Finally they were having some real fun around here. After the trials and tribulations of the past weeks — hell, months — the chance to cut loose and really unwind was more than welcome.

Berries and herbs flowed freely. The bard sang. Newcomers and familiar faces alike danced or sang along in varying states of inebriation.

Not one to be left out of the merrymaking, Mal had already indulged in — two? three? eh, who was counting anyway — cups of pressed 'wine', the last of which he'd seasoned liberally with the druid's herbs after watching Taloka do the same, by the time the party launched into full swing.

It took the edge off. Maybe more than one.

By the time Mal realized one of their guests appeared to be looking for someone, the room was already swaying softly underfoot and his head felt light and pleasantly fuzzy.

Grinning, Mal swayed his way over to Ampoule, and flashed her a welcoming grin.

Lookin' for someone? The hint of a slur smoothed the edges off his words, too, but the welcome warmth and sweet perfume on the air stole what few inhibitions Mal possessed normally. Surely the lovely lady with fur like marble and eyes like — Mal fished around his thoughts for something purple to compare them to that wasn't a bruise, and by the time he settled on it, had already lost track of where he'd started. Hm. Maybe I can help, he added, only a little late. This is my Howff, an' I know most of these dipshits, so uh — if one of them's your dipshit I can probably point you th' right way. Unless you're just here for the entertainment?

Which could mean any number of things or people. Mal didn't specify. Was a little too buzzed to realize he should.