<JETMODE> *A month or so later, Kender, Merti, and Whisper have gathered in the Rustling Ghost, and there's a distinctly celebratory air about the place. It is, after all, Whisper's birthday, and they've paid extra for a private table at the back, where they can celebrate and carouse away from the other customers.

<TIAMAT> *It's already late evening, but for the three friends, the night is young, and Whisper -- already a little tipsy (but only just a little) -- raises her glass in toast -- the fourth or fifth of the evening. "To -- erm -- to...us!" She tips the glass back, emptying its contest swiftly and slamming it down on the table, grinning mischievously.

<JETMODE> *Kender, still on his first drink, smiles faintly and takes a small sip, while Merti joins her with a cheer. "Drinks! Food! Friends!"

<JETMODE> *Cinno, sprawled on the table, gives a low yowl.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper waves for another drink, grinning broadly when the bartender comes around with it. She takes a sip, leaning back in her chair and smiling sweetly at her friends. "Aah, that's the spirit. C'mon, Kender, what's wrong, don't like the ale?"

<JETMODE> <Kender> *cheerfully* It's all right. And I'm fine! Just got work tomorrow morning, so I hafta take it easy.

<JETMODE> *Merti, meanwhile, peers at Cinno and thrusts her mug at him. He growls at her. She growls back. They continue in that fashion for several moments until Cinno gets disgusted and jumps off the table.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper giggles faintly. "Psh, work -- take the day off! No? Well, maybe on YOUR birthday..." She trails off, watching Merti and Cinno in amusement, snorting into her glass when the cat finally departs. "What, did she say something mean to you, eh? What'd you say to him, Merti?"

<JETMODE> <Merti> *leans back, taking a long drink* Dunno, don't speak cattish, really. He's an old grump.

<JETMODE> *From under the table, Cinno hisses.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *nudges him lightly* That's not very nice.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper takes another sip and sets her drink down. "You just gotta know what to say to him." She clucks to Cinno.

<JETMODE> *Cinno pricks his ears and grumbles a little.

<JETMODE> <Merti> *agreeably* He's not convinced.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper sniffs. "Fine, see if I ever offer to carry you up the steps again." She eyes Kender curiously. "What's he saying, anyway?"

<JETMODE> <Kender> Ah -- *goes a little red* N-no.. he's not saying anything very nice.. ah.. Dad says he has no idea where he learned all that bad language. *sheepish grin*

<TIAMAT> *Whisper arches an eyebrow in amusement. "Oh, so that's the way it is, eh?" She prods at the cat with her foot. "See if I ever DO carry you back up here again, buster!" She laughs lightly and takes another sip of her drink.

<JETMODE> *The cat attacks her foot with a growl, then skitters away beyond Kender, who chuckles and takes another drink.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper sniffs. "You should teach him some manners, Kender, seriously."

<JETMODE> <Kender> *grin* I dunno, I think he fits in pretty well around here.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper nods absently, lifting her glass to her mouth again, but then she pauses, as if realizing what he said. "Hey -- hey! What're you implying, eh!?"

<JETMODE> <Kender> Implyin'? Nothin'! I flat out said it!

<JETMODE> <Merti> Oh, he's mean, Whisper! How could you have ever said he was cute?

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: I don't know -- but at least he's shown us his true side now! *She kicks him in the shin from under the table. "If you're gonna be like that, you can just leave now! Go on!"

<JETMODE> <Kender> *winces, then shrugs* Well, okay, if you really want -- but then you won't get my present.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper, about to kick him again, pauses, peering at him suspiciously. "Present?"

<JETMODE> <Kender> Well, it is your birthday, right? People usually get presents on their birthday.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper continues to peer at him for a moment or two longer, then she grins a little. "Well, okay then, I suppose you can stay -- what d'ya say, Merti, should we let him stay? He's got presents."

<JETMODE> <Merti> Get rid of 'im, he hasn't got any for me. *tail switches, Cinno swats at it*

<JETMODE> <Kender> It isn't your birthday, is it? *scoots a small package across the table to Whisper*

<TIAMAT> *Whisper sticks her tongue out at Merti. "Yeah, nitwit." She grins at Kender as she takes the package, opening it carefully.

<JETMODE> *Inside is a small charm, silver and blue, designed to fit on a bracelet. Kender grins sheepishly. "It isn't much.. I spent a lot of money on equipment lately, so ..."

<TIAMAT> *Whisper blinks at it, then pulls it out of the box and holds it up to the light. "Ooh, it's pretty! Look, Merti--" She holds it out for her friend to view.

<JETMODE> <Merti> Ooh! Shiny! *makes a snatch*

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: Hey! *She closes her fingers around the charm and jerks her hand out of Merti's reach. "My present! Hmph." She scoots a little farther away from Merti and examines the charm again, then grins up at Kender. "Thanks!"

<JETMODE> *Kender grins. "I'm glad you like it."

<JETMODE> <Merti> *pouts*

<TIAMAT> *Whisper sticks her tongue out at Merti again, then fiddles with attatching the charm to her link bracelet.

<JETMODE> *Kender blinks suddenly. "Ah.. I .. I think I gotta go. We've got a mare about to foal, and I said I'd come down to help.."

<TIAMAT> *Whisper glances up at him, looking a little disappointed. "Aw, really? Can't stay for even a little longer?"

<JETMODE> <Kender> *nods* I'm awful sorry, Whisper -- I'll see you tomorrow, or something!

<JETMODE> *He gets to his feet and starts off, Cinno trailing behind him.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: Oh -- *She calls after him, waving. "Okay! Thanks for coming -- and good luck!"

<JETMODE> *He waves again and disppears into the crowd, then Merti flings her arms up and trills. "Bye-bye! I'm madly, madly in love with you! Because you won't sleep with me, but you give me presents!"

<TIAMAT> *Whisper flushes a little, giving her friend a shove. "Oh, can it! 'Least he gave me something, more'n you can say!"

<JETMODE> <Merti> You never give me anything, so I see no reason to return the favor! *sniffs, then grins* But I am impressed with your still speaking to him after he wouldn't take you up on your offer. Yep.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper sniffs, taking a long drink of her ale. "I still speak to YOU, don't I? Besides, whoever said I can't have regular friends, too?"

<JETMODE> <Merti> We never say you can't, but we are awfully surprised when you do. *grin*

<TIAMAT> *Whisper grins at her. "Well, be surprised, then! *takes another drink, looking thoughtful* Still wouldn't mind fooling around with him sometime, though. He IS awfully cute. And nice. Nicer'n most of the guys I know, really."

<JETMODE> <Merti> *drily* You don't know any nice guys. They DO exist. *sniffs* I say hang on to him, Whisper, 'cause I don't think you're gonna get anyone better.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper blinks, then peers at her. "What -- you really think so? I dunno -- I mean, he is nice 'n all, but -- he's got that whole true love thing -- I told you about that, right? *pauses, takes another sip* Guess it would be kinda nice, though, someday...I never really thought about it."

<JETMODE> <Merti> Yeah, well, we'll see, huh? *peers at her mug, which is nearly empty* For now.. DRINKS!

<TIAMAT> *Whisper grins broadly and echoes Merti. "DRINKS!" She downs the rest of hers, then calls loudly for another round.