Heishi85 wrote...
Prompt: Long Nights in Orzammar
There seems to be an unspoken rule that when people enter Orzammar, they have to sample some of the fine dwarven ale. But such imbibing can often lead to trouble, humor, secrets spilled, etc.
Maybe Zevran gets drunk and shares a secret; maybe the Warden gets drunk and Zevran has to spend all night taking care of him/her. Or heck, maybe someone else gets a little too tipsy and pushes Zevran and the Warden into an awkward situation.
Time: 3 hours
Medium: Any
Deadline: Friday, January 17th @ 10pm EST
Here's my non-entry: half of the last chapter of Failed to Fail,
Paragon of Drinking:
It was well past noon when they finally left the Assembly and their fearless, cheeky leader was in a very bad mood. He picked his daggers without one word. They quickly returned to their inn, where Leliana informed the others in great detail about everything that happened and about their new mission. Sten was not exactly thrilled – it was another delay from the ultimate goal of slaying the Archdemon – but Shale, and even Morrigan, seemed rather interested.
"Don't tell me you're worried. I assume that normally it would be dangerous, but 'tis hardly worse than what is on the surface now," said Morrigan, when she saw the sour look at Airam's face.
"I'm not worried, just exhausted. I really hoped it worked, for a while. All those hours of memorizing their stupid history and stupid names were useless," grumbled Airam, determinedly avoiding her gaze.
Zevran chuckled. "Ah, but you were marvellous. A true Commander of the Grey!" He patted him on the shoulder and Airam gave him the weakest of smiles. "But I agree. It
was rather tiresome, no? I certainly wouldn't refuse a pint of good beer. Why don't we go have some fun tonight, for a change?"
"Oh, that's a brilliant idea, Zevran! I heard that the Tapster Inn is the best. Come on, let's go and relax a bit, before we start preparing for another adventure," suggested Leliana.
That finally improved Airam's mood a little. "Yes, let's go to have some beer, while it is still available in Orzammar," he joined with evil grin. "Because whatever happens, Al, I want you to increase the export taxes of barley, malt and whatever else is needed to brew beer
tenfold, once you're a king! And consider this an order from your Commander."
"For the Maker's sake, Air, keep your voice down! Do you want us to be slaughtered like nugs in our sleep?" Alistair looked around in mock fear.
When they went to the inn that evening, the mood was much better – partially also because Wynne decided to spend their way in a more useful way."A round of the best beer for everyone!" shouted Airam when they sat down. The dwarves greeted it with loud cheers to the Grey Wardens. "Poor fools. Drink while you can," he added quietly with revengeful light in his eyes.
Leliana coughed. "Zevran. Aren't you supposed to train our
Commander? I am afraid his skills in diplomacy still require a lot of work."
He laughed heartily. "Ah, is that what you meant when you said it was my fault? In that case, my dear Leliana, allow me to remind you that I train our Commander to be an assassin, not a politician."
"You're training him to be an
assassin? You're joking... aren't you?"
"Not at all, my dear Chantry boy. However, let me tell you that it was the Commander's own wish."
" 'Tis foolish and useless. He could never be an assassin. He's too soft and careless for that," joined Morrigan.
"Would you all stop talking about me as if I wasn't here!" Airam frowned. "What in the world are you talking about anyway, Leliana? What is Zevran's fault?"
"I... eh... I told that to Zevran, because..."
"She means you should be more diplomatic and careful about what you say when
you're facing the most powerful people in the country," he explained with a grin. "Your cheeky comments could put you, and all with you, in real danger."
Like the Deep Roads. But better not to says that aloud, yes?"I know. I'm not a politician, never will be." Airam shrugged. "Besides, isn't that what I have you for, Zev?"
"But I will not be with you always," he pointed out.
For a brief moment, there was a look of surprise at Airam's face, and also something else – hurt? Disappointment? But then he laughed softly. "I forget sometimes, that the Blight will not last forever, and that you'll leave..." his voice trailed off. He frowned at his tankard and emptied it in one breath. The maid immediately brought a new one.
"Well, I certainly hope it won't last forever! I prefer to hope will end it real soon, before it destroys the whole of Ferelden," said Alistair, completely oblivious that anything had happened, as usual. "What are you going to do once it's over?"
"I want to serve the Maker and Andraste, and help to rebuild the Temple again," said Leliana enthusiastically. "It was lost for so long! It is a place where the pilgrims could get many blessings and grace, it should be open for everyone."
"And I hoped you'd stay to help me, when I become King," said Alistair, disappointed.
"Of course I will stay, should you wish." Leliana seemed pleasantly surprised. It was the first really nice thing that Alistair told her, since her past was revealed. "But I do not think you will need my help for very long. You learn quickly."
Morrigan snorted. "Well then, I guess I will prefer to leave Ferelden. I do not think it would be safe with this Chantry fool as the King."
"And you, Sten? Will you go back to Seheron?" asked Leliana, to avoid another argument between Morrigan and Alistair.
"I wish I could, but I cannot."
Airam blinked. "Why, Stenny?"
They all stared at him in shock. "What did you call him?" asked Morrigan, when her ability to speak returned again. Airam ignored her.
"Wha's wrong, my big boring friend? Tell your Warden Com...mound...mend... well, you know wha' I mean."
Leliana and Morrigan started to giggle.
"S'op laughing. You're... bad, bad girls! Yes! Very bad!" Airam tried to shake his finger at them, but it seemed he was not too sure in which direction he should point.
"You're
drunk?" Alistair couldn't believe it. "But we've only been here ten minutes! We're drinking our first – oh. Right."
In front of Airam, there was not one empty tankard, but four. Zevran frowned.
When did he manage to drink the third and fourth? He didn't watch him only for a moment.
Brasca.
" 'mnodunk," protested Airam.
"Yes, you are. Be proud, I'm sure nobody has ever gotten drunk this fast," giggled Leliana. "You better take him back to our inn, Zev."
"Nonono – I wanna s'ay here – hey! You! Bring us more ale!"
"You shame Wardens like this, Kadan. Go. You're drunk."
"And you're ugly. Even more than I am." Airam stuck out his tongue at the Qunari, who just shook his head.
"But Zev will be sad if you don't go," said Leliana, not even trying to hide her amusement. "He has been looking forward to spending the night with you for a very long time. Weren't you, Zev?"
"Of course I did," he replied in the same merry tone, though inwardly he swore he would make Leliana pay for these jokes. And Morrigan for her giggling. At least Alistair still didn't seem to understand what was Leliana talking about. Thank the Maker for small mercies.
Airam looked at him with unfocused eyes. "I dun wanna massage," he proclaimed, which made Leliana first blink and then burst into mad aughter.
"Oh Zevran, you beast. Don't tell me you tried
that!"
That made the crazy kid really angry. "Zev is no' a beas' ! You're a beas' ! He's my bes' buddy ever!"
Ignoring the renewed fits of laughter, he quickly put Airam's hand around his shoulder and helped him to get up. Followed by Morrigan's comments and Leliana's giggling, he quickly dragged the boy out of the inn, and then back to their own inn. It was not a pleasant walk, but he couldn't make himself be angry with the crazy kid. Needless to say, Wynne was disgusted and angry when she saw what sort of state Airam was in. She let him know that it was all his fault. He didn't have the strength to argue with her.It was a great relief when they finally reached their room, and he could shut the door in her face.
But there was a new problem. One of the worst he ever faced, it seemed: how to deal with drunk Airam without making them both feel embarrassed the next day. It took all his wit, and a lot of patience, but he finally convinced Airam to change his clothes and go to bed.
"Bu' you s'ay with me!" demanded Airam, when he finally tucked the blanked around him.
"I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right next to you, yes?"
"Promise?"
"Of course."
When the crazy kid finally fell asleep, Zevran was exhausted more than after battling an ogre, but he couldn't sleep. He lay on his bed, staring into the darkness. It would be nice, he thought, if it was real. The promise. Not just drunk talk. He did
not wish to go anywhere.
But he had no illusions. He knew that after the Blight, when things return back to the normal, everything will be different. He would have to leave, whether he wanted it or not. Airam could say now, and perhaps even believe it, that they were 'best buddies forever'... But Airam would be the Warden Commander, a hero of people who defended them against the darkspawn, an important and respected person. He wouldn't want someone like Zevran to drag him down. A runaway slave for the Crows, a dangerous assassin for everyone else, that was all he was, all that he would ever be.
Only to think about leaving Airam hurt. And as much as he hated the smelly monsters, he still dreaded the day when the Blight would end and his little Warden would not need him any more.
Perhaps he could offer to train the recruits for Airam. He chuckled. Airam stirred and sighed, but he didn't wake up. Hm.
Training recruits actually wasn't such a bad idea. Maybe he should really ask... But not tomorrow. Tomorrow will be funny enough anyway. Would Airam remember what happened? Leliana might be merciful and discreet... but he doubted Morrigan would be. Or Wynne. Tomorrow, the poor crazy kid would need his moral support, no?And for now, it was enough.
Modifié par Klidi, 11 février 2012 - 01:55 .
Retour en haut
And excellent music selection!
This had me giggling. And the poor party trying to decide who has to keep an eye on him, take him for his private Zevran time and all the rest. So when does Ban start warming to him? 
