decisions this evening."

Shocked he would say such a thing (and deep down feeling he might be right) I raised my eyebrows defensively, "Wow. Rash decisions you say? What, cause I got you and Illana to dance?"

Rodair lowered his head with pursed lips, "Rodair apologizes. This man is just concerned about m'lady . . . Rodair doesn't want m'lady to be alone."

"Who says I'm alone? I've got Rich don't I?" I slapped Richie on his back almost causing him to topple over with his unsteady gait.

Rodair was skeptical but he grunted in approval, wishing me a good night in case I headed to bed before he came back down.

While they left I eyed Richie, "Since you're plastered, I'm guessing you'd like to have a little fun tonight huh?"

Richie nodded absently, "You see that girl over there?" I looked but there were a couple girls bunched together throwing glances our way, "She's been eyeing me for a while now."

"And I suppose you'd like to 'get to know her' for the night?"

Richie licked his lips with that all-too-familiar twinkle in his eye, still looking in the direction of the 'girl', "I wouldn't leave you alone though - That wouldn't be very gentleman-like . . ."

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah - Whatever. Go on and have some fun, just don't get into trouble. I mean it, Rich . . . She better not be somebody you shouldn't mess with. Remember last time?"

Richie nodded his head vigorously, raising his hand in a pledge, "I promise Ez! Never again! I will make sure she's in my league and available . . . Have a little faith alright?"

Ignoring a nagging feeling of unease I slapped his back and let him go. Nothing should go wrong - Richie was a good kid . . . He wouldn't make the same mistake twice.

Now virtually alone, I hugged my arms as I made my way over to a secluded balcony. The alcohol was actually making me heady, a feeling I was unaccustomed to. I've never been able to get 'drunk' so I suppose this is what feeling tipsy feels like. It was actually kind of pleasant - That drink must be VERY strong to cause this feeling.

Perhaps Rodair was right . . . Was I indeed acting rash tonight? I did feel very uncomfortable and heaven knows I hated being here under the same roof as that dreadful demon prince. Maybe I was being more irresponsible in order to prove something to myself . . . Or ignore my own feelings. The deaths of those soldiers were still weighing me down.

Sighing, I looked out over the balustrade at the city below drenched in the moonlight. The desert air carried a cold with it but it wasn't too harsh. The overall picturesque caused me to smile bitterly; If I were at home I'd never see such a nice view. This beautiful city, the glamour, the waste . . . All of it blatantly screamed that Bodach was rich while they caused my own civilization to deteriorate.

Lost in my thoughts (and slightly out of it from the alcohol) I didn't notice a pair of footsteps behind me.

A seductive tenor whispered by my ear, "The city is remarkably beautiful in the moonlight, isn't it m'lady? It's beauty could never compare to that of yours though . . . You are absolutely stunning in the twilight my dear."