Toss a Coin, Tails Is Sendai

Peri groaned and slowly opened her eyes. The sun was high already, but as the plan was to get drunk, no-one was expecting her to turn up early. She felt the rancid smell of pub air in her clothes and hair, the hair glued into sticky strands by spilled ale. She groaned again. She remembered how Anomen used to cast a soothing spell on her on occasions like this. He didn't approve of women drinking, but as he had mentioned this, Peri had told him to get stuffed in no uncertain terms. Poor Anomen. So concerned with what was proper and expected, so pompous... she smiled gently and sadly.

Sarevok entered the room, looking annoyingly vigorous and healthy. Peri remembered hazily how she had broken down, talking about Yoshimo, and how she had slept next to her brother. The latter didn't embarrass her, but the former did.

- "Good morning, sister. I have brought you a big mug of coffee, a pitcher of cool water and toast with scrambled eggs. They will bring a tub for bathing in a minute," Sarevok said, smiling and putting the food on the nightstand.

- "Wow. You do know how to treat a damsel in distress," Peri managed. "How come you are so perky and fresh?"

- "I didn't drink very much. I rarely do. I have very unpleasant memories of the time in my life when I did... and Winski used to be an alcoholic. I wouldn't want that misery on anyone."

- "So you... remember everything? Me whining like that annoying avariel?" Peri asked, blushing a little.

- "The cleric you talked about yesterday? But yes, I do remember everything, and I'd like to think that you do as well. It was an important discussion for me, and you didn't 'whine'. You cried because of a person dear to you had been geased to betray you, and you were worried about his fate. I see no weakness in that," Sarevok said sincerely.

- "Yes... I do remember," Peri said, her blush deepening. "And yes, I meant the love thing. And it was a relief to be able to let go a bit... to be emotional."

- "With me, you are always allowed."

Their palms joined and they were quiet for a while, squeezing each others' hands.

- "Eat, Peri. It will get cold. I will go now so that you can bathe in peace."

Sarevok left Peri alone and went downstairs for his own breakfast.

The others were already there, even the grumpy Korgan.

Imoen was less chirpy than usual, shuffling her food around with a fork.

- "Is our mighty leader in butt-kicking condition?" Minsc asked. "Minsc wonders why people must drink bad-tasting liquid making them first silly and then ill."

- "She will be in half an hour," Sarevok answered. "As for why... on the rare occasions I did, it was to silence guilt."

- "Did it work?" Keldorn asked.

- "At the very moment, yes. On the whole, no. Nowadays I just don't drink much."

Korgan shot him an irritated look from his red-veined eyes.

- "... bleedin' stuck-up lily-livers.." he muttered.

- "Really?" Sarevok chuckled. "I bet you would like to be one yourself, at the moment."

Peri descended the stairs, looking much better. Her hair was shining again, and her mood had also improved with clean clothes and a bath.

- "More. Coffee." She went for some and sat at the table.

- "The cleric situation."

- "You have made a decision?" Keldorn asked with concern.

Peri nodded.

- "It is not an ideal solution, but there doesn't seem to be one. I decided against Viconia. I have no problem with her... but I do with her patron deity. Also, I know you have difficulties dealing with a servant of an evil deity, Keldorn, even if she doesn't harm us. And... I have been rather hard on you lately."

- "It is all right. The situation is putting a lot of pressure on you. I will probably continue annoying you with my guidance," Keldorn smiled.

- "And I will probably continue snapping at you when it gets too much on my nerves," Peri said, grinning.

- "So what do we do?" Imoen asked. "Buy scrolls and potions?"

- "Yes. I realize it is not ideal... but the way I see it the people who form the group are the most important thing in surviving this thing. And this group works. We have a good supplier here, and there is the one in the forest near that old Bhaal temple... and we can carry practically anything with that Bag of Holding. Also, Minsc can heal some and I have some of these weird powers. We will manage."

- "I agree. It is not wise to risk the workings of our group by introducing a new member who would cause a lot of tension," Sarevok nodded.

- "So it is off kicking the butt of evil again!" Minsc exclaimed.

- "Which one do we investigate first? Abazigal or Sendai?" Sarevok asked.

- "Korgy. Toss a coin, tails is Sendai," Peri said and tossed him a gold coin.

The dwarf tossed the coin and slammed it against the back of his hand.

- "Tails," he stated. Peri nodded, and the group headed for the shops before continuing their journey.