When the cat's away... (Part 1)
Hierocles is away. Elagabalus takes the opportunity to play some pranks on unsuspecting playwrights.
'Come on, you have to have another drink.' Elagabalus hiccups and waves an arm for a slave to refill Kit and Will's goblets.
'Nooo, we're fffine.' Will giggles as the slave pours anyway. They're all flushed and shiny-cheeked partly from the alcohol, partly from the heat. Kit puts his hand over his own goblet as the slave moves over to him and Elagabalus raises an eyebrow.
'Are you disobeying the emperor?' He asks. It would be threatening if his golden laurel crown wasn't sitting squint on his head or if he wasn't trying to stifle a giggle.
'Not at all. I just wondered if the emperor had anything stronger.' Kit says with a lopsided grin.
Will lets out a ridiculous little squeaky whoop before gigglesnorting into his cup.
'Huhuhu, I like you.' Elagabalus chuckles. The slave shuffles to him and Elagabalus whispers something into his ear with a slightly manic gleam in his eyes that neither Will nor Kit notice. The slave hesitates, glancing back and forth from the emperor to Kit.
'Well? What are you waiting for, boy? Go to it!' Elagabalus says sternly. The slave scuttles out of the room and returns a few minutes later.
'This one, master?' He asks, showing Elagabalus the bottle.
'Yes. Now, pour our guests-' Elagabalus begins, but he pauses to giggle when he sees that Will is slumped to the side, snoring slightly, cup in hand.
'Pfft, lightweight.' Kit snorts. He holds out his cup. 'Top-up, please.'
'Careful now, that stuff is strong.' Elagabalus warns as his slave pours. 'Just a mouthful is enough to knock a man out.'
'Really?' Kit asks, swirling the small amount of liquid in his cup. 'Oh well, bottoms up.'
It tastes vile. Absolutely vile. It burns in his throat and chest and makes him cough.
'Huhuhuhuhu, I did warn you.' Elagabalus grins.
Kit coughs again. 'Alright, mother. So, where's Hierocles?'
'He's in Ostia. I was bored, that's why I invited you. I needed intelligent company.'
Kit goes to stand up, intending to bow theatrically, when his vision goes blurry for a moment. He sits back down and blinks it away. 'Christ. Uh, bedtime, I think.' He puts the cup down and stands up, swaying slightly. Elagabalus stretches on his couch.
'Mhm. Night boys.' He mumbles.
With Will being dragged along by two slaves, Kit trudges (or more stumbles) into the room provided by their host. He collapses onto the bed and is almost immediately asleep.