The Knight of Slaughtaverty

Chapter 31 - Dream Library

I start to feel like a normal human being when Slaughtaverty Manor's spires are solidly in the four-wheel-drive's rearview mirror.

Last night is now just an embarrassing blur of giggles, weird questions and... yes... impersonations. I impersonated a Peace Haven citizen! It was only for a moment, but that moment was too long. I'm relieved that none of the Slatherties speak like locals, but I can only imagine how appalled Diarmuid must've been, though he didn't remark on it. I hope he doesn't think I was trying to mock him.

Though not quite as pronounced as Billy and others, he speaks like the general population I've encountered since my arrival. It's possible that Alaric and their many travels abroad rubbed off on him, dampening his accent somewhat. Fortunately, enough of it remains to give him that extra bit of charm I like so much.

Oh, my word, I'm so ashamed!

I never do impersonations, not even in tribute to accents I love. I was shocked by how well I pulled it off, but still... Why?

What's next? Stand-up comedy?!

After having a thankfully light breakfast - safely alone in my bedroom - I tried to sneak out of the house like a thief. Though I didn't have a hangover or any other side effects from last night's episode, I had no appetite. I forced the food down, afraid I'd be too hungry later to use my time at the library properly. Once my dishes were stashed in the dishwasher, I hurried to the foyer, not wanting to run into anybody, especially not Aine.

I feel horrible about spoiling her family reunion dinner, even if Alaric assured me that nothing got spoiled and Aine was still as happy as she ever is. I don't understand what happened to me. I can handle wine quite well. Though I do not drink a lot - or often - I can manage a couple of glasses of wine just fine. I did not drink that much last night. I have no idea why I reacted like that.

I remember that, during dinner, I imagined Saoirse saying things to me she clearly wasn't saying. I even imagined seeing the brother they're all mourning, and, worse, I flirted with him using an accent.

How am I supposed to live that down?

Aside from being embarrassed and utterly humiliated, I'm unnerved. I never break down and just flounder all over the place like that. I seem to be doing that quite often now. I'm used to feeling a gazillion different emotions at any given moment, but I'm not used to expressing them.

Last night, I expressed them and then some.

Very early this morning, I almost ran into the two people I most dreaded seeing, and they were together! Dealing with both of them simultaneously would've been too much for me to handle.

I set my alarm to get up much earlier today and was on my way to the study before breakfast to pack my laptop, as I wanted to bring it with me today when I walked past an open door in one of the darker corridors. I always walk through that hallway, but all the doors are usually shut.

The poorly lit chamber was a small sitting room of some kind, but I didn't take much notice of the furnishings because the scene playing off in the interior surprised me into stopping. Alaric was seated, with Aine bending over him, carrying a towel over one shoulder. A bowl of steaming water was on a low table near them, and she seemed to be shaving him, which is risky in such poor lighting.

"Who cut your hair? It looks like someone chewed on it," she wanted to know, running her fingers through strands of his hair that looked less even and neat than I'm used to for Alaric, but the light was bad enough to leave doubt. "I loved your beautiful long hair."

"Ran," he grunted, and Aine giggled.

"Oh, that explains a lot. Honestly, that man," she chuckled, clicking her tongue. "I'll fix it when I'm done shaving you."