No one's nicer than Sarevok!

- "Before the solar dragged me here we fought another Bhaalspawn," Peri told Sarevok. "She was an archer named Illasera, and it seemed that she had deliberately sought me."

- "Yes? Did she reveal anything before her death?" he answered.

- "Nothing much except the usual boasts. All you need to know is that I will kill you and I am your death and all that, I suppose you know the drill," Peri grinned.

Sarevok racked his brain, trying to think back if he had boasted like that in his more... intense days. He hoped not.

- "However, in all probability there are other hostile Bhaalspawn about as well. And powerful ones at that," he added.

- "So aren't ye still the spawn of yon murder-god?" asked Korgan, the dwarf. "Ye got a spark o' him into yer system from our dear lass, here."

- "No. It is just a tiny spark... it doesn't return the divinity of my soul," Sarevok answered. As happy as he was about getting his life back it still hurt. Knowing that he had lost his goal, and that he had no idea of what would become of him and what would be worthy of his efforts.

Peri seemed to have read his mind.

- "Look, Sarevok. If it is any consolation, I would trade places with you anytime. Well, at least in that you could have all the divinity I have. While I think your plan to start the war was raving mad, I really don't care. I don't see it as my grand duty to prevent you or anything like that. If you don't fill the role of a megalomaniac madman, then someone else will... I just want to be left alone."

- "And this is where we disagree, lady," said the paladin Keldorn sternly.

- "Yes, Keldorn," Peri answered. "But Sarevok, the reasons I ever wanted to stop you were strictly personal - Gorion, and that you were after me. What I'm trying to say is... ah, I don't KNOW what I'm trying to say! The bottom line is that I'm trying to make you realise that having this divinity is not worth being jealous of."

Before Sarevok could reply, the nervous Cespenar started to fidget near him and tugged his sleeve.

- "What is THAT?" asked Peri, and the rest of the crew just stared at the imp. Cespenar seemed even more nervous because of the attention, and made anxious eyes at Sarevok, tugging him intently.

- "Me'se talk a little with me's best friend, yes?" he asked, glancing fearfully at Peri.

- "Um. Can I have a moment with... Cespenar here," said Sarevok as nonchalantly as he could manage, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

- "Cespenar." Peri's expression was blank.

- "I'll introduce him in a while," Sarevok said, realizing that he was now somehow associated with the frivolous imp and feeling annoyed.

- "By all means," answered Peri, smiling a little.

The imp and the large, golden-eyed warrior took a few steps aside.

- "The great one's here now and Cespenar all shy and scared and what if the red-head kick and hit poor Cespenar and not like Cespenar?"

Sarevok felt the headache again. The evil, intimidating Sarevok was supposed to be reassuring and comforting a silly imp because it was afraid of his sister? But the pleading look in Cespenar's eyes was just too much to ignore.

- "Cespenar, I'm sure she will not be like Bhaal. She is actually nicer than I am..."

- "Oh no, oh no! No one's nicer than Sarevok! Sarevok me's all best friend in all world forever, oh yes!" Cespenar hugged Sarevok.

Sarevok gritted his teeth.

- "Cespenar, perhaps you could introduce yourself to Peri..."

- "Wait wait wait! Is me'se birthday! Me's made a big big big cake all 1347 candles, yes! Me'se give everybody cake and then everybody likes Cespenar, yes?" His eyes were so full of hope.

Sarevok sighed.

- "No doubt they will."

- "And me makes pancakes too, yes?" The imp seemed to be his happy self again.

- "And the pancakes, too," answered Sarevok in a mild voice, in defeat.

While the imp went to hassle with his bakings, Sarevok addressed the perplexed group, embarrassingly aware of the slight blush on his cheeks.

- "Before you ask. That... imp is a butler. - What are you looking at? Do you truly expect a deity as powerful as Bhaal to starch his own shirts and make his own tea?" Sarevok said, exasperated.

- "An imp for a butler," mused Peri.

- "Since you have taken the place over, I guess you are his new master now. His name is Cespenar. Oh, and he has a birthday today. He has already made a cake with 1347 candles. And he will be busy making pancakes," continued Sarevok in a monotonous voice.

- "Birthday? That is ridiculous!" exclaimed the young priest, Anomen.

- "Awww, Ano. I think it's kind of cute," Imoen said.

- "We are supposed to eat a... birthday cake of that ridiculous creature?" continued Anomen.

- "You are far more ridiculous than the imp, cleric!" retorted Sarevok angrily. "And surely it won't hurt too much to eat the cake and pretend to be grateful? He's actually a pretty good cook." He blushed violently and pretended to be coughing. What was he doing?! Defending the stupid imp to Peri's new group?

- "In between of mighty butt-kickings for the cause of justice, cake and pancake is a welcome distraction!" Minsc said, and the hamster almost seemed to nod in agreement.

When Cespenar arrived with the mighty cake, levitating it magically, Peri talked to him.

- "Hello, Cespenar. I wish you a happy birthday. Um, how do you think we are going to blow all those candles?"

- "Great one! Cespenar littlest butler!"

- "Yes, I know. Sarevok told me. Want me to help you to blow them?"

- "Yes, oh yes! You'se nice too?"

- "I hope so," Peri smiled.

And the cake was delicious, and the birthday was excellent considering the circumstances. Everybody eyed Sarevok warily, and he sat away from them, but at least Cespenar seemed happy.