#earthrunes

Adam wakes with a hang over

in a ..cot.

His clothes are still on

"Easy, Adam. You went at it hard, and I thought it best to let you sleep"

"Mm?" he looks around blearily.

" 'ere?"

"Hey, you held against Leonora.. nice. She got taken to her room, Stevi wobbled to hers... " A cup of something is offered "Swallow this fast, it'll help with the hang over"

Adam squints at Jack, but takes and drinks.

Not a pooka. It works. it doesn't taste great, but mere seconds after the first swallow it seems to cut through the hang over

"Oh man.... that's better."

"Thank you, Jack."

"Hey, it's what I do. Well on both ends I guess. I know it tastes a bit like sand but it works. Truth to tell, Vince improved the formula"

"Vince is a great guy." He sits up. "I'm still at your pub?"

"Yeah, back of it" he nods "You wouldn't be the first guy to sleep in this part of the hold after a bender. Frankly, the girls worried but I told em I had you. Figured you might want to avoid your mom or dad getting overly worried etc. They'd mean well, but parents are kind of funny you know? This way you got up at your own pace."

"Appreciate that, Jack. They're permenently worried about me anyway, but no reason to add to it." He sits up to take stock. Boot under the cot, still in clothing, good. "Where did this paper hat come from?" he asks, discovering it crammed slightly under the pillow.

"that.. I don't know" he admits "One of the ladies maybe?"

"Maybe." he tucks it in a pocket "Do I need to settle up?"

"Nah, it's covered" he says "I liked Nab too. She did this liittle marylyn monroe act in a champagne glass once for me. Sexy AND Adorable"

Adam nods heavily. "Yes. That was her. Thanks again, Jack. I better go get cleaned up."

"I hear you" He offers a hand up

Adam stands, tests it out.

He's functional, not top of his game but he wont' walk into walls

"Ok. I can make it." And he makes his way to his room.

And once there, he pauses, looking around for a moment. He gaze lingers on the curtains and the sheets on the bed. He bows his (bald) head, and then goes to strip off and shower.

He will find clean black clothes to wear; if he has none, he will wear something sober and an armband.

Actually, it looks like his wardrobe has several new options of clothes, most of them at least black in part

Then that is what he wears. And an armband too, what the hell. He goes in search.... of an artist.

Earl's Garret is out of the way, but not unknown and he can find it

Adam taps softly at the door.

Humming... it's an old pop song 'spooky'.. but then the hum stops, and the door opens. Sir Earl apparently has been on a creative jag as his facial hair needs a trim

Adam nods. "Sir."

"I hope I'm not disturbing you. I could return at a better time....."

"Oh.. hi Adam." He looks him over "You've turned into a bald sidhe. how long have I been painting?"

"I couldn't say, Sir, but you have a beard."

"Had a bit of a goatee before, now it's scratchy. Ah, what can I do for you, Adam?"

"I'd like to commission you, Sir."

"What do you have in mind?"

"A portrait. True-to-life. I've seen some of the work you've done like that."

"It's not my strongest point. I do macabre well but... I have in the past done portraits. Who of?"

Adam takes a moment. "You... you have seen, or met, my chimerical companion? Her." another pause "Nabuni."

"I've met her yes, charming little lady" He looks around "Is this a surprise for her?" As if expecting her to show up

"No." he can't get his voice above a whisper, but Earl is uniquely suited to hear him anyway. "She's dead."

And now the black and the bald and the band might make sense.

"I don't want to forget her face."

He lowers his head And says something In Hebrew ("“May God comfort you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.”) then he sighs "I don't think you ever will. I am so sorry to hear of this. Any part of the Dreaming is precious, but to lose one who was so close to you. That ache must feel like a twisted knife in the heart. You want it as true to life as possible then?"

"Yes please. And....." he produces a piece of paper "The setting doesn't matter so much but the background.... can you do this night sky?" he offers a picture and some coordinates, a star chart.

He looks at it, seeing if he recognizes the stars "Surely. Special meaning to it?"

"Yes." softly.

A nod "may I hold onto this to make sure I get it right?"

"Yes. It's a copy. Thank you." a pause "Sir, I can't pay for it except in labor and a big debt to you."