The Kingdom - Story of a Dwarf

I - Allies from the Kingdom

*

We share our love for drinking. We drink coffee and they drink beer, and we do not miss an opportunity to do so with each other. We are allies since lots and lots of time, and we see ourselves as a family. And if anyone, at any time, tries anything to break that bond, we will fight, as one, against the bastard who thinks he can stand between the dwarfs and the baristas.

Diplomacy, by Emilya Von Arabica

*

I woke up on the ground, smelling the stench of the dried beer on my beard, and my head aching, as I saw Nain-lcoolique discussing with a human. I closed my eyes again for a second, to adapt to the pain, and remembered. Lord Java was a fellow bartender, from the Northern people. He wasn't exactly from the North though. His accent was from the south, yet his prosody was close to the northern lord's Latte. And he sure was one of the Baristas. Nain-lcoolique looked at me and laughed.

"You ain't sleeping anymore? Get up mate!"

I obeyed, not because I had to, but because the floor wasn't as comfortable as standing up. I staggered a bit. I wasn't at my best... Maybe it was because of that coffee I had drunk along with my sixteen pints of beer... I tried to regain my composure, and managed to talk.

"Sorry to interrupt. I... I need to drink something. Nain-lcoolique, can I have a beer? It will help with my headache."

"Sure thing, mate!"

Lord Java looked amused, but he didn't say a thing. I didn't try to understand what was so funny. Instead, I asked:

"How was the night?"

"It was great" he said. "I learned a lot about you guys. You seem reliable. I understand what Lord Latte meant when she said you were welcoming."

"We are welcoming with our friends... But we don't mind spitting in the face of those who don't want to befriends with us!" I answered.

"Yes, it seems like being your ally is the better choice."

I laughed along with him, and he spoke again.

"And you, what do you think about us?"

"Baristas are good friends to have. You like to drink, you like to laugh, and you like to sing along with us. That's all I'm asking from a friend."

"Then, to friendship!" he said, raising his coffee.

"To friendship." I answered as I did the same.

I drank a bit, and coughed because of the foam. Lord Java was looking away, and before I could try and see what he was watching, I heard a feminine voice behind me.

"I'm iconic!" the voice said, and I immediately recognized Nain-bécile.

I turned around and faced her, which let me see she was talking to Lord Latte, who's face was red with visible amusement. I couldn't hear what she was saying, but Nain-bécile was as upset as she was having fun. She kept repeating the same sentence, over and over again, probably not even listening to what Lord Latte was saying. I got closer, and Lord Java followed me.

"Come on, Nain-bécile" I started, "don't bother our guest."

"I'm not bothering her ! She's bothering me !" she answered with a bit of mischief on her face.

"I'm sure she doesn't. Is everything okay?" I asked the baristas' chief.

"Yes, don't worry", she answered. "I'm having fun. This dwarf is funny on her own way."