Tainted Brew

[Avalon]

*Log entry for the Saucy Vixen*

Dreadful mess this miserable shipment is! A simple looting of bounty from one unfortunate ship to another should not, in any degree, cause this much trouble! Whose brilliant idea was it to investigate that frigate anyway? *a disgusted grunt of self realization* Fine, it was Mine! I wasn’t like We torched it. We just happened upon it and decided to investigate the distress of the wayward ship. I donno who this was intended for, but I hear a bit o land South of the Shadow Moore Tavern would find it of interest. Well I hope they will because I intend to leave it there without asking if they want it or not!
I find this miserable mess of roots and leaves nothing more than a smelly mound of opiate encrusted irritation. There has been nothing with it that gives me cause for want to try more of its hellish brew. The Spirit folk of the Yew area may find it a refreshing concoction but I prefer a stronger blend of intoxicating pleasure! My associate on land, Penelope will know what to do with this mess.
Last time I had a mug of this rot the nightmares were so vivid and real I ‘bout threw myself o’re the rails! No sense keeping that aboard! Im certain its more suited for the fairy folks.
Capt'n

~*~

Making her way into the main Tavern area Penelope was startled to see two large baskets of green leaf tea. Tea is not normally something she is well versed in, but gifts were always welcome.
“Ah what a perfect idea! I think maybe I’ll see if my neighbor is about, and try to make some nice conversation. I would hope sharing a gift such as this would make for a lovely exchange.”
Gathering a basket and strapping it to her back she made the short jaunt South to the Knights Rest Inn. She was going to do the same that was done for her and just leave the basket by the bar, but low and behold who would happen upon her but the owner of the establishment.
They made friendly introductions and light banter before she discovered that the tea would be well received. Her new acquaintance was indeed an avid tea sipper. A lovely discovery to be sure! On her way back to the Shadow Moore Tavern she couldn’t help but smile and hum lightly to herself hoping a friendship had been started.

[Aedon Durreah]

He awoke later then usual. Exhaustion from days of wondering aimlessly through some god forsaken forest had given way, willingly to soft pillows and warm coverlets. His dreams had shifted between those of one feeling utterly helpless to the soaring quixotic deeds of a lover's quest.

Sitting before the hearth inside his home, Aedon sipped a cup of freshly brewed tea. The vapors of the rich, fae blend enticed his senses, and helped to draw his mind back to a safer spot. Here, warm and well fed, he could look back over the past week and see some humor in it all. He could not help but wonder what in the world could have possessed him at the time. What sense of male ego had driven him to run out into the night seeking a land he knew not how to reach? Janissan would be returning soon enough, and he was sure she would get a chuckle out of her husbands foolish endeavor.

One thing he knew for sure. A lesson born of the confusion at finding himself so completely lost. Never again would he leave Aegis on a trip without taking a few things along. A compass, a good set of maps and a blacksmith.

Finishing his tea, he put things in their place, and headed out into the Glade. As he neared the steps of the Knights Rest, he saw a woman standing close by, a large basket of tea in her hands. They introduced themselves, and stood making light chat, as the odd, woodsy aroma of the tea leaves surrounded them.

She told him her name was Penelope, and that she worked at a near-by tavern called Shadow Moore. She had recently come into possession of a shipment of rare tea, and thought to bring some to the Rest as a gesture of friendship. He gratefully accepted the gift, and the parted with assurances of visiting each other soon.

Entering the Tavern, Aedon placed the basket of tea behind the bar. He had a few errands to run, but upon completion, he would come back and enjoy a cup of this new tea. Smiling, he walked outside again, and headed towards the Abbey.

[Aedon Durreah]

Sitting in the Rest late are night, speaking to Aph and Elisandra, Aedon relaxed, and inhaled deeply the vapors rising from his cup of tea. It was a pleasant aroma, with slightly woody undertones. It had been a rather hectic day since his return from the deep woods, and he found the scent of this new tea had a relaxing effect on him. The three of them had known each other for years, and it was pleasant to enjoy conversation this way before retiring for the night.

They spoke with some affection of friends from the past now lost to the steady march of time. Commenting on his failed attempt at swooping in on Janissan, Eli suggested that instead of charging off again, that Aedon simply write letters to his wife reminding her of his long standing love for her.

“Write what is in your heart.” She said quietly to him.

They talked on for a bit longer, and then soon after Eli retired for the night, Aedon bid Aph a pleasant eve and headed home.

As he walked towards his house he was surprised to feel the wave of relaxation which washed over him. A slight giddy feeling welled deep within him, and he seemed to notice he was almost dragging his bad leg. Entering the house, he closed the door behind him, and quickly made his way upstairs. Removing his clothes, he slipped under the covers and for just a split second, considered running to the Rest for another cup of that wonderful tea. Laying his head back onto his pillow, he smiled a moment recalling the scent of the brew and the, fell quickly into a deep sleep.


Crimson clouds hung low in the sky casting an eery blood like pall upon the land. Around him, Aedon could hear cries from men and those barely past boyhood as they lay dying around him. Fires arose, only to be quenched as quickly by a sudden cloudburst which quickly reduced the landscape to a river of mud. Standing, with his sword drawn, Aedon found himself facing a great shadow.

He struggled to make out the visage of his opponent, eyes peering deeply into the approaching void. All the while swinging his blade to meet a weapon unseen. He knew it was there. The sudden clang of metal-on-metal reverberated in his ears as his arms and body shook from the sudden impact. His legs struggled to steady him against the continuing approach of this unseen foe.

As his blade met the other, yet again, the ground beneath him gave way sending him sliding down the small rise on which he had stood, landing him face first in the blood tinged mud.

Scrambling to his knees, he searched quickly for, and grabbed his blade. His body quaked as he heard laughter emanating from the shadows, and a voice commanding him.

“On your feet, knave. Rise and face me.”

“Who are you? What have I done to you?”

“Silence, whelp. Rise and fight, or die in the mud.”

The shadow moved quickly then, lunging towards him. Sword at the ready, Aedon could see naught but a flash of emerald green. Eyes bright as verdant gems followed his every move as he struggled back to his feet and the battle rejoined.

He swung his blade wilder now, flailing against the onslaught of a relentless foe whose movements held the easy grace and poise of a well executed dance. Aedon never saw the face of the man he fought, only those eyes and a rich green gem that sparkled around his neck.

The fight continued until at last, back against a mountainside, Aedon dropped his sword giving way to the pain and utter exhaustion which racked him body and soul.

His opponent did not stop. The green eyes approached, laughing, raised his ebon blade, and plunged it towards Aedon who closed his eyes and awaited death.

Sitting up quickly, Aedon screamed aloud, his body convulsing at some imagined wound. His heart beat wildly in his chest as his eyes, wide with fear searched the room for any sign of the foe.

“A dream, it was only a dream.” He thought to himself. There was no lying down again. He feared the idea of slipping back into that dream.

Climbing out of bed, Aedon slipped on his trousers and headed downstairs. He was not a drinking man, but he had to find a way to quiet his racing thoughts and calm his nerves. Pouring a glass of wine from the decanter on the table, Aedon sat before the hearth and sipped slowly.

The shadows of night passed quickly giving way to the first light of early morn. Pouring another glass of wine, Aedon walked out and sat upon the stairs. The cold winter winds felt good upon his bare chest. If nothing else, the tingle it induced reminded him that, for now, he was alive.

[Avalon]

The new tea delivery has made Shadow Moore a bit of a hot spot for new clients. One or two I havent seen in years, especially after relocating so far from my home. But the first time I saw Eyece {ice} enter I knew the world was right! Now she was a fairly common sight at the Tavern. When her travels allowed she would visit.

I sauntered lazily in to Shadow Moore Tavern, my favorite place to relax and have a nice drink.  Looking around I noticed that there were more people in the Tavern than usual; I walked up to the bar.  “What’s wit all duh people?”  I asked, my voice a little slurred from working all day.
            “A new brew dat’s what.” Edna responded to me, and handed me a cup of hot steaming tea.  I sniffed the fumes drifting through the air and my heart melted.  I placed my pay on the counter and the girl nodded.  “Enjoy yer drink.”
            I couldn’t stop smelling it; I understood now why the Tavern was full.  I refrained from tasting the magical drink until I sat down at my usual spot by the fire.
            “Hey Eyece!”  Penelope called out, but I didn’t hear her, all I cared about as I sipped the delicious drink was to fall into a well needed …

Sleep

 My eyes snapped open, but I couldn’t tell, everything around me was pitch black.  I was disappointed that I woke up so soon, why couldn’t I stay asleep?  I got up from my bench and felt around, bumping into a large pot and almost falling onto the stove.  I was defiantly in the Tavern, but why was it so dark?  I heard a spark and then a single candle was lit, resting on the bar.  Everything around me was black except for the faint yellow glow of the candle; it was like seeing in only black and white.  The stove was black, the bar was black, even the flowers were black.  I made my way towards the bar and saw bodies.  I shivered as I looked at them.  A few were leaning over the bar, but most of them were either sitting in chairs or lying on the floor face up.  It was like someone put them all in perfect order.  The ones on the floor were all on their backs, the ones in the chairs were all leaning back, their heads in plain view, and the ones at the bar were hunched over with a single cheek on the bar.  They all wore black clothing and had skin whiter than snow, they had black smudges around their eyes that made them look like a raccoon, all of their lips were black; and the worst thing… they all had their eyes open, staring at me. 
            I leaned a little closer to the bar and I started recognizing faces, the woman behind the bar was Edna.  I screamed and walked backwards, tripping over arms and legs.  I looked at the body by the fire and sure enough, it was Penelope.  A single tear trickled down my cheek as I recognized more faces. 
 I put my face in my hands and sobbed, but something wasn’t right, even with me. I looked at my hands through blurry vision and saw white.  I glanced down at my cloths, and they were black.  I dared not to look in a glass to see my face; I couldn’t take any more of this… I ran through the bar, running and tripping on bodies.  Just a few more feet to the door… I tripped over someone’s neck and fell to my knees on another’s chest.  I sobbed as I fell to my face. 
            I heard faint foot steps, and then felt a foot turning me over to my back, onto a free space on the floor.  All I saw was a black boot and a black leg.  My sobs died down and all I could do now was look.  I watched as the single candle, my single shred of hope, was blown out…

Darkness

I woke up with a start.  Whew!  It was only a dream.  I got up from my bench by the fire and started to take my cup back to the bar.  I froze.  The Tavern was not the Tavern anymore, or was it?  Everything was glowing with fire; the walls, the ceiling, the floors, my feet… everything but the oven.  In fact, when I went over the oven it wasn’t even hot, I touched it quickly and it was freezing cold.  Everyone was running around, their cloths all on fire.  I stayed as close to the stove as possible and watched the chaos.  Penelope ran passed me “Help me!  Help me!” She screamed.
            “Come next to the stove!” 
            “No, it will burn us all, it will kill us…” And she continued to run around burning.
            No one is dyeing; I thought they are all in misery.  The fire started to crawl up my leg and I started feeling the flames.  I screamed and climbed into the oven, latching it shut. 
            At that moment everything went back to normal.  Everyone was sitting and talking normally as if nothing happened.  The oven started to heat up…

No Relief

I woke up screaming.  “I can’t do this, I can’t do this!” 
            The room was silent.
            I looked around in shock, the place was empty.  There were no people, no decorations, no tea, not even the oven, just the bar and me.  I got up from the floor feeling sore.  What on earth happened?  What was going on?  Suddenly a face popped in front of me and then disappeared just as quick.  I jumped and hit my head on the ceiling.  Then it happened again. “Boo!” a different face yelled. 
            “I’m not afraid of you.”  I said shakily. 
            “Hehe!  You wisssshh.”  Penelope’s face whispers in my ear, her giggle echoing through the whole Tavern. 
            “Penelope?  What’s going on?  I thought we were friends…”
            “No longer.”  She whispered in an evil voice.  “You have failed us all; we are all just puffs of dust now because of you.” She hissed. I turned around to see her but she poofed away just as I looked.  “Now you must become one of ussssss.” She grabbed my hand with hers, which was now showing.  “Coooome.” 
            “No!  What did I do? How do I make this right?”
            “Coooome.” And she formed me into dust.
            “Noooo!”  I screamed…

Done For

 “Eyece.  Eyece!”  Penelope said harshly “Be quiet! You are scaring the customers.”
            I opened my eyes, my scream still lingering in the air.  “Penelope, where am I?”
            “Shadow Moore Tavern you drunken fool.”
            “No, I mean, how…”
            “I brought you here…”
            I cut her off “Noooo, what am I?  What did you do too me?”
            “Eyece, calm down!  I brought you here a year ago, remember? You have come ever since…”
            “A YEAR?!  I’ve been here a YEAR?!” I screamed.
            “Eyece, calm down!  You can leave; I didn’t take you captive or something...”
            “Wait… I’m so confused.”
            “Eyece, go home.  Rest up.”
            “I thought I, but you, and I…”
            “We will discuss this later.”
            I wasn’t so sure I didn’t want to scare off the customers.

Scared!

*A special note of thanks to my daughter who contributed this particular dream to the mix of tainted tea adventures.
love you Phoe*

[Aedon Durreah]

His sleep was again disturbed. Tossing and turning in his bed, Aedon Shivered in the throes of another nightmare.

Grey tinged lands opened wide before him. Desolation stretched out beyond his sight and raced towards a dark red horizon. And, all about him, lay the dead and dying. The acrid stench of decaying flesh assaulted his senses, his stomach lurched and his eyes darted about wildly seeking refuge from the horror close at hand.

Alone, on a small rise he stood, as a cold sun struggled to break the cloud cover. The light which fell upon him felt more like and icy tomb than the greeting of dawn. He could not speak even though a scream welled deep within him. Eyes wide he could only look upon the scene and wonder, why?

He could find no rhyme or reason to this visage. If this was the result of some great battle, then where was the opposing army? And why was he left standing alone, and alive?

Close at hand lay a young man who may have seen as many as twenty summers, a spear piercing his chest, his life oozing from the wound and spreading out in gory array across his tunic, his green eyes stared blankly towards the sky, as his lips seemed to move in a silent plea or perhaps a prayer to his maker.

There was something about this lad which compelled Aedon to kneel next to him. Lowering his head, he tilted an ear towards the dying mans lips, and listening.

“Father.”

Only the one word, spoken over and over. And then, with a final gasp, the young man closed his eyes and slipped from the world to walk where the living ne'er shall.

Sitting on the ground next to him, Aedon's eyes fell on the young mans armor. Through the deep-tinged blood he could make out the emblem of a large Oak tree with a gold shield behind it. The shield bore a crown at its crest. Without thinking, Aedon's hand reached out to touch the crest on the tunic.

“Leave him alone!”

Startled, Aedon looked towards the voice. Closing on him rapidly, he saw a man, of some years his senior. His hair red and gold streaked with silver, his eyes green as emeralds. Oh his chest, he bore the same crest as the dead lad at Aedon's side.

“Leave him alone!” he shouted again, as he rapidly closed the distance between where he had been, and where Aedon sat upon the ground.

Aedon tried to stand, but a weakness took him and caused his legs to give way beneath him. Crawling backwards in a futile attempt to escape, Aedon tried to call out for help. As he tried once more to rise, his hands and legs gave way at once sending him crashing to the ground.

Looking up, he watched as the man drew an ebon blade and came to a stop glaring down at him. As their eyes met, Aedon let out a sudden gasp and whirled to escape the bewildering sight before him.

Aedon awoke with a crash to the ground. His covers wrapped around him tightly, his hair and body drenched with sweat. Lifting his hand, he placed it on his chest and tried to calm himself, taking deep slow breaths. His eyes searched the place he sat in. All around him he could see the furnishings of his room. Gone was the horror of moments before.

“Another Dream! What can be done to stop these nightmares?”

Climbing from his bed, not stopping to get dressed, Aedon headed downstairs and poured a glass of wine. Sitting on the sofa before the hearth he tried to recall what it was in the face of this foe which had shook him to the core.

Try as he might, the dream-scape had slipped from him to be shrouded in the shadows of approaching daylight.

[Aedon Durreah]

The wind whistled through the trees and raced through the many canyons created by house and tree placement within the Aegis. Sitting on the steps of his home, Aedon stared out into the darkness of the Glade. The light of the moon fell softly on the trees lining the rim of the pond, and danced across the water's surface.

He loved this time of night, this time of year. The stillness of the Glade gave pause to the cares of the day and set his mind at ease. Well, this was the effect it normally had, but recent dreams had left Aedon shaken and bereft of sleep. His arms and legs ached from the strain of too many hours at work, and his mind had begun to struggle to find the right words when speaking to others, lest he misspeak and cause harm or pain to another.

Reaching down, he picked up the cup of hot tea which set on the step beside him. He lifted the cup close to his face and inhaled deeply the vapors. It was indeed a remarkable tea, and he regretted that he was now down to his last few cups worth, after Rotep had used the basket of tea leaves as a foot warmer. It had seemed such a shame to throw out so much marvelous tea, but the thought of drinking “Rotoe Tea” did not appeal to him.

He took a long sip of the strong brew, then again set the cup down beside him. The past few days had been beyond hectic. Sunday at the Rest had been the culmination of a bad week where hellish nightmares haunted his dreams, and sleep brought no rest to a body and mind worried and weary. This on the heals of his utter embarrassment at being lost in the woods for days after charging off to swoop Janissan off her feet, which was only compounded by the fact that he had to be saved from certain starvation by a blacksmith with a rune-book.

Oh, he was sure that somewhere, on some lofty heights, the maker of all things looked down and chuckled at the spectacle. He could almost imagine the voice as he called out to the other deities sitting about saying;

“Come here and look at this fool, lost in the woods, sleeping upon rock and ground while, each night, the blacksmith travels home for supper.”

Such are the follies men make of themselves when they seek to woo fair maiden.

Picking up his cup, he took another long sip and chuckled a bit to himself. “Well, at least I will sleep well tonight. “

After a time, the tea began having the usual effect. The tenseness in his body seemed to melt away and he noticed a marked heightening of his senses. He could smell, not only the fires in the hearths of the homes close by, but the fresh salt air which rolled off the waters near the Abbey. In the brush around him, he could hear the foot-falls of the tiny beasts which scurried about seeking shelter till the dawn. Picking up his cup, he stood, and walked inside his house, closed the door, and headed up to his room.

He did not bother to undress. His body was already sinking towards the mattress. He managed to kick off his shoes, and laid his head gently upon the pillows. He believed he laid down – or did he float? – so light with care did he feel, so unfettered by the woes of the world. He almost felt as though he could fly, if he could just lift his head again. He decided not to try, and gave himself over willingly to sleep.

He found himself in a pasture lush with green grass. Dotting the area around him were many unusual flowers in shades of red, yellow and orange. And purple heather set at the edge of his gaze, running down to greet the waters edge. Aedon looked around him taking in the many colors and inhaling the sweet fragrance of the blossoms.

Glancing to the ground, he saw a curious thing. All around his feet were shards of many shapes and lengths. The formed a full circle about him, which stretched out about three feet. In front of him now stood an odd platform; and on it, a huge frame had been placed.

Stooping down, Aedon began to pick up the shards one by one and place them in the frame before him. He labored long and hard at this. Tiny fragments of the shattered glass poked and cut at his fingers, and he labored on. The sun rose high over head, and the light reflected by the many fragments stabbed at his eyes, causing him to blink in pain. And still, he labored on.

Hour by hour, bit by bit he toiled at his task, until his fingers bled until, at last, weary and on the verge of utter collapse, he picked up the final piece, and placed it in the frame. He looked into the glass, and observed the reflection. Through the many lines and breaks in the mirror, he could make out the face staring back at him.

He was a older than Aedon. Perhaps as many years as fifteen spanned between them. His hair and beard were well trimmed and combed, with shades of red gold and silver. His eyes were vibrant, and had the look of a man sure of himself and in control of his destiny. Yet within, a spark of loneliness which seemed to reflect the feelings within Aedon's soul.

Looking into the reflection Aedon began to shake. Then, in a sudden fit of rage, cast the mirror to the ground and awaited the satisfying crash, and sound of the shards breaking into even smaller pieces.

It never came.

Looking down, Aedon noticed that the mirror was now intact, yet still broken. But, slowly, the many cracks in its surface seemed to be healing. Picking the frame up again, Aedon sat it back on the stand and looked once more seeing now his own reflection.

His eyes widened as he watched what happened before him. His mouth opened in a silent scream as bit by bit, he watched bits of himself flaking apart, and falling in thousands of tiny shards on the grass surrounding the mirror in the frame.

Sitting up quickly, Aedon screamed out. His heart beat wildly as his eyes darted about the room, searching the floor for any sign of the shards. Lifting his hands, he looked at the tips of his fingers. There was no blood and yet, oddly, Aedon felt a sort of pin prick sensation that started in each digit and radiated up his hands and into his arms.

Pulling his knees up to his chest, and wrapping his arms around them, he rocked back and forth and hummed familiar tunes in an attempt to quiet his quaking body. He did not dare get out of the bed for fear of stepping on shards of glass. So he sat there, rocking and humming. And awaiting the dawn.

[Aedon Durreah]

(ooc)
My Friends,
If you read my story this morning, I ask humbly that you reread it. I mistakingly posted the working draft instead of the final product.
Thank you-John

[Avalon]

Returning once more from errands about the lands Penelope shed her cloak and headed to the kitchen area to warm by the fires. Several new acquaintances had been made and a grand start to some productive trading were well in the works. The snow outside the Tavern was acting rather cantankerous and insisted on finding its way in her shoes. Pulling off one boot then the other revealing holes in her stocking feet she grunted at yet more chores to be added to her growing list of things demanding attention.
Gazing around the room she noticed the large basket still left from her mysterious benefactor of tea. The basket was near her tea pot already and it was indeed needing to be filled, and she had been terribly preoccupied with all the other things to have even tried a cup for herself.
“Oh how neglectful of me! I daresay what a terrible neighbor, passing on something I have yet to try. Who knows it could have been yukky!” she said chuckling to herself and dipping dried aromatic leaves into her tea pot.
“Very well, very well! I will make some. Perhaps it will warm these old bones too!”
Slightly embarrassed at talking to herself she peeked around in the corners to make sure no one else was about. Even her little Spirit seemed to be elsewhere and had not noticed her brief lapse in sanity. Relieved she chuckled to herself again and waited for the pot to whistle.
Finally filling a mug with the aromatic brew she cupped it in both hands enjoying the warmth and smell of the rich liquid. Inhaling deeply and taking a sip she was mildly surprised at the soft taste and deep warmth the tea offered. Returning to her bench by the fire she sat to relax a while before chores. …

[Avalon]

Heavy eyes drooped in a futile attempt at staying awake, a brief glimpse of the hole in her sock lingering in her memory. The whirling vision that began to take shape in her mind began with a gentle walk in the woods. Her steps began to quicken running deeper into the thick brush. The canopy began to thicken and the light was thinning turning mid day into night. The ground began to take on a cold damp feel like dead and decaying flesh at her feet.
Her pace quickened more as if she were being chased. When she turned to look all she saw were branches of trees that seemed like long boney fingers. The wind began to gather in blustery gusts making the fingers reach for her catching her cloak and hair trapping her in an iron grip.
Suddenly her feet were entangled in a fine web of soft spider’s silk. Desperately trying to escape the entanglements she ran. Flailing and running like a bird in a snare she ran, once more looking back to find fish heads chasing her. The hollow eyes and dangling spine weaved and dodged in the forest, a sinister smile on their dead faces send a chill across her body causing her to trip.
One fish head took hold of her big toe and the others began to wrap around her legs like a yarn on a spinning wheel. Tighter and tighter they wrapped around her making it impossible to move. Every breath she released made the grip more firm making inhaling increasingly more difficult.
Higher and higher the fish entangled around her. The panic grew with each twist and turn of the grisly left overs. She could feel herself try to scream for help but the air was lost in the nothingness of black. Desperate to wake, she was unable as more panic shut in around her.
Finally a sharp nudge broke the spell and woke her from the troubled dream. Her big toe was fully exposed and cold from the stone floor and the tight hole it had created. When her eyes finally came to focus all she could see was the ethereal floating image of her Tavern Spirit Elvira. Never had she been so thrilled to see that Ghost!

[Penelope]

{submitted for my son}

Tainted Tea

A sip of tea is all it takes to fall
Into a deep sleep, images of happiness
Turn to something of sinister design
Images of fond memories
Change into nightmares of darkness

It was a bright day with a family
Playing and having fun with one another
Then darkness comes from no place
And all that was peace turn to utter chaos

Creatures and beings of the night
Come a terrorize those of peaceful mind
Death and battle all around
With screams of hundreds of people
In agony and anguish as each fell

All that is left are the creatures of darkness
Bodies lay every where in odd positions
Blood flowing like rivers in all directions

Waking with a start I find a glass of tea
I take the cup and drank from it
As soon as I did I fall asleep
Only to be met up with the same dream

[Elvira]

I know a secret I will take it to my ... grave, but I am already dead! Those who hear and can see may learn soon enough what *sinister* plans have been made.
*dances about the room watching preparations take place*
It is long fermented but perhaps will lose its potency? mm I daresay Nay! It gets stronger in time! Naughty, naughty!
*skip and a twirl stirring little dust clouds*
Sweet dreams, my darlings!