From: microsoc@black.ox.ac.uk (Microsoc)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: Re: Mel gives more than she bargained for
Date: 11 Nov 92 12:23:47 GMT
Organization: Oxford University Computing Service, 13 Banbury Rd, Oxford, U
Originator: microsoc@black

In article <1992Nov10.173714.1243@dct.ac.uk> mcspikgfm@dct.ac.uk writes:

>	Unfortunately, Zacharia has already managed to drink twice what an Elf 
>would drink. " I apologise, I should have mentioned the required dosage! Well 
>there should be no damage but you might experience some pain and a loss of
>control over your body for a short while. Knowing Dara, it probably works 
>better for humans. Oh well, nothing to do but wait and see. Tell me about 
>yourselves gentlemen. Two polite and courteous men in my presence at once, I am 
>blessed today". 
>
>	As she says that, a small smile develops on her face and is directed
>in the direction of Zacharia as she wonders whether she'll have enough time to
>get to know this polite fellow before the purifier starts its work. Oh well, 
>nothing to do but listen and wait on their drinks arriving.

	Zach smiles back at Mel. How nice to meet someone of one's own
social class. However, he is being impolite to the foreign wizard.
	He half turns to Kirkil. 
	"My name's Zacharia, not Zacharias, outlander -- and you'ld do well
to remember that. I guess by your garb that you're some sort of wizard. Well,
I normally don't have much time for mages, but seeing as you are with her
highness here..
	"Yes, as it happens I _shall_ join you on this quest, if there's
any money in it. I am in ..er.. straightened circumstances at the moment."
	The sound of minds boggling reaches the table. If _this_ is poverty
for the youngster.....
	Then, several things happen all at once. Redlin approached from
another table; Mel extends her arm to pick up her drink... Kirkil turns
to the newcomer ... but a l l    s  o    s  l  o  o   o   w    l   y...
	"By the gods that never were, I'm gioing to die..." thought Zach
as his perception of time did bizarre things. He was vaguely aware of his
glass of wine falling to the ground as his legs gave way under him. "Not
now... how could this be happening just when I've met a _princess_...? Oh,
damnit, what a faux pas..."
	Then his stomach exploded. Purely a subjective explosion, I hasten
to add... that is to say, Zach felt a tremendous warmth pulsing outwards,
a heat... 
	From the external point of view, all that appeared to happen was
that Zach collapsed to the ground, and remained there, perfectly rigid,
for about a second. Then he sprang to his feet.
	"Oh, gosh, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me, my lady - I don't
know what came over me. Must have been that infernal potion..."
	But Zach is grinning all over his face. So _this_ is what it's like
to be sober... interesting... haven't felt so good for a long time. Now,
where did I put my drink?
	"I would be prepared to buy a dozen bottles of that stuff." Zach
relexively reaches for his moneybag, and notices two *extremely* important
things:

	(1)	His moneybag isn't there any more. This, Zach can live with.

But, more importantly,

	(2)	In his fall, the wine splashed all over his cloak! Damn! I
		bet this backward town doesn't even _have_ dry-cleaners...