Onainat felt far more vibrant in tavern light than she did in the stuffy stone halls of Faustben's castle. Now this...! This was what she was longing for! The warmth of fires, the sound of people, the smell of apple ale and soup! There had been no time for life to take root after the burial of her father. No time to celebrate that his spirit hadn't followed his shell into the earth...
Onainat just knew that she would find time to sing tonight. If she weren't with company, she might have floated between tables. Talking to people who came to this place every other day was the most fun. They taught her songs and sometimes local gambling customs. She was never very good at gambling, but the game was always fun. And people rarely tried to cheat her too badly.
Vedette was stiff as a board. Onainat thought she could understand why, but did not see why she was so determined. For her part, she was tired of trying to cheer Vedette up. Perhaps her fair haired friend would simply catch some of her enthusiasm? She smiled prettily at the serving women and waved to the next man to send her a drink. So far, Onainat managed to collect three tall glasses. When one of the girls brought soup for her, she eyed Onainat with concern.
"Do you think you will be alright, drinking so much?" she asked.
Onainat laughed and laughed. People in Faustben were very amusing when they weren't being grouchy! The girl was truly concerned. So Onainat asked the serving girl to bring her another tankard and then gave her a shiny gold coin. Such was her mood, to be giving money away so easily.
She finally paid attention to her friends toward the end of Vedette's apology.
"You should order soup and stop worrying about the Captain. He won't get into trouble. The Prince knew he was going with us. Prince Ithacles was being much nicer when we left..." Onainat pointed out to Vedette. "Besides, there are worse fates than having a drink. Or two. Or maybe more if you'd stay, Captain. Here, you can have one of mine when you're done."
Onainat pushed one of her drinks to Ulbarich and then proceeded to drink a half of her tankard with little breath and too much ease.