Okay, not many reviews yet. Course, then again…I can't quite blame you. I've been missing for nigh on three-and-a-half months. So it looks like I have to start posting whether I get reviews or not. shrugs That's no problem. That just means more for you to read!

Then again, I did see on Faithless Shadow's profile something about National Novel Month, so that may have something to do with it also. Well, I'm going to keep to my promise and update as fast as humanly possible. I think that's fair, considering how long I've been gone. I've missed my story, and I've missed all of my reviewers. So, on with the story…

And, just so you know, I do NOT own NWN.

Wouldn't be here if I did. (well, maybe I would. There's nothing wrong with executives of a cool game writing stories about their own stuff! )

It's the property of Bioware Corp and Wizards of the Coast…I just make cool stories! Majandra is the sole property of Kaia Moonchild, and Saria is the sole property of me.

Chapter 7:

Drinks at the Mask

When Majandra and Saria were done, they walked up to Tomi and Majandra clasped a hand on his shoulder.

"We're ready. Let's go get that drink, eh?" she said enthusiastically.

"Right," he said, grinning.

They walked out of the temple and saw the darkening sky of early evening. A few stars twinkled above as the firelight from the City Core drowned out the fainter ones. The stench of burning corpses still hung heavy in the air, and they tried to ignore it as best they could. They made their way to a large building that was southwest of the temple: the Moonstone Mask. As they drew nearer to the building, they could hear music and laughter coming through the walls. When they opened the main door to the establishment, a wave of sound and light greeted them.

Merriment seemed to be contagious the moment you entered the place, because Tomi was already grinning and giddy with excitement.

Saria and Majandra looked around their surroundings, Majandra because she never got the chance to visit and Saria because she'd never really been in a tavern. A large woman dressed in pale blue clothing walked around slowly in the main room, observing and checking on different patrons. Saria got Majandra's attention and asked her who she might be.

"That's probably the matron mother of the place," Majandra told her. "She certainly looks the part."

Saria nodded and, with help from Tomi, they all sat down at a table with a few other people. The matron must have noticed them, because she came right over and addressed them.

"Good evening to you," she said, doing a small curtsy. "My name is Ophala Chelderstorn, and I am the matron of the Moonstone Mask. How may we serve you this evening?"

"Good evening, ma'am," Saria responded. "We're newcomers to your establishment, and are unfamiliar with your selection of food and drink. Would you be so kind as to tell us your assortment of refreshments?"

Majandra and Tomi both swung their heads around to stare at Saria, while Ophala smiled sweetly at her.

"The Moonstone Mask always welcomes well-mannered guests. I would be happy to tell you what we have to offer."

As she went through various items, Majandra, Tomi, and Saria made their choices. Ophala got the attention of one of the serving girls and told her the order, and she ran off to place the order. When their drinks and food arrived, they all ate cheerfully. In the middle of a bite, Tomi turned to Saria and asked her something.

"Oi, Saria, how is it that ye've never been in a tavern, yet you seem to act like you've been to one before?"

Saria shrugged.

"I really don't know. I guess I'm just not that shy when it comes to situations I'm unfamiliar with."

Tomi took a swig of some dark drink that he'd ordered.

"Not shy, eh? You'll want to be careful where ya say that, m'lady," he said, grinning at her.

Majandra snorted with amusement.

"I'll say."

She eyed Tomi's drink as he downed it and asked for another.

"Tomi, what the hell are you drinking?"

He looked at her with an eyebrow raised as he swayed in his seat.

"An' why d'you wanna know, lass?"

"Because you're a little man, and little men shouldn't be drinking such strong ales," Majandra said, putting her arm on the table.

"Ah, mind your tongue," he said, waving her off. "I'm plenty used to drinking, so don't you question me, lass."

"I'm not your lass, halfling," she growled.

Saria looked between the two as they argued and she sighed, continuing to eat her food. She only stepped in when their voices began to rise. It took some effort, but she finally calmed them to just glaring at each other while they consumed food and drink. They had finally finished eating, and they were down to just drinks. At this point, Tomi was egging Saria to try some of his ale.

"Ah, c'mon, Saria! It's good, you'll like it!"

"Tomi, I don't think I should…"

"Aw, but why not?"

"I have my own beverage, so I'll enjoy it instead."

Tomi finally got up and wrapped an arm around Saria's shoulders, with mug in hand.

"Ah, but this is better! C'mon, just one sip?"

"Tomi…"

"One sip an' I'll shut up, honest!"

Majandra snorted.

"I'll believe that when I see it…"

"Oi! You keep your mouth shut and let her decide! So, what'll it be, Saria?"

He waved the mug in front of Saria, coming close to sloshing it all over the table. Saria sighed and decided to give in.

"Just one sip?" she asked.

"Aye."

"…oh, fine."

She took the mug from Tomi and eyed it before taking a swig. Almost immediately she began coughing, which sent Tomi in a roar of laughter. She put the mug on the table and held a hand to her chest as her face went red.

"There's your one sip," she said as best she could between coughs.

"Aye, one sip," he said, taking his mug back with a chuckle. "You're not used to drinking, are ya, lass?"

Saria shook her head.

"Not exactly," she said, beginning to giggle at her own reaction.

"That's something I'll have t'fix, then, isn't it?" he asked.

Saria giggled, and Majandra sighed.

"Heavens, that burned," Saria said to herself.

Apparently Tomi heard it and he grinned.

"Wanna try it again?"

Saria opened her mouth, thought, then closed it again. Majandra eyed her warily and shook her head.

"I don't think you want to do that," she warned. "Because if you start to like it, you'll end up just as lit as he is."

She pointed at Tomi. They realized, however, that he'd lost interest while they were talking and began to do a jig to the music that the musicians were playing. He'd found a girl to dance with and other people began to dance as well. Sometime during the dance, however, Tomi seemed to have caught her skirt in his hand and, as a result, a resounding slap was heard throughout the room. This brought about a roar of laughter from all the males in the room, and Tomi came back to the table with a bright red mark on his face and a grin from ear to ear.

"I'm havin' a fine time, how about you, lass?" he asked, turning to Saria.

Saria didn't know whether to laugh or be appalled. She decided to laugh and he began laughing with her. Majandra looked between the two and shook her head, finding she was chuckling as well. A few drinks later, all three of them were telling jokes with another group of people and laughing up a storm. Soon after, another rousing tune began to play and Tomi unexpectedly took Saria's hand to dance. For the duration of the song, more people joined in as the song got louder. Saria was beginning to enjoy herself more and more as the night wore on, loving the fact all three of them were having such a good time. When the song was over, Saria sat back down and sighed, content.

Majandra grinned and leaned over.

"It looks like you and Tomi are getting along quite well. A little too well as far as an adventurer and her henchman goes, I think."

Saria looked at Majandra and gave her a questioning look.

"Are you saying that I'm getting too close? That we're crossing boundaries, is that it?" she asked with a slur in her voice.

Majandra shrugged.

"I'm only saying what I see," she said with a smirk. "All I'm saying is be mindful of what's going on, okay? I could care less whether or not you and Tomi have feelings for each other. I just don't want to see you make a decision that you'll end up regretting."

Saria stared at her for a minute, grinned, grabbed Tomi's mug and took a swig.

"Oh, lighten up, will you? I'm only having fun."

At that moment, Tomi walked over with a big grin on his face.

"So you do like it, aye?"

Saria smirked.

"What are you talking about? This is mine."

Tomi laughed.

"An' I'm supposed t'believe that? Ah well, that just means I have to get another."

The night continued, and Majandra had left by this time. Which, to Saria's surprise, left her and Tomi on their own. Saria had stopped drinking a half-hour ago, but Tomi still kept at it. The dancing and merriment finally began to die down, which meant either leaving the Moonstone Mask or the option of going to one of the upstairs rooms. Tomi wanted the second option, but Saria convinced him otherwise and they left. Tomi could barely walk straight, so Saria helped him along.

Somehow they had come across an empty house, and Saria figured that would be the best place for them both to sleep off the night's effects. Saria locked the door behind her as they entered and Tomi fell on the floor.

"C'mon Tomi," she said, helping him up. "You need to get some rest. As do I. So come on…"

She helped him upstairs and into a bed. The room had one bed, so Saria went to lie down with Tomi. She had just begun to get comfortable when she saw Tomi sit up and look over to her. He smiled.

"I had a good night, how about you, m'lady?"

Saria nodded.

"Yes, I had quite a fun time. But we really do need to--"

Before she had a chance to finish, Tomi had leaned down and kissed her. She stopped and blinked at him, not sure what to say. He smiled at her and kissed her again, and held it. She sighed, feeling helpless as the feeling of his kiss washed over her. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he positioned himself over her, making no move to stop him. After a while, she finally broke the kiss.

"Tomi?" she asked quietly.

"Aye?"

"What are we doing?"

Tomi stopped for a moment to consider his answer, then smiled at her.

"I don't know, but I don't want it to stop."

Saria nodded.

"Me neither."

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OMG, OMG, OMG!!! I can't believe this! Tomi and Saria…in bed?! Y'see? This is why you don't want to drink, because you could end up like this! (points to story) XP So, what's gonna happen next? Who knows? But it's gonna be good!

By the way, the entire time I was writing this, I was listening to Celtic songs. And I'll be happy to tell you which ones so you can get the full effect of the story!

The entire pub scene (song, album, artist):

Egan's Polka/Maggie in the Woods, Connaught Man's Rambles/Out on the Ocean (Celtic Legends, Songs of Lore by Aideen O'Brien and the Five Fifths)

Off to California/Boys of Bluehill (Celtic Legends: Songs of Love by Aideen O'Brien and the Five Fifths)

I alternated between these three songs

The love scene (song, album, artist):

The Salley Garden (Celtic Dreams by Alisa Jones)

I, in no way shape or form, claim rights to any of these songs. They just inspired the creativity of this chapter.

Much love and unexpectedness,

Saria