Cracking the Cellar

[Esha]

As the two approached the door to the wine cellar, Esha tried it first. She thought it might be locked but it was just a tough handle. Good thing too, The stone girl could smell the wine strongly and she would be disappointed if this was off access.

She walked in, expecting Henry to shut the door. Horse riding was fun, but she realized why people used saddles with places to put the feet. Her legs were aching. She wondered if there would be any places to sit in the cellar, 'hoped' was maybe a better word. From there on, she seemed a bit absorbed in her new surroundings.

Humming to herself, she picked up two glasses in one hand. "I'm not really a wine drinker, any suggestions or a random bottle?" She asked Henry whilst looking up and down the racks with curiosity. So this is what an actual wine cellar looked like..So many bottles, which one to pick.

[Henry Quickair]

The ride over had been a bit...rough, but he had pulled though, not wanting to seem weak or anything around his new friend. When they got to the cellar his excitement came back again but he was cautious. Closing the door behind them Henry looked around the dark cellar, not much light in here... Putting his hand in his pocket he pulled out a metal bar and some string. This wouldn't do, they were surrounded by alcohol and string burns easy, even if he could get a spark. He watched as the bar split into two and the sides changed texture from its original smooth.

Looking up he shrugged, "Just pick one I guess. I'm not very versed in this stuff." He sounded a bit annoyed or uninterested, without meaning to, because he was focusing on the metal. Looking back at it he quickly struck the two pieces together and a spark came from it. "hmm," Looking back at Esha with his emotionless being again he came up with a question, "Bit to dangerous doing that here, we will just have to deal wit the lighting as is." He put the metal away in his pocket again along with the string.

He went up to her looking around at all the cases and bottles. Henry then remembered he was supposed to be having fun. It was clear he was back to his usual sorry self. Henry had been so emotionless for so long, it seemed so easy to get back to. Only the presence of others who seemed to care could bring him out of it. He could be fun and happy, he just had to stop thinking about pushing people away and let himself enjoy life. He was not going to shut out Esha. He was going to drink and enjoy his new friends company. Happiness was something he wanted, but seemed so hard to obtain.

[Esha]

Esha was far too giddy to fully notice Henry's attitude lapse, she trailed her fingers over the bottles. "Me neither." She said to Henry. Eenie, meenie, miney..mo- fingers stopped trailing over an aged bottle of Rose and she pulled it out of the rack. and she could feel it was coated in dust. Good.

Apparently older was better? She had no idea really, just something she's heard from somewhere.

Esha turned quickly when she saw the spark, though clutching the wine and glasses so they didn't drop. "Good call on that one." She said a little sarcastically "-we're both too pretty for 3rd degree burns" She said gesturing to her face, trying to lift the sudden atmosphere.

Esha idly turned and held out a glass to Henry, with a sidelong look. To take the glass so she could open this bottle somehow, there was a bottle opener somewhere here surely?

[Henry Quickair]

Noticing she hadn't detected his foul mood made him feel a bit better off. At her pretty comment he laughed a bit, savoring each exhale. It felt, so good. "Hon, this face shouldn't get a scratch. It'll ruin the masterpiece." He mimicked her tone and made a pose suggesting he was too cool. Taking the glass he shook his head. The woman seemed to forget of his skills. The metal came out of his pocket and started to morph once again, changing into a spiral with a flattened end on one side, and a sharp point on the other.

"Would this possibly help, ma'am?" He gave a half smile raising one brow. Leaning forward a bit he extended his arm towards her, suggesting she take the opener.

Henry was a bit curious as to what exactly Esha had picked out. He hadn't gotten a great look at the dust coated bottle and as far as he could tell, this drink would certainly be a treat. He tried not to drink much, but it was nice to have a glass every now and then.

[Esha]

Ah. that metal trick. The stone girl took the formed metal, their hands briefly touching.

"Why yes, it would." Esha said with a slight smile. Maybe the reason there wasn't a corkscrew lying around was so random students couldn't bust a bottle whenever they pleased. She supposed it worked until a metal bender came along and made one. She flashed him an unprovoked smile and took the bottle opener, hoped that she'd get it in one shot.

Wine bottles were not to be messed with, In Esha's experience, The would always win and stay shut.

Screwing the pike into the cork was easy, now pulling it. It was tougher than expected, or that she was going it wrong. As always This was slightly embarrassing, she thought, as she tried to wiggle the thing out. Nope. Looking up at Henry briefly she gave it one last tug with a determined expression on her face. Leering at the bottle slightly she handed it to Henry. "Would you kindly?"

[Henry Quickair]

Watching her struggle Henry took the bottle chuckling. Turning the metal in his fingers he made sure it was in the cork tight, before holding it between his feet on the ground, and pulling up. Success, the cork came out, but the bottle tilted forward, some liquid pouring a small amount onto the cold floor.

"Hey, at least it's open." He shrugged picking the bottle up and handing it back to her. He held out his glass and leaned against a rack of liquor. Looking around again he smiled a bit. There was a feeling of deviousness, and he liked it. Were they really not allowed into here? There were signs others had left from their break ins. The door wasn't locked though.

"So little lady, what else is there fun we could do here, other than enjoy a drink?"

[Esha]

To this very day corked bottles seemed to have a one-up on her. She would try what Henry was doing next time, those pesky containers would tremble in fear. "I'm offended that you'd spill some. It's in such short supply." She said with a bit of wit.

What else could they do...She had no idea. Drinking games were usually in order when this much alcohol was in the immediate area, but they seemed to have neither the people or the tolerance needed. Not Henry anyway. She'd be tough competition with her resistance to poison and such. Shame. "Good question."

"Henry, how you know I don't lure those foolish enough down here and have them drink sedated wine?" she smiled at him a little too widely and filled his glass. It was all a joke, but her face didn't show it "Was my choice of bottle so random?" She asked rhetorically and then poured herself a glass "Was this place so random?" The stonegirl turned and put the bottle on a nearby barrel.

Sharply turned back to Henry on her heel "Why so isolated..." She said quietly to herself, grinning at nothing and taking a sip of the wine.

[Henry Quickair]

Shrugging Henry pulled the glass back to himself to take a sip. Not really his fault it spilled. It was pretty full. The wine tasted fine so he sipped again. Sedated? He shook his head the corner of his mouth moving to created a half smile, "I doubt it, grandma. That bottle was in there pretty tight." Was this little story the fun thing she was trying to think up? She probably could do better. Why didn't he try though? No point in letting the girl have to think of everything.

"Okay, how about this. I dare you to drink three full glasses in the next three minutes." This would be amusing, he had no idea how alcohol effected her kind. He'd be impressed if she was as level headed as she was now after them. "And if you do that I'll drink four in four minutes." Go drinking games.

[Esha]

Henry isn't easily fooled, Esha thought bemusedly. She wasn't sure what gave her any other idea. "-got me there. I'm sure could do far better than that." It was said with a little shrug, swilling the wine around in her glass

Just what was called for in this situation, She smiled down at her glass. A room full of alcohol and two participants. "Dare accepted. let's see what you got hotshot." She started on one glass and fought with the urge to choke. It wasn't like shots, Esha found out quickly.

Turning her tongue to stone worked to an extent however by the second glass it wasn't all that bad. One glass down. Two down. Three down. In two and a half minuits she completed the challenge. "Take the stage whippersnapper." She said taking a few breaths heavily, having not breathed very much between glasses. The bottle was passed his way with a smile, the stone girl looking forward to seeing just how this would affect him.

[Henry Quickair]

He watched her as the drinks went down. From the looks of her, Henry could tell chugging wine probably didn't taste the best, but Esha had quickly recovered, finishing before the three minutes were up. Taking the bottle from her, the boy set it on the floor as he sat down, finishing his first glass. It was strange but maybe chugging wine would bit a tad classier than beer or something else. A chuckle came through his lip, classy, that was funny.

Quickly he filled his next glass and soon enough he had finished the fourth, gently placing his glass on the ground in front of his crossed legs. "Well that was interesting." His heart rate seemed a little slower, now. Probably it was starting to get into his system. Well that wouldn't do. To be honest he did not want to drink anymore. "Can we do something else now? This is kind of boring really." Henry gave an apologetic smile. He felt like he must have been bothering the poor girl, depending on her for something to do.

[Esha]

One, two, three, four. All down and gone. Wasn't that an awful lot in such a short space of time? She wasn't sure. Tolerance had to be taken into account, did he usually handle alcohol well? The stone girl wasn't sure- He seemed to handle it well at the party. The wine was affecting her a little, but she'd need a bit more to get drunk.

"Agreed but I now know why wine is to be sipped." She said, making a bitter face. It was so strong. Sat next to him, and sitting on the floor with her knees brought loosely to her chest, resting her head against a wall, Esha narrowed eyes at nothing at all while she thought. What could they do..?

Esha didn't think she'd get one but an idea did form in her head. Rising suddenly she held out a hand to get him up. "Don't make me dance alone" She said playfully, read to tug him and into a two step.

[Henry Quickair]

Being male generally helped the boy out when he chugged the glasses. His body wouldn't react too violently to the poison, and he didn't really care much for what he was consuming. Like all true manly men, he let it all down trying not to bother much on taste.

He couldn't help the fit of laughter when Esha stated her realization. He cough a bit when he was at the peak of his fit and his face was tinted red from lack of air, and embarrassment to the high pitched sound that came out every couple amused exhales. Calming himself as quickly as he could, Henry took a deep breath, "I'm so sorry, that was just to funny." a small chuckle escaped from him, ending the whole event. "Now I know why wine is to be sipped," He shook his head, imitating her, trying to sound Indian.

Standing up on his own, wobbling slightly, Henry took Esha's hand and pull her towards him, wrapping his other arm around her lower back, "What typing of dancing, grandma?" He twisted their hands around to set them up for a waltz of sorts.

[Esha]

At the laughing burst She was a bit shocked and thought he must be choking, but after she found that it was laughter a grin spread across her face. How cute. Esha punched him lightly on the arm "That was terrible, you should be ashamed of...whatever that was" She said jestingly, shaking her head a bit. Was that meant to be her? The stonegirl didn't think she sounded like that at all.

The swaying was noted, but Esha didn't react. No time to before she was pulled into a waltzy thing. It wouldn't do. She couldn't dance like this without it showing how clumsy she was. Something a bit faster, like the celidh dances would be more agreeable to her.

"No idea" She placed a hand on his shoulder and gave Henry a quick inspection, Surely a quick up-down look wasn't unforgivable when he was this close? "Something with a bit of speed. If you can keep up, that is." Esha said suggesting that he couldn't. A challenge. taking his hand from her back. Waltzing was so...boring. Esha took the first step by starting a spin, intending to lead if she weren't defied.

[Henry Quickair]

Ashamed? Noway, he felt absolutely fine with his funny imitation! He felt warm realizing the alcohol was more so in his system than before. Thoughts were getting less logical which was frustrating him, but he couldn't seem to do much else but not care. He wanted to go into his stubborn, usual wall, but he was to relaxed. This was fun wasn't it? Frowning his brows creased in a bit, his frustration showing. Esha's voice got to him though and his expression returned to a smile, showing her he was still ready for fun. "Fast, I guess that's fine, but we have no music."


Seeing the girl was already moving he went along with her, putting the hand she had moved into open space in case she stumbled. He had smirked when she gave him a look over, and the question of why was lingering in his thoughts. "Can an old lady keep up with a boy like me?" A tad of sarcasm rung in his tone and he got a logical thought through, realizing that he was considered a legal adult in quite a lot of countries.

[Esha]

Esha gave a little shrug, no music wasn't a problem.

"I'm sure she can. I don't know, can a young boy keep in step with me?" Said the stone girl, leading her dancing partner into a quick little spin. Frankly, she wasn't sure she could keep in step with herself but she could try...and try Esha would. A little grin made it's way across her face. The sort of mad scientist grin when he would try something experimental.

Esha honestly thought this should be out the question here. Too old, but when it was thought about it- What percentage of the world was she younger than? 1 percent? Maybe less? If she was going to stick to rules then the stone girl would be quite alone. Screw the rules, she thought with abandon, I can think about being irresponsible and whatnot later.

Suddenly stepping in close and whispered in his ear "C'mon, Is that the best you can do?" It was in a playful teasing tone, hooking her leg around his for a briefest second then stepping away.

[Henry Quickair]

Henry just shook his head at his reply, not to agree but at the ridiculousness of her statement. At that grin of hers he couldn't help but think that she was going to be a great company to him later. As they danced he almost forgot what exactly they were doing but remembered it was quite dancing. When Esha came close suddenly he took a moment to widen his eyes in surprise. The best... he could do better he guessed. Chuckling a bit to himself when she messed around, he made to spin her around before dancing their way to the center of the room again.

"Better?" he was a bit surprised that his words... word sounded articulate, or was that just what he thought,he could be slurring, but he had no clue. The last drink was setting in for sure now. Not thinking Henry pulled the stone girl in close making their dance into a slow one, with small steps. He went to put his hands on her hips, and gave her a little smile. "I'm a bit tired, mind if the pace is slower? By the way, this was definitely fun."

[Esha]

Spinning was fun. She had a carefree smile on her face, her eyes were shut as she trusted the slightly drunk fairy boy not to spin her into a wall. Their dancing must have looked messy, out of time and had no resemblance of anything ever danced before.

She tutted at him, shaking her head and narrowing her eyes at him mischievously. "Your need to sit down already? You youngsters mean to have stamina" He was being effected by the wine by now, the stone girl could hear it in the slight slur of his voice.

She was too and starting to think that maybe more than 4 was a bit too much for them both.

Swaying a little, Esha steadied herself and put one hand on Henry's waist and and the other on his shoulder. Slow dancing. Esha hated it, but this wasn't so bad. With Henry anyway. She looked into his eyes and waited to see if he'd say anything.

[Henry Quickair]

Laughed Henry gave her a big smile, "Oh I have stamina, I told you I got bored. The room spinning doesn't help either." He had a smug look. after dancing a bit Henry looked down at her. How long had she been looking up at him? Seeing her interesting grey eyes, henry tried to remember if he had asked her about them before. He looked at the rest of her facial features her hair looked nice too. His gaze fell upon her lips... without thinking he went to put his lips on hers. He closed his eyes then pulled back exhaling out his nose. Strange, how her lips were so soft. Or was it strange? She was a stone woman wasn't she... or was it only when she wanted it.

Letting go of her, Henry turned around and walked away from her to sit against the wall on the other side of the room. His head was hurting, and the cold wall felt nice on him warm skin. What was going on? Things in the room seemed to spin faster. What had he done earlier? He remembered wine, and the fact he drank a lot really fast, with out food. Meekly henry looking around, "Esha?" he closed his eyes and passed out against the wall, something bothering him in the back of his mind.

[Esha]

"Oh? Sometime you'll have to prove it" she said, sounding a little more less playful than intended. Her face was serious, with one eyebrow raised skeptically at Henry, but the Esha burst into giggles and ruined the whole effect.

Esha did not react, but could only stand in place. Surprised. She thought she'd have to make the first move considering...him. Although thought were then shifted to the fact someone was actually kissing her. It wasn't a surprise, but it was. This was the place she least expected it. However naively.

The stone girl gave a made a mix between a humm and a hmmm? and sat down beside him with a little smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, amused at the whole situation. And then she realized something. "Ughf, oh my-" was all she could manage before putting her hands on her knees and laughing quietly at the fact he'd passed out.

The stone girl got up slowly as the room stopped spinning, steadied herself and put her hand around Henry's shoulder, then under his knees.

With a little effort she had him in her arms. Bridal style for maximum dignity.

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