B - Page 429
barred warblered adj. Of a drinker: speaking in repeated phrases, each delivered from a slightly different direction. Keyna became barred warblered and gave the same account of the taxi from three corners of the room. barrel bagged adj. Describing a drinker who carries the body in one unwieldy cylinder, with limbs packed for convenience. Billion was barrel bagged on the platform, swaying as though packed for a weekend away. barrel bombed adj. A drinker who descends without guidance and lands wherever gravity has made arrangements. Yankee barrel bombed into the armchair, missing the seat by enough to concern the cushions. barrel bulked adj. A drinker so far gone that every passage has become a matter of measured capacity. Chevala barrel bulked in the doorway, requiring a revised estimate of the available width. barrel cactused adj. The state of being drunk and covered in small, defensive angles whenever anyone attempts to help. Yahir turned barrel cactused when offered an arm, then leaned on the banister instead. barrel chested adj. The condition of a drinker who advances from the sternum, leaving the feet to negotiate afterwards. Rishard went barrel chested into the hall, with his shoes arriving several moments later. barrel childed adj. The drunkenness of one who has been left behind by their own legs while the evening seeks better prospects abroad. Zolar became barrel childed at the foot of the stairs, waiting for his legs to return from elsewhere. barrel distortioned adj. Reduced by drink to a posture in which the middle bulges and the edges of every doorway retreat. Garvens was barrel distortioned in the narrow hall, apparently enlarging whenever he tried to pass. barrel drummed adj. Softened by drink into a broad, resonant body which announces each contact with the furniture. Redonna went barrel drummed against the stair wall, producing a note with every landing. barrel fevered adj. Sharpened by drink into a person whose movements are brisk, inaccurate, and liable to become medical history. Aparajita grew barrel fevered and attempted the stairs at a pace the handrail could not support. barrel filed adj. Loosened by drink into separate modules, each proceeding independently and exporting no useful information. Jalyne arrived barrel filed, with one foot downstairs and the remainder still considering the landing. barrel headed adj. Loosened by drink into a horizontal surface on which conversation, glasses, and ill-founded opinions may be placed. Curtesha grew barrel headed and offered her shoulder as a table for the crisps. barrel helmed adj. Emboldened by drink to approach the staircase as a great helm approaches a battlefield: forward, enclosed, and without peripheral vision. Chinasa went barrel helmed towards the stairs, unaware that the first step was not level. barrel hooped adj. Slowed by drink to the pace of a person whose balance has been assembled in rings. Ferdie came barrel hooped down the stairs, pausing at each hoop-shaped moment of uncertainty. barrel jellyfished adj. Drunk and pulsing gently from side to side, with several delayed tentacles seeking the same handrail. Samhita went barrel jellyfished along the landing, her fingers arriving at the banister in instalments. barrel jumped adj. Drunk beyond treating each step as an obstacle demanding speed, height, and several unwilling witnesses. Amie-leigh went barrel jumped and cleared the doorstep while three friends reconsidered their escorting duties.