The light streaming in through the window slowly made it across the room and decided to grace me with its presence. I groaned, my hand feeling around the cold stone floor, stopping as the bottle I was looking for clinked the gears on my gloves. I rolled to my side and slowly pushed myself up to a sitting position, my head throbbed and my stomach rolled despite keeping my eyes closed. I brought the bottle to my lips, tipping it back. I was looking forward to the bite about to hit my tongue. But, the liquid never came. I winced and cracked my eyes open, blinding light hit me making the pounding in my head exponentially worse and immediately pinched my eyes shut bringing my gloved hand up to cover my eyes and block out more light. It eased the  throbbing just a touch, my other hand searching for the sweet release I knew was attached to my belt. My hand wrapped around the tiny vial strapped to my belt with leather. I released the straps and downed the liquid in the tincture just like I had hundreds of times before. It tasted like blackberries, peppermint, and grass. Not the worst tasting potion I’ve ever had, that was reserved for the potion of growth. Growth potions tasted of dirt, sweat, and socks. The first time I ever took one it made me vomit, it was so bad. I avoid them when I can since I haven’t figured out how to make them taste better. While the taste was relatively pleasant the immediate effects were perfection. It was my own little creation that I developed shortly after I was sent to the Prime material plan. My “What Hangover?” Tincture saved my ass more than once. 

Despite the fact the throbbing in my head was gone I was hesitant to open my eyes. “What Hangover?” took the effects away but it didn’t bring the memories back… thankfully. I sighed, no point in delaying any longer. I cracked my eyes open taking in my surroundings. I still had all my equipment, Renny was leaning up against the wall and my bags were on the floor next to it. There was a cot… that I was not on. There was a bookshelf, a work table with potion bottles, scrolls and ink, bits of cloth draped the walls giving it a calm and serene feeling. When I moved my legs to stand I noticed 2 things. 

1. My leathers had been removed and I was only in my tunic and leggings

2. Looking down I found a purple and green crocheted blanket lying across my lap.

I ran my hand across the blanket, it was soft and well made. It was keeping me warm despite sitting on the cold stone floor of the room in nothing but my under clothes. I lifted the blanket with me when I stood and held it up. It was intricately made with a beautiful sunburst pattern and the center had a symbol that I didn’t recognize. I gently folded it and placed it on the cot and took another look around. I found a small table with a cup of tea, some toast and a note…

Good Morning or afternoon depending on how much you had to drink last night- 

I have left you a spot of tea and a bit to eat to help settle your stomach. Please feel free to come to the kitchen when you wake. 

A.

“Well this is new.” I have never been in a situation where someone seemed to try to care for me before. I have woken up in the middle of a bar, an alley, in the dungeons of several cities, and once I woke up on a river boat… but never in a room with a blanket, tea, and toast. I found my leathers laid out on the table and my jacket was hanging on the back of the desk chair. I gathered my supplies, double checking that everything important was still there and my boom bag was still sealed. Once I was geared up I made sure my quick shot was loaded and ready, got my jacket on, strapped Renny to my back, grabbed the toast and opened the door. I was greeted by the scent of bacon, herbs and “Coffee”. 

I headed in the direction of the scent of the delicious bean juice and bacon. I came to the end of the hall and found myself in a cozy sitting room with a loom, 2 wingback chairs, a fireplace with a small fire, and a variety of herbs and plants hanging from a wire to dry. The front door was to my left and there was an open arch where the scent of heaven was coming from. I briefly considered just leaving… but hey a girl needs to eat and the coffee, I hadn't smelled coffee that good in a long time. I headed to the kitchen and leaned against the doorframe, a half smile creeping onto my face, taking in yet another surprise. There at the stove with their back turned to me stood a 5’9 humanoid. They had a big floppy brimmed black hat, brown pants, a green tunic, bits and bobbles hung off the brown vest they wore and bare feet. They were bobbing along to the song they were humming and tapping out on the pots and pans. They were only about 10 feet from me but they didn’t seem to notice me. They turned around, pan of eggs and bacon in hand and screamed, “Aaaahhhh '' the pan went flying into the air, putting the bacon and eggs in danger. My reflexes and speed kicked in as I darted around the butcher block grabbing the pan and catching all but 2 slices of bacon. 

They stared at me, hands on their hips, lips pressed into a thin line, and eyebrows raised. “You scared the SHITE out of me, what in the bloody hell were you thinking. Sneaking up on a poor unsuspecting soul like that.”

My eyes went a little wide as they spoke… were they a Tiefling? I could barely make out a set of fangs when they spoke and looked like they had small ridges where a set of horns would be. I was afraid that if I answered I would let the giggle go that I was currently holding in.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“Well?” They said as their foot tapped the floor.

“Sorry” was all I managed to get out before I snickered and a smile stretched across my face, “But I saved the bacon?” It came out like a question, as I turned to the butcher block and started plating the eggs and bacon. 

“Well that is the only reason you are not floating in the air right now” they turned around and poured a cup of coffee and handed it to me. “Cream or sugar?” 

“Mmmmm yes please both.” as I inhaled the delicious scent “This smells divine.”

They placed a small pitcher of cream and a bowl of sugar on the table. I took the spoon out of the sugar bowl and dumped half the bowl into the mug and added enough cream to make it light brown. The tiefling just stared, eyes a little wide and one eyebrow raised. “What?”

“Nothing…” they said as they added their own cream and heavy sugar to their mug. They took their plate and walked around the butcher block to the other side, pulled out a stool and sat down. “My name is Aveley, thank you for saving my eggs and bacon.”

“Cricket, and it is the least I could do since it was my fault they were in danger. So Aveley, how exactly did I come to be in this cozy abode, sipping some of the best coffee I have had in a long time, and enjoying perfectly crisp bacon?”

“Well, let's start with the last thing you remember from last night.”

“Not much. I vaguely remember a tavern, telling several people to fuck off, but not much else.”

Aveley sat thoughtfully for a few moments before they spoke. “Well, you did tell several people to fuck off, including 2 noblemen who were interested in your company, the barkeep when he told you it was time to leave, and then the 2 guards that he called to have you removed.”

My head bobbed up and down as I took another sip of my coffee unsurprised by the information. 

“The guards attempted to remove you from the tavern when you pulled out that,” They pointed to the large riffle on my back, "and told them to fuck off again.”

I groaned at this. “Uuuugh, I haven't done that one in a while. So how is it I threatened the city guards and did not wind up in the stocks for the night?” 

“Well that would be me. I had been watching the whole interaction all night really. You were providing some of the best entertainment I have had in some time. So when you pulled out whatever that is,” and motioned to Renny “I knew something unpleasant would occur so, I put you to sleep.”

“You put me to sleep?”

“I put you to sleep. Then I claimed that I had been looking for you all night and thanked them profusely for finding you. I cast levitate on you and got you out of the tavern and back here to my house. Unfortunately the spell ended in the hall… and well you are much larger than me so I couldn’t get you into the cot. Sorry about that.”

“Yup, this is a first”

“A first?”

“A First.”

“For?”

I couldn’t stop the sad smile from slipping onto my face, “For someone bringing me back to their home or helping me with nothing but kind intentions.” I popped the last bite of bacon in my mouth, stood and took my plate to the sink, washed, and dried it. “That was wonderful Aveley, thank you.” I turned around to face them with what I hoped was a pleasant look on my face, “But I really must be on me way. I’m supposed ta be meeting someone in town today.”

“Hold up there. I need to check you over before you leave. And I want to cast a lesser restoration on you to get rid of the hangover…” They trailed off, their head tilted to the side and they squinted at me. “Why don’t you look like you drank yourself stupid last night?”

I smirked and tossed them a small tincture from my belt. "That."

“What is this?”

“That… Is ‘What Hangover?’ A creation of my own making. Saved my ass several times. I have never thought to take it while I am drunk…” I paused, eyes looking into the distance. “Maybe I will try that sometime. Anyway it takes away the unpleasantness of the heavy drinking the night before. I keep a stock pile of them in me bag for occasions such as this, well not this exact situation as I said it is a first but generally waking up hungover… hence the name “What Hangover?””

“Wow, it's like lesser restoration in a bottle.” 

I slammed the rest of my coffee, 

“Sure is, I got tired of paying clerics to cure my hangovers, they can be a bitch to find in some areas around Mythsteria.” 

I went to the coffee pot and motioned to it and my metal thermos, “Can I get some of this to go." Then nodded. "So I made something so I wasn’t dependent on anyone.” I shrugged as I filled up and added the rest of the sugar bowl and topped the metal can with cream. I screwed on the cap and walked up to them holding out my hand.  “Thank you Aveley. Should you ever need anything while I am in town, reach out I will be here for a few weeks.” 

They shook my hand, “Just try to stay out of trouble and jail. And I will”

I headed for the door, “No promises on that, it's too much fun.” 

I heard them laugh as I closed the door behind me. 

“Best coffee I’ve had since the Twilight Realm.” I sighed and started walking into town.