act30side

Now that's some fine wine!

Nonono, it's not wine, it's honey!

Man, Kjerag's own local highland honey... *hic* This flavor sure is something else.

It's your lucky day, because I brought a few bottles of my own on the train!

Ah, honey! How very sobe... *hic* sobering!

This flavor is great, stupendous! I, Arctosz, do decree it so! Come, down it!

Eh? Girl, why'd you turn all wrinkly?

Hahaha! Buddy, you've got the wrong guy! I'm over here!

Let go... Useless son of mine, let go I say!

Hey, kid, how come you're so strong all of a suddenly? Don't tell me you don't like my drinks?

Well that's no good! Wait here, I'll go get the best, bestest spirits!

Just you wait!

Hey, buddy—

I already told you, you got the wrong guy!

You... You two...

Gulo! GULO!

I'm here, Master!

What is the meaning of this?!

Sir had drank a bit too much, and once he saw Madam Rosalind, he invited her to drink with him.

I... I wasn't able to stop them!

Arctosz, you besotted oaf!

When he looked at Rosalind, did he—did he really not come to any realizations?!

Not exactly.

Well, what then?! Spit it out already!

When he saw Rosalind, Sir said that she looked a bit familiar.

But I think he might have been too drunk. We waited here a good while, and he didn't say another word about it. Not a peep.

And then?!

And then Madam Rosalind thought of something to lighten the mood. She got out some honey drinks she brought with her and gave some to Sir to try...

And then, well... Here we are.

How did Arctosz get this far without learning how to handle honey drunkenness?

It's his nature, I'm afraid. I don't think he could handle it, even if he tried.

To be honest, he might have inherited it from you, Master...

(Glare)

*cough* *cough*

What should we do now?

What should we do? You're asking <i>me</i> what we should do?

Wait until Arctosz has sobered up. Once he has a clearer head, even he cannot deny the things that us two have noticed.

When I see Rosalind, I see Arctosz when he was her age.

I remember. He didn't have his beard back then.

Pah, he was just afraid of not looking reliable enough. It's a ploy!

If he had really been reliable back then, it would never had come to this...

Batyushka, you're finally here!

Who wasn't reliable? What back then? What're you guys talking about?

Ah, nothing, just some reminiscing...

Hmph, another secret you're keeping.

All right then, keep your secrets.

Here, batyushka. This is for you.

I saved you one last bottle of honey. Let's drink!

...Very well.

(Doesn't sound like there'll be any trouble from them.)

(Sure looks like a family reunion or something to me.)

(No, I can't rule out the possibility of them exchanging information via codewords.)

(I still need to watch them carefully.)

You, why are you loafing around over there?

Ah, Master. A new delivery of drink has just arrived, and I need men to help me bring it all in.

You may go, young Gulo.

Yes, Master!

Uh, I'll go on ahead first then?

Yes, just go already. I'll make sure these two don't get up to further trouble.

*sigh*...

I brought more drink!

Wait, this much?

Hahaha! Did you empty the entire cellar or something, my man?

The people of Kjerag are never stingy when treating their guests!

After gifting me your honey, it's only natural that I share something of mine. I wouldn't want a girl like you thinking I wasn't generous.

Try this one on for size!

Since you have such fine taste, I've grabbed the rarest drink in my collection. I wouldn't even bring it out for the banquet tomorrow!

'Snow Realm Spring'? The year's on the label too. Ooh, this looks familiar. I think I've seen this brand in the Doctor's office...

Ah, whatever, time to drink up!

Hah—!

This stuff is great!

It's got a tingle, but it sure goes down easy; refreshing, yet not pungent... Yep, very fine!

Hahaha! You sound just like one of those fancy sommeliers!

At the time, it was awful hard to get this drink.

I had to grease a few palms and hide them behind my father's back to get my hands on this batch.

Why'd you have to keep it a secret?

What, did your dad not let you drink or something?

No, nothing of the sort. Us men of Kjerag have been drinking since we were in diapers, unlike those Victorians who fall over after a single drop! Hahaha!

Ah, but this... Back then, it was considered taboo, especially for us Paleroches...

But those times are long gone. Things have changed.

Pah! What use is talking about it now?!

Come! Have a sip.

Woah!

This bottle might be even better than the last. If it wasn't for the fact that we were such kindred spirits, I wouldn't give it to you, even if you beat me to death over it!

Gotta sample it nice and slow! Real *hic* slow!

Look, you got it wrong again, boss. I'm over here, that there's a pillar!

Let me give it a try... Hey, why's this sour?

Sour?! How dare you!

This really is sour... But why?

It aged well at first, but you have to take into account how it was stored.

Our storage methods back then were not as sophisticated as today, and after so long...

There would always be a batch or two that went bad.

Went bad...?

I'd planned to give this out at the wedding reception and ask that everyone drink their fill.

I'd thought... I'd thought I might share a glass of this with her...

I...

You're drunk, Arctosz.

That's enough for now.

I'm not drunk! I'm... I'm not...

Hmph.