Finally her feet felt as though they were on the verge of falling off, and her joints screamed in protest of further movement. Vhalla fell out of step by placing her hands on his shoulders, leaning on him for support. She felt Daniel’s palms fall on her hips.

“I’m so tired,” she shouted in his ear over the music and noise of the people.

“Thank the Mother, me too.” He laughed and led her off the dance floor. They walked over to the main entrance and hovered by the door.

“Where is everyone else?” The band never stopped playing so the floor never stopped moving. They both tried to locate just one of the people they came with.

“Who knows? They know their way back.” Daniel yawned, he turned and stumbled into the street. It was his turn to almost collapse, and Vhalla ran up beside him, throwing her arms around his waist. He grabbed her for support and they almost fell together.

“You-you’re drunk.” She punched his gut.

“Ungh,” he grunted. “Don’t do that or I’ll be sick on your shoes.”

“You wou-oudnt,” she laughed and slurred her words, her arm situating around his waist and his around her shoulders.

“Now who’s drunk?” He put his thumb on one side of her mouth and index finger on the other, pinching her lips together to make a talking motion.

Vhalla laughed and slapped his hand away. “Don’t make fun of me,” she pouted.

“Now there’s a face that could break the strongest of men.” He grinned. Vhalla noticed one side of his mouth went up more than the other. It didn’t have the same curl as Aldrik’s but there was something similar and charming in it.

They stumbled through the streets teasing each other and grabbing at walls and railings for support. In all it was rather a miracle that they didn’t end up horribly lost. On the way they passed a public fountain, and Daniel insisted she drink liberally.

“I can’t drink anymore.” She lay out on the dusty ground, her face wet.

“Get up off the ground,” he laughed.

“No, it’s nice here.” She grinned, which was interrupted with a yawn. The fuzziness in her head was beginning to change to exhaustion.

He extended a hand to her. “It’s not far now, Vhalla. Bed is better than the ground. Plus, I think there are a few people, whom I’m rather fearful of answering to, that would be cross if I let you sleep on the road.”

She found her feet again, and they stumbled into the inn not long after. The main lobby was quiet, and he helped her upstairs. Vhalla dissolved into a fit of giggles, collapsing against the wall.

“You’re so loud,” he scolded between uncontrollable laughter.

“No, you are!” She covered her mouth with a hand, her sides aching from bruises and amusement.