gvial2

I'll leave Acahualla and the Durins from Zeruertza to you guys.

Inam, you sure you have to go?

Don't go!

Don't be silly. I have to go.

*whimper*... Inam... I'll miss you...

What's with you two? You're making it sound like I'm never coming back!

But you said you'll be gone for a long time...

This lord ameer candidacy is even more of a mess than that whole ruckus with the Big, Ugly Thing Zumama caused. Of course I can't promise to be back tomorrow!

*whimpers*...

*sigh*

More and more, I'm thinking I made the right choice to become the lord ameer myself.

Anyway, Gavial, I'm counting on you to lead the Acahualla and the Zeruertza Durins while I'm gone.

What do you need me to do, exactly?

Nothing.

You mean, keep the status quo?

That's right.

This is how Acahualla's always been. As for the Durins, they've been in a hurry to build their settlement. To the point they even voted to prohibit alcohol to improve efficiency.

Prohibit alcohol? The Durins?!

Right, I was surprised too.

But that's what they decided on. Looks like they have a sense of urgency, too.

And going by their speed, they'll probably be finished by the time I get back.

Your job is to make sure everything stays the same, as if I never left. That's very important to everyone here.

I get it. The Durins' settlement comes first, right?

That's right.

You can count on me!

(Doubtful glare)

By the way, I hid the Durins' brewing equipment in... (whispers).

Do <i>not</i> let them find it. Understand?

Whoa, that's some hiding spot.

Huh? Where did she hide it? I wanna know!

You've seen how crazy the Durins get whenever alcohol's involved. If I told you, it wouldn't take them long to squeeze that information out of you.

*whimpers*...

But in that case, wouldn't it be better to keep me out of this too?

...I'm leaving to rub shoulders with those guys from the Court of Sargon, after all. I have to be prepared for anything.

If it turns out it'll be a while till I get back, the Durins will have to forgo their taste of home for just as long. And I wouldn't want to be the one to blame.

Alright, now let me go over the other things you need to keep an eye out for...

Is this really okay, Gavial?

Hm? We're just helping the Durins look for some suitable timber. What's not okay about it?

But Inam told us not to do anything...

Oh, I was wondering what you were going to say.

What she meant was we aren't supposed to change the rules she set, not that we shouldn't do anything.

Besides, did you see how the Durins were at it under the blazing sun? I'd feel bad not helping them out somehow—

Gavial, is that you?

Are you a Zeruertza Durin?

That's right.

You lost like Stitch was before? How about I walk you back?

No need.

I'm here because I have something to talk to you about.

Whatever it is, let's talk after we get back. This rainforest isn't all that safe.

No, no, no. There's nowhere safer than here.

You see, I'm from the mead fan club...

So it's about the prohibition, huh?

It's a good thing you're such a reasonable woman—

Hold on, no dice.

No room for negotiation at all?

You guys are the ones who voted to forbid all alcohol. You got a problem with that, talk to your own people.

But Inam kept all our equipment.

Uh, she never told me where she stored it—

Really? Only she knows?

How could she do that? What if she forgets where she hid it? We'll never again get to taste Zeruertza's fine mead again. How irresponsible of her...

She's not irresponsible at all! She told Gavial where she kept the mead brewing equipment!

Oh my lord.

Hah, I knew it. There's no way Inam wouldn't leave a back-up plan.

Yeah, yeah—

Ow!

Not like I'll ever tell you guys.

Alright, fine, looks like we won't get our mead today.

But we'll never give up!

Just as a city is laid brick by brick, I'll <i>taste</i> the whereabouts of our brewing equipment, bit by bit!

Good afternoon, Gavial.

Heyas, what's up?

We have a bit of an urgent matter on our hands, so I have no choice but to visit you here.

We're lacking some... necessities, and my fellows are all... fairly low in <i>spirits</i>. They're tormented, unable to sleep, and in pain.

Poor fellas...

I want to soothe their pain, which is why I've come to request your help, our most respected Gavial.

We should help them, Gavial!

First off, don't you stick some weird adjective in front of my name.

Secondly, the necessities you guys are out of have gotta be mead, right?

What a load of rubbish!

Oh?

How could you possibly compare that kids' drink to our noble No. 7 Whiskey?

Well, whatever it is, you guys ain't getting a sip, so why does it matter?

Oh, cruel Gavial. How could you be so merciless?

Before you accuse me of being merciless, can't you do something about the way you talk? It's weird.

Huh? Is it weird?

And here I thought it would be easier to talk to surface-dwellers if I imitated Avdotya's characters.

Yeah, no, it doesn't work that way. Talk normal.

I'll die if I don't get any whiskey!

Bear with it!

Gavial, would you please tell us where Inam hid the brewing tools?

Gavial, where did she hide our distilling equipment?

Gavial, our brewing equipment...

Hey, Gavial.

Zumama? Good to see you. Finally, someone who'll talk about something other than alcohol.

(Freezes)

Urgh...

I have a bad feeling about this.

(Deep breath)

It's about the Durins' brewing and distilling equipment...

Why are you of all people asking about that?