A drunk person stumbles out into the street and grabs and kisses Wraithvine before passing out from the drink. They are very apologetic for their behavior in the morning. -- Anon Guest
The morning after the night before. Where ev'ry hair on your body is sore...
Such words had never been truer for Luane Emberguard, waking up to the very concept that fingernails could ache. Where the memories of the previous evening were vague, fragmentary, and always regrettable.
Someone poured liquid into a cup. Way too loudly. Luane moaned and tried to hide from the world under a pillow. It had been a nicely friendly pillow the evening before. Now it felt like it was full of gravel that was wrapped in nettles.
"I do advise you drink this," said a quiet voice that somehow managed to slice through her skull in several places. "It will help in your recovery."
Her mouth felt like she had been tongue-kissed by the undead. Luane honestly didn't care if the cup was full of hemlock at this point. Anything to end her agonies.
It was sweet, and chased the gross away from her mouth. After four such cups, she could risk opening an eye to the sunshine.
Painful. Painful sunshine.
"Ow," she said.
Her companion in the room was an Elf. One that was more familiar from a much closer range. Very close. Kissing close.
Luane felt the burning tides of mortification begin to incinerate her cheeks.
"I see you remember," said the Elf.
Luane was just grateful that they were both fully-clothed. "I'm so sorry, I'm not normally like that, I swear..." she squeaked.
"It's not every day a being comes of age, regardless of species," said the Elf. "It's been a long time since anyone thought I was pretty enough to kiss." They poured another cup, placing it on the bedside table. "Nevertheless, I thought it prudent to see that no undeserved harm came your way." As Luane drank, ze added, "The privy is down the hall to the left."
Now that she was sitting up? Yeah. That was well-timed advice. Luane staggered down the hall to the left and took the most urgent of ease there. At least she didn't feel like throwing up any more.
The light was less cruel when she emerged. "I am never," she vowed, "drinking like that again. Blargh..."
"Nice to know that some people can learn," allowed the Elf.
It would be two weeks before she learned that her saviour and temporary partner that night had been Wraithvine the Legendary.
[Image by Neven Krcmarek on Unsplash]
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