June 8th, 1888 - The Three Broomsticks
Handsome's Grad Bash

Emmeline had gone back and forth several times on whether she should actually go to the little get together Handsome was throwing. It wasn't as if she had graduated or anything. And really, she didn't have many friends when it came down to it. Of course, Handsome could easily be considered a close friend but he would surely be the only one there that she could say that about. So going down to the Three Broomsticks, which was also something of a slap to the face, would be a bit embarrassing. Wouldn't it?

Eventually, however, she'd decided that what would it hurt to actually go. She could at least stop in and congratulate him since she hadn't really had a chance to before. It was probably the last time she'd really see him. They were from two entirely different worlds, after all, and she doubted they'd ever run into each other within society again. She was surprised how that thought actually hurt her some. She'd come to quite enjoy her time spent talking with Handsome. He'd become something of a constant in her life and the thought of losing that hurt more than she cared to admit.

Thanks to all of her wondering, she found herself showing up to the little bash a bit late. However, it wasn't really all that littler. There were actually quite a lot of her fellow classmates there and clearly the drinks had been passed around with a ferocity she hadn't actually anticipated. With her late birthday though, she was as old as most of them there. She had yet to ever really imbibe though and she now felt herself a bit unsure of herself all over again.

Then she saw Handsome. She managed to make her way toward him with a smile. "I hadn't expected so many people to be here," she said as she continued to smile up at him, her cheeks flushing with a bit of embarrassment as she was so prone to do.

---

Emmeline couldn't help the raised brow when Mr. Whitledge spoke. He looked sober enough and was at least coherent but there was a definite slur to his words. She continued to smile though. He was at least a familiar face among a sea of people she didn't really know. Not to mention she was quite uncomfortable there in the little pub that should have still been her family's.

"I almost didn't come," she answered simply, "But I figured I had nothing better to do." She offered a small shrug as the said the last part. "Seems you've been enjoying yourself despite my presence," she added, eyeing him with a bit of a smirk.

---

As was Emmeline's usual, she blushed at his pouting remarks. Though, it could have been because he'd stepped closer to her and she was forced to look up at him thanks to their height difference. She suddenly felt even smaller than she was and her cheeks flushed even further at the question of her wanting a drink.

Truth be told, Emmeline had never drank before. She was old enough, certainly, but she'd turned seventeen while at school. Not exactly the best place for one to try drinking for the first time. "I'm.. not sure," she answered honestly, her own gaze darting to the bar before looking nervously up to him.

---

Well..If it was on him, Emmeline couldn't really say no. Besides, he'd already grabbed hold of her wrist and given her a tug to follow him. The goofy smile on his face made her blush some more as well but she followed him regardless. What harm could she do by having a drink or two. She was old enough after all so it wasn't as if she would be doing anything illegal.

"But just a little one," she said, though there wasn't a ton of force to her voice. She was just trying to get her bearings in general as it was.

---

Emmeline's eyes widened when she heard the order he made to the bartender. Firewhiskey? Wasn't that a bit.. much? She had been thinking a small ale or something would be in order. Something not so..strong. But before she could even protest, the bartender had slid the small shot in their direction. Not wanting to appear the total innocent they all knew she was, she glanced quickly to him before picking up the shot and drinking as quickly as she possibly could.

"Oh my," she said quickly with a wince as she felt it burn down her throat all the way to the pit of her stomach, "How does anyone manage to drink this stuff?" She blinked a few times, feeling her eyes water some from the abrasiveness of the shot but it was just a simple reaction to the heat the firewhiskey provided. Luckily, sit didn't make her start crying.

---

Emmeline started shaking her head. "No no," she was quick to say but clearly not quick enough as he'd already requested for two more, "Han- Mr. Whitledge, I don't know that I could handle another." The first hadn't hit her yet but it would soon enough. But that wasn't why she protested, no, it was the heat and the burn of the shot she wasn't sure she could handle. It had felt like she'd literally swallowed fire or something!

---

Emmeline looked at him with a raised brow. She didn't believe a word he was saying. She'd have to drink who knows how much she was sure before it would ever feel good. Clearly he was far drunker than she'd thought. Or perhaps just crazy. Maybe both. Who knew.

He slid another to her and took his own. "Well.." she said, looking warily at the glass in her hand before raising it to him and, "Cheers!" A quick clink of glass and she downed the shot just as she had before. It still burned something awful and she grimaced at it before glaring at him. "I think you're a liar," she said but the beaming smile on her face was a dead give away, as well as the giggle that escaped her lips.

---

Emmeline shook her head. Her face was flushed, probably from a combination of mild embarrassment and the firewhiskey, but she was still at least smiling. "You said it would feel good!" she exclaimed while trying to frown at him but failing rather miserably, "That still burned!"

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