"See, Noish? I told you this wasn't such a bad idea," Alec said for about the twentieth time that night, taking a swig from his flask of pilfered ale. The blond squire rolled his eyes, stretching his legs as he leaned back against the gate.
"We get it, Alec. You're right, I was being a wet blanket and a bore," he said, slurring his speech a bit by now. "But if we get nailed for this Arden and I are gonna kick your ass. Right, big guy?"
Arden turned around, blinking, as if he hadn't heard a word Noish had just said.
"Huh?"
"Damn it, Arden! Stop staring at the flowers and pay attention," Noish groaned.
"Oh, sorry. I was just...isn't the universe big? Like, when you stop and think about it it's kind of creepy. It's as if you're this tiny little speck in the middle of everything and something big could step on you and squish you any time." Arden took a long drink of ale, and this time it was Alec's turn to blink.
"Uh...yeah. Kooky stuff, that universe," he muttered. "Where'd you come up with it anyway? Noish, did you let 'im cheat off your paper or something?"
"We're not at lessons, Alec." Noish took a swallow of his own ale. "I don't know, it's like...this isn't the first time. Like, every time Arden drinks too much he gets all...what's the word for it? Deep and..."
"Philopsical? Phillis...Phyllis of Diller Village! Oh, I forgot, I asked her for a date and she said maybe!" Alec laughed. Arden snorted.
"She aint gonna show. You know her, she don't like guys who act all big," he said, sounding like the old Arden again.
"Yep!" Noish laughed, slinging an arm around a miffed Alec's shoulder. "You're better off chasin' the pretty maids at the castle or somethin'."
"I'll win 'er over, just you wait!" Alec slurred. "So uh...wait, what were we talking about before?"
"I dunno. Arden was all on about squishing the universe or something," Noish said, and for some reason this made the three of them laugh hysterically.