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[center][h1][color=92278f]Second Thoughts[/color][/h1][/center]
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[indent]Devlin didn't know how long she'd been asleep before waking, probably not very long, it just didn't feel like she'd properly rested. At the same time she didn't feel like sleep would be taking her again any time soon. After a while of considering her two current options, an outburst of laughter that managed to carry up from downstairs made the decision for her. It wasn't that she was attracted to the sound of laughter, nothing like that, but at this point she was willing to use any excuse she could find to get a stiff drink into her and relax. The curiosity of seeing who the annoying bigmouth was seemed a good a reason as any.

She got from her bed, dressed herself, adorned her weapons - taking a moment to curiously regard the sword that had been glowing a few minutes earlier - then headed down stairs.

When she reached the foot of the stairs, she paused to survey the new arrivals for a few a seconds; a shabbily dressed young woman being the most likely of the few to be responsible for the unnecessary outburst of laughter. She obviously had no decency or respect for herself, no less anyone else. After taking note of the new arrivals, Devlin headed to the bar where the barkeep was in much worse of a mood than he had been earlier. Apparently losing valuable gems can do that to a man.  

They stared at each other a moment, his look being one of a man about to confess his darkest sins to a priest, which Devlin had a feeling was indicative of his overwhelming need to tell her about his misfortune. 

“Something wrong?” She asked, voice emotionless as her face.  

His bottom lip began to tremble as he worked up the courage to tell her. “I lost that Sapphire!” He confessed, screwing up his face like he was holding back tears. “Even after you told me not to – what do I go and do? I go and lose the thing anyway!” He hung his head in shame. 

“It doesn’t look lost to me.” She said, unwavering in her emotionless tone. 

He lifted his head, widening one eye with conjecture. She gave a little nod, eyes darted to one side in direction of the floor behind him. Pivoting quickly he looked down and saw the Sapphire on the floor by the cupboard, and releasing a small squeal of relief, mixed with that of certain delight. He scooped it up off the floor before stuffing it into the buttoned pocket of his shirt. 

“It won’t be getting away on me this time!” He assured himself, as he turned to Devlin and grinning from ear to ear. “Now, what can I get you, young miss – another milk?” 

“No.” Her voice remained flat, staring at him for a moment while procrastinating the decision she had made. “Give me something strong. Something to help me relax.” 

“Troubles sleeping?” He gave a hardy chuckle, took a bottle from the top shelf to his right and placed it firmly on the counter in front her. “A few swallows of this and you’ll soon forget all about those things that keep you up late at night. Believe you me, I’m a man of my word! And don’t you worry!” He added, rolling his hands down the front of his attire as if wiping them dry, “You don’t owe me a penny, take the whole bottle! But would you like a cup to portion it out just a little?” 

“No,” she replied, with a nod, “The bottle will do just fine.”  She took the bottle from the counter, turning to walk away as she advised him once again; “And don’t lose that Gem this time.”    

At least the bartender was happy again as he went about pouring another round for the awaiting customers in the room, while she stopped by an empty table wondering if maybe she should take the drink to her room. After all, she wasn’t exactly a social butterfly and she could have done without the obligation to converse with people if they happened to come her way. But then…. For the first time in as long as she could remember, she didn’t really feel like being alone either.  It wasn’t like Devlin to be indecisive, and it was no doubt a side effect of the disturbing dream that was causing her current imbalance. The petty conflict kept her standing, bottle in hand, just staring at the empty table from the shade of her hood.[/indent]