And until you see the bottom of your tankard

THIRTY MINUTES LATER:

John, Lani, Kyuala, Amilia and Terra are sitting around a table, happily drinking away as music and the sounds of drinking hunters and other patrons mix in-between one another.

The group take another drink as they listen to Terra who continues her story, "-en we were running across the bridge when all of a sudden, these guards came barrelling out of this alley. My sisters and I had no clue what to do so Evie had the bright idea to jump into the canal and so, we all followed suit!".

The group laugh just as the words leave Terra's mouth but as the laughter starts to die down, Lani has a question, "Wait, so what happened after you jumped in?".

Terra goes to speak but her words are muffled as she takes a drink while her face lights up once more, "Well, we swam for a few minutes until we popped back up on a nearby slope, unfortunately for us, the guards were already waiting as we turned to the corner to leave. They dragged us all the way back to our house where our parents were waiting. Now, our father was disappointed but our mother, oh, I have never seen her that furious ever! When she saw the state we were in, I swear on every god, hehehe, I could see fury take shape in her eyes!".

The group laugh once again as a tear of joy forms in the corner of Terra's eye. They calm down once again before going silent, unsure of what to speak about next but Kyuala decides to ask, "So Terra, what were you doing out here anyway?".

"What do you mean?" Terra says with a confused look on her face as Kyuala responds, "Well, we kinda just found you in the cave and we never really spoke about why you were there in the first place".

Terra understands the question and so, she takes another drink, "Well, it is somewhat of a long story. So, a few years back, my family and I became somewhat, disconnected. I had entirely different ideals from my parents and sisters and because of those differentiating ideals, my parents began to try and control my life, my destiny as it were. It got to the point where my mother tried to betroth me to a horrible, little, snivelling, spoiled brat of a prince. We argued for days and days on end about it, even my sisters were against it and even argued on my behalf but still, my mother persisted. I got sick of her and the whole argument so one night, my sisters and I arranged for passage here and I haven't looked back since".

"Wow, i'm sorry to hear that" Lani says as she places her tiny hand onto Terra's.

Terra smiles, "You needn't apologise Lani, it's all in the past and now, I seek to create a better future with all of you".

The group raise their tankards as they toast before drinking once again.

As they place their tankards back onto the table, Terra wonders something, "Speaking of, what will our next adventure be?".

The group look amongst themselves, unsure of what to say but Kyuala puts it best when she says, "I think we should enjoy some rest first before we decide to go on another adventure, plus, we still need to give this one some more training".

Kyuala then puts her hand on John's shoulder with a wide grin on her face as she does which John happily returns.

"Oooh, and I know exactly what training to give him" Amilia comments in a drunken, flirtatious tone while eyeing up John.

Kyuala looks at Amilia with narrowed eyes but doesn't say anything to her friend as she continues from where she left off, "As I was saying, John needs some more training, and you too Lani".

"Huh, what?!" Is all Lani can reply with as she was taken off guard.

"Yes, I know fairies aren't the best of fighters but from what i've heard, when it comes to defending your companions, you'll fight tooth and nail. Now, I believe that with some training with Terra, we can make you a decent fighter and give us another advantage".

Lani hears Kyuala's words and wants to argue against the idea. However, as she thinks more about it the more it makes sense. She never was the best fighter when she was training and with another magic-wielder in the group, she could become a decent foe against all threats.

"I'm in!" Lani enthusiastically accepts which brings joy to Kyuala, John and Terra while Amilia continues to put away the ale.

---

ANOTHER HOUR LATER:

The group are feeling the effects of the ale and are slowing down on the drinking, apart from Amilia who goes as strongly as before.

Still at the table, John thinks about Daffodil before saying aloud, "I wonder if Daffy's okay".

"She will be, at least she has guards with her this time" Kyuala responds.

John simply nods his head, "True, still, just worried since it got dark real quick".

Terra opts in with her thoughts as she says, "As Kyuala said, she has two carts of guards with her. I believe she is in capable hands".

John decides to relent his point as he joins the women's train of thought, going back to sipping his drink.

After a few minutes of scattered conversation between he group, Terra finishes the last of her drink before saying, "Well, I am going to turn in for the night. I feel as though I have already tortured my future hungover self enough".

The group have a small chuckle at Terra's word but they then wish her a 'good night' as she heads up to her room.

"I hope you two don't mind me giving Terra your room?" Kyuala says to which Lani immediately responds with, "Not at all! I know you and John will want to, hehe, cuddle up, with one another so it only made sense".

"Are you sure you want to be in the room with us Lani? It may get a little, loud" Kyuala asks with a knowing smile as she looks at John which embarrasses the man a little.

Lani sees the look between the two and chuckles, "I know and don't worry about me. I have a spell to make sure that I sleep through any, midnight wrestling".

Kyuala has a huge grin on her face as she says, "Perfect".

John is immediately terrified as he sees the almost sadistic looking grin on Kyuala's face but his gaze is ripped away as they hear a tankard fall to the floor beside them.

"Ohhh, my drink" Amilia says with some disappointment and hurt in her drunken voice.

Kyuala shakes her head with a small chuckle leaving her lips as she says, "Alright, that's it, i'm taking you to bed".

Kyuala gets up off of her chair and heads around the table toward Amilia who tries to protest against it but Kyuala doesn't listen.

The orc goes to help her friend off of her chair but in the process, stumbles on her own feet and trips a little. John sees this and so he says, "Kyuala, you go to bed. I'll help Amilia upstairs".

"Are you sure?" Kyuala asks.

John gets up and heads to Amilia's side, "Yeah, i've had the least to drink so you go ahead".

Kyuala looks at him, a little unsure but eventually relents as she says, "Okay, i'll go up and, warm up the bed" Kyuala then winks before turning around and heading to the staircase with Lani on her shoulder.

John however extends his hand toward Amilia and says, "C'mon, let's get you up to bed".

Amilia groans but reluctantly takes John's hands and gets it her feet but as she does, she immediately stumbles and John has to quickly catch her.

"Woah, woah, woah. Okay, we definitely need to get you upstairs, lean against me".

Amilia does as him asks and leans against John who gets a good grip around Amilia before walking both of them toward the staircase.

John gets them to the stairs and slowly helps Amilia ascend up them but as they get to the turning part, Amilia trips once again and so John stops before saying, "Okay, this'll go a lot quicker if I gave you a lift, so, hop on".

Amilia is then stunned as she look at John who has slightly crouched so that she can hop onto his back.

"What are you doing?" Amilia drunkenly asks.

"Giving you a piggyback, now c'mon" John replies.

Amilia stares at the human, unsure of what to think of his current actions but as she feels her legs beginning to shake, she decides to take him up on his offer, "Fffine".

Amilia begins to climb onto John's back and then wraps her arms around the front of his body, securing herself on him.

John then puts his hands under Amilia's legs and lifts up her slightly, getting the best grip on her before continuing to walk up the stairs.

As the two walk up the stairs, Amilia asks, "What's the matter with you?".

"What do you mean?" John replies back, wondering where this is going.

Amilia nuzzles her head at the side of John's neck before saying, "I mean, you're a weird man and not just cause you're human. I'm a drunk, defenceless woman, why not just throw me on a bed and take advantage of me?".

John is shocked at her question and a little hurt internally, "Because in the simplest of terms possible, it's wrong. I'm not that type of person, hell, even drunk I just feel wrong for looking at you like a full-blooded man usually would. Does that answer your question?".

Amilia is silent for a few moments, just thinking about what John said as he gets to the second last staircase. As he gets halfway up it, Amilia finally speaks again as she asks,

"Is it because i'm not Kyuala?".

John stops just as he gets to the bottom last staircase, completely taken aback by the sudden question and so he quickly replies, "What? No! Why are you asking? Do you want me to sleep with you or something?".

Amilia merely grumbles for response as John continues walking.

Eventually, John gets to Amilia's room door and after getting the key from her pocket, he opens the door and walks in.

---

AMILIA'S ROOM:

John heads over to the bed and turns around so Amilia can get off of his back, which she does, dropping to the bed below.

John then turns around, seeing the drunken yet disheartened Amilia in front of him. He feels a little guilt for the saddened expression but he doesn't feel right talking to the drunken Amilia about it at the moment so he decides to wait until morning. For now however, he says, "Okay, do you need help getting changed or are you okay to do that?".

"Uhh, I might need some help with the booths and stuff, I can get the rest but can you shut the door please?" Amilia replies.

John then nods as he turns around to shut the door but as he turns toward Amilia, he is met with the sight of her bare yet furry chest with breasts on full display.

"Woah!" John quickly turns to face the door as he says, "Uhh, maybe a little warning next time please?".

"Oh please, you're telling me that you never once ogled me when I was sleeping beside you in that tight, compact tent?" Amilia says playfully which makes John blush a little.

"No! Well, maybe once on accident but I never tried to look!".

Amilia smirks, not believing a single word of his from the start. However, at the same time, she has this feeling within her, a feeling that says that he is actually telling the truth.

She then continues to get changed although she is enjoying John's awkwardness in the moment. She gets her top on and eventually says, "Okay, you can look now".

John turns around, seeing that Amilia has indeed changed and is now sitting on the bed, "Okay, cool, uhh, water! Right, you'll need water for the morning".

John heads to the jug on the bedside table and pours a glass of water before putting the jug down again.

"Uhh, okay, so, do you need anything else?" John asks, hoping that she says no, partly so he doesn't have to endure anymore awkwardness and partly so he can get into bed with Kyuala.

Amilia thinks about it for a few moments before saying, "Well, if you could-" Amilia stops herself for a few moments before continuing, "Uhh, actually, I dunno. It sounds kinda stupid when I think about it. Ignore me, goodnight".

Amilia turns around, her back now toward a confused John who is intrigued by her words. So, with his curiosity taking over, John sits on the bed and asks, "Hey, what was it?".

"Nothing, it was stupid, just go have sex or something".

Amilia adjusts herself but keeps her back toward John who hasn't moved from his position either. He looks at the cat with a little bit of concern as she seems almost embarrassed by what she wanted to ask of him.

John looks at her, wanting to leave her alone however the caring part within him is screaming for him to continue on, so after taking a breath, John asks, "Amilia, you can ask me for anything, I won't judge you".

The feline doesn't respond but she does think about it, wondering if she should just ask him.

John sits there for a few more moments, waiting for a response that doesn't come. So, after taking a breath, John says, "Okay, I'll leave you alone. Goodnight Amilia".

John then gets off of the bed and heads to the door but just as he goes to grab the handle, he hears Amilia say, "Wait".

John stops in place and turns around to see Amilia who is looking right at him.

"C-c-can you... pet... me?".

John is stubbed, flabbergasted, taken aback, literally every synonym of shocked that you can think of, all rolled into one.

His eyes open wider than a prostitutes legs as he still hasn't comprehended what Amilia just asked of him. Amilia snaps him out of this as she says, "John?".

John's mind kicks back into gear as he says, "Uhh... I... uhh... c-can I ask, why?".

Amilia goes back to being silent for a moment before replying, "My mother... she used to pet me before I went to sleep. I guess I just wanted to feel like I did back then for a night, but it's fine, you don't have to".

Amilia looks away from John, the embarrassment on her face even more prevalent than before. That embarrassed expression quickly turns into shock however as without warning, John begins to pet the cat.

Immediately, Amilia begins to purr, sinking back into John's warm body as he slowly scratches in-between her ears.

As Amilia lays against John, the two have a moment of real relaxation and bonding for the first time since they really met.

They also have a moment of realisation about the other. Amilia realising that John is actually a kind guy and John realising that Amilia isn't always on horny-overload and can actually be wholesome.

Amilia's eyes become too heavy for her to keep open as she now puts her head on the pillow while John continues to pet her.

The quiet moment is sweet but unfortunately it has to come to an end as Amilia sleepily says, "John?".

"Yeah?".

"Thank you".

John lightly chuckles before responding, "No need to thank me, it's what friends do".

Amilia simply smiles before yawning once more and saying, "Goodnight John".

With those words, Amilia's eyes fully close as she drifts off to sleep. John then carefully moves his hand from Amilia's head before standing up and slightly adjusting the covers to fully cover the sleeping cat before heading to the door and quietly exiting.