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There was the clinking of glasses, the laughs of good cheer, the voices who continue to boast and brag, the sound of refilling a cup to the brim…
A lone female sat in the corner of the second floor, closing her eyes to enjoy the small time she had to herself. Her light blue hair contained an orange tint from the soft glow of the lit candles downstairs. The rest of her body was concealed within the shadows, away from the eyes of everyone, which is only better for everyone. No one would be happy to see her here, and neither would she be happy to talk to them. She repeated her motions of raising her cup and sipping the alcohol. What was the wine called again? Her brain is too fuzzy to recall the name.
Ah, she doesn’t care anymore. All she wants is for her mind to be free of the hateful words spewed at her too many times today.
The drink slips easily through the lips, a sweet aroma at the tip of the tongue, but it always leaves a bitter aftertaste, a trace of melancholy that she hates feeling. The only way to get rid of the bitterness for even a moment is to consume more wine. And so she continued to drink to her heart’s content, that strong desire for something sweet.
The shadow of a figure shifted in front of her, and in a blink of an eye, the blue-haired’s hands were empty. Under normal circumstances, the female wouldn’t have let this happen in the first place, but she’s too drowsy to react in her usual manner.
“Eula!” A brunette scolded, not in anger, but out of worry. “Don’t drink so much, especially when you’re alone!” she chided, placing the cup on a table behind her as she slid onto the seat next to her friend. “It’ll be unsafe if you become vulnerable. Oh, but of course, I’ll be there to protect you first.”
The female named Eula sneezed in response. “Ah, achoo! … Someone’s talking behind my back again… Vengeance will be mine,” the blue-haired mumbled, slightly leaning against the Outrider. Her words, usually threatening, now sound endearing as her words slurred from her drunken state.
“Bless you,” Amber said sympathetically, her arms steadying Eula’s shoulders as support. “You’re too drunk right now; I’ll walk you home, alright?”
If this were anyone else, the captain of the Reconnaissance Company would’ve flat-out refused, skeptical of the person’s behavior. She would’ve wondered what they were up to, whether the person had plotted a grand scheme of sorts to degrade her in any way. But this is Amber. Sweet, bright, cheerful Amber. The blue-haired dipped her head, a quick nod. “Mm.”
The brunette beamed with the radiance of the sun. “I’ll go put your drink away. Hang in there for a moment; I’ll be right back.” The Outrider had Eula recline against the wall that bordered the side of the table. True to her word, Amber returned just as soon as she disappeared. “Okay, Eula, lean on me.”
The pair staggered down the stairs, Amber bidding goodbye to Charles as they headed out the door. The brunette accidentally shut the door too hard, mumbling a quiet “sorry” before the two of them went on their way to the headquarters of the Knights of Favonius. This is where the two of them stayed ever since they became knighted.
“Eula… I don't think I should leave you alone today.” Amber let out a laugh at her friend, who attempted to walk by herself, only to stumble and lean against the wall for support.
The captain’s lips pursed into a pout. “Hmph. Mark my words, vengeance will be mine.” She shifted a leg forward, but her sense of balance had long left her, causing her to fall backward into Amber’s arms.
“Whoa, careful there,” Amber teased, supporting Eula’s head so that the blue-haired one doesn't fall onto the floor. The Outrider, smiling, gingerly brushed aside the stray locks of the drunk’s hair from her face. At Amber’s touch, Eula stiffened. Sure, Amber is warm like the sun and holds a Pyro vision, but that shouldn't mean Amber’s fingers would be leaving a burning touch, like a trail of fire, right?
It doesn’t hurt. It’s a little… addictive. That gentle warmth she’ll never have as a Cryo vision holder or a Lawrence. Cheeks flushed, whether it was from the alcohol or embarrassment, she hesitantly reached up to brush her fingers along Amber’s jaw.
Amber’s eyes widened a little, not expecting Eula to be returning such affectionate gestures. “... Is something wrong?” she asked, her voice lowering to a whisper. Eula was silent, gazing at her sole friend with a strange sense of solemnness.
Her friend.
Before the brunette could ask again, Eula pushed her weight back onto her feet. “I’m going to the washroom. No, nothing’s wrong,” she said, answering the question late.
Perplexed, Amber nodded mutely. Now that the captain is currently in the restroom, the Outrider prepares a glass of water for Eula and a cup of berry juice for herself before settling on a chair. As she sipped, she couldn't help but remember the lingering touch of Eula’s hand on her cheek. Eula's gloved fingers softly ghosted over her face as yellow-gradient eyes locked onto Amber’s.
Speaking of the devil, the blue-haired exited the washroom. Her face was still flushed, but her balance seems to be better now.
“Eula,” the brunette called the other over to sit down with her. “Here, drink this.” She passed the cup of water into Eula’s hands, and Eula drank the water, but even when the glass was drunk til it was empty, the captain still appeared to be sulky.
“The wine still tastes awfully bitter,” Eula mumbled, glaring at the cup in her hand. The wine's taste still lingered in her throat. Her tongue desired something sweet. Anything.
Amber stood up from her seat. “How about berry juice? I'll go get it for you.”
Eula nodded. “Thank you,” she said softly, watching the brunette from behind.
It happened so fast. One second Amber was cheerfully bounding over to the cabinet for berry juice, the next Eula was on top of Amber, her hand resting behind the brunette’s head.
“Thanks for catching me.” Amber let out a sigh of relief. Eula backtracked in her memory and remembered that Amber had tripped over a chair leg. Eula had reached out for Amber and luckily caught her in time.
“... Are you hurt?” Eula asked tentatively, inspecting Amber’s head without waiting for a reply.
Amber giggled and gently pushed Eula’s hand away, her face dusted with pink at the proximity of their faces. “No, of course not.”
“So clumsy.” The captain prepared to push herself off her friend, but then she looked properly at Amber. The Outrider’s cheeks were painted red, her eyes sparkling bright like honey. Her hair was like a nimbus, making the brunette seem unearthly, as if she descended from Celestia itself. When Eula stilled, she could hear the other's nervous breathing and a rapidly beating heart.
Her own heart was starting to match that rate.
“Eula?”
Amber’s rosy lips, still glistening from the drink minutes before, parted to sound her name in such a beautiful, endearing way. Her voice filled Eula with warmth and happiness, like the cup of hot chocolate the Outrider had offered her one winter at Dragonspine.
“I... want to kiss you.” It almost sounded like a whine.
The brunette stared at her in stunned silence, glowing with red. “That's… that's just… the alcohol talking--”
Eula lowered herself to capture the Outrider’s lips on her own. Like she had thought, the lips were sweet from the berry juice.
Although Amber had verbally opposed it, she returned the kiss, momentarily forgetting where they were. Her arms slid around Eula’s neck and pulled her in, sampling the wine from Eula’s tongue. The captain pressed deeper, her hand sliding across the cloth of the Outrider’s uniform until her fingers finally made contact with skin. Between their lips was a lovely blend of berries, alcohol, and their scents.
Realizing what she was doing, Amber shoved her friend’s face harder than she meant to. “Wait-- hold on--” she stammered, trying to catch her breath. “Eula, you're just drunk--”
“I’m not drunk,” the captain mumbled, lowering her head. Her lips parted as she neared Amber’s face again.
“That’s what drunk people say.” Amber sat up to avoid Eula’s kiss before using her fingers to do a quick comb-over of her hair. “Let’s get you to bed. You'll get a hangover tomorrow.” She tugged Eula up to her feet and pulled the captain to the bedroom.
“Mark my words, vengeance will be mine,” the blue-haired mumbled, already being pushed onto the bed by Amber.
“Mhm, whatever you say,” Amber replied, hurriedly passing pajamas to Eula and putting the captain’s uniform in the laundry. She tucked the blanket in and was halfway out the door when Eula called out.
“Won't you at least give me a… good night kiss?”
Amber’s cheeks flared, matching the color of her vision. “I can't. Good night.” She left the room. Even through the closed door, she could hear the captain grumbling to herself.
Was drunk Eula always this forward?
Her fingers traced her mouth, and she felt her face burning with embarrassment. The kiss is still so vivid, replaying in her mind in a constant loop. She remembered her body pressing against Eula, desperate and longing to deepen the kiss. At that moment, it was just the two of them in the world, oddments of sugary juice and bitter alcohol.
But then Amber ruined it.
I had no choice! Eula’s drunk-- she’ll regret it tomorrow! It’s a good thing you stopped! Amber reprimanded herself as she went into the washroom to freshen up before going back home. Despite her reasoning, she still couldn't help but feel disappointed at herself. But her disappointment didn't last long, as she nearly startled herself when she glimpsed herself in the mirror. Her hair was a bird’s nest on her head, her face was the deepest shade of red she had ever seen, and shiny lip gloss was smeared across her mouth.
That’s Eula’s.
Without meaning to, her tongue swiped across her lips. It was bitter-- the taste of wine.