feltlikeheputenoughdistanebetweenthem.hebumpedintoagroupofmiddle-agedwitheswhowerequiktoengagehiminoion.draodidhisbesttoughattheirjokesandtoseemiedintheirwittering,butultimatelyexusedhimselfagainwhenoneofthewithesstartedompiningabouthowexhaustingredeoratingherparlourwas.

wherethehellwaspansy,draoaskedhimselffortheumpteenthtime.she’dprobablybeabletokeeppotterawaywithjustagne.but,unfortunately,shewasnowheretobeseen.whatwasevenmoreunfortunatewasthefatthatdraowassolostinthought,hedidn’trealisewhowasstandinginfrontofhimuntilitwastoote.

“hey,”pottersimplysaid.

didn’thehaveanyotherwordsinhisrepertoire?hesaiditinsuhanonhantway,too.asiftheywereoldfriends.itwastooasual.itwasinfuriating.draokepthisfaeralwhilehisinsidesboiled.

“youknow,iwaswif—”

“oh,lookatthat,”draosaid,gesturingtopotter’semptyhands.“youdon’thaveadrink.i’llgetyouone.”

beforepotterouldsayanythingelse,draostruttedaway,hishinheldhigh.he’dratherbedeadthanletpotterknowwhathewasdoingtohim.hetoldoneofthewaiterstogetharryfreakingpotteradrink,who,inturn,lookedmortifiedathavingedtheunoffiialguestofhonour.

draograbbedyetanothergssofwinehimselfbeforehespottedbisenearthebalony.

“arewebehavingtonight,orarewegettingpissed?”biseaskedinaseeminglyitone.

“we’rebehaving,”draosaid,emphatially.

“really?beauseyoulooklikeyou’realreadyhalfwaythere.”bisenoddedathisfae,makingdraofrown.“you’reflushed.it’squitedinky.”