Episode 3 Part 2, Sneak Peek #1

Sneak peeks are back! I am working on Melchior's Episode 3 paths. This is the starting section if the MC chooses to end their evening by drinking with him in the courtyard. 

You drank too much last night and will suffer for it this morning. Until the end of the day, you are Hungover. Perception and Persuasion skills are decreased by 2.

You wake with a foggy mind and a stabbing pain in your head.

The morning sun’s rays beat down upon you, the light uncomfortably bright even through your closed eyes. Groaning, you twist around and bury your face in your elbow. Your back aches, your body complaining at the slightest movement. The divan you fell asleep on sags beneath your weight and your feet dangle off the end. It is far from comfortable, but anything is better than sitting upright right now.

Your stomach churns. Birds chirp in the distance and the sound of lapping water pounds in your ears, each beat only adding to your headache. An unwanted breeze prickles your skin, sending shivers down your spine. Despite it being the height of the Velantian summer, you are freezing in your abberan. The damp silks twist around your body, clinging to your skin, and the fine—or previously fine—jacket does little to protect you from the cold. The whole thing reeks of alcohol.

“$firstname.”

A voice floats somewhere above you. Groggy, you roll over in response, eyes squeezed tight against the blaring sun. A wave of nausea slams into you.

“$firstname.”

Oblivious to the voice, you clamp your mouth tight and force it down. Vomiting now would only make things worse.

The voice sighs heavily and a weight sinks into the divan beside you. “I’m going to have a word with Sabriel about that shit you drank, aren’t I.” The withering tone is impossible to ignore. “Come on. Up you get. I have something that will make it feel better—if you care to stomach it.”

[CHOICE] 1. “…don’t baby me, I’m not a child.”
2. Get up.
3. Lie there and contemplate the consequences of your actions.

“Darling, considering the amount you drank last night, I’d be concerned if you were.”

You slap a hand over your eyes. How can the sun be so bright?

“And if this is what you call babying, something is, quite frankly, wrong with you. I look after me and mine, which includes you now whether you like it or not.”

You grunt.

“Besides, there’s an angry woman with a sword in the foyer looking for you. I have the feeling she won’t be pleased when she finds you out here with a hangover.”

Your hand slips off your face and your crack your eyes open. Kit’s face swims in front of you—she looks about as good as you feel. Her curly black hair is a dishevelled halo around her head and a sallow colour creeps into her cheeks. Dressed in someone else’s shapeless tunic and mismatched robe, she cradles a mug in one hand, swilling its contents absently as she looks you up and down.

“Angry woman?” you croak.

She nods. “Human, black clothes, ashen hair. Could probably kill with a look. Sabriel thinks she’s Lady Anaxas’ bodyguard.”

Malsara. Ugh. She must be here to collect you. Unfortunately you’re not hungover enough to forget about the mission.

“Do you need a way out? Sabriel’s stalling. Just say the word and we can handle it.”

“I wish.” You groan and push yourself up, the sudden rush of blood pounding in your head. “But it’s best not to get in her way, trust me on that.”

Kit gives you a strained smile and shoves the mug into your hands. “You’ll want to drink all of that,” she says pointedly.

You roll your eyes. “What did I say about babying me—”

“Just drink it. You’ll thank me later.”

You raise the mug, resting the lip against your mouth. The contents smell awful. “You do remember what I am, right? Some foul potion’s magic isn’t going to cure my hangover.”

“Good thing I know a talented alchemist whose specialty lies somewhere beyond foul potions. Believe me when I say Felix Navorre knows his way around an ingenious tonic or two. And all completely magic free. Even us non-magiani know that not all afflictions are best cured by magic.”

1. Drink it. Even if it doesn’t work, at least you did what you could to get rid of this godsdamn headache. Besides, Kit might just grab the damn thing and shove it down your throat if you refuse.
2. Give it back. You don’t need her damn cure. It won’t work.