Lioness grinned wide, his tail swaying with excitement. He slung his arm around Veldrac's shoulder and laughed, his voice booming.
"The day is still long, Veldrac! We get to enjoy this vacation to the fullest! Just like the old days!"
Veldrac let out a long, weary exhale.
"Could you lower your voice? Just a little? I'm trying to enjoy my drink, and every time you boom like that, the wine vibrates in my glass."
Lioness slapped Veldrac's shoulder repeatedly, laughing.
"Come on! You're too stiff, Veldrac! Look at you, sitting there with your glass, sipping like some noble at a formal dinner! Drink properly! Enjoy it! This isn't a council meeting, it's a celebration!"
Just as Veldrac was about to respond, a shiver ran down his spine. He swallowed hard, and his gaze slowly shifted. He noticed the woman standing behind them.
He stood up in a rush, stumbled, caught himself, and hurried off across the hall without a word, leaving Lioness alone at the table.
