Oof, that's some hot stuff.
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For a start - get some drinks. Well, offer to guests too.
I double the drinking.
Send the girl to clean herself up. Get Ostoks drunk. Get drunk yourself.
Offer guests something to eat/drink of what's here in the house. Sit them down and ask for more details about their journey.- Oh, I remember you! - you perked up, - you were driving a wagon with toads when the caped elves attacked.
- Hmm, indeed, - the goblin recalled, - We then exchanged a few words. It was a strange day.
- So you are traveling with Likot? You must be terribly tired after the road. When we drove here with him from the very Akrulaban, I cursed everything in the world. No eating in comfort, not sleeping, even less so to cleam myself. Men find it easier in such cases. Ataksana, would you like to clean up?
She folded her arms over her chest:
- I will not clean myself up with him around.
- Come on, what's up with that, - the goblin grinned.
You got up from your chair:
- Ostox, you'll help me with the groceries upstairs in the meantime. Climb up the stairs, I have supplies there. Let's set the table. Are you hungry?
The goblin stared at the girl.
- Not really...
- There's also wine in there.
- Oh, well, can do that! -hHe quickly changed his mind and climbed to the upper floor.
Ataksanawatched him go.
- I'm also shy about your presence.
- Oh, right, - you nodded and followed Kozmutog, closing the hatch behind you.
The goblin was examining the closet.
- Yes, it's even worse here than down there... I thought you, elves, were all arrogant and pretentious.
- We are not like everyone else.
- As you say. So what's about the wine?
- There are kegs in that corner. Berry wine, fruit wine, wild carrot wine and... wheat beer.
- Do you live here alone? - Ostoks turned around, - These are nice reserves.
You shrugged your shoulders:
- I'm thrifty.
He took the nearest keg and uncorked it:
- Well, there is still nothing to do. You won't let me down, will you?
You shook your head.
- Then - cheers for the meeting!
It's been a quarter of an hour since you locked yourself upstairs with Ostoks, passing the keg to each other. He told how he met the dwarves for the first time and how he deftly fooled the guard. About the picture and about how he escaped from the group in Ladhakomag, having stolen the armadillo. He walked to the Grove of Arrogant Paphos, feeding on the meat of the animal along the way. Since then he settled there, arranging tours of the Goblin Quarter for newly arrived travelers, and demanding payment at the end. And that's how he lived. Sometimes he made bets in the Arena, but didn't have big winnings.
He also told about Sheelo, or, as she is now, Ataksana. He did not bet on her victory, but decided to stay closer to the royal couple, in case something good would happen. Now here he is. So far, the only benefit of this all is free wine.
- I'm finished! - I heard from below.
You got up and... woooow! - staggered, almost falling on the goblin. The first keg was empty. You didn't expect it to end so quickly. You picked up a variety of fruits and vegetables, and Ostoks dragged down a couple more wine kegs.
The girl, wrapped in a towel, waited in a chair looking bored. You dumped food in the center of the table, Kozmutog poured a full jug. You looked at Ataxana:
- Can you drink already?
She rolled her eyes.
- I'm an ADULT. Duh! I've drunk wine a bunch of times. Gimme that!- she snatched the kegfrom Ostoks and busily poured herself a full glass, splashing half on the table, - I drank from bottles... - she justified herself, - Look, - she swallowed a full glass in one gulp, - See? I don’t even flinch. Happy?
You chuckled:
- That's not a way to drink wine
- Meaning? - Ostoks was surprised, - And how then?
You moved your empty glass under your nose:
- You must first smell it, appreciate the aroma, then drive it in your mouth, savor the bouquet. And then slowly strain so that a couple of glasses are enough for the whole evening.
Ataksana and Ostoks exchanged glances and laughed at the top of their lungs.
- Looks like it's you who soen't know how to drink! - The goblin shook his head and removed the glasses from the table.
Instead, he placed a whole keg in front of each and uncorked them.
- Now we`re talkin.
- Oh, well, okay, - you sighed and stretched your lips to the hole.
- No, no, no, - Kozmutog protested, - What are we, loosy drunkards? We need a toast!
- For drunks, - Sheelo laughed.
- For new acquaintances, - you shrugged.
Ostoks stood up and peered pathetically into the distance:
- For the king... and the queen.