Excerpt: Until It's Gone

Endahren grimaced at him. That was technically true, but he didn't particularly feel like being sober tonight. He raised the mug of mead to his lips, and felt a light touch on his hand.
"I know I brought you that, but would you rather reconsider?" He looked down and saw the boy's honest grey eyes. Momentarily, the face was overlapped by another, a one with black hair. But the eyes, the eyes were the same... He took a deep breath and looked to the side guiltily. There was the reason he'd started talking with Nightingale in the first place. He reminded him too much of...
He put down his mug. "I suppose you're right. I think I'll be needing some fresh air, then." The silver-haired apparition smiled at him sweetly and helped him up.
"Let's go up at the balcony. It wasn't too crowded when I last checked." Well, of course it wouldn't be, Endahren thought as he followed Nightingale unsteadily. The upstairs was reserved for performers today. The tavern had apparently hired many to entertain their customers out on Valentione's day. Not that this place was ever really very empty, if what he'd heard was true. He'd been here once or twice only, but this place had a reputation for being one of the best taverns in the city. Also one of the more costly, and farther away from his home than he usually went when he wanted to have a good time. There were many perfectly good establishments closer to home if he wanted to do that.