Chereads / Sol Invictus / Chapter 17 - Chapter 17: Badtime Booze

Chapter 17 - Chapter 17: Badtime Booze

Alexander: "You lot will need to head back to train more. I'll head over to Genmar's to pick up some of the good stuff. Maybe I'll grab a couple presents for us as well. Before you leave, have a drink on me."

As he is leaving the table, Alexander hands four gold coins to Nullthara.

"I'd love to have a round, but I'm just a widdle baby boy who can't drink the alcohols…. See y'all in a couple hours or so."

Tossing the coins in her hand Nullthara heads towards the bar to buy drinks.

Falkas: "Ahh booze, the key to my heart."

Therra: "Hehe, if that's the key to your heart, then you must have a lot to forget."

Falkas: "Not necessarily, compared to our grey friend I don't even compare."

Torin: "To be honest I've never had a drink before. I was too young before I was taken as a slave."

Therra: "So, onto a more important topic. What do you both think of the two that bought us?"

Nullthara returns to the table, setting down four decorated bottles.

Nullthara: "Ohh myy… talking about us behind our backs, the travesty, the scandal. My heart feels like it's being torn to shreds…. I don't really care, actually it'd be nice to hear your thoughts."

Therra: "Well can we hear what you think about Alexander first? In my opinion he seems a bit odd for a kid."

Nullthara: "Awe alright, anything for you. To be straight with y'all Alexander is a hard-ass, my best friend and brother. He was able to help me through the worst time of my life, albeit, not in the healthiest ways. Sure he drove me hard, but without his motivation I would never be the masterful physical specimen I am today. Nonetheless I can't imagine life without him. As I told him once before, I'd follow him to the Nine Hells if he asked, which honestly may come to pass with what his goals are."

Torin: "It's cool to hear that you're close. But, I was wondering why you're both so good at combat. Who taught y'all how to fight?"

Nullthara: "My basic abilities with the weave, sword, and hand to hand are from my parents. Alexander actually taught me most of my advanced techniques. Before you ask, I have no idea how he knows what he knows. It doesn't matter though, knowledge is power, how it is attained is irrelevant."

Falkas: "She's right. The wiser he is, all the better for us."

Therra: "I guess, but why would he put us up against 60 bandits, that seems like a bit much?"

Nullthara: "Trust me on this, he has a plan. Though I have no clue as to what tactic he'll employ, it'll be interesting to prepare."

Torin: "I guess we should drink some, then see what kinda present Alexander's getting for us."

After drinking no more than a quarter of their bottles the entire party gets sloshed, hammered, absolutely trashed before heading back home. As they wobble through the streets with their leftover booze, Nullthara pukes in the street. Drawing the ire of those around her, she begins to laugh. Running away from the scene of the crime, she is followed by the others laughing alongside her. Arriving back at the house, as soon as they enter Nullthara crashes on the couch. 

Therra: "Hick…. Now she has the right idea. Oh my, hello floor. You look so comfy, give me a kiss."

With that Therra curls onto the floor.

Falkas: "I… hick… I'm gonna go sleep...hick… in Therra's room. You should hit the sack too… Tooorin."

Torin: "Ummm, ya… great idea."

Alexander returns home with a smile on his face.

Alexander: (inner monolog) "Genmar's such a good guy, giving me 4 vials of venom with a health potion for the hell of it. I can't believe I get to use the bag of holding till we get back from our bounty hunt. I'm glad he did or I wouldn't be able to move everything I bought today. The best part of today will be making some new 'toys' for us to play with."

Opening the door Therra can be seen curled up on the floor cradling her bottle. Nullthara is hanging off the sofa with her beverage having rolled across the room.

Alexander: (Common) "Haha!! Now this… this is a sight for sore eyes! I'll have to join them when my body matures a bit more."

Alexander walks over to the bottle on the ground picking it up.

"Wow, no wonder they're so drunk, this is 100% proof. Haha, these kids are crazy, I'll have to teach them how to drink properly. Although, this will be perfect for adding a little umf."

Heading over into the kitchen, Alexander takes out a mortar with a pestle, a bunch of potassium nitrate, fine charcoal, and sulfur. 

"Those walking sacks of gold have no idea what's coming for then."

Over the next couple hours Alexander grinds, dissolves, and mixes his ingredients into 500 grams of blackpowder. After straining out any leftover liquids, he places the powder in a wooden container, which is subsequently placed into the bag of holding.

"Now all I need are the iron casts I ordered, then we'll have some rudimentary grenades."

Due to all the noise and smells Therra wakes up from her nap.

Therra: "Ugghhh. Who's there? Gods, I feel like I'm dying. Hmmpf, oh no gotta puke."

Alexander: "Take it outside and feed some grass."

Therra busts out into the backyard to puke. Trudging back she sniffs the air.

Therra: "What the hell is that smell, it's like rotten eggs that burn your nose, and somehow a charred steak."

Alexander: "That would be the weapon that will allow us to crush the bandits. So how did y'all end up like that?"

Alexander motions towards the now snoring Nullthara.

Therra: "Let's just say it was a fun day. We did get some hot gossip about you though. Nullthara thinks of you as family, what about you?"

Smiling Alexander responds.

Alexander: "She's like a little sister, and life would have been far more dull for the past 6 years without her. When the time comes I will fulfill my promise to her. What about you? You know more about us, what's your backstory?"

Therra's mood darkens a bit.

Therra: "I don't feel like going into much detail, but I'll let you know the basics. Like Dakaster I'm from the city of Arakezka in the Mountains of the Karakin. Grew up there, sold as a slave, ended up here. Huhhh, that's all I want to say for now."

Alexander: "I understand kid, no need to add more details if you don't want to. Go on up to bed after drinking some water, sleep off your hangover."

Therra: "Ya that sounds like a good plan. And, even though I didn't say much, thanks for asking about me."

After she heads upstairs Alexander hears her scream.

"Falkas!! Why is there vomit all over my room!! Get your ass downstairs, get the bucket, mop, and new sheets!!"

Falkas appears slowly at the top of the stairs.

"Did I stutter? Get your ass into gear!"

With that Therra shoves Falkas, who tumbles all the way down to the first floor.

Alexander: "Ouch, that looked painful."