"Tez!"

A genuine smile broke across Aurora's face as she threw her arms around him. Master Owen was right behind her. "I'm so glad you're here!" Her legs wobbled and Tezaro stumbled to steady her in his arms. Nimble fingers glided up his arms to his shoulders, "So warm." She closed her eyes and nuzzled into his neck. "Mmmm, you smell good, too. Like the thunderstorm in your eyes. I could get lost in them."

Eri gave him another brazen grin and wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "Guess what, Aurora? My brother and Tez were just about to join us." She shoved a mug into Tezaro's hand.

"We are?" Master Owen's eyebrows reached the top of his hairline.

"Yes. We'll go get a couple more pints while Aurora leads Tez to our table." Eri grabbed her brother by the arm and hauled him away protesting. "Why are all men clueless." She rolled her eyes and grumbled.

With Eri's exit, Tezaro focused on Aurora who still clung to him. Awkwardly, he cleared his throat, "Are you all right?"

"Hmm?" She opened her eyes and they locked on his lips. "Your lips look soft, just like Tezaro's." Giggles erupted from her uncontrollably. She grabbed her cloak and covered them conspicuously before whispering into his ear. "I liked it when he kissed me. Shhh-shhh, don't tell him, okay?"

She smiled broadly then leaned on his chest again with her eyes closed. "I want him to do it again. But he won't." She pouted then she suddenly shoved off from him. "I could command him to do it!" Aurora shouted to no one in particular.

Tezaro didn't know which part of her ramblings to address first: her being drunk, her confusion about his identity, or that she wanted to be kissed. By him. The last of which came repeatedly to the forefront.

But before he could decide, Aurora had moved on and stepped closer to the stage.

"Ready Tenzi! Let's see if you got it this time." A skinny fellow with long limbs and beard took to the makeshift stage. He stomped two times and clapped his copper hands on the third count then repeated the rhythm. Soon the rest of the tavern joined him, including Aurora.

BOOM, BOOM! CLAP!
BOOM, BOOM! CLAP!

"Buddy, you're a boy making big noise..." the tenor voice rang.

Approving his progress, she turned her attention from Tenzi, searching for Eri when her eyes landed on Tezaro. "Tez! Wonderful to see you!" She took his hand and began to vigorously shake it. "Come sit at our table." Aurora raised his arm and passed underneath it with Tezaro trailing. Turning, she called back to him, "Don't tell Eri you're here. She said you'd be mad. Shhh-shh."

They arrived at a corner table that was slightly cracked and Aurora invited him to sit beside her on a long bench. No sooner had they sat, than Aurora began banging the table to the same beat Tenzi had started. "Tez!" She turned to him, just realizing he sat beside her to which she stopped her stomping. He offered her a weak smile. "Oh, no you don't. I'm mad at you!"

That caught him off guard, again. "You're mad at me?" Catching up to her mental faculties was dizzying. "How have I offended you, my-" He stopped himself before he finished as he spotted her sharp stare.

"Well, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be in this mess with Tony and the giant library. Hmm? That's sounds like a book. Is it a book? Have you read it?" She was wide eyed perching her chin on her palm that seemed ready to topple as she leaned in with interest.

"What does Anthonias want with you and the library?"

"Uggghh! He wants me to read it. Duh." She heaved off the table and slummed on the wall behind them with her arms crossed. "He reminds me of Count Dooku."

"You know a Count?" By now the crowd had moved on to another song that she had taught them days earlier.

"Of course not! He's from a galaxy far, far away."

Following Eri's advice to just be her friend, he had a thought and he circled back to her original argument. "But if you'd stayed, what would have become of Lily?" He countered.

Aurora's eyes blinked faster than a hummingbird's wings as she bounced off the wall. The table jostled with her feet and the some of the content of the pint spilled. "That's right! Lily was in the evil clutches of Lord Farquaad." She scrutinized Tezaro through narrow eyes. "Very well. You win this round."

"You are no longer mad at me?" He ventured.

"Of course, I'm still mad at you. You won't do what I want." She whined.

He was perplexed. "As I've said before, I'm yours to command."

She made a face and stuck out her tongue. "That's the problem, isn't it? I know! From now on I command you not to follow my commands."

"You want me not to obey your commands?"

"Yes." She replied steadfast.

"But if I follow your command, I will not be following your command. You cannot command me not to follow your commands and expect me to follow your command. It makes no sense." He smirked at his ability to turn her words against her and took a healthy gulp from the pint.

"What?" She was thoroughly confused. "Was that a riddle? Oops!" She bumped the table and spilled more of his ale. "Here comes Eri. Sshhh! Don't tell her you're here. And who is that handsome drink of water she has with her. Bae! He looks familiar. Do I know him?" She took a slurp of Tezaro's drink.

Tezaro followed her gaze interested at the man that had captured her attention. "That's her brother."

"Nahh, it couldn't be. He's not wearing his mag-mages? Magi's? robes." They approached the table and sat across from them. "Master Owen," Aurora took his hand and began to shake it as she had with Tezaro. "Good to see you! Did you happen to see Eri with the handsome stranger?"

Master Owen sat a bit dumbfounded. "Eh? No." He gave a sideways glance at Tezaro but received no clarification on the stranger.

Aurora turned to Eri. "Was his name Hayl? You mentioned a Hayl before."

"No, I did not." Eri replied through clenched teeth.

"Yes, you did. I remember you saying something about him being a great ass." Aurora bit her lip in concentration. "Or was it having a great ass?"

Master Owen was focused on understanding the lyrics of the new song being performed that he did not hear what Aurora had said.

However, Tezaro quickly picked up on it. "Really?" He stared poignantly at Eri as she refused to make eye contact.

Aurora shrugged and continued, "Anyway, Eri convinced him to let us take two horses."

Seizing on the opportunity to jump in, Eri took control of the conversation. "Is everything alright, Tez?" Clearly trying to signal their previous conversation between them.

Before he could answer, Aurora piped up, "Eri! How did you know he was here?" She tried to cover him with her cloak.

"It's alright, Aurora." Eri put her at ease. "I'm not mad at him."

"You're not mad at him? That's great! I made out with him too." Aurora beamed.

"Really?" It was Eri's turned to gloat.

"Um, that's not what she meant." Tezaro scowled at her.

But Eri ignored him just as the tavern broke out into another song. "Wait this is my favorite part!" She called out.

A nameless singer whose voice was less than pleasant was singing, "...no one told you life was gonna be this way."

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

Once again, the entire room joined in. "You're life's a joke..."

Out of nowhere, Aurora's stood up, shouted, "Woo-who!" then she collapsed on the bench with her head plopped against Tezaro's chest as soft snores began to escape her. At that moment, Master Owen leaned into him and asked, "What's a badonkadonk?

A/N: Hi all! Hope you enjoyed our little escapade :)

Any ideas as to what songs Aurora taught the crowd?

So here's a bit of bad news, try not to throw things at me, but I might not be able to post next weekend. Reason being: its my wedding anniversary! We'll be dinning at the lovely and charming establishment I call my dinning room (kids included). Cheers!

Remember to please vote/comment :)