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The first thing Rooster wakes up to after a dreamless night, is the smell of sizzling meat. A familiar sound and scent that has quickly become the routine for him and his gang of wacky travelers. He'd recognize Amelia's cooking anywhere.
“mmMmHh…breckyyyy” he yawned, rising from his rafter like a vampire coming out of a coffin. Giving a big, wide stretch, pops and cracks coming from his sleep stiff golden bones.
Rooster shuffled out into the hallway, the savory air flooding his senses. The sounds of voices building as he made his way into the kitchen, a bounce in his step.
“And you're sure that's edible?” Amelia asked, peering over Nelthor's large sombrero as he took his turn with the stove, laying something that looked like a slab of wet sausage all mushed together. Upon closer inspection it was a brain.
“Oh, for me, yes. I imagine even with your culinary skills this might be a bit of an issue for you.” Nelthor responded, his tone was soft and amused. “However, I do not mind fixing up my own breakfast. So you have nothing to worry about dear.”
Something in Amelia's posture straightened as she watched Nelthor adjust the heat and dispense his own herbs from under his hat. Rooster noticed a certain look in her eyes he's only seen a handful of times from the shy elf.
“...is that a challenge?”
Rooster snickered to himself and relocated his attention as the two began their culinary discussion. Continuing to make way to the kitchen counter, where a familiar mane of white hair was turned to him.
"Morning Kore!” he flashed a bright grin with his metal teeth. Climbing atop the stool next to the baphos demon. Kore looks over, mouth full of food recently served off the stove.
“Mm, guh mm-mmh roudgher” he muffled back. Sliding a plate of food to Rooster, who gratefully accepts it and joins in the morning chow down.
In between bites Rooster started to feel parched. His first instinct was to reach for his flask and get a head start on a morning buzz, but as his hand slips from his belt he is reminded of his new outfit. The usual flask is probably laying around somewhere.
For now he shrugs. settling for whatever magic concoctions the tent can come up with. He slides past Amelia and Nelthor, they've moved on to a lesson about the best flavoring for brains, and reaches out for the fridge.
The cool air hits his face. However Rooster is only met with the bare necessities of rations and water.
“Huh, that's weird?”
He closes the door, focuses specifically on his want for booze, and opens it again.
Still, nothing changes.
“That usually works…” he mutters to himself perplexed.
The confusion must have been plane on his face after staring into the refrigerator for a few moments. Kore approaches him as he sets his plate in the sink. “Rooster, is something wrong?”
He slowly turns to Kore. Eyes lingering on the empty spot on the shelf. “Uh, kind of? I can't find anything to drink.”
Kore leans down and peaks into the fridge himself. “What about that?” he asks, pointing a claw to a container of water.
Rooster shakes his head. “No, no, I mean like booze. Like my kitchen sink?”. He shuts the door and goes back to sit at the counter. Thinking about where he might have left his spare stash
Kore hums and returns to cleaning the dishes as he speaks. “Ah, right. We don't have any more of that”.
That catches his attention. “Wat? Why not? Did something happen to it?”
“I got rid of it.”
…
It feels as though the whole room paused for a moment. At least for Rooster. Even Nelthor and Amelia catch on to the halt in reaction.
"Wa– you– you, what??” Rooster stammered. His posture strung tightly as if he was struck in the face by Kores deadpan confession.
Kore, not one for easing into such a conversation, turns after drying his plate and crosses his arms firmly. “I got rid of it. No more morning booze, or evening, or- whatever kind of supply you have throughout the day.”
Roosters eyes went wide as a disc, shocked at what he'd just heard. “WHAT?! WA– WHAT DO YOU MEAN??!”
“Just like I said. I don't believe I have a need to repeat myself.”
Rooster stood from his seat, speechless. Gesturing wildly as he struggled to articulate himself.
“I– I dont– I OBJECT???”
“This is not debatable.”
Roosters face twitched in barely contained irritation. Which wasn't an emotion that was common for him to wear.
“But why though?! I haven't done anything to deserve this— punishment??”
Kores expressions softened. Adjusting his approach from immovable opinion to a gentler manner. “This isn't a punishment Rooster, it's…a break. I've noticed how much and how often you drink in a day and I do not approve of it.”
“Then talk to me about it! Don't just take all my stuff without telling me!”
It was at this point that Amelia decided to step in. kneeling down to Roosters level and putting a hand on his shoulder.
“Hey, don't take it personally Rooster, but… Kore has a bit of a point.”
This was not at all what Rooster wanted to hear. That much was clear by the horrified look on his face, regardless, she continued.
“He just thinks that you should take it easy for a little while. I haven't heard much but, didn't something not go quite right the last time you over did it?”
That instantly made Rooster pause his rebuttal. Shoulders stiff as his eyes flicked to Kore. They both remembered the whole Cactoria incident…
“I–...well…that, wasn't 100% from the alcohol—”
“But it was a big factor as to why you weren't in your right mind that day.” Kore cut in before he could finish his excuse. Rooster ducked his head down, avoiding eye contact with everyone in the room.
Seeing his friend getting more and more uncomfortable, Kore kneeled down next to Amelia. Who stepped aside and allowed the two brothers to continue on their own. “I'm not saying I don't trust you, Rooster, or that you have to completely give it up for the rest of your life.” Kore said.
“just that I think we should stay away from that state for a while. If you truly think that it won’t be a problem, then I'll drop it. But all I ask is for you to consider.”
He didn't make Rooster look at him. Trusting the concern behind his words would seep in.
The issue was that Rooster understood why Kore would propose this. He just really didn't like it. He liked to drink, and it normally didn't affect him as badly as it does other people so he never had a reason not to.
But if Kore thought it was serious… he might as well give it a shot.
He sighed and lifted his head. Picking at his scarf as the next words dragged themselves out of his mouth.
“Okay… if you think it's that important then…i GUESS, ill try and cut back for a while…”
Kore smiled slightly, doing the unexpected and pulling Rooster into a half hug. Rooster accepted and hugged back with both arms
“Thank you for understanding…” Kore muttered behind Rooster's ear. Something about his tone felt deeper than what he was leading on but Rooster didn't quite have the time to pinpoint it when he was reminded that Nelthor and Amelia were still around.
“Aww, look at my boys.” Nelthor said teasingly, holding a hand to his chest like a proud father.
Kore pulled away from Rooster briefly “we are no ones boys!” he retorted gruffly
“Bring it in my comrades!”
“NOOOO–”
Before anyone could protest, Nelthor had somehow gripped all four of them in a full embrace. Amelia squeaked as she was pulled right up into Kores side, who was caught between protests and struggling grumbles. Rooster was the only one who seemed to be enjoying the group hug
Amelia leaned in a bit more to be able to speak to Rooster. “We'll all be here to help you out okay Rooster? You don't have to do this alone- if this extremely close hug hasn't made it clear already”
Rooster registered her words, and Kores, and the non commental nod Nelthor gav
e in between avoiding Kores flailing limbs–no undead should be this strong!- and smiled.
“I appreciate that, but I'm not too worried about it. How hard could it be?”
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