“It was Hartley’s fault,” Crow grumbled, averting his gaze as Penelope chided them for getting drunk. “It would have been easier for me to say no if he hadn’t encouraged Malcolm.” He grimaced as his hangover plagued him with a fresh wave of pain. At least he had learned his lesson. He wouldn’t be drinking like that again for quite a while, if ever again.

He looked up as Penelope searched her bag, revealing a canteen of water. She glanced in his direction, seeming like she was going to give it to him first, but then turned away and gave the drink to Hartley instead. He eyed her strangely. It might have been his imagination, but he thought he saw a blush on her cheeks. [i]I knew it,[/i] he sighed. [i]She’s uncomfortable around me now. I have to apologize to her for last night.[/i]

Crow took the canteen from Hartley when the boy offered it to him, drinking down the rest of its contents. It didn’t help his headache much, but at least his mouth wasn’t dry anymore. [i]And it should help with the alcohol on my breath,[/i] he thought, suddenly taking note of the pungent scent of alcohol on himself. He wrinkled his nose in disgust. [i]Gods, I smell like a drunk.[/i] He hoped the odor would fade in its own as the day went on.

[color=fff79a][b]“I’ll pack up the beds and you two can nurse your hangovers a little longer,”[/b][/color] Penelope gestured for the thieves to move away from their mats. [color=fff79a][b]“I don’t want to spend much more time here.”[/b][/color]

Crow complied with the request, standing up and stepping away from his makeshift bed as the knight got to work putting everything away. He leaned against the wall, watching her quietly. He glanced at Hartley, who was sitting in another corner. It wouldn’t be that difficult to get the boy to leave. Maybe he could find time to talk to Penelope now.

He reached down and picked up the empty canteen, “Hey, Hartley. Mind filling this up? Malcolm and Lorelle probably have a well around here somewhere, since they brew ale.”

“Sure,” Hartley winced. “I could use some more water.” He took the canteen from Crow’s hand and walked out of the room, leaving the other two alone.

Crow turned back to Penelope, crossing his arms uncomfortably as he hesitated to speak. While he knew he had to make things right with her, part of him felt awkward about bringing up the events from the day before. He wished they could just forget it ever happened, but he knew from the knight’s behavior that she wasn’t about to do that. He had to say something to her.

He cleared his throat, “So, about last night…” He could feel warmth creep up his neck as he recalled how he had flirted with Penelope. “I’m sorry I acted like that. Truly. I was drunk, but that doesn’t excuse the way I treated you.” Taking a steeling breath, he looked up to meet her gaze. “I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”