Makings of a Monster

- "So. Do I understand correctly? This whole mess was initiated by the fact that you have been neglecting these teensy little things like regular eating and sleeping and instead been marinating your brain in cheap brandy and lopping the stuff like a fish desperate for water?"
- "You could sum it up like that, yes." Winski sounded very resigned, too drained to come up with any vitriolic answers and even less feeling in the position to utter them even if he did.
- "Gods, Winski! You have always taken pride in your intelligence, don't try to deny it. Has it ever occurred to you that this kind of drinking could damage that as well?"
- "It has, Allonia. However, I have also passed a certain point of caring. There is no hope for me, no hope for Sarevok, not to speak of any more general kind of hope."
- "Hope? I see you have developed some new vocabulary. Do I really need to quote some of your more smart ideas on the subject from the rare occasions that you have shared the company of other Throne mercenaries?"

- "Slip of the tongue, that, then. But... how did you get the priest to come here? Spells like Regeneration cost a fortune, and I know that you don't save much money?"
Allonia's eyes flashed dangerously. She fixed them into the line between the ceiling and the wall and spoke in a snarling tone.
- "That was another thing I wanted to discuss with you. I accomplished that by promising him a favor. And let's just say that he didn't need anyone assassinated."
- "Wh... oh. What a bastard he is!"
Allonia whirled and there was a murderous look in her grey eyes.
- "Oh no, Winski. He is just an old, ugly man with needs like anyone else. What does he have to offer to any woman except his spells, or money? The bastard is you, Winski. You."
Winski was just speechless.
- "Feeling all sorry for yourself, like a gasping goldfish fallen out of its bowl," she went on, "whining and brooding and lopping the brandy and destroying yourself slowly but as certainly as if you stabbed yourself in the gut!"
Her rage seemed unstoppable now. "Has it ever occurred to you that Sarevok is not exactly normal? I'm sure it has. You are smart if anything. But look how he fights.... no, he's not quite from these mortal planes. I like the kid to pieces, but all the more reason he needs you to help to keep that... thing in bay. He adores you, you would have to be an idiot not to see that. And that kind of thing means responsibility. That means that you can't just go 'whine, whine, I'm just poor misunderstood and pained Winski and can as well drink myself to death'. What about the kid? Did you ever think about that, Winski? Did you?"

Winski started to blush all the deeper, realizing that Allonia's words had merit. He started to weep silently, then asked in a very small voice: "So why did you do it at all? Save my life? You didn't know that Sarevok and Jelena were hurt as well."
- "Why did I do it? Plenty of reasons. Number one. Despite of all your faults, I like you more than I have ever liked any man. You are my best friend. At this moment I really, really wonder why, but it is there just the same. What would be the point of friendship or loyalty if it was there just when it doesn't need any effort? And even though I never had any illusions of us being lifemates or anything like that, I treasure those moments of pleasure and gentleness we have shared.
Number two. I really, really, like Sarevok as well. Perhaps it is just that a woman of my age finds it flattering that a kid should stare at her ass so intently in awe and wonder, but I think there's more to it than just that. He's a special kid. Special. And he really needs you. It... infuriates me that you would be so selfish as to drink yourself dead and leave him all alone.
And Winski... I really dislike lowering myself into being a whore because of your self-centeredness."
Winski's eyes flashed.
- "Allonia! You are not a whore, never were! I... I don't know how to thank you or what to say, but if anyone so much as tries to call you that I... I will unleash the most horrid and nasty archaic and lethal spells in all his crevices and..."
- "Shh. Winski, calm down. You need to heal yourself. To unlearn all that drinking. I'm mad at you, but I still love you. Not as in 'Let's be married ever after" but as in "In spite of all your, mind you, gaping faults, I love you as a friend and as a good man, as good as an unrepentant assassin like me can perceive." She made a long pause, and the exhausted Winski just wept.
- "We haven't... in a long time," remarked Allonia, her voice betraying nothing.
- "Allonia. You are as beautiful as ever." She was, indeed. Auburn hair, full lips, level grey eyes and a body of a predator. "But would you be terribly offended if I... damn it! I have changed somehow, I don't know what's wrong with me!" There was genuine pain in Winski's eyes.

For the first time during their discussion Allonia allowed some warmth in her eyes.
- "Poor Winski. Do I have to spell everything out for you? You are, head over heels, in love with Reiltar's wife. And you'd feel that you are betraying her if you slept with me."
- "Now wait a minute! Just because I..."
- "Shhh." Allonia easily closed Winski's lips and pushed him gently down. In her eyes there was a mix of pity and profound gentleness. "For someone so remarkably intelligent you can be so excruciatingly stupid at times. Just accept it. Yeah, I know all about your love doesn't exist crap you spew at the unfortunate listeners should you honor us with your presence."
- "I... I always thought you didn't believe in love either." Winski's voice was so small.
- "Just because I never have been touched by it doesn't mean that I wouldn't recognize it when I see it. There's no mistaking. What you see in a mouse like that I don't know, but just tread carefully. I mean, I knew that our Reiltar is not the nicest guy, but this particular display of temperament was rather... impressive. But you love her. That much is obvious. What to do about that, I have no answers."
- "She's not a mouse! She is a wonderful and funny and great woman! She just has been..."
Allonia physically shut Winski up again and grinned.
- "See? Just take care. Of yourself, and the kid. And her, if you care for her so much." She pressed a very gentle kiss on her best friend's forehead and left Winski to recover.