>>6023805“Kori, we need to talk.” you telepathically call over your new daughter-in-law as the drink you downed burns in your guts. “Don't look over here, don't give away we're talking.”
“What is the matter?” she asks, a note of worry in her tone. “Is something wrong?”
“I'm not sure, but I've got a bad feeling. I noticed your sister didn't drink anything at the toast, she merely pretended.” you tell her, looking out over the room and trying to see how the Tamaraneans react to their drinks. But none seem to have any ill-effects, all going back over towards the casks to refill after draining them at the toast. “With what Turles told me about how she likes to get drunk, her not drinking is suspicious.”
“Oh, I see. Well, I shall ask her.” Kori answers, ending the mental link and turning to her sister. While still looking out over the room, seeing Tatsu and Tomi talking in a hushed whisper, Maza speaking with the large warrior Galfore, everyone all talking and having a good time, you focus up, listening in on what the sisters say.
“Sister, you didn't drink the celebratory toast? Why is that?” Kori asks, her tone concerned. “Is everything alright?”
“Oh, dear sister. Please, do not take any offense, I know it is tradition, but I have sworn off the drink.” Komand'r says seriously, catching you by surprise. “I have spent these last few years trying to become a, well, not necessarily better, but at least not as terrible a person.”
“Sister, do not say such things about yourself.” Kori says, only to be interrupted.
“While it wasn't entirely the drink's fault, it does bring out the worst in me, little sister.” Komand'r says, then lowering her voice as her tone turns seemingly genuinely sorrowful. “I lost my child over my love of drink. Because of how I would act while inebriated, I drove my family away. They LEFT the planet today, because I was coming. If you take no other lesson from me, learn this: treat this man of yours right. Don't drive him away from you, as I did.”
“Sister...” Kori says, sounding upset as well. Looking over, you see the two sisters hugging, Komand'r facing you. But her eyes are closed and not smiling behind her sister's back, seemingly genuine in her expression. Perhaps she's being truthful, and has in fact changed her ways?
cont
