Drunken Poker (3)

Writers: AL, Elyriel
Date Posted: 3rd December 2008

Characters: T'marek, Zelle
Description: Zelle helps T'marek while he's had a bit too much to drink.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 13 of Turn 4

A sharp retort immediately came to mind, but the gentle voice of his lifemate stilled his tongue. Taking a deep breath, T'marek finally thought of something to say that wouldn't seem completely rude. "A woodsmith would serve you better, but if you want, I can show you how to turn a perfectly good piece of wood into little more than dust."

Zelle laughed, the sound warm and rich. "That sounds perfectly suited to me! I'd love to learn how to turn a good piece of wood into little more than dust. When shall we begin?"

How exactly had he gotten himself into this? Shells if only his brain wasn t so addled with wine he could have figured some way out. Putting his fingers to his forehead, T'marek massaged roughly then withdrew them to look at Zelle again. "I don't care." He said on a sigh. "Tomorrow sometime?"

"In the morning?" Zelle suggested, a grin still brightening her face. She was amused by his disgruntled manner as much as anything. "Or perhaps after lunch since you might want to sleep in a bit?"

He couldn't believe he was actually doing this. He didn't like people as a rule and avoided them at all costs. "Tomorrow afternoon." The brownrider all but ground out, thinking perhaps he should just stay permanently drunk, at least through tomorrow evening. Then perhaps he could deal with having to interact with someone.

"Maybe around the fourteenth candlemark?" Zelle suggested as she leaned back in her chair. "Outside the entrance to the Dining Hall?"

Sighing heavily, T'marek nodded. "Yeah, fine." He said, obviously less than pleased. "Tomorrow. For now I'm returning to my Weyr." Pushing his chair back, he stumbled then caught himself by gripping the table. Without so much as a good night, he turned and nearly fell on his face as he headed toward the exit.

Immediately Zelle was at his side, offering herself to lean upon and helping to steady him. "Come on, I'll walk you to your weyr."

One mud brown brow arched as he looked at her as if she carried some sort of disease. "I'm not so old or drunk that I can't manage." The brownrider grumbled as he paused to get his bearings then focused on each foot as it was placed in front of him.

"I didn't call you old." Zelle pointed out with a soft chuckle. She let go of t "You didn't have to." He immediately replied. "Only the old, infirm, or face falling drunk need help walking. I am none of those three."

"Well," Zelle stated with a soft laughed, "This way I have company for half the trip back to my weyr. Well, sort of." Her weyr wasn't reachable from the ground, only by dragon, but she wasn't going to go into that. "And this way I can protect you."

T'marek snorted. "Protect me? From what?" The brownrider looked around. Afraid I'll be attacked by some unsavory character? Or are you afraid I'll do harm to myself?"

"You never know when a stray feline is going to pounce at you from the darkest recesses of the shadows." Zelle stated solemnly. "I'd hate for you get eaten by a feline - he might get indigestion and that would be a sad thing indeed."

For the first time in more turns that T'marek could remember he barked a short burst of laughter, then caught himself. "No feline would be stupid enough to eat me. I'm too tough."

"Maybe you smell good." Zelle poked verbally, a grin lighting her face. She had made him laugh. "Some felines might like tough."

"I smell like wine and dragon. The dragon alone would be enough to scare off any feline." He parried, still focusing on his feet, then looking up to make sure he didn't run into anything. The action caused him to feel dizzier than he had which only made his steps falter all the more.

"Maybe if you were out in the bowl with your dragon, that would be so." Zelle slowly inched her way closer to the man, stopping just before their arms touched as they walked. She hoped he wouldn't collapse - she would have to get help to move him! "But your dragon isn't hear and who knows what sort of evil lurks in the shadows of the weyr."

Shaking his head, he wobbled again as the movement made him dizzier than he had been. "And you're going to fight off some feral feline?" The brownrider asked, his gaze settling on her. "I think I'd have a better shot at it than you."

"I think you under estimate me, sirrah!" Zelle laughed, though she remained close to the brownrider. To be honest, she was rather surprised to still see him on his feet, and grateful for it at the same time. "I can be dangerous when need be."

Once again there was that short burst of laughter, something he attributed to his inebriated state. "You look as if you could barely fend off a kitten.

"Oh yeah?" Zelle hissed and 'clawed' playfully at the brownrider. "I'm really quite dangerous you know."

Shaking his head, T'marek actually had to fight to keep from smiling. When was the last time that had happened? For that matter, when was the last time he'd held a conversation with one person this long? She was lucky she had come across him already in his cups, that had to be the only explanation "Yes." He said dryly. "I can see that." His tone indicating he saw nothing of the sort.

"Is this your weyr?" Zelle queried when they came to a stop, turning to look at the door then back to the brownrider. She was still grinning and remaining near him to be sure he didn't tip over a little too far and wind up flat upon his face. He seemed about ready to do that with each step he had taken.

Looking up, he stared at the door for a long moment, then turned his head and noticed the brown lounging on the ledge. "Yes." T'marek replied once Iriketh had told him it was. "I suppose I should thank you for escorting me although I am sure I could have made it on my own."

"Are you kidding? Did you forget about the wild felines? They're scared of me. It's the only reason they didn't attack." Zelle grinned. Maybe he would have made it, maybe not, but she had to steady him on more than one occasion coming to his weyr. Who knew. He was, at the very least, rather entertaining.

"Right." The brownrider remarked drolly. "I would hate to destroy your illusion so I'll just bid you good night." With that he bowed slightly to her, stumbling into the door as he did so and fumbled with the knob to get the door open.

Zelle watched him for a few moments before stepping forward and opening the door for him. She grinned up at the brownrider. "See you tomorrow, T'marek."

Harumphing, the man just nodded and stumbled into his room, pushing at the door but not waiting to hear it click behind him before he clumsily made his way to his bed where he fell face down, snoring almost immediately.

Outside, Zelle stood there for a moment, shaking her head. Then she turned and made her way toward the bowl, for her weyr had no access by foot. As she walked, she chuckled. In some ways, T'marek reminded her of J'darin.

Last updated on the December 5th 2008

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Drunken Poker (3)