The dinner was a much more formal and stiff occasion than normally, Peri and Sarevok avoiding each other's eyes, being exaggeratingly polite when asking each other to pass the salt or bread. Saemon tried to make some light-hearted conversation nobody seemed enthusiastic about, even though Peri gave him sly glances, a cold ale easing her hangover. Sarevok still glared at Saemon, but said nothing.
- "Say Saemon, how about it if we jam some with the band. My head aches too much for dancing tonight, but I could use some music," Peri said.
- "Always ready for singing and playing," Saemon grinned, thinking to remark what else he was always ready for, but then thinking again. "What do you want to play, or do you sing?"
- "I do sing... and I know how to play lute, a little. But that guy is better than I am," Peri answered.
- "No harm done if ye try anyway."
- "No," Peri agreed. "But you can just play something, whatever, and I'll make up a song as we go."
They went up the deck again, Imoen and Cespenar in tow. The band was gathered together again, and started with a wild cheerful tune like the one they had played yesterday.
But Peri shook her head.
- "Not now," she said. "Perhaps later, but now I want to sing to something mournful and slow."
- "Feeling blue, lass?" Saemon asked, concern in his eyes.
- "Sort of. But I think it is just the booze. And there has been... a lot of bad stuff going down in my past. Not that you care."
- "Oh, but I do! Fine, young lasses should be happy and carefree."
- "It is not always an option. Just play," Peri said.
Sand swirling when the tide hits the shore
if I drunk all the wine I would still want some more
The sand is flowing through my fingers in vain
I didn't know there could be so much pain...
After a while they stopped jamming.
- "I... don't feel like the cheerful music," Peri said quietly. "Immy, you can stay though. Saemon..."
Her look was expecting and she gestured with her hand, waving at Imoen's general direction. Dear sister, she just grinned. Not such a goddamned nag as Sarevok and the rest of them...
The two of them walked towards Saemon's cabin.
- "You want to join me for another night?" He sounded pleased.
- "Yes. It was good. I need it. It has been too long."
- "Oh, aye. But first... visit your brother."
Peri was immediately angry.
- "Why?" she said.
- "It is bothering you that you have quarreled. He doesn't have the highest opinion of me and..."
- "His opinion is irrelevant. I like what we did last night and I want more. You want it as well, so I don't see how it is any of his goddamned business."
- "Be that as it may, but it is not uncommon that male family members may act a tad protective. Why, I have had to run half-naked clutching my clothes and... well. Never mind that. You are unhappy about it no matter how justified he is, and I'd rather have a happy lass in my bed. Though you are welcome either way."
Peri nodded and brushed the man's cheek lightly with her fingers.
- "I'll be back," she said, and walked to her and Sarevok's cabin. As she opened the door, Sarevok was reading something on his bunk, his muscles stiff.
Peri threw herself onto her own bunk. There was some time, and some thick silence. Talk, you stubborn, proud, spiky-armored moron! It was your fault so I'll be damned if I talk first!
- "You haven't turned a page since I came," she finally informed icily.
- "I am a slow reader," Sarevok answered huffily.
- "No, you are not."
Sarevok shrugged. There was some more silence.
- "Sister. If you stuff the Sword of Chaos up my rectum, will you at least leave the scabbard on?" he finally grudgingly said.
Peri tried to stifle a giggle. She failed.
- "So Winski told you I said that, huh? Of course you went to rant to Saemon."
- "I... apologize for being overprotective. It is just that I love you so much..." Sarevok lifted his gaze, which was sad and pleading at the same time.
- "And I apologize too. I gotta admit, it IS Saemon," Peri said, walking to Sarevok and kissing the top of his bald head.
- "Will you go to him?" Sarevok asked. Peri nodded, and she could see that he didn't like that one bit.
- "You will do what you want to do. But... let me hold you a moment, first," Sarevok said.
They stood a long time embracing.
- "Just take care, sister. Do not get hurt."
- "I won't. Good night, Sarevok."
