Just A Little Alcohol
Disclaimer-I do not own Dragon Knights, though I do own a framed drawing of Alfeegi one of my friends made for me.
Special thanks to Leeayre for betaing this piece, all lingering errors are completely my doing.
Authors Note-A little introduction to this story. While working at a remote field station I was introduced to many of the types of drinking. One of the people on my team actually forgot to bring cash, and borrowed $200 dollars from me to purchase alcohol for the next two months (kind of reminds me of Kaistern). On most weekends the alcohol would come out. Honestly the only reason I remember the parties, is the fact I am a Mormon and have never had a drink of alcohol in my life. Well with no further delay here is the character sketch.
Ruwalk has always been a social drinker. He liked the cocktail hour before dinner, and his dessert wine after dinner. He enjoys the buzz that comes from a combination of alcohol and the colorful crowd. There is the warmth that comes from the burn sliding down your throat and the mass of bodies. Though Ruwalk loves the feeling he gets from these social events, he hates the morning after. He knows he will be downing glass after glass of water later tonight to try to prevent the coming hangover. Thus, Ruwalk keeps track of how much he has had, but that doesn't stop him from enjoying the party.
In the far corner Kaistern may look sober as he flirts with the women of Draqueen's high society. The truth is he is completely sloshed. The skill of appearing attentive while drunk was honed from years of listening to the mindless blather of diplomats. He had learned long ago most of what they said at parties was worthless. In contrast, Kaistern had also learned bars were wonderful places to pick up information. Thus as he learned to be attentively drunk, he also learned to behave completely drunk while sober. But Kaistern isn't in a bar right now and the women keep chattering so he snags another glass from a tray, draining the sixth for the evening.
On the complete other end of the spectrum, the Black Dragon Officer Tetheus, barely drinks at all. Sure he stands drink in hand, and even takes a few sips to give the illusion he is drinking, but he is keeping his mind sharp. He knows that it would only take one moment of not paying full attention and someone could be killed, and he knows he couldn't live with himself if someone close to him was harmed. It is true that he also has the unpleasant memory of the hangover he had for days after his siblings got him drunk the first time. It was true that it had happened when he was still a young demon, but the experience is still painfully fresh. So while others enjoy the evening, Tetheus stands a little in the shadow and keeps a protective eye on the party.
Alfeegi keeps yet another watchful eye, while swirling his first glass of wine in his hand. Alfeegi has always had a sophisticated taste when it comes to alcohol. Good alcohol should be enjoyed slowly. It takes time to take in the aroma of fine wine. One of the few things he enjoys about traveling is trying local wines. He loves how the terroir captures the essence of a place. What he hates to admit is, sometimes he does spend as much as Kaistern on alcohol on his trips. Alfeegi doesn't feel too guilty though, at least what he drinks is high quality, paid for out of his own living stipend, and most of the bottles he buys he brings home to enjoy later.