As a rule, Beth doesn't touch alcohol. She gave herself one chance to get drunk, and she did, and that was it for her. The way it made the problems of the world drift out of focus was too comfortable; she could see why it had taken hold of her father in his younger days, and how it would dig its claws into her if she ever let it.
She's never minded being around other people drinking, though. It was a good thing back in high school, because it's not like there was anything else for them to do out in the country, and it's a good thing here for similar reasons. The natives of Barrayar drink heartily at night, and as cold as it is, she guesses she can't blame them. It must help keep them warm.
Meanwhile, watching the not-so-natives sort out their tolerance for the maple mead being passed around is some of the best entertainment she could ask for. There's a boy sitting nearby, and she happens to glance over when he tries the mead out.
"Is it that strong?" she asks the guy, biting back a giggle at the look on his face. This must be what it was like from the outside, back when she took her first sip of moonshine.
wildcard as well, please
She's never minded being around other people drinking, though. It was a good thing back in high school, because it's not like there was anything else for them to do out in the country, and it's a good thing here for similar reasons. The natives of Barrayar drink heartily at night, and as cold as it is, she guesses she can't blame them. It must help keep them warm.
Meanwhile, watching the not-so-natives sort out their tolerance for the maple mead being passed around is some of the best entertainment she could ask for. There's a boy sitting nearby, and she happens to glance over when he tries the mead out.
"Is it that strong?" she asks the guy, biting back a giggle at the look on his face. This must be what it was like from the outside, back when she took her first sip of moonshine.